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Representation Q2c.

Or Q3
Gender (Blog)
Ethnicity (Blog)
Age (Blog)
Issues
Events
Regional and National Identities
AIM Provide overview and explore 3
contrasting examples from a range of
media forms.

Rich texts
Texts that you can use for more than one area
of the specification
E.g London Riots
age,
ethnicity,
gender,
Events
regional
.As well as audience responses and targeting

Regional and National


Identity

Starter
What area do you belong to?
Wales? Britain? Europe? Town?
Village? Region?
Or do you define yourself (your
identity) by age, sex, gender, race,
family, friends or religion?

National and Regional Identity

National identity is a complex issue people


may disagree about what makes a national
identity or that it exists at all!
Other factors may also be related to identity
Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Religion, Class
and Sexuality. These make the concept of a
national identity even more complicated.
This is also complicated by the idea of
Regional Identity as well.

What is Britishness?

Do Britons share

One language?
One region?
One religion?
One race?

White English is the dominant language, people in Britain


also speak Welsh, Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic, Gaelic, etc.
In addition to the Churches of England, Scotland and Wales
and the Catholic Church, Buddism, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish,
Sikh are also represented in Britain.
Many people have no beliefs Atheists
Britain is a multicultural and multiracial society
Can still be undermined by regional identities, gender,
sexuality, race etc

National Identity is constructed a representation


based on a particular view of what is means to be
British

An imagined community Shaun Moore


(1998) argued that media texts often allow
audiences to perceive themselves as part of an
imagined community, where the audience
feel that they have something in common with
other imagined members of the audience.
Carrying distinctive characteristics of their nation
Shared national values can be shown in the
media though sporting events rugby world
cup or national events royal wedding etc
Can also be shown in newspapers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B
4-S8n8-9RU#t=52

Understanding regional
identity

Pick 3 of the following regions and stereotype


their regional identity:
Northerners
Southerners
Essex
Scottish
Welsh
Scousers
Geordies
Yorkshire
Mancs
Brummies
Londoners

Northerners
Stereotype= Northern
Monkeys, Loud rude,
drink a lot and of a
lower status
Costume= Track suit
or cheap/casual clothes
Dialogue/dialect=
Vowel sounds overpronounced
Make up= Over the top
or minimal
Class/Status= Low

Southerners
Stereotype= Poncy
Southerners arrogant and posh
- Dialogue/dialect= Well spoken
the rain in Spain falls mainly
on the plain
-Costume= Suit and tie,
tailored clothing and dresses
-Props= Brief case
-Make up= Classy and to a
minimum
-Class/Status= Middle/Upper

Scottish
Stereotype= Humourless, hate
other nations, alcoholic and
violent
Dialogue/dialect= Strong accent
'och' 'wee'
Costume= Kilt, tartan, Tam o'
Shanter
Location= Highlands, cold and
vast open spaces
Props= Bagpipes, haggis, whisky
Make up= Ginger hair and freckles
Class/Status= Lower class
(farmers)
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=fp-jVwBGUsI

Welsh
Stereotype= Small ,dark
haired people who play all
rugby, sing in choirs, herd
sheep or mine coal
Dialogue/dialect= Very songlike and melodic, slow and
exaggerated pronunciation
Costume= Rugby shirts
Location= Rugby pitch,
church, pub, fields with sheep
Props= Sheep
Make up= Minimal
Class/Status= Middle/Lower

Scousers
Stereotype= Dangerous ;
Why does the river Mersey
run through Liverpool? If it
walked it would get mugged
- Dialogue/dialect= Flemmy,
difficult to understand; 'like'
prominent k's
-Costume= Tracksuits, very
casual cheap looking clothing
-Location= Pub/home
-Props= Cheap looking
jewellery
-Make up= Minimal, or OTT
-Class/Status= Low

http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=STIvNjWobzA

Yorkshire
- Dialogue/dialect= 'Ey up,
An' Ah'll tell thi that fer
nowt, dont pronounce ts
Costume= Flat caps, tweed
jackets
Location= Open fields,
country pubs, Local shops
Props= Whippets/Yorksire
terrier and Yorkshire
puddings
Make up= Minimal/pale
http://www.youtube.com
Class/Status= Low (farmers) /watch?v=jzAD2GLfaNU

