During this scene there are four characters (if you include the child in the car). The first character that appears in the scene is Max. On first impression he seems quite dark and quite ill in his complexion. This is the same when analysing the dress code of the other characters whose clothing is predominately dark. Dark colours play a key part in the making of this scene, for example the colour purple is used effectively to portray what seems to be death and fear. This is seen where Max is drowning and his face turns purple, whilst Claire is wearing a purple top. The semantics of purple is that of bruising and pain which is portrayed during this scene. Once OB is brought into the scene the audience sees him as being somewhat of a saviour due to his dress code that of which is quite dissimilar to that of Claire and Max. His clothing is quite bright and this may suggest that he is an angel-type figure in this scene.
The fact that this scene is shot in the woods adds further to the effect of darkness portrayed through the characters clothing. The woods being quite a weary and dull place to be, adds extra effect to the scene that is trying to be captured. During this scene the lake can be seen as being somewhat symbolic, due to the use of the incidental and non-diegetic music that is played. The water could symbolise life just drifting away.
Camera shots and mise en scene are used effectively in this scene to create the image of power amongst Claire. The fact that she wears all black could suggest the femme fatal image about her being cold and evil. Moreover to make Claire look even more dangerous and fearful, she uses a red jacket to lure Max to the water. The semantics of red being stop and or danger adds to Claire wanting to be dominant over the other characters.
To add to the mise en scene when creating power through Claire the producers have used many high and low angled shots which showcase Claire’s dominance over the other characters in the scene.
To add further to my earlier point of the death and fear being implied in this scene, there is a death-like atmosphere amongst the woods and the characters. Furthermore, the incidental and non-diegetic music that is used accompanies this. Music in this case is very effective as it creates the atmosphere in the scene. One example can be seen where OD is running to save Max who is drowning, the music that is played in non-diegetic, and suggests death.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Title Sequences
Denotations:
Smoking
Kissing
Trampoline
Clouds
Houses
Running
Bedroom
Mobile
Laughing
Moving cycle
Undressed male
Optical Illusions
Connotations:
The symbolic codes in the title sequence of Skins all contribute to the representation of teenagers in modern day Britain. Some of the objects that are used represent what Teenagers either strive to be or what others want them to be. For example, the use of the trampoline suggests that teenagers just want to have some fun in their lives without the stress and hassle of such things as education. However, it may just be and embodiment of what teenagers used to be and what they should be like.
Many of the objects used throughout this title sequence further add to the representation of teenagers in Britain. Smoking, kissing, mobile phones are all associated with the modern day teenager. This opening sequence aims to present this to the viewer as if it is the norm in today’s society for teenagers to be operating around these examples.
There are also denotations in the title sequence which again depict the negatives of teenage life in Britain. For example, the undressed male suggests orgies or partying which is common in teenage life nowadays however it is not a norm in society and tends to focus on the negatives of teenage life.
The written codes also add effect to the representation in Skins. Although there are not that many written codes, those that are used are effective. For example, the title Skins is not very big yet it is identifiable. This suggests that like teenagers the title is stuck in a stage in the middle in between big and small.
Smoking
Kissing
Trampoline
Clouds
Houses
Running
Bedroom
Mobile
Laughing
Moving cycle
Undressed male
Optical Illusions
Connotations:
The symbolic codes in the title sequence of Skins all contribute to the representation of teenagers in modern day Britain. Some of the objects that are used represent what Teenagers either strive to be or what others want them to be. For example, the use of the trampoline suggests that teenagers just want to have some fun in their lives without the stress and hassle of such things as education. However, it may just be and embodiment of what teenagers used to be and what they should be like.
Many of the objects used throughout this title sequence further add to the representation of teenagers in Britain. Smoking, kissing, mobile phones are all associated with the modern day teenager. This opening sequence aims to present this to the viewer as if it is the norm in today’s society for teenagers to be operating around these examples.
There are also denotations in the title sequence which again depict the negatives of teenage life in Britain. For example, the undressed male suggests orgies or partying which is common in teenage life nowadays however it is not a norm in society and tends to focus on the negatives of teenage life.
The written codes also add effect to the representation in Skins. Although there are not that many written codes, those that are used are effective. For example, the title Skins is not very big yet it is identifiable. This suggests that like teenagers the title is stuck in a stage in the middle in between big and small.
