Essay: Discuss the representation of Regional Identity in the Doc Martin Clip

Camera

• Low angle depicts the standing man as higher class than the man sitting and the man on the floor
• Panning wide shot used to show the audience context of the differences between the classes
• Medium two shot shows the difference between the two people in terms of age not meaning that there is any less work to do 
• Match on action when walking into the house ensures that the audience focus on doc 

Mise en scene 

• Clothing is different, suit verses overalls 
• Block colours of doc martin against the mixture of colour of Mrs. Brading. 

Editing 

• Jump shots blurred together to show the fast pace of the actions that are happening 

Sound 

• Mixture of diegetic and non diegetic happening at the same time to depict chaos 
• Accents differ between workers and doc martin 
• Accent of the blue collar workers is more Cornwall, those in white collar workers speak more posh 
• Narrative "what are you going on about boy?" shows how the workers aren't educated enough to understand more complicated matters 
• Bodmin as in Bodmin Moore but refers to Cornwall slang subversion from the referential code 
• "Treat yourself to a noun would you?" when asking what happened example of hegemony, the upper classes feeling that they have more authority over the lower classes. Contradiction seeing as doc didn't know the word for the device that was needed to fix the sink

Discuss the representation of Regional Identity in the Doc Martin Clip

In the clip of 'Doc Martin' different classes, specifically the working class and the upper class are shown and contrasted against each other in order to present the differences between the interactions of the classes. Themes of Hegemony, superiority and subversions from referential code are expressed within the piece. 

The media text implements aspects that portray the theme of hegemony and superiority. This is done through the use of camera angle and mise en scene. The low angle long shot at the beginning of the clip. The use of this shot is effective as it shows the difference in status between the characters. To exemplify this, the Doctor is depicted as standing, whilst the denoted two blue-collar workers are shown on the floor fixing the sink. This is a dramatic technique used to show how seeing as the characters are at different levels, it reflects their differences in society in terms of what class they are in. furthermore, this is further shown through the use of sound. The dialogue used from the Doctor includes the sarcastic comment "treat yourself to a noun would you?" this rhetorical question is used to insult the donated blue-collar worker, however he is unaware that he is being insulted. These two aspects conform to hegemony due to the fact that the doctor in terms of the camera shot placing the doctor at a higher position than the rest of the workers as well as the snide comment, informing the idea that the doctor because of his status has the impression that he is of more importance than the worker. This is a common stereotype amongst the upper class seeing as people of a high status tend to frown upon those in lower classes. In addition, the when the other plumber tries to offer explanation to the situation of not being able to find the word for the device needed to fix the sink, the other plumber shuts him down with the comment "What are you going on about boy?” this infers that not only ate the working class being having authority forced upon then from the upper class, they are even working towards ensuring that the classes stay somewhat 'segregated' as the working class aren't knowledgable enough be able to let others break out of the working class let alone have anyone else break out of the class. Contrastingly, when the sink pipe busts and water is spurting out all over the floor, the Doctor is at a loss for words to describe the device needed to fix the sink. The blue-collar worker then goes into a very long explanation as to "the word that you're looking for is…" then continues to explain what the doctor is trying to describe. This contradicts the theme of hegemony discusses previously seeing as the worker is showing that the doctor, although part of a higher class, doesn't know everything. In spite of this, the worker is still being portrayed as someone who lacks intelligence seeing as his explanation of the necessary product is during a high point of tension, with the sink spraying water everywhere, the diegetic sound of the phone ringing and the diegetic sound of the denoted dog behind them.

Furthermore, the clip demonstrates the differences between the classes through the use of mise en scene and editing, complying with common stereotypes associated with people from Cornwall. Doc martin is shown in a suit, grey blazer, dark blue tie and a white shirt; typical work attire of a person who works in London in the business sector of industry. This accords with his accent being close to Received Pronunciation, therefore meaning that he speaks with a quickened dialect in order to concisely and accurately get his point across. This is starkly contrasted to the attire that the lady lifting a box of cabbages. She is wearing multiple layers, a patterned blouse with a floral design, a light brown jumper and a skirt, a leisurely dress sense. The difference in dress sense caries multiple connotations that conflict against each other, such as business against manual labor, smart against practical and classy against colourful, for example. This shows how the upper class and working class differ in their dress sense, due to their occupations (in this case being between a doctor and a farmer) conveying their status in society. Additionally, during the long, planning, cut in, medium two and medium close shots in the house when the two plumbers are fixing the sink, these shots are edited together sequentially in a technique names 'jump shots'. The jump shots convey the fast pace of the events that are occurring at the time, being chaotic and tens. This is completely contrasted against the master shot that is later shown when the doctor is talking to Mrs. Brading. This is a shot without many angles, which is a tracking medium two shot showing the conversation that takes place. This difference in editing shows how the working class and the upper class in the same situation create tension, however when two characters who are in the upper class, the atmosphere is much calmer. It also shows how people from Cornwall conform to the stereotype of being quite slow, hens causing the frustration, however due to the higher level of intelligence of the upper class characters it allows the characters to be harmonious.

