The representation of Youth in an Episode of Skins

Skins Series 2 – Episode 1
Minutes: 1.00 – 4.52

In this episode of Skins, the Mise en Scene, Cinematography, Editing and Sound contribute to the representation of Youth through such things as costume, speed, and music.

The opening of this scene is an establishing shot of the inside of a church. In this shot a teenage boy (the character of Maxxie) starts some diegetic dance music and runs towards the camera. You could take this first shot to shows a range of different representation. This shows that youth use their resources well as normally you would practise dancing in a gym or dance studio, but instead he is dancing in a church. The idea that the church is one of his resources, suggests that youth are religious. Having said this you could take the view that this represents youth as rebellious and disrespectful as they are blasting out dance music throughout a peaceful church in order to dance inside it.

We are then presented with two other dancers. One is a well-built black teenage boy. The other is a toned white teenage girl. This represents youth as being accepting of other sexes and ethnicities. We can see that all three characters are in modern clothing and look well kept. They are all wearing tank tops and baggy trousers, this suggests youth as being united and well organised, which is then emphasized by the extremely well choreographed dance routine, which follows. This dance routine is synchronized and obviously well rehearsed, showing great organisation and skill within the group of youths. Having spot lights shinning down on them during this rehearsal suggest to me that they aren’t just doing any old routing in any place they can find, instead I feel that this shows they have pride in what they do.

In this dance scene, the cinematography is constantly changing from medium shots to close-ups and from low angle shots to high angle shots. Throughout the routine the camera is either panning the actors or matching on action. The constant changing of shots and angles I feel emphasizes the diversity in youth, which has been represented earlier when we see that there is a white girl, a black boy, and a white boy in the well-structured dance. Having these cuts edited so short and cutting so quickly also emphasizes the energy coming from the dancing teenagers, representing them as being very fit and energetic.

After they have danced, they all crash on the floor in a bundle joking about and jumping on each other. This contrasts with their serious expressions and synchronized movement in their dancing. This represents youth as hard working, but also shows that they know how to have a laugh. Noticeably the diversity in cinematography becomes limited as the tone of the scene relaxes. The acceptance and comfort with different ethnicities and sexes is also shown when the girl in the group takes her top off and then leaps on top on the black teenage boy and kisses him.

We are then presented with another representation of youth when Maxxie walks over to another teenage boy (the character of Tony) who is sitting in the dark at the back of the church. Tony looks zombified and shows youth as being clueless and moody. Tony mumbles slowly showing that he is either depressed or moody, suggesting that youth, although it has been shown to include having a laugh, and working hard, has other issues too.

The episode then cuts to an establishing shot of House of Fraiser, which is seen through a first person view. This is when some Non-diegetic music starts playing. The music is slow and calm, which emphasizes Tony’s depressed expression. The camera then cuts to Tony looking out the window and then shows a 2 shot of Maxxie and Tony sitting on the bus, when suddenly a truck drives past and blows its horn. This makes Tony jump. I feel this presents youth as being vulnerable and innocent, as he is obviously not feeling good and is easily scared. This is then emphasized by Tony grabbing Maxxie’s hand, not only does this shows innocence and vulnerability, but it also carries on this theme of acceptance of modern society as they are obviously comfortable with their sexuality.

The costumes, which the characters are wearing, are modern, clean and stylish clothes. Maxxie is wearing an open light blue shirt over the top of a pink and brown tank top. The colours are bold and bright, and there is a sense of confidence and a chilled out frame of mind as his shirt is open. This contrasts with Tony’s outfit, a buttoned up, burgundy cardigan over a white shirt. I feel this shows Tony to be less comfortable and having a deep dark colour such as burgundy emphasizes Tony’s depression.

After a 2 shot of the pair walking towards the camera, there is an underpinning of a girl’s voice. The camera then cuts to a shot of 5 very young girls lying on top of a black and bright yellow car. These girls have high voices, as you would expect a child too. They are wearing tracksuit bottoms, chains and baggy tops. Some with side pony tails, others with caps. One of which, perhaps the leader of the crew, is wearing make-up and hoop earrings. Overall they are represented as being a very cute bunch of children, emphasizing the representation of youth being innocent. The fact that they are interacting with Maxxie and Tony, and that they are wearing clothes, which their mum obviously didn’t pick for them, suggests that they look up to the elder youth and therefore represents the elder youths as being role models. The interaction between the two groups of friends is shown by the cutting to close ups of reaction shots.

In conclusion youth is represented as very diverse. We see this through: the friendly atmosphere between the different sexes and ethnicities; the range in emotions from working hard, to joking about with friends, to feeling depressed and uncomfortable; and through the ability to interact with different age groups. All of which are emphasized through the Cinematography, Editing, Mise en Scene, and Sound.