Conventions Of TV Drama
Different Types of TV Drama:
Soap Opera
Documentary Drama
Sci-Fi
Period Drama
Teens
Hospital
Conventions of Teen Drama:
Issues:
· Pregnancy
· Sexuality
· Virginity
· Family Life
· Social Life
· Education
Added Notes:
Tried to create realism
Controversial
Soundtrack – Pop/Rock
School Settings – Modern
Convention of Period Drama:
Issues:
Crime and Punishment
Death
Suspicion
Health
Hierarchy in society
Family
Orphanages
Added Notes:
Colours – Dark, dull, bleak
Domestic Settings
Flashbacks
Orchestral Soundtrack – Relates to time
Incidental Music
Different Connotations
Language
Costume
Soap Opera
Documentary Drama
Sci-Fi
Period Drama
Teens
Hospital
Conventions of Teen Drama:
Issues:
· Pregnancy
· Sexuality
· Virginity
· Family Life
· Social Life
· Education
Added Notes:
Tried to create realism
Controversial
Soundtrack – Pop/Rock
School Settings – Modern
Convention of Period Drama:
Issues:
Crime and Punishment
Death
Suspicion
Health
Hierarchy in society
Family
Orphanages
Added Notes:
Colours – Dark, dull, bleak
Domestic Settings
Flashbacks
Orchestral Soundtrack – Relates to time
Incidental Music
Different Connotations
Language
Costume
How are teenagers represented in this episode of Skins
I have chosen to look at the teenagers in the drama Skins and see how Teenagers are represented. I have chosen to look at two different episodes of Skins in order to analyse the different approaches throughout the series towards teenagers. I have chosen to look at Tony is Episode 1 Series 1 and Jal in Episode 3 Series 1.
Tony Episode 1 Series 1:
Tony is one of the main characters in Skins and can be seen as being portrayed differently to the other characters. Tony is quite an unusual character, especially when comparing him to any of the other characters. Unlike the other characters, Tony is quite submissive and mature. I use the term mature lightly as none of the characters are mature in a social sense.
The character Tony is young-adult male who is around the age of 17. He is portrayed throughout the episode and series for that matter as being the leader of the group. He is presented as being the boy that everyone wants to be. He has the looks the girls the social ability and this is further seen through the character of Sid who continuously waits in Tony’s shadow only ever to be regularly disappointed.
The setting used in this episode can be seen as representing teenagers in that they are everyday hangouts for youngsters. For example, in this episode there are settings such as cafes, school grounds, buses and domestic settings.
In the show Tony is involved in storylines associated with sex and virginity all of which is linked throughout the series. The makers of Skins look to be presenting the common day teenager as being somewhat reckless and mistrusted. However, many would disagree and point to the fact that this embodiment of a teenager is over exaggerated and fails to depict real life society.
Even though Tony is presented as being a bad boy like type of character, his costume points to the opposite. His costume is quite casual and smart, contracting from the other characters and his own persona. This contrasts to the belief that the common day teenager is quite scruffy and ill-dressed. However, it does add to the fact that Skins is quite misleading in its approach towards the portrayal of teenagers.
Jal Episode 3 Series 1:
Jal’s character in Skins is not regularly seen but is a striking contrast to the other characters in the programme. In episode 3 series 1, Jal is the main character and she is portrayed as being quite an unusual character as she is mature and intelligent unlike her piers. Unlike, the other character she’s cares for others feelings and chooses to focus more on her music career rather than live a life devoted to parties.
The character Jal is young-adult female around the age of 17. She is portrayed throughout the series as being the outcast of the group due to her beliefs and values. He is presented as being the girl that every working teenager wants to be. She has intellect, talent and looks. She is also very independent.
The settings that Jal appears in further connote that she is a teenager unlike those represented throughout Skins. She is regularly, if not always in a domestic setting which could connote that she is mature and defiant against the outside world of partying and orgies.
In this episode Jal is involved in storylines associated with violence and sadness. Fore example, she is attacked in this episode yet she later goes on to feel sadness for Sid as he is under threat of attack. This is representational of the common day teenager whose are regularly associated with violence on the streets. Skins try to depict this; however I feel they have chosen the wrong the character in order to do so.
Jal is presented as the mature and smart character in Skins and this is further seen through her costume which is casual and smart. When she attends her music competition she is dressed in a smart brown dress which she constantly says is green. This could connote that she is looking for the bright side to life.
In both episodes a lot of slang is used. Bad language is the norm in the characters language and is adapted throughout the series. The language is used is also quite colloquial in order to further portray teenagers in society. The non-diegetic sound in both episodes consists of rock music that is played in scenes throughout the series. This adds extra effect to the image portrayed in particular scene in the programme.