Geordies
Stereotype= Loud, swear a lot,
party animals and binge
drinkers (help coined by Geordie
Shore)
Dialogue/dialect= way eye
man, difficult to understand
Costume= Revealing, tight
clothing
Location= Busy town centres,
clubs, urban areas
Make up= Over the top, fake
tan, dark hair
Class/Status= Lower middle/
middle

http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=6PVQbnvv79I

Mancs
Stereotype= Loud, rude, funny and fond
of fighting (Helped coined by Oasis)
Dialogue/dialect= Oh, aye Nowt
Costume= Manchester United
Shirt
Location= Busy town centres
Class/Status= Low/lower
middle

Brummies
Stereotype= Unintelligent
and unfriendly
Dialogue/dialect= 'Yow'
heavily pronunciation the
'ow' of 'You'
Costume= Casual/ Cheao
Location= Busy,
industrialised centres
Make up= Greasy hair
Class/Status= Low

Identity can however be unclear.


You could have such a strong
regional identity that you do not see
yourself as having a national one.

Or it could be that the sub-culture you belong to


does not carry the same values as your nation

Are you British if you dont care about the


queen? Considering the national anthem is
dedicated to her?
Are you Welsh if you dont like Rugby? Or
if you prefer another nations national
sport? Such as football?
The anonymous group are seen as a
terrorist organisation by the British
Government So are they British still?
Despite being an enemy of the state?
Do they identify with a different Britain?
With different values?

London

Brainstorm London in the


media
What are the different
representations?

Its a diverse place

Londoners (Northern/ more posh boroughs)

- Dialogue/dialect= Well spoken,


range of vocabulary
-Costume= Cashmere
jumpers/sweaters and suits
-Location= Skyscrapers, swanky
bars, posh homes
-Props= Briefcase
-Class/Status= Middle/upper

Londoners (Cockney/ South London)


- Dialogue/dialect= Gorblimey,
Rhyming slang apples and pairs =
stairs, dropping ts
-Costume= Flat caps
-Location= Busy streets, market
stalls
-Make up= Minimal
-Class/Status= Low

RTV: Made in Chelsea

Modern Drama: Top Boy

Classic Drama

Film
Skyfall

Film: Mary Poppins

TV
south-east London

Comedy: Twenty Twelve

Soap: Eastenders

Music video

Music video

News: London Riots

Celebrity: Royal Wedding

Sport: Olympics

Economics

Politics

Fashion

Representation 1:
dangerous
Recycle your knowledge!
Top Boy (C4 drama) trailer?
(Representation of ethnicity/ teens).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe
IEogaPLr0
Youngers (Drama/comedy) TV?
(Representation of teens).

TEXT 1 - TOPBOY
Dominant representation of London represented as an dangerous,
urban place
Montage of establishing shots depict the mise-en-scene of the
Summerhouse neighbourhood as an undesirable place (the frameworks
of the buildings connote prison like bars)
Visual codes consist of drugs, a black man carrying a knife and a black
person abducted, which together construct an iconography of crime
(Alvarado black people represented as dangerous and pitied)
Technical codes: tracking shot of a boy getting chased by a villain honing
in on his target, London as a dangerous place + zoomed in shots of the
drug dealer protagonist to position him as an intimidating character
Audio codes: the grime/electronic music connotes an exotic sound which
suggests this region of London is multicultural
Protagonist: I havent got nothing else to be except this no future
aspirations for people living in this urban region of London

REPRESENTATION 2: POSH
TEXT 2 - MADE IN CHELSEA POSTER

REPRESENTATION 2: POSH
TEXT 2 - MADE IN CHELSEA POSTER
Scripted RTV show (for E4).
Filmed in Knightsbridge (thats where
Harrods is).

TEXT 2 MADE IN CHELSEA


POSTER
Alternative representation of London as affluent and
wealthy
Wide shot of cast in an opulent Mise-en-scene
Connotations of Tudor like dcor with the mahogany wooden wall
frame and chandeliers lights
Cast depicted as people of high social status, due to their distinct
body poses connoting royalty
Dress code of female subjects in grand ball dresses, men are
dressed in smart suites and are well groomed
Low key lighting edited on poster to make the cast stand aloof
from the dark mahogany walls
The cast are positioned with a direct mode of address, who are
framed to appear seemingly arrogant through their facial
emotions and body stance

OTHER POSTER

REPRESENTATION 3: PATRIOTIC,
ROYALIST, TRADITIONAL
Text 3: The Olympics Opening Ceremony (not all 3
hours!).
James Bond and the Queen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AS-dCdYZbo

Supports/ reinforces Dominant ideology


Patriotism
Synergy Mutually beneficial
Why?