Moreover, the media text emphasises that the differences in regional identity leads to differences in culture, subverting from Theorists Barthes theory of the Referential Code. This is implemented through the use of sound, specifically the diegetic dialogue exchanged between the plumber and the doctor. He enters the scene questioning the meaning of the term "going Bodmin". Upon this announced question, the plumber instantly knows the meaning of the word. However, this can be debated seeing as the plumber is unable to give a specific answer, despite the inferred conception that the plumber knows what the term means. Barthes referential code refers to the common knowledge, which is acknowledged by the audience, which is universally known to be true. In this case, the plumber knows, because in Cornish culture, this term is commonly used, however the TV drama being from the point of view of the doctor means that the show subverts from this referential code seeing as common knowledge, due to the difference in class, means that the doctor doesn't know what the phrase means. This is an example of how differences in class means that there are major cultural differences, in this case, differences in the lexis used.

Overall, there is a clear difference displayed in terms of class and status within the clip of Doc Martin, with reoccurring themes of hegemony, superiority and subversions from Barthes Referential code.

Extension Paragraph:

Furthermore, regional identity is also contrasted through the omission of makeup. The common stereotype associated with women is that in public it is common practice to wear make up when going out. However, this is only a common practice typically associated with Central and South London. the is clearly shown seeing as neither the woman who asks for specific cream, the teacher nor the village lady with an open top truck of cabbage are shown wearing make up. This is a demonstration of how women from the country are typically shown not having high concern for their appearance. this is due to the fact that they are mainly people that work with their hands as farmers or labourers therefore the use of make up is futile.

Additionally, the use of props is also used to convey differences in regional identity. The denoted open top truck with the boxes of cabbage in it are shows parked at the side of the road where Doc Martin is seen helping the villager unload her truck. This is a clear demonstrations in differences of regional identity due to the fact that in London, vehicles like this aren't seen, especially the transportation of vegetables in boxes. This carries connotations that the woman is a farmer or there is a farm nearby, which relates to the fact that people are farmers and labourers, relating to being part of a lower economical bracket in society, compared to the business people of London who are within a higher economical bracket, as alluded to by Doc Martins brief case.

Due to the accent, apparent slow mindedness and blue collar jobs of the characters conform to Branston and Stafford's theory. This is due to the fact that these features are typically associated with a place like Cornwall, being in an outer region of England. This provides the audience with a location for the setting due to these factors conforming to Cornwall stereotypes. This is evident within the plumbers being presented as archetypal characters within this media text.

Furthermore, Dyer can also be applied here. due to the miss en scene aspect of Doc being higher positioned than the plumbers, it connotes that he is of higher importance than the other plumbers. This is also shows when he belittles the plumber by saying "treat yourself to a noun would you. this is an example of Doc conforming to the stereotypes associated with the Cornish being slow thinking and because Doc is of higher power, socio-economically, he feels he has the power to enforce this stereotype over the plumbers.

Regional Identity Stereotypes

Northerners

• Fondness for gravy
• More adapted to cold weather
• Prefer more rural surroundings 
• Typically part of the Working and Middle classes 
• Chavy
• Tracksuits 
• Uneducated

Southerners

• More upper class
• Posh 
• Expensive
• Touristic
• Teen mums
• Drugs and sex
• Orange makeup
• Glamourous but cheap
• Either presented as posh and wealthy or poor and criminalistic

English

• Drink a lot of tea
• Polite
• Complain about the weather
• Posh accents
• Fish and chips
• Like queueing 

Irish

• Drink 
• Swear
• Gossip
• Loud
• Confrontational
• Able to dance and sing
• Nice but unintelligent

Scottish

• Angry
• Drunk 
• Red hair
• Racist
• Don't like the British 

Devon/Somerset

• Contryside
• Slow
• Behind the times 

Liverpool

• Women wear rollers
• Over drawn eyebrows

Luther Essay

The media production ‘Luther’, in the form of a TV crime drama, can have multiple theorists and theories applied to it. Specific theorists include those of Propp, Straus and Barthes.

