GG, S02 E04 - Representation

Episode Summary: Blair and her 'Posse' interview different girls to decide whether or not they would be inducted into their 'clique'. Dan bumps into new student Amanda and they form an instant bond however, Blair and her 'posse' attempt to sabotage Dan and Amanda's friendship by inducting her as the new girl in their 'clique' meanwhile, Serena meets a new lust interest and Vanessa meets with the Duchess

Rich teenagers are being represented, as the setting is an American private school. It is a classic example of youth school culture (predominantly American) - someone extremely popular having the ability and power to control other students around her. A representation of Social hierarchies within schools.

Costume: Dan is at a private school, and his school uniform reflects this as in most state American schools, a uniform is not worn. He's well kept, but slightly casual with the top button not done up, shirt untucked and the shoulder canvas bag, but other than that quite a 'geeky' studious appearance. Other students around the playground are dressed in the same uniform. Girls are kilted, it's formal, posh. Some students are more 'rebellious' than Dan with their uniform, the two girls he talks to have flamboyant hair pieces and socks etc, this suggests that they are 'cooler' and more likely to be friends with Serena, the girl he's looking for.
IN STARK CONTRAST
Serena does not wear the uniform religiously. A very short school kilt SO unlike most of the other girl students in the playground, no tights/socks, a tight white t-shirt with a mans tie tied loosely around her neck. She is sexy, confident, and not afraid to the break the rules. Her bag hangs over her arm casually, poised, she wants to be looked at, wants to look good. Her makeup is perfectly applied and her hair looks good. A stereotypical representation of a popular school girl, blond, pretty, not afraid to break the rules, quite 'slutty'/sexy.

Location: outdoor setting, quad, plants, outdoor tables, it is very well kept, Greek style benches suggests wealth, red bricks also suggests wealth and a higher class. Clearly a school, due to the uniform, students with bags milling around, and the corridor and large doors behind Dan as he steps out of the building. There are lanterns on the walls, and high wall to ceiling windows - this is not an ordinary State school, this is well facilitated and well looked after.

Music Music is very important in this clip. The track is Shove it, by Santogold. The main refrain is "We think you're a joke Shove your hope where it don't shine " the lyrics are synchronous - Dan is not liked, everyone is moving away from him because he ridiculed Serena, she is getting her own back by ridding him of popularity/friends. The beat of the music also represents youth culture, it's upbeat, dance like, young, quite 'poppy'. It also fits the pace of the sequence. The texture of the music builds up as Dan's anxiety builds up as he sees people flee from him. It's also parallel to Serena's 'catwalk' like strut towards Dan. She is flaunting herself in front of him, reminding him that he is missing out on, and is wordlessly telling him that he has to pay.

Dialogue: There is very little dialogue in this extract, the story is told through the action. We know Dan is looking for Serena as he questions the girls, but they do not talk to him. They look at him with disgust on their faces, they can not be near him, they move away quickly.

Action: its seemingly insignificant, but this is a HUGE turning point in Gossip Girl. The Bitchy Serena is back. No longer is she the nice one, who went out with Dan- she has reinvented herself and taken Blair's place as Queen bee. None of this is represented through dialogue, it is in Serena's walk, Serena's costume and the look she gives Dan and that SLIGHT shake of the head, that tell us that the 'bitch is back'. She looks at Dan with such distaste, such dislike and power that he seems small and insignificant, even terrified next to her. The slight tilt of the head as she walks away tells us that she has reasserted her power. These girls will follow her where ever she goes. This is a stereotypical representation of American school social statuses - examples being 'the core' in the OC and the film, Meangirls - an 'elitist' group who think themselves above the rest.

Camera Work - movement/ shot types: This clip has some interesting camera movement. The opening reverse track follows Dan's path, ensuring Dan is the focus. The pan of the playground sets the location and allows us to see that everyone in the playground is staring at Dan with distaste. The crane shot then rotates around Dan, and this really emphasises and brings attention to the fact that everyone is trying to get away from him. This shot could also reflect his state of mind, confused at what's going on, angry - not steady and focused. The camera then gets closer and closer towards Dan, starting at a MLS slowly moving forwards while rotating, ending up with a CU. This CU allows us to see his expression and feel sympathy for Dan, he looks annoyed and knows exactly what's going on. The camera then stops rotating on an OTS shot, allowing us to see Serena and her 'gang' strut into the playground. After the encounter with Serena, the camera tracks backwards, as though it's with Serena. This heightens Dan's vulnerability and the LS reveals that he's all alone.

Editing: One of the key editing features of this clip is the slow mo used on Serena's entrance. This almost suggests that time stops for her, she is so important. It also allows the viewer to really see what she's turned into (costume, way she's walking etc). Prolongs the experience. It's also interesting how it cuts back to Dan frequently, this really homes in on his expression. The way he looks her up and down stereotypically suggests that he's checking her out, but in reality he's looking at what she's become. The editing represents Dan as a timid vulnerable character whereas Serena is completely in control, a powerful and dominant character.