Downton AbbeyCase Study

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

1.Telegraphing the news in

• Shot type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

2. The Milk Train

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

3. Mysterious Passenger

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

4. Hotline to the village post office

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

5. Downton Abbey in the morning sunlight.

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

6. Morning, its 6 o’clock!

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

7. A maid’s work is never done … “Hurry up!”

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

8. “Any sign of William?”

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

9. Mrs Hughes, keeper of the keys

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

10. Here comes the newspaper boy

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

11. Lady Mary takes a peek

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

12. Little people down there …

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

13. “And they’re off!”

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

14. “No rest for the wicked”

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

15. The Earl comes to break his fast

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

16. “On their way to a better life. What a tragedy!”

• Shot type?• Editing type?• Mise-en-scene?• Why? Impact on

audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

17. “Morning papa, a telegram”

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

18. “James and Patrick were on board”

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

19. “You must tell Mary!”

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis

20. “So you pushed in?”

• Shot type?

• Editing type?

• Mise-en-scene?

• Why? Impact on audience?

RECAP.• What are the most

common shots types used?

• What is the most frequent style of editing employed?

• How important is the Mise-en-scene in this drama?

• How are the target audience encouraged to respond to different characters in different ways?

Downton Abbey – Opening Sequence Analysis