Firstly, Propp’s theory outlines common character traits that are typically featured within media texts. The character archetypes featured in the drama include anti-hero, helper, dispatcher and villain. The anti-hero of the production is DCI John Luther who completes his role as a police officer in a series of immoral events. For instance, whilst Luther is on the side of the law he carries an illegal weapon that he could use if circumstances demanded nefarious behaviour. Furthermore, Luther also kidnaps a crime boss, George Cornelius, and handcuffed him to a radiator in an abandoned building in order to gain information on a case, which he was not to be involved in. The helper of the program is DS Emma Lane who aids the anti-hero, Luther, in his endeavours to solve the cannibal killer case and capture the criminal. For example, DS Emma Lane takes the law into her own hands when she steals Luther’s weapon and shoots the criminal in order to rescue a civilian family. Also, the dispatcher is Megan, the fake psychic, who drip-feeds Luther information that she has acquired through previous connections allowing Luther to complete a previously unfulfilled promise. Moreover, the villain of the episode is Steven Rose who is the serial killer responsible for the string of murders and cannibalism of the bodies.

Secondly, Straus’ theory revolves heavily around opposites such as binary opposites between good and evil and conflicting moral characteristics represented in the anti-hero. Binary opposites bear a striking resemblance to the foil method; this discusses the way in which the audience learns more about both of the characters presented due to their differences exposing their characteristics. The most significant opposites present in the episodes are that of the criminals and the law enforcers, the anti-hero DCI John Luther and the criminals of each episode and finally, more implicitly, the conflicting opposites within Luther’s mind of morality and actions governed by his emotions.

Finally, Barthes’ theory describes narratives as “a ball of string” that “can be unravelled in either one or many ways”. Barthes created five narrative codes, three of which were featured heavily throughout the two episodes of ‘Luther’. The three theories depicted within the characters of the program most significantly are the Enigma code, Action code and the Semantic code. The first code is the Enigma code that refers to elements of the story that are not fully explained therefore creating a mystery for the audience to unravel. Additionally, this code works with the Action code to develop tension and engage the audience. For instance, examples of the enigma code within ‘Luther’, as a series, include the mystery surrounding Alice Morgan, her relation to the diamonds and how and why she died. Although, there is also another episode specific plot enigma code revolving around the acts of a deranged, cannibal, serial killer; the audience are unaware as to why the killer has contracted Cortard Delusion and why he devours the specific body parts from various victims. Furthermore, the Action code is also apparent within the media production ‘Luther’ for example the return of the character Luther was solely down to the fact that Alice Morgan died, the serial-killers murder of the first victim lead to an investigation involving Luther, the death of Theo leading to Emma’s somewhat immoral investigation into the murderer and Luther kidnapping a crime boss to receive information about Alice Morgan’s death resulted in him being targeted by hitmen. Also, the Semantic code is blood connoting death and the dismembering of bodies whilst the sudden death of the pigeon, which the first murder victim mistook for an intruder, foreshadowed and connoted the death of the victim.

To conclude, multiple theories can be applied to the media production of ‘Luther’.

'Luther' Analysis and application of Theorists

Camera

• Panning shots, view from different angles on building top
• Close up shot at cliff edge
• Over head tilt over cliff
• Over the shoulder shot with unfamiliar man

Mise en scene

• Shadows to create suspense

Sound

• Goes from quiet tense music to loud bird sound effects to create fear

Editing

• Fade to black

Barthes

Proairetic/Action code: Luther coming back due to Alice dying, the cannibal murder dying due to the gun being taken,
Hermeneutic/Enigma: Who killed Alice Morgan, why did he kill, where were the diamonds, why did he have the disease, what made him eat the certain body parts?
Semiology: Open interpretation due to unknowingness of who killed Alice
Semantic: Blood connotes death and dismembering of bodies, blood on head connotes injury
Symbolic: Antithesis of criminal helping in the investigation - not all people are what they seem
Cultural: The mental disease the killer had realistic side effects from condition

Todorov

• Equilibrium - DCI Luther content at home and DS Emma lane with her partner solving crime
• Disruption of Equilibrium - Theo Bloom dies, triggers need to get revenge, Luther on the hunt for diamonds and person who killed Alice, cannibal killer killing
• Recognition of Disruption - Seeing that deaths are occurring, clairvoyant
• Reparation of Damage - Killing cannibal, finding diamonds
• New Equilibrium - New partner on force, more leads on case for Alice

Propp

• The anti-hero - The character who seeks something.
• DCI John Luthur
• The villain - Opposes or bocks the hero’s quest.
• Steven Rose
• The donor - Provides an object which has some magical property. 
• Det. Superintendant Martin Schenk
• The dispatcher - Sends the hero on his way by providing a message.
• Megan
• The false hero - Disrupts the hero’s hope of reward by pressing false claims.
• Megan
• The helper - Aids the hero.
• DS Emma Lane
• The princess - Acts as a reward for the hero and as an object of the villains scheming.
• N/A
• The father - Acts to reward the hero for his efforts.
• N/A

