555 Representation
Representation of….
Age
Sexuality
Ethnicity
Class and status
Physical Appearence
Regional Identity
Disability
Skins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge8hXEfuqp0&feature=related
Age: Firstly from mise-en-scene we noticed the age of the actors from their appearance they are clearly young adults also they dress in a young fashion, such as Chris has red shoes on with create connotations of youth as many people remember having red shoes as a child. The scene begins with Chris saying to Jal that the house is not his this shows that although he is not young enough it own his own home he mixes with people who earn enough money to acquire this material status, within the room they sit in there are many furniture items which show the representation of their age if not physically, mentally; for example the toy house, colourful throw on the sofa, this both shows their inner child. This is further shown by the way in which Chris decides to explain his emotions to Jal as he does this by a flip chart demonstrating how his family fell apart, colour is also used to show his emotions as, as the family is in unity there are many happy colours however when Chris losing everything the colour drains and changes to black and white. The way he uses colours and pictures to express his emotions shows he lacks the emotional and intellectual ability to discuss how he feels as older people would do. Also in the begining the only communication Jal will make with Chris besides small talk is by a piece of paper that says ‘yes’ this shows she is being immature about the situation. Also mid arguement Jal rips up the story board out of anger, it is noted that Jal shows her emotions in many ways as she physically rips the paper, verbally explains and shouts and emotionally she cries, this shows she has the mental and intellectual ability to express her emotions in an understandable way.
In regard to sound it is sound that mainly shows their age, this is done by what they say, Jal tackles the issue with more maturity as she speaks in a blunt way and can express her emotions with words, she also shows that she is more mature when she says ‘your not the only one with problems’ as it shows she’s not as self centered. Whereas Chris uses abstract ideas to prove how he feels for example he offers to do things that he knows will make her laugh, yet he also believes it will prove his love, such as ‘kicking grannies in the tits’ or ‘ making the worlds biggest sandwich’, this then causes her to forgive him, the fact she forgives him easily shows that they are young and naive towards love, there is then diegetic sound of them kissing and the non diegetic sound of ethnical ‘la’s this acts as a sound bridge but also gives the connotations of one problem to another as it is repetitive.
Sexuality:
This scene involves a girl and a boy, through mise en scene they are shown to meet their gender roles, Jal is wearing a dress tied up in a bow at the back and Chris is shown in a suit, however throughout the scene he is shown to lack typical masculinity, firstly he invites Jal over to sort out the mess his made and he is the one who opens up about his emotions first, whereas normally men are said to not to show emotions and be aggressive, whereas Chris is shown to open up to Jal and declare his love, he even gets down on one knee which is shown in an over the should shot, this not only shows how serious he takes it but that he is coming down to her level of vulnerability. There are quick cuts between low angle and high angle shots, this shows that Jal is vulnerable and Chris is in control of this vulnerability as him standing up demonstrates a degree of power. However the dialogue proves Chris to be weak and also vulnerable.
Throughout the scene Jal is shown a stereotypical woman she dresses feminine, she sits down which shows her vulnerability, she also expresses her emotions by crying and shouting, however, the shouting is uncharacteristic of the typical female, which shows her personality.
Ethnicity:
This scene doesn’t focus on ethnicity it is more about the relationship problems between the two people, however, the fact that it is an interracial relationship, shows to the audience that is acceptable within our society as the camera angles show them on the same level frequently. Also it shows that the white male has messed up and he is the cause of the relationship problems, however at the end of the scene the ethnical music plays and there is a close up of Jal, this makes the audience see this as a sound bridge into the next scene which is possibly now her problem.
Class and status:
Both actors are shown equal, and not many clues are given into their economic background, the only things are through sound, Chris and Jal both speak standard english and Chris describes the household he used to come from as a nuclear family, and the house is drawn as small and detached. Although the house isn’t his we can analyse the furniture and setting for the status of the previous owner, for example there is a piano, statues of heads which give connotations of knowledge and education, however the house doesn’t have many material possessions and for this reason the owner appears of working/medium class.
Physical Appearence:
Chris is seen to be wearing a suit, however not the convential suit