REGION 2

SHUT UUUUP.ESSEX
TOWIE
What Representations did you find?

LAST NIGHT
EASTENDERS/ CLACTON BED SIT TOWN,
BRITAIN - ROSS KEMP: EXTREME WORLD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgZ22BwPhtM
cheap, rented accommodation' where
seasidetownsbecomebed-sitghettos.
In the final episode of the series, Ross takes a
look at an issue slightly closer to home - on
Britain's coast.

Alcoholics/ mums getting drunk (Women/


Londoners)

Educating Essex (Rep of teens too)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxK3_hihHis
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/educating
-essex/on-demand/49967001
Essex Life
magazine

Film/
DVD
Cover
2013

ESSEX
Stereotype= Image conscious,
unintelligent, love to shop and
party
Stereotype coined by TOWIE
(The Only Way is Essex)
Dialogue/dialect= 'Shut up' 'Oh
my God' = common phrases
Costume: Girls= Revealing/OTT
Boys: Fashionable
Location= Clubs and boutiques
Props: Expensive, flashy, tacky
handbags, up to date mobile
phone
Make up= Fake tan, fake
eyelashes and hair extensions
Class/Status= Lower Middle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_
vTzuZk1OHA

Novembe
r 2011's
edition

KEY THEORISTS
Theorist Andrew Higson (1998) writes; Identity is generally
understood to be the shared identity of naturalized inhabitants of
a particular political-geographic space this can be a particular
nation or region.

Benedict Anderson (1983) maintains that the media play a


vital role in constructing a national/regional identity as in reality
the nation is too big for everyone to know each other yet
they often have shared values ; The unification of people
in the modern world is achieved not by military but by
cultural means, in particular the media system enables
people (of a nation or region) to feel part of a coherent,
meaningful and homogenous community.

Higson (1998) claims that many TV dramas (such as


Eastenders, Corrie etc) demonstrate the importance
of community and patriarchal values; Social and
cultural differences seem less significant
when shared. The common purpose pulls the
individual characters of the drama together,
forges them into an organic, self-functioning
community and ensures that each person has
a clear role in the community. This small, selfcontained functional community can then be
read as standing for the nation, which is
thereby imagined as a consensual gathering
together of the diverse interests of
individuals who make up that community.

Higson (1998) and Corrigan (1992) argues that TV


drama does not always present communities like
this, Identity is fluid, unstable and contingent
on circumstances (Corrigan 1992) Allegiances
are forever being made, unmade and remade;
community cannot be taken for granted; they
are insecure and often self-destructive
Tension of race, gender, sexuality, the family
and generations represent not simply as
multicultural but in disarray(Higson 1998).

In short, as Higson summarised; Images of


social and cultural disturbance and
fragmentation are more prominent than
images of consensual community this
obviously paints a slightly negative image of
multicultural Britain.
Higson goes onto argue that TV drama has to find
ways of representing hybrid identities in
multicultural Britain; As Britain becomes
visibly multicultural, so the makers of media
texts have attempted to deal with plurality,
to find space in representation for cultural
minorities, ethnic or otherwise. In doing so,
the cultural boundaries of the nation have
been redefined, and a wider, more extended
and hybrid national community imagined.

CONSTRUCTING IMAGES OF
REGIONAL/NATIONAL IDENTITY:
According to Higson (1989) there are two ways in
which the process of constructing images of
national/regional identity should be understood;
The first involves an inward looking
process, defining the nation in terms of its
own cultural history. The second is a more
outward-looking process, defining the
nation in terms of its difference from
others.

In other words, stereotypes play a large role in


constructing images of identity and these can either
reaffirm notions of a nation (historic/culture) or contradict
them.
For example, as Higson (1998) states; Film like
Trainspotting (1995) deal with quite specific
cultural traditions, including working class
traditions, youth traditions, all of which can be
subsumed under the umbrella term Britishness.
In other words, Trainspotting taps into traditional
stereotypes of Scotland while illustrating what
these stereotypes mean to working class youths
(social-realist interpretation).
Interestingly, this film changed the way this film
represented Scotland changed outward perceptions of
the nations (negatively).