Tony Episode 1 Series 1:
Tony is one of the main characters in Skins and can be seen as being portrayed differently to the other characters. Tony is quite an unusual character, especially when comparing him to any of the other characters. Unlike the other characters, Tony is quite submissive and mature. I use the term mature lightly as none of the characters are mature in a social sense.
The character Tony is young-adult male who is around the age of 17. He is portrayed throughout the episode and series for that matter as being the leader of the group. He is presented as being the boy that everyone wants to be. He has the looks the girls the social ability and this is further seen through the character of Sid who continuously waits in Tony’s shadow only ever to be regularly disappointed.
The setting used in this episode can be seen as representing teenagers in that they are everyday hangouts for youngsters. For example, in this episode there are settings such as cafes, school grounds, buses and domestic settings.
In the show Tony is involved in storylines associated with sex and virginity all of which is linked throughout the series. The makers of Skins look to be presenting the common day teenager as being somewhat reckless and mistrusted. However, many would disagree and point to the fact that this embodiment of a teenager is over exaggerated and fails to depict real life society.
Even though Tony is presented as being a bad boy like type of character, his costume points to the opposite. His costume is quite casual and smart, contracting from the other characters and his own persona. This contrasts to the belief that the common day teenager is quite scruffy and ill-dressed. However, it does add to the fact that Skins is quite misleading in its approach towards the portrayal of teenagers.
Jal Episode 3 Series 1:
Jal’s character in Skins is not regularly seen but is a striking contrast to the other characters in the programme. In episode 3 series 1, Jal is the main character and she is portrayed as being quite an unusual character as she is mature and intelligent unlike her piers. Unlike, the other character she’s cares for others feelings and chooses to focus more on her music career rather than live a life devoted to parties.
The character Jal is young-adult female around the age of 17. She is portrayed throughout the series as being the outcast of the group due to her beliefs and values. He is presented as being the girl that every working teenager wants to be. She has intellect, talent and looks. She is also very independent.
The settings that Jal appears in further connote that she is a teenager unlike those represented throughout Skins. She is regularly, if not always in a domestic setting which could connote that she is mature and defiant against the outside world of partying and orgies.
In this episode Jal is involved in storylines associated with violence and sadness. Fore example, she is attacked in this episode yet she later goes on to feel sadness for Sid as he is under threat of attack. This is representational of the common day teenager whose are regularly associated with violence on the streets. Skins try to depict this; however I feel they have chosen the wrong the character in order to do so.
Jal is presented as the mature and smart character in Skins and this is further seen through her costume which is casual and smart. When she attends her music competition she is dressed in a smart brown dress which she constantly says is green. This could connote that she is looking for the bright side to life.
In both episodes a lot of slang is used. Bad language is the norm in the characters language and is adapted throughout the series. The language is used is also quite colloquial in order to further portray teenagers in society. The non-diegetic sound in both episodes consists of rock music that is played in scenes throughout the series. This adds extra effect to the image portrayed in particular scene in the programme.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Denotations And Connotations Of Skins Posters
Denotation (Poster 1):
Brown Hair
Green and Black underwear
Black-Lacy Bolero
Knee-high Socks
Make-Up
Flowery/Dark Wallpaper
Painting
Lamp
Sheets
Kissing
Artificial Light
Shadows
Decay
Asian with tattoo
Falling feathers
Connotation (Poster 1):
The characters dress connoted many things about the character in the poster. The fact that she is hardly dressed at all connotes that it is either early morning or she has been engaging in sexual activity. This point is backed up further through looking at the other characters in the poster who seem to have the same dress code. Moreover, the props that are used are somewhat significant as they present youth. The clothes worn by the characters are not that which is associated with an elder more mature audience.
The location architecture is very significant in the poster due to it being a bedroom. This adds extra connotations to the props and provides a lot of information about what the characters are doing. In this case the bedroom connotes that the characters have been taking part in sexual activity. This point can be backed up through analysing the characters positions and dress code.
Through looking at the interior design of the bedroom it can be assumed that the characters are out of place, or not meant to be there. For example, the fact that the wallpaper is very old-fashioned/mature it not representational of a teenagers décor for a bedroom. Also, the type of lamp that is in this poster further suggests that this bedroom belongs to someone much elder than those in the poster, and suggests that the characters don’t belong there. Moreover, the interior design looks somewhat neglected as if someone does not want it to be there. For example, the wallpaper being stripped off the wall shows how it is neither wanted nor liked.
