2. Skins is a teenage drama
about students who are at
college studying for their
A-levels. We delve into each
Of their lives individually and
they fit the stereotype of ‘typical teenagers’ where
they are enjoying their youth and not caring too
much about the consequences.
Skins is ideal to show the representations of age as
they are seen throughout the series, getting in
trouble with the police and their parents. But also
they are seen in a positive light, by helping each other
out and other people. Which can be overlooked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho69_sCkwyI
3. The clip you just watched shows the teenagers entering a pub and fights break
out.
Mise-en-scene
When they first enter the pub they are greeted with
displeasing looks, and are looked down on by the older
generation. This is a representation of age because we see the
generic stereotype for youth. The idea that they are loud,
rowdy and inconsiderate. But we are also shown a
representation of age from the older generation. Who are
looking down on them.
Possibly because of this, a fight kicks off and we see the
stereotype of their age come into play. But here, the older
people in the pub are fighting with them. Making them just
as bad. But highlighting the skins cast in a bad way because
of the connotations of their age. Therefore kicking off and
getting involved in bad behaviour also.
However, not all characters are like this, as we see one of
them hiding under a table, not wanting to be part of the
fighting and not causing any trouble. This is a representation
of age because this character is very non confrontational and
possibly showing more maturity than the older people in the
pub. Contradicting the stereotype. And also showing another
way age can be represented. Opposite to the rest of the cast.
4. At the end of the clip we see them jumping off a wall. This is a representation of age because it
is showing them being careless and happy. Enjoying their youth.
Skins is a good tv drama to show the representations of age because within the show, there are
many characters, all with different stories and lives which show the representations of age in
very different ways. We have a character called ‘Cook’ who is very violent and doesn’t really care
about anyone.
Then we have a character ‘Pandora’ who is away with the fairies most of the time but is kind to
everyone and is a very bubbly and funny character. Opposite to cook but both these characters
represent stereotypes of age and things that are overlooked by people too. Which shows us lots
of different angles to age representations of adolescence.
5. Camera angles/Lighting
This camera angle is very low, to represent the character shown. This angle
makes her look very weak and timid. Which fits the character’s personality.
Using different camera angles within a TV drama, can express representations
of many themes, such as age. For instance this character, is quite immature,
and shy, and this camera angle helps establish this, in the skins trailer.
Using lighting, colours and shadows in a TV drama can express emotions of
characters to the audience. For example in this screen shot the lighting is dark
and dull, which mirrors how the character is scared and the shadows in the
shot connote her fear.
6. Editing
• The majority of this clip is in slow motion to emphasize
the message and it also makes the audience envy their
rebelliousness and care free attitude. The reactions
people are giving them when they walk in is also
slowed down to make the message clearer. Adding this
element makes the fighting look more fun rather than
frightening.
• At the end of the clip we see them jumping in slow
motion to add a fictional element and not seeing them
land makes us think that nothing can go wrong and is a
form of escapism.
7. Stereotypes - Costume
Effy is presented wearing short, revealing clothes with fish net tights and big boots which
portrays her to seem more sexualised and reckless.
Not all teenage girls dress like this, though many older people think young people dress
very provocatively like they’re trying to act older, which her costume reflects.
