Representation of waterloo road in TV drama
Within TV drama and modern society the generalised
stereotype of teenagers is that they are
a disruptive menace to the community. They are also portrayed to be
inconsiderate and selfish in there thoughts and actions. This is within heavy
contrast to the elderly who are perceived as being grumpy old nags, stubborn,
dressed in brown and unable to adapt to modern equipment we now live upon. During
this extract within the waterloo road school I believe the stereotype of
typical teenagers are maintained and the characters represented to fit this
categorisation with the aid of mise en scene, sound, camera angles and editing.
The first indication of age in the clip is with the mise en scene of the
surroundings, clearly that of a school which is obviously a place associated
with children, the bright yellow walls and busy displays connoting the bright
youthful environment as opposed to a boring black and white office block for
adults. A conformation of the children’s age is the fact they are dressed in
school uniform with short ties and short skirts representing teenagers as being
rebellious and disobedient. A typical action of the young desperate to stand
out as individuals whilst breaking the rules, and contrasting with the appearance
of the adults dressed smartly and boringly. For example Grantly in his tweed
suit, an amplification of his old age through the stereotypical use of the dull
colours and the symbolism that the too is now dull and stubborn and boring. In
contrast one of the younger female teachers portray sher present youth with the
contrast of smart formal trousers and then a vibrant pink top. Depicting her as
an adult and professional, with the formal clothing, whilst still incorporating
an essence of her younger age. In later a scene where the fat teacher decides
to have a new image and dressed in trainers and wild top, his older age is
emphasised by the fact he appears so out of place and ridiculous. He’s
presented to the audience in a humorous manner and this represents the idea
of only the young being able to get away
and fit with this ‘cool’ and casual image, also that adults just can’t wear
this ‘ghetto’ style. Representing the old and young as divided in the fashion
world.
In the opening of the next scene a establishing shotis used
and is accompanied by a close up low shot of some brown shoes walking past
chair legs. The zoomed in approach amplifies the significance of the feet and
allows the audience to establish the accentuated slow and almost suspicious
walk. The cut to a two shot of some teenage boys linksthe separate frames and
connotes that these boys are being shifty and are up to no good, hence
theaccentuated approach of the teacher. This represents teenagers as being
trouble makers and likelyto ignore the rules and act inappropriately. The close
up of student and teachers faces in two shot, emphasises the boy’s youthful
appearance and uniform, and acts as a direct comparison to that of the teacher
clearly far older and more wrinkled. The mid shot of all three characters
together allowsthe audience to determine the body language between them and we
can see the two boys appear tobe standing with their heads down avoiding eye
contact, while the teacher has his hands casually inhis pockets and head tilted
to them in an authoritative and almost patronising manner. From thisage is
represented as the older population having authority and control over the
younger characters,and that older people can enjoy the power they have and almost
revel in it. The use of panning isused further in the clip when the fat teacher
is trying out a new look and the camera pans from histrainers up to his head.
This shot is used to create momentary confusion and suspense as to whose the
shoes belong to and contradicts the audiences’ preconceptions of the expected
character. The trainers and clothing are items associated with that of a young
teenager however it is the teacherwearing them. The use of this shot highlights
how out of place the teacher is in his outfit, simplybecause of his age, and
suggest there are socially acceptable difference and norms between
agegroups.The use of sound contributes to the representation of age with the
use of dialogue. Within the first scene we are able to establish the relationship
between students and teacher with the use of the term‘Sir’ indicating a level
of respect between the older and younger characters and the authoritative role
the adults play. Age is represented as a hierarchy, the adults having the most control
and importance with the children and students least. The way in which Grantly
uses the very direct order ‘Give it!’ also connotes his more powerful position
because the students are forced to obey him. His subsequent tuts at the kids in
a patronising way also connotes his demeaning behaviour and his lack of respect
for the children, emphasised with him saying ‘Oh did he hold your hair?’ The
older age group are represented at this point as being disrespectful to the
young and can sometimes abuse their position as authoritative figures. The
digetic noise in the corridor scene sets an environment of liveliness and
busyness, reflecting the vibrant and energetic age group. There is also the
introduction of non-digetic club like music in this scene, which is synchronous
with the following fight that begins with two students. The upbeat and fast
paced song is appropriate to the age of the characters as it is in a style
associated with their age group and is also relevant to the building pace of
the scene. The music also amplifies the significant of the fight and represents
teenagers as being rowdy and aggressive. Slang is used by the student’s
repeatedly throughout the clip and whilst reflecting background also relates to
their youth and suggests that it is common place within a younger age group.
Throughout the extract
the editing is used to perform cuts quickly from frame to frame, creating a
fast-paced atmosphere reflecting that of school life. This coincides with the
energy of the young students as well as the chaotic time that the teachers have
at school. This emphasising the misbehavariol nature of young people and hints
to the amount of discipline commonly used by the enforcing teachers.