Textual Analysis: Eastenders

Q: How is class represented in this scene?

From this sequence of scenes we get the impression that the characters are portrayed in a negative way. Working class families are presented as argumentative and conflictuous. This is evident in all the arguments the characters have; e.g. the wife accussing the husband of having an affair. This demonstrates a serious underlying issue of trust which the husband tries to cover with light-humour. However there are some positive portrayals of working class families, such as the father dominating over his daughter in a patriotic, protective manner. He is being presented by a low-angle shot which instantly shows his dominance. This could imply that working class families value their family and relationships.
The main types of jobs represented are mannual labour jobs such as the kitchen workers, suggesting that working class characters are not professionally trained and thus some are unemplyed. This adds a sense of realism as the audience (mainly working class themselves) can relate to the characters' jobs. Ethnicities are represented in a positive light as all races are mixing together which shows that the working class accept each other. This is most evident when the asian man in showing a group of people a sonogram of a baby. Their compact body language implies that they are comfortable with being around each other and shows them as a community. As a whole, the community is presented as a conflictuous, working class bunch of people with serious underlying issues, however this contrasts another view that they are close, caring and accepting of one another.
This sequence presents action in domestic settings that attempt to create verisimilitude; a pub, a kitchen, home. This shows that they don't have highly paid jobs, suggesting yet again that they are uneducated. I think that the pub shows an old, traditional setting which portras the idea of the working class valueing traditional aspects, such as caring for your family. The costumes reflect their class; the casual high-street clothes show that they don't have much money because of their low-paid jobs. The work uniform shown in the kitchen, is a visual reminder of their manual labour jobs which instantly mirrors their hierarchical status.

Throughout the sequence, colliqual language is being used which adds a sense of realism of an eastend community. However, their use of slang to say "nah" instead of "no" as well as their own phrases and eastend accents may be interpreted as an insult, as it suggests a stereotypical view that the working-cass are uneducated and are inable to articulate correctly. This would show the working class yet again in a negative light.
In terms of cinematography, there are variations of different shots. The main shot used frequently throughout the sequence is the mid-shot which can be used in an argument for effect, e.g. the shot reverse shot instantly groups the characters onto teams in an argument, i.e. the husband and the group against the wife in the kitchen, with their son stuck inbetween the two. In that scene, close-ups were used to highlight the reactions of the characters. A two-shot was used in the pub to unite the two characters, which contrasts the over the shoulder shots that heighten conflictuous conversations. There was one pont of view shot which resulted in nestalgia; we were in the shoes of the father looking at a doll in a box from his daughter's childhood. This highlights working class families respecting traditional values. As this is a TV drama, there is no non-diegetic sound which establishes that sense of realism. However the diegetic sound i.e. the dialogue, shows argumentative natures which establishes negativity once more.
This sequence of scenes shows the working class in a mainly negative, stereotypical way; as having argumentative natures, unerlying issues and no high education. However it is not totally negative as no particular group can be totally bad and thus it shows their positive aspects too.

Skins Poster Analysis

The central point of this advertisement is Michelle, who is sitting on a bed with mismatched clothes, ruffled hair and smudged make-up. This reflects her unbothered attitude, lack of control and disobedience, which mirrors the stereotypical view of teenagers in England. The characters along the bottom of the poster are engaged in deep intimacy and are entirely unaware of the camera. This could demonstrate the approach of teenagers; they are rebellious, stubbron and narrowminded and have total disregard for everything that they don't have an interest in. The only other character is Sid in the background, who we can recognise by the hat and glasses. His facial expression and body language imply that he has done something wrong. This is ironic, as he is the one who doesn't seem to be completely part of the chaotic mess.

The scene chosen for the poster is the bedroom, evident because of the main prop: the bed. It looks like a parents' bedroom, which heightens their destructive and rebellious nature. The fact that it's a bedroom backs-up the theme of intimacy and proves teenagers to be wild and untameable; they've managed to covert an originally calm and peaceful scene into a room of mess and madness. This is also apparant in the dirty walls and ripping wallpaper, as it shows their recklessness. The setting is tinted a light blue, which could represent coldness and perhaps even loneliness, which would fit in with the way Sid is being shown. There are two sources of lighting; one from the tablelamp by Sid which highlights his facial expression and another from the window. The natural sunlight on the walls adds a sense of realism to the poster and suggests that it is set in the early hours, perhaps after a party.

This poster gives a negative representation of teenagers, portraying them as uncontrollable troublemakers. However, teenagers themselves could interpret this poster as showing a crazy night of fun. This poster was banned ater numerous complaints saying that the poster could 'encourage underage sex'.

This poster only features one character, which instantly portrays loneliness and implies a sense of neglection. The advertisement suggests that the boy has attempted suicide as he is submerged under dirty water. His rigid body, pale skin and stark facial expression make it seem like he is dead. His eyes are focused at a point which shows that he was deep in thought, perhaps contemplating his life. The main props used are the cleaning products such as the razor, soap and shower gel, which contrast with the dirty bethroom. This evident conflict could be a reflection of the conflicts in Tony's life, which could be the causes for his suicide attempt.

Tony appears to be in a bathroom which is evident because of the sink and bath. A bathroom is a room of isolation, which would be the perfect location for a suicide attempt. The horrendous state of the scene could be used to portray the mess in Tony's life. The bathroom is neglected as clearly noone cleans it, which mirrors the boy's life; perhaps he is neglected and noone cares for him. The grime and dirt create a depressing mood, and the fact that he is bathing in such a location shows how careless he is. There is no lighting in the set which makes it seem cold and lonely. The lack of colour also adds to the sense of isolation; it makes Tony look ill. A high angle shot has been used here to heighten Tony's image and to make us feel distant from the character, perhaps to demonstrate his neglectance one again.

I think that this poster is a dramatic exaggeration of teenage actions. Clearly, this is a negative portrayal of teenagers. To adults it shows the dramatic overreactions of teenagers; they may even find this offensive, but to teenagers this could be a visual reminder of other teenagers committing suicide and the horrific effects of it, perhaps even a advising against it. Thus, people will all be able to relate to this poster.