Representation Of Disability

I have chosen too analyse this clip from the TV drama Waterloo Road. In this clip there is the young teenager called Sambuca and her boy friend Finn, Sam has terminal cancer which has made her disabled unable to walk without the aid of someone else this leads her to often be in a wheelchair. She knows that she is coming closer to the end of her life by each day that passes, they are discussing what will happen after Sam passes when her step-dad and best friend come to take them home. Finn says goodbye to Sam little does he know for the last time.
Mise En Scene; Sam I wearing heavy warm clothing and is leaning against Finn, this shows that her body is fragile and that she can not do much without him. She depends on him for everything and it is portrayed here when she is leaning on him as if she cant hole herself up. This is often what happens to people with disabilities in TV dramas as they are shown to be heavy reliant on others. She clings to him in such  a way it portrays her need for him to be there or else she would be lost, this is not true though for most disabled people as they come to term with their disability become more able to look after themselves. Later on it is revealed that they are sat on steps leading down to an empty beach, a wheelchair can be seen at the top of the steps not far from them. It gives the viewer the impression that the wheelchair is Sam's and she is too weak to use her legs anymore. This is also why they are sat on the stairs, Sam is too weak to go onto the beach it would also be uncomfortable for her. The beach is empty and peaceful which implies that Sam does not like loud noises; people and stress, this is because she cant cope with normal life. Although there is people around them they are sat by themselves as they don't want to be bothered by them. When getting back to the school Sam is sat in the back of the car even though they are in her step-dads car, this is like a child. Children sit in the back because it is safer and easier for them to lean on the window. She also has a large teddy bear in which she cuddles tightly, this is like a comforter for her. Finally she looks out of the window in  helpless manner, implying that she thinks that she cant do anything about her situation.
Editing and Camera Shots; At the first part of the scene it cuts every few seconds swishing between the teenagers faces, changing viewpoint of each of the characters faces. This could be classed as a matched cut because each time as it as a similar centre of attention in the frame, focusing on the middle of their faces. They do this to show each face and portray their own personal expressions. The camera does linger more on Sam at this point as the focus should be on her. For the same reason this can be a reaction shot as it shows the reaction of what the opposite person has said. Then the camera shot changes to a two shot so you can see both Finn and Sam, they do this to show their positioning and how close they are. Once her teacher and friend get their it cuts again to widen the shot to show all four of them and the looming wheelchair above them. This leads to an establishing shot of the beach to show were they are and the atmosphere around them. This helps the audience to see where they are at because it seems to be a special place to Sam. Another establishing shot is used when they return back too school, to show the audience where they are moving too. This shot cuts out time where they are supposedly traveling back from the beach as it makes it less boing for the audience. The final shots that are used in the scene are close ups which enables the audience to see Sam's emotions and her facial expressions. These show how frail Sam is. The screen time in this clip is over about 4 hours but they have fitted it in to only around 3 minutes due to cutting certain things out. Such as compressing the time of the journey back form the beach like I said  before.
Sound; They use direct sound to show realistic aspects of the drama as they want the audience to feel sorry for Sam as if her character was real. Although it may not be the best quality because it can become interrupted by the environment around them it makes the scenes more true to life even though they have probably shot it over and over. Finally the use of music grows the sadness and sympathy towards Sam as it is very depressing music. They do this to show that Sam is not happy with the way that she is.
Overall I believe that Sam is portrayed to the stereotype of disabled people being weak frail, and unable to look after themselves.