representation of regional identity

Representation of regional identity 

Regional Identity refers to the part of the United Kingdom someone is from. It could refer to a general area such a “North” or “South”, a country such as “English” or “Scottish” or specific towns such as “London” or “Manchester.”

Working class  Those individuals engaged in manual work, often having low levels of educational achievement. The classic, traditional working class jobs include heavy labouring and factory based work. 

Middle class  Those individuals engaged in non-manual work, often having higher levels of educational achievement. Classic middle class jobs include everything from doctors and lawyers to clerical workers. 

Upper class  The elite class that controls the majority of wealth and power in British society.  

Essex people

Essex often shown as being glamorous but cheap, footballer’s wives, lots of partying, being quite stupid.

South England 

South England – often shown as being the centre of culture, modern, classy, clever, sunny, richer, doing middle class jobs such as managers, etc.

North England

North England – often shown as being the centre of culture, modern, classy, clever, sunny, richer, doing middle class jobs such as managers, etc.]

Media Representations of social class:

Summary of theories

Representations of poverty and underclass

• Portrayal usually negative and stereotypical,

• Portrayed in the form of statistics in news bulletin such as figures of unemployment,

• Recent media interest in the labelling of the poor such as “chavs” which according to Shildrick and MacDonald (2007) suggest that the poor are undeserving of sympathy,

• Hayward and Yar (2006) – the term chav is used as an amusing term of abuse for young poor people

The media has portrayed the lower class man as being 'vile' as the media creates a negative viewpoint.The mans devious plan is used to represent all of those who need help from welfare state.Creating a negative view may persuade those that read the magazine that everyone that claim benefits are having a good life being lazy.The man is described to have "17 children so he can claim benefits" creating the stereotype of those that are claiming benefits are breeding lots of children so he can benefit from them.This may make the working class to look down at those who are lower class which creates a division within the classes.The anchorage been the negative caption and the positive image.The children are wearing cheap t shirts whereas the man is wearing the designer brand 'adidas' which conveys he makes sure he is presentable as he looks after himself more than his children.The man is accused of murder of 6 of his children which creates a violent atmosphere  and creates the viewers to be distrusted for his actions as people sympathies towards youth.He is seen as unable to cope to look after hid delinquent children which can create the stereotype of them being selfish.The use of him representing the lower class with the sub heading saying 'attempted murder;schoolgirl sex and rape claim" creates the imagery of people raised up in  a lower class area may be raised to be violent,thus creates others to have this negative picture of the lower class due to the media portraying them in a negative light. 


Shameless season 1 ep 4  in Manchester
 









        Shameless are used to represent the lower class,the editing of the dark household and the camera work of the messy clothing and house,creates the imagery of them not being presentable thus gives the viewpoint of them being carless and lazy.The boy is seen in almost every scene he is in smoking thus makes the viewer question why he is using his welfare on unnecessary things.The chaotic scenes of the fires makes them look like a fool which is comedic to others as the higher class or working class would laugh at them for entertainment. The shaky camera represents their crazy and dysfunctional lifestyle,this is also shown through the montage of the different characters,changing scenes quickly.

•   editing  
•        montages witching onto different characters description 
•        fats pace
•        intro to characters 
•        different scenes
•        cuts scenes
•          make it look darker
•  mis en scene 
•        council estate -stereotypical council -dark&messy
•        fires-pubs
•        not able to look after themselves-dirty clothes  
•        smoking-buying it from welfare 
•        young parents
•        rude/aggressive 
•        swearing - poor parenting skills
•        violence- toilet scene fights -knifes -normalized 
•        dysfunctional -cant cook - cluttered house
•         rebellious- no respect
•        sexual behaviour-inappropriate
•        accents- stereotypical working class 

            sound 

•        narrative 
•        different voices 
•        piano music 
•        drums to show urgency  
•        music showing curiosity 
•        music-comedic
•        
• camera work  
•        different angles 
•        close ups 
•        zooming in 
•        panning
•        changing scenes 
•        follows them around (looks like documentary)
•        shaky camera - showing chaotic lifestyle 

Four key themes in racial representation:

–exotic

–dangerous

–humorous

–pitied

–Musicians – jazz, hip-hop and soul

–Sportsmen and women

–Comedians

–Criminals

–Socially dysfunctional

–Prostitute/sexually promiscuous

–The stud/pimp