Film 4 Fact File

Film 4 Fact File

Editing Skins Example 2

The pace of editing during the montage of the protagonist working out gets faster. This shows hes image conscious and that he has to rush because he may have a busy lifestyle. This conforms with the stereotype of teens who are seen to be very much obsessed with being seeing attractive by the opposite sex and that they also  live busy and disorganised lifestyles. However, the music we hear during this montage is very repetitive and steady, this contrasts the mood we get from the pace of editing.

Editing Skins Example

Parallel editing is used to show that the boy and girl are related and have a strong relationship. We can see through the parallel editing that they lead very different teenage lives, showing binary opposite characters. She is coming home; rebelling against house rules and he has been in his own bed. This conforms to Levi Strauss' idea that all narratives have opposites. The two narrative threads come together as she reaches the window and the cut a ways show that she relies on him to cover up for her.

Sound Skins Example 2

The non diegetic music that the boy plays in his room during his work out montage is repetitive and in a single tone. This could suggest that teens enjoy routine and structure in their lives. This argues the regular stereotype that usually believes that teens are very messy and disorganised people. Its played during a montage of the protagonist working out and getting ready for school, this suggests this is a regular theme in his life, being the same routine every morning while also suggesting hes a very alone and boring person. This again argues the stereotype of teens who are usually very social and loud people.

Sound Skins Example

The dialogue between the father and the son shows a reversal in audeince expectations. We see the father shouting and swearing at the teenager, which is normally something we would expect to hear from the teenager. The father's aggressive reaction to the diegetic rock music plays to the stereotype that teenagers play loud music and are inconsiderate to older people. His reaction also plays to the stereotype that teenagers frustrate their parents.

Mise on Scene Example 3 - Skins

The mise on scene of the girl in the scene is a binary opposite of the boy we have already met. We see her walking down the road in the morning, obviously after spending a long night out. This conforms with the stereotype of teenagers that we enjoy to party and don't really care about anything else. We hear the sound of her heels on the ground, telling us shes wearing high heels. This tells us that shes trying to act like more of an adult than she is. We think this because we see heels as a typically more older thing. Her clothes are all very revealing, this conforms with the stereotype of teens that we want to look good and sexy for the opposite sex. This is one part of the stereotype that both the boy and girl have in common. This could be on purpose as teens being sexually charged is the largest stereotype for the teens age group. Finally, we see that these clothes are messy and obviously the same as she wore last night, we also see her make up is a mess. This all also conforms the stereotype of teens that we are very messy.

Camera angles example - Skins

The idea that teenagers are curious about sex is reinforced through the over the sholder shot used when he is looking at the older woman getting dressed through the window over the road. The shot is hand held so that the audience can have the same experience as the teenage main character. The following close up shot shows a lack of expression suggesting that this is routine and he has become disaffected by the image. This conforms to the stereotype that teenagers' lives are surrounded by sex and it plays a big part of their life.

Mise on Scene Example 2 - Skins

The mise on scene of the protagonists bedroom again conforms and challenges the typical stereotype for this age. From the shots we see, his room seems very tidy and clean. We see this when he finds his shirt from inside the drawer, all nicely folded and placed away. This challenges the stereotype that most teenagers are messy people. However, parts of his room also conform with the stereotype. We see a lot of technology in his room, such as the stereo and the digital alarm clock, this conforms to the stereotype that teenagers are also very up to date and at one with technology. We also see his set of weights on the floor, suggesting that the protagonist likes to look after himself and make himself look good for the opposite sex. This again conforms with the stereotype of teenagers that their life is all about image and attraction to the other sex.

Mise on Scene Example - Skins

The mise on scene of the protagonists room conforms and challenges the stereotype of this particular age group. The first shot we see of the protagonist shows him in bed under his duvet cover of a naked man and women, suggesting that teenagers are very much sexually charged, this conforms with the stereotype of youth. He is purposely placed in the middle of the two naked bodies, this could suggest that the boy is alone and confused about his sexuality, this conforms with the stereotype of the teenage years. Natural lighting is used through this shot, this is used to give a sense of realism and to give the teenage audience the idea that this is a real life situation.