Strauss

• Police vs. Criminals 
• Criminals breaking the law (George Cornelieus, guy handcuffed to radiator) vs. Help on the case
• Luther's conflicted mind: Morals vs. Actions
• Luther vs. Criminals

Theoretical Representations and Approaches to Youth in 'Quadrophenia' Essay

'Quadrophenia' is a 1960s movie set during the period of time when the Mods and the Rockers were two very notorious groups within society. Theoretical analysis including mise-en-scene, camera, editing and sound can be applied can be applied to this media production in order to show how youth has been portrayed. A prominent theme that has been shown is the theme of hegemony. This is the dominance being shown from a superior class in society over another.

To start with, theorist Ann Gould can be applied to movie production ‘Quadrophenia’. Whilst studying youth behaviour, stereotypes and stigmatic labels associated with youths discovered that there were six main categories which all youth groups can be divided into: rebellious, artificial tribe, sexual, nihilistic, violent and self-destructive. Jimmy, the main character of the film, conforms to almost all of these key categories. His rebellious behaviour is demonstrated when he is seen going out early during the day and arriving late at night without his parents having known where he was or who he was with. This is exemplified with this instance happened, resulting in his dad punching him in the face and an argument occurring between them. Furthermore, the fact that Jimmy is a self-proclaimed Mod is an indication that he is part of an artificial tribe due to the fact that the Mods, just like the Rockers, have a leader, rules that must be complied to and have demands, just like an established tribe. Moreover, during the fight scene in Brighton, on and off girlfriend Steph and Jimmy are shown engaged in sexual activity in an alleyway whilst the fight is happening just around the corner. Further exemplification of this occurs during the first party of the film whereby when the party is beginning to make a close, many couples can be seen engaged in sexual activity all throughout the house. His Nihilism comes from his subversion from the hegemonic morals of the upper classes, as exemplified through the use of dialogue of “I need new ‘blueys’” meaning blue drug pills, to give one example. His violence is above all shown at the fight in Brighton but also during his attempt to return to the Mod artificial tribe after having been to prison from being caught at Brighton. He was refused and due to an envious rage, punched his best friend who was in a relationship with Steph. Finally, he is self-destructive due to the fact that he is constantly wanting to take drugs, driving motorcycles without proper protection such as a helmet and the way he isn’t able to be told he is wrong and doesn’t want to receive help from his parents.

Furthermore, theorist Dick Hebdige can also be applied to ‘Quadrophenia’. Hebdige said that youth groups can be seen as either fun or troublesome. For example, acts that would be seen as rebellious would stereotypically be seen as fun by other youth groups, however the wider, dominant culture at the time would see these acts as troublesome, therefore conforming to the negative stereotype youth groups have been given. This is demonstrated within the fight scene at Brighton beach. Here, many high angle shots accompanied by quick cutting between each shot and diegetic and non-diegetic sounds of gunfire, shouting, glass smashing and laughter can be heard. To the other youth cultures, this type of event was seen as normal, encouraged even due to the Mods and Rocker’s ambition to constantly establish dominance over the other. On the other hand, Jimmy’s (the main character of the film) mum, who is portrayed as being part of the dominant upper class, expresses that she is “disappointed with” her son’s actions which results in Jimmy being kicked out of the house. Additionally, Hebdige said that youth groups resist hegemony through establishing their sense of identity, to exemplify this, through style. This is demonstrated within ‘Quadrophenia’ due to the fact that the subculture groups known as the Mods and the Rockers during the 1960s ensured that they established their own sense of style and therefore conform to Hebdige’s theory. For instance, the Mods wore classy suits, expensive Parker coats, rode Lambretta and Vespa Scooters and listened to upbeat dance music. Contrastingly, the Rockers wore leather jackets, rode motorbikes and listened to Rock ‘n’ Roll music. Through these characteristics, the youth within ‘Quadrophenia’ are shown resisting the ideals forced upon them from the Bourgeoisie, also referred to as subverting from hegemony, and conforming to Hebdige’s theory seeing as these subcultures are creating their own identities through their styles. Additionally, they also conform to Hebdige due to the way they partake in drug usage, partying, vandalism, frequent sexual activity and violent behaviour.

To conclude, it is unclear whether or not the representation of youth within ‘Quadrophenia’ is fair, biased or equal due to the fact that it is a 1960s, and therefore historical, media text. In my opinion, I would say that some aspects of youth culture are accurately represented, such as the rebellious aspects, however as for youth groups as a whole I would say that due to the fact that youth groups are forever changing and are very different, it is difficult to specify whether or not the representation is fair for the community as a whole.