Shameless Exam Question

The opening shot of this programme is an extra long shot birds-eye view of blocks of flats. In the opening from the setting we can deduce that it is set in the environment of a working class community as the housing in the area are terraced houses and flats which suggest this.

The next shot we see is a childrens playground which suggests that the area is family orientatied and that there may be many children characters in the programme. We see children playing in the playground and in their back gardens and then we are introduced to the first character Frank Gallagher who is also narrating. Throughout Frank's narration he introduces his children each in turn. We see Frank get hit over the head with a loaf of bread by one of his children and they all gather around but don't seem phased about the fact that their father is on the floor and unconscious so the audience feel that this is a regular occurance in the home and that the children are use to seeing their father in this state. It pokes fun at the father as he is supposed to be the 'provider' for his family and there he is a heap on the floor.

Shameless is targetted at working class males and females and family people. this is because this specific type of audience can relate to the programme as they will share many aspects of life as the characters do. It is not for children because Shameless is shown at 10pm after the watershed which is a time when adults and young adults will be watching. The certificate it is rated is a 15 so it is aimed at older teenagers and not younger ones as the content of the programme is too mature and inappropriate for people younger than 15.