Media: Religion and the Government

Today i watched a video in which it explored all the flaws of such things as Christianity and the American Government, amongst many other things. Unfortunately i have not watched the whole film, but i plan to do so. However, from what i have seen, i found that a lot of these flaws had been covered up by the media, for example, the terrorist attacks on the world trade centers, we were constantly having the words "terror", "terrorist" and "evil" pushed down our throats, when in fact, if you watch the video, there seems to be reason to question whether in fact these attacks were terrorist related. This video has also made me question whether Christianity is true or not? and has shown how we and the media influence each other to believe what we are told.
The film is very interesting, and i advise that you watch it. You can do this by simply clicking this link: www.zeitgeistmovie.com and scrolling down to the middle of the page in which the "June 18th 2007" version of "ZEITGEIST, THE MOVIE" is.

Sony Music and Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production/distribution unit of Japanese media conglomerate Sony. Their group sale in 2007 has been reported to be of $8.58 billion.

Sony Music Entertainment is a major global record label controlled by the Sony Corporation of America, being one of the "big four" record companies. According to Variety, on October 2, 2008, Sony had completed the acquisition of Bertelsmann, and Sony BMG will be re-branded into Sony Music Entertainment.

Sony Pictures Entertainment produces and distributes such films as the new James Bond film “Quantum of Solace”. Not only do Sony Pictures Entertainment to films, but they also produce and distribute television programmes like “Jeopardy”. Sony Pictures Entertainment are clever in the way they cross promote. They do this in many ways:
Sony films will contain a Sony soundtrack.Sony adverts will contain more Sony products than the one they are advertising, for example, you could have an advert for a Sony sound system, but using a Sony TV and a Sony Playstation to advertise it. Much in the same way that Sony Music Entertainment can cross promote in their artist’s, such as Chris Brown and Beyoncé’s, music videos by slipping in an image of a Sony Eriksson for example.

How the Main Character Contributes to the Narrative

Alfie.
Alfie is a film about a middle-aged bachelor who is playing a lot of women. He eventually reaches a mid-life crisis and realises that he wants more than a fling, but when he goes back to the women of his past, they have all moved on and he is left by alone.
The character Alfie is played by Jude Law, who is represented as this smart “ladies man”. They represent him like this by the way he dresses in designer suits, and how he lives in a stylish apartment (a bachelor pad). We can also see this representation by the characters life style for example going to bars and venturing around the city going from one woman’s bed to the next. Alfie’s character is also represented as this “ladies man” by the way he talks in a seductive manor to women using such things as chat-up line.
Alfie contributes to the narrative (how the story is told) in not only how his character is conveyed, but also by the way he “steps out “ of the film and talks to the audience telling us his thoughts from his personal point of view about the situations he is in, giving us a more in depth sight of this film. The way in which he acts also contributes to the narrative as we can tell that the main character is a “ladies man” from the beginning. We can see this in his clothes, his actions and by the way all the women look at him.

My Media Diary

Monday
When i came home i listened to music on itunes and went on my computer. Later i then read ' Enduring Love' as apart of my prep for English Literature. I then went on Facebook and listened to more music on itunes.
Tuesday
I put on my CD player when i got up and listened to Chris Brown's new album "Exclusive". During the day i had English Literature, so i read more of 'Enduring Love'. In Media Studies, i then watched a DVD called "Life on Mars", which we analysed. When i got home from school i listened to music on itunes. Later i went to Urban Strides, which again involves listening to music.
Wednesday
I listened to Chris Brown again when i got up, and when i came home i listened to music for alot of the night.
Thursday
In English Literature i read "King Lear", and in Sociology i watched a Horizon documentary called "Doctor Money and the Boy with no Penis" which was about a sociology/physcology experiment to see if you could take over nature, and decide someone's gender through nurture. When i came home i watched some music channels e.g. MTV, and then i listened to music for most of the evening as i had organised my mum a suprise Birthday party.
Friday
We watched Eastenders in media studies, and again analysed this, looking at the Mise en Scene And later i went on Facebook on my mobile. In the evening i listened/watched music on TV as me and some friends got ready for a Moulin Rouge party, and at the party i listened to alot of music all night.
Saturday
When i got up me and my friend watched some music videos on TV, and then I uploaded some photos from Friday night onto Facebook, and i wrote about my week of Media on my blogger account, whilst listening to music on itunes.
Sunday
I went to visit my friend in Rugby School and so listened to Radio 1 in the car on my way their and back. In the evening i listened to itunes whilst i did an essay and then went on Facebook.

Media Vocabulary

1. Representation - this is where we take reality and then from that we look at our own perception of reality, which finally gives us how we choose to present it.
2. Verisimilitude - is trying to create a plausible representation.
3. Plot - is a sequence of events told in a story.
4. Narrative - this is how the story is told.
5. Mise en Scene - whats actually in the scene e.g. setting, costume, hair-styles, lighting etc.
6. Cinematography - This is the camera angles and moves.
7. Editing - this includes such things as cutting, speed, and techniques like fading.