Higson also argues that;


Representations of national/regional
identity are constructed as the narrative of
the text unfolds, as characters are pitted
against one another, so a sense of identity
emergesbut at the same time producers
often resort to stereotyping as a means of
establishing character and identity.

Higson goes on to say; Stereotyping is a form of


shorthand, a way of establishing character by
adopting recognisable and well established
conventions of representationthe stereotype
reduces characters to the most basic form
and attempts to naturalise them and the
more widely recognisable they become the
more readily they are accepted. Except that if
a stereotype becomes more widely recognisable it
becomes comic.
Higson adds; No wonder then that a particular
characterization may be critised for being
stereotypical, meaning it lacks a realistic
dimension, it fails to match up to the reality of
identity.

As Higson points out, it is always important to


analyse: Identities and alliances, in
particular relating to class, ethnicity,
religion, class and gender. In other words,
how does a certain region seem to view these
things and what does it imply the producer wants
you to think about this region and its views.

In terms of regional identity, it is again important to


remember who the dominant producers are
because it is often the case they stereotype
those not like them (working class Cornish
Carrot Crunchers etc). Also, it is worth noting
that if middle class white men appear in
regional TV dramas (e.g. Dr Martin/Vicar of
Dibley) they are usually made out to be
educated and reasonable unlike the locals.

HOMEWORK (BLOG)
USING YOUR OWN DETAILED EXAMPLES EXPLORE THE REPRESENTATIONS OF LONDON OR
ESSEX.IN THE MEDIA TODAY

How does TFOTEB represent Essex residents?


How does Essex Life represent Essex residents?
Add another Medium TOWIE? Educating Essex?
Write at least 500 words
Start with Intro - concept of representation
Overview of regional and national identities
P.E.A.T Purpose and Effect
(Print Layout and design, Language and mode of
address, Camera Shots and angles- Moving image C,
Ed, Audio)
Include theories (Blog) and Debatesperpetuate
stereotypes?
Conclusion

REGION 3

Cornwall

REPRESENTATION 1: PICTURESQUE &


DESIRABLE
TEXT 1: VISIT CORNWALL WEBSITE

TEXT 1: VISIT CORNWALL TOURISM


WEBSITE
Dominant representation of Cornwall represented as picturesque and
a desirable place
Main Image: establishing shot of nuclear family sitting on a hill overlooking
beautiful scenery, with accompanied text: sheltered + peaceful tranquil
estuaries, which anchors viewers interpretations of Cornwall immediately on
homepage
Colour scheme: of the hyperlink option on the toolbar (turquoise, pink, sky
blue, lime green and purple all connote happiness through bright colours)
Narrative codes: Images under surfers paradise hyperlink are constructed
in a state of constant equilibrium, with medium shots of surfers smiling and
enjoying the waves Cornwall has to offer
Under hyperlink About Cornwall (Information, audiences uses and
gratifications - Blumer and Katz), is the text A love affair that lasts a lifetime
underneath an establishing shot of a spectacular sunny beach in Cornwall
Videos: plethora of videos showcasing the best of Cornwall, including the
Fowey Festival, and Cornish Spring Gardens

REPRESENTATION 2: A BIT WEIRD!


TEXT 2: WILD WEST BBC TV SERIES

http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=N4AEHEv
hPxA

http://www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v=mkWD8RgpJ1s

TEXT 2: WILD WEST BBC TV


SERIES
Alternative representation of Cornwall: represents Cornish people as
crazy, odd and unintelligent
Mary (Dawn French) dialogue: Do you want me to pierce her to death
Close-Up shot of Mary with a gun, shooting directly at the camera with a faded
in edit, with her dialogue: anyone move, Ill put a ring in your nipple
Medium shot if Mary licking batteries and putting them back in the box in their
convenience store (frames her as an odd character, and shops in Cornwall as
unhygienic) This shot comes straight after an establishing shot a hill in
Cornwall, to anchor the representation of place that the convenience store is
Cornish
Wide shot of Mary when she violently hits her friend Angela (Catherine Tate),
which is accepted as if its a normal routine action
What begins with Z, yoghurt? Marys dialogue
Audio codes: western styled music is used to frame the barman as a cowboy
like character (Iconography of his gun, sideburns and shirt)
Visual codes: barman slides the pint of beer across the bar for it to then
smash of the side, frames him as being inept
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riNpxKVstpQ

