Shameless On Prezi

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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.

Representations in Skins

1. What can you deduce about the setting (and specifically the house) from the mise-en scene?
Effy's room is dark and all of the other shots have a lot more light in them. This could show that she is being secretive. This scene is filmed delicately as it shows her changing out of her clothes she wore out last night into ther school uniform.
Tony's room shows that he is sexually aware because of his duvet cover. Tony is also clearly a confident person as he opens the curtains when he is dressed in only his underpants.

2. What do you think Tony's representation is? Think about camera shots and his behaviour. Are stereotypes or/and countertypes used?
Tony's representation could fit into a stereotype as he is a sexually aware boy and works out as soon as he wakes up. He cares about his physical appearance and it confitent with it. However there are hints within the scene that suggest he is not too stereotypical. he has books in his room which implies that he is interested in his education and not just looking good.

3. What is the genre? How does Tony's representation fit into the genre?
The genre is teen pic. Tony's representation fits into the genre beacuse he exposes himself therefore representing nudity in the genre. He is also rebellious towards his father and does things to deliberately annoy him so he represents rebellion and to parents may be seen as a 'troublesome teen'.

4. Can we tell how the narrative will unfold? Suggest some ways.
It is difficult to tell how the narrative will unfold. A way is that Tony and Effy will depart for school and will probably have a conversation about her late night out. Or perhaps Tony will bump into the woman who he was watching out of his window previously. Tony and Effy will probably both leave for school where we will be introduced to other characters who have many different representations at their school.

5. We start with the shot of Tony in bed with the camera in a close up of him - why use this shot? Then we see him in his underpants - why?
He appeals to the audience. It caters for the female audience because he is fit and he knows it. The male audience can also accept him because he is a cool guy and they can relate to him. As he looks out of his window he watches a naked young lady. She is aware that he is watching and doesnt mind him doing so. Therefore the audience feel that she must find him attractive and likes the idea of having his attention.

6. Discuss the mise-en-scene, particularly of his bedroom. Does it tell us anything about Tony's lifestyle?
The mise-en-scene in Tony's bedroom reveals a lot to the audience. The duvet cover tells us that he is hetresexual. His room is also tidy and neat which can tell us that his appearance is important to him. He also has movie posters in his room which could show he has an interest in media. He also has books in his room which reveals he is intellectual and cares for his education. He has a cool ipod with speakers and so items such as these can reflect his character that he is a cool guy and also that either he or his parents are wealthy as these items are expensive.


7. How is Tony's sister Effy represented? How is their relationship represented?
Effy is represented as a rebellious character because she sneaks into the house in the morning after a late night out. Tony's and Effy's relationship is a good relationship as Tony helps Effy get into the house even though he gets in trouble with his dad in the process. They have an understanding and look out for one another. There is also the parent Vs Kids feel to the relationship and they are a sort of team and work together to avoid their parents. The audience likes this sort of relationship and it is a fair representation of how teenage siblings are with each other.

8. How are the parents represented? How is their relationship with the children represented?
The dad is the outsider in the family and he doesn't receive a great deal of respect from anyone, particularly his son. He is supposed to be the provider and head of the house yet he comes across as a weak and inefficient character. He finds it difficult to communicate with Tony and when he tries to be dominant, he looks a fool. Tony seems to enjoy annoying his dad and seems to score points against his dad and make him look silly. This is highlighted through the camera work especially the close ups and point of view shots from other characters.

9. Do the binary oppositions reinforce others' representations?
The mother seems to be the opposite of the dad. She seems relaxed and appears to be on the kids side. In the kitchen scene she is not phased by the argument between her son and her husband and the audience feel that this is a regular occurance. By her being relaxed and not getting involved she reinforces the dad's inability to relate and communicate with his children. She is also making breakfast and getting things done whilst the dad is doing nothing and appears 'useless' in the home. Also in Effy's bedroom it is all dark and secretive whereas in contrast there is Tony's bedroom which is light and very open. By having these two contrasting bedroom scenes it reinforces others' representations.

Skins Analysis

Audience & Genre
The type of audience in which the programme is aimed at and may appeal to is young people as it is on at 10pm on a Thursday which is a time when this particular audience would be watching television. Skins has been described as being similar to soap opera; but it is better considered as a teen pic. There is the ‘exploitation’ picture which is specifically targeted at youth. There is also the ‘social problem’ which is aimed at an older audience which represents teen behaviour in a negative way. Skins features forbidden sex, wanton violence, drug use, nudity, freaks, gore, the bizarre, destruction, rebellion and mayhem. Skins has a ‘shocking’ representation of teenagers today to adults.
Skins does have high production values. It uses its ‘shocking’ content as a way of defining itself ideal for E4: aimed at a younger audience and more risqué than mainstream channels.

Narrative
Skins has an unusual narrative structure. It is a serial because episodes follow one another chronologically and it’s also a series as each programme is self contained. They are more self-contained series than serial as one incident arcs over three episodes. Skins officially debuted on Myspace before it was shown on E4. The narrative is clichéd, but it is highly likely that it is original to its jejune target audience.

Representation
The teenagers in Skins are neither children nor adults. They fall uncomfortably between the two oppositions of children and adults. The representations of teens often find themselves as a negative symbol in media representations because they are seen as a problem and do not fit in. Skins displays many issues such as relationships, parents, the demands of studying, peer pressure etc but it doesn’t suggest that teens are a problem.

Reception
The first series of Skins received positive reviews, although some critics complained that the series depicts teenagers unrealistically and stereotypically. Others criticised the excessive promoting of the show and having relatively mediocre writing in comparison to other similarly themed shows.
“…everyone’s teenage life…it is maybe heightened for entertainment but all of it is believable.” (Nicholas Hoult)

Production
Skins is filmed in Bristol and is filmed in high definition. It is edited at BBC studios and post production in Bristol. The show sticks to a pattern of college-age characters, moving them on into the next series and then letting them go. Each series is launched on MySpace, with previews of the first episodes a few days before they are aired on television. There is also an official Skins Internet bot for Windows Live Messenger, which allows users to receive automated messages throughout the airing of each episode with music credits, trivia, and behind-the-scenes gossip.

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