A significant part of this poster is the colours that are used. The colours used are very dark, and connotes depression. This can also be seen through the main characters body language. She seems to be somewhat upset and depressed, and that fact that the colours are quite dark, adds emphasis to this.
The lighting used in this poster is artificial. This can be seen through the light shown on the characters face. It is evident that this is artificial due to the fact that the natural lighting is coming in from behind, from the windows and the lamp. The absence of light at the front of the image further connotes depression.
Denotation (Poster 2):
Bath
Water
Dirty
Decay
Sink
Soap
Cracks in the wall
Half-Naked Male
Pale
Connotations (Poster 2):
The bath suggests that the character is frustrated and is tired of everything that is going on around him. It looks like while he is in the bath he is having a think about everything and has given up.
The dirt in the bathroom suggests that he is living a rough life and he has come to his final decision. He is probably sick of the life he is living and does not know what to do.
In the poster, there are four different types of soaps. It looks as if it has been avoided and also when you look at the other props like the bath and sink, you can see that it is not clean. The character shows that he does not care and cannot be bothered to do anything such as, cleaning. No one would want to get in a bath that is filthy. This also suggests that he has not had a bath in a while.
There is a lot of decay in this image like the dirt on the walls, the cracks on the walls, dirt around the sink and on the bath. This shows that the whole bathroom has been neglected and it hasn’t been taken care of in a while. This again reflects the character’s feelings and how he is living his life and what he is going through. It may be that he is neglected and is not being taken care of. Possibly no one is there for him and has to cope with everything by his self. The disposable razor could mean that he also feels disposable.
Brown Hair
Green and Black underwear
Black-Lacy Bolero
Knee-high Socks
Make-Up
Flowery/Dark Wallpaper
Painting
Lamp
Sheets
Kissing
Artificial Light
Shadows
Decay
Asian with tattoo
Falling feathers
Connotation (Poster 1):
The characters dress connoted many things about the character in the poster. The fact that she is hardly dressed at all connotes that it is either early morning or she has been engaging in sexual activity. This point is backed up further through looking at the other characters in the poster who seem to have the same dress code. Moreover, the props that are used are somewhat significant as they present youth. The clothes worn by the characters are not that which is associated with an elder more mature audience.
The location architecture is very significant in the poster due to it being a bedroom. This adds extra connotations to the props and provides a lot of information about what the characters are doing. In this case the bedroom connotes that the characters have been taking part in sexual activity. This point can be backed up through analysing the characters positions and dress code.
Through looking at the interior design of the bedroom it can be assumed that the characters are out of place, or not meant to be there. For example, the fact that the wallpaper is very old-fashioned/mature it not representational of a teenagers décor for a bedroom. Also, the type of lamp that is in this poster further suggests that this bedroom belongs to someone much elder than those in the poster, and suggests that the characters don’t belong there. Moreover, the interior design looks somewhat neglected as if someone does not want it to be there. For example, the wallpaper being stripped off the wall shows how it is neither wanted nor liked.
A significant part of this poster is the colours that are used. The colours used are very dark, and connotes depression. This can also be seen through the main characters body language. She seems to be somewhat upset and depressed, and that fact that the colours are quite dark, adds emphasis to this.
The lighting used in this poster is artificial. This can be seen through the light shown on the characters face. It is evident that this is artificial due to the fact that the natural lighting is coming in from behind, from the windows and the lamp. The absence of light at the front of the image further connotes depression.
Denotation (Poster 2):
Bath
Water
Dirty
Decay
Sink
Soap
Cracks in the wall
Half-Naked Male
Pale
Connotations (Poster 2):
The bath suggests that the character is frustrated and is tired of everything that is going on around him. It looks like while he is in the bath he is having a think about everything and has given up.
The dirt in the bathroom suggests that he is living a rough life and he has come to his final decision. He is probably sick of the life he is living and does not know what to do.
In the poster, there are four different types of soaps. It looks as if it has been avoided and also when you look at the other props like the bath and sink, you can see that it is not clean. The character shows that he does not care and cannot be bothered to do anything such as, cleaning. No one would want to get in a bath that is filthy. This also suggests that he has not had a bath in a while.
There is a lot of decay in this image like the dirt on the walls, the cracks on the walls, dirt around the sink and on the bath. This shows that the whole bathroom has been neglected and it hasn’t been taken care of in a while. This again reflects the character’s feelings and how he is living his life and what he is going through. It may be that he is neglected and is not being taken care of. Possibly no one is there for him and has to cope with everything by his self. The disposable razor could mean that he also feels disposable.
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