REPRESENTATION 3: INVADED AND SPOILT BY TOURISTS


TEXT 3: GUARDIAN NEWS ARTICLE
http://www.theg
uardian.com/soc
iety/2009/jul/1
2/alcohol-binge
-drinking-under
age-newquay

http://www.theg
uardian.com/soc
iety/2010/may/1
6/newquay-cornw
all-police-teen
agers

TEXT 3: THE GUARDIAN NEWS ARTICLE


Alternative representation of Cornwall: represents
Cornwall as a dangerous place which consists of
encouraging binge-drinking (leading to deaths)
Headline: Teenage tragedies cast shadow as
Newquays drink culture takes toll
Main image: medium shot of teenagers partying in
fancy dress (seemingly equilibrium)
Text anchors meaning: Why do we come to
Newquay? To get wasted; to get lashed (Gemma)
We come here to drink (Kate) throwing her arms in
the air and laughing as the rain hammered down,
drenching her

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/sep/28/mank
ini-ban-newquay-crime-stag-parties

AND EVEN IN THE STORMS...


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall25602947

HOMEWORK (BLOG)
USING YOUR OWN DETAILED EXAMPLES EXPLORE THE REPRESENTATIONS OF.IN THE MEDIA
TODAY

How does represent Essex residents?


How does Essex Life represent Essex residents?
Add another Medium TOWIE? Educating Essex?
Write at least 500 words
Start with Intro - concept of representation
Overview of regional and national identities
P.E.E Purpose and Effect
(Print Layout and design, Language and mode of
address, Camera Shots and angles- Moving image C,
Ed, Audio)
Include theories (Blog) and Debatesperpetuate
stereotypes?
Conclusion

Now think about programs/films set in the following


locations, do they reinforce these stereotypes
through mise-en-scene (location, setting, actors,
props, costumes etc), camera work, sound (include
dialect that could be colloquial) and editing?

EastEnders
Shameless
TrainSpotting/Braveheart/Monarch of the Glen
Doc Martin
Emmerdale

The satellite map shows us a city


sprawl so we know that the
programme is set in an urban
area. However it is the River
Thames than reveals the
specific location as being
London.

Regional Identity can be


seen by the views we see
in the picture. We can
see the countryside in
the distance and we can
also see an old vehicle of
which is only used in the
countryside.

You can tell that


this is set in the
country also
because the
background of the
first picture is the
country and in the
second picture the
house is styled as
a country house.
Also, what the
characters are
wearing
symbolises the
country
You can tell that this is set in an
estate as there are flats in the
background and the people look like
they aren't of a high class because
of the clothes they are wearing
therefore we would expect them to
live there and if there is a show
about them then it would be set
here.

Manchester - Mancunians, or
Mancs

Liverpool Scousers

Task: As you watch, write notes and


then write one P.E.E for each of the
following clips

As you watch, consider:


Setting
Accents
Dialogue
Props
Make up
Class of characters
Costumes

As you watch, consider:


Setting
Accents
Dialogue
Props
Make up
Class of characters
Costumes

For Regional Identity in Emmer dale we shall look at this clip for
examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01QQB_nrOtU
Views at 0.30 show that the setting is in the country and we see straight
away that all the views we see are all of this manor also/
We see that the clothes and possessions (van) show low class as the
clothes look old and used as the van that the women is driving does too.
We know that they either run or live on a barn as when they open the
barn we see a lot of sheep , which can only really be in the country which
backs up our other beliefs.
We then see people decorating a house which we can see was very old
by the dcor for example the curtains are very countrified which means
that if the house was oringinally decorated as if it was in the country it is
probably in the country.
We then see the sheep again and the farm surroundings which is
repeated throughout which only drums in the fact that they are in the
country and that that is their regional identity.

Good example clips to look at during


revision if you want to practice note
taking include; Vicar of Dibley or
Doc Martin (middle class/upper
class characters do not have regional
accents and are presented as
intelligent while the locals are
ridiculed this obviously links to
Marxism).

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