1b) Analyse media representation in one of your coursework productions.

For my A2 coursework I developed a teaser trailer. I decided to concentrate on the genre of period drama after inspiration from films such as The Duchess and Pride and Prejudice. Although many of the films in this genre only represent the upper class I decided to challenge this convention by representing the working class, in this case the servants. I decided to do this to give a fresh twist to a genre which has been explored frequently in the film industry. I used various different techniques to represent class such as costume, mise-en-scene and the 'set-ups' between the characters.

In terms of the costume I had to pay particular attention to ensure the audience can establish which characters are upper class and which character is a servant. The main female protagonist is a servant for the two other characters that appear in the teaser trailer. This is signified in the costume when she approaches the main male protagonist and his fiancee. She is wearing a blue dress which is quite simple with a maid's hat and carrying a basket and letter. This hopefully signifies to the audience that she is a maid. The main male protagonist is dressed in a smart jacket with a cravat and his fiancee is dressed in an elegant peach dress. This will give anchorage to the viewer that they are upper class and therefore more superior in the class system compared to the main female protagonist. However there are scenes in the trailer where the main female protagonist is dressed in elegant, glamorous dresses. This contradicts the representation of her in previous scenes therefore creating a narrative enigma for the audience - why has her costume changed?

The mise-en-scene represents upper class rather than lower classes. The mise-en-scene is mainly the countryside for example when the main female protagonist is running through the woods. In the Ball scenes there is a very grand mise-en-scene with the hall as the backdrop. In these scenes the main female protagonist appears suitable for the location in terms of her persona and her costume. However in the scenes where she is dressed more appropriate for her role of a maid she does appear slightly out of place and at unease due to the idyllic mise-en-scene where as the main male protagonist and his fiancee appear suited and at ease with the location.

The set-ups between the characters in the trailer also represent their class effectively. How the main male protagonists fiancee acts towards the main female protagonist gives anchorage that she is superior to the main female protagonist. The main female protagonist also looks at the fiancee as though she is superior to her, that they are not friends that she is in fact her employer.

Yorkshire stereotypes in TV and Film

Yorkshire is the most recognizable place, after London, in the UK due to numerous movies and television shows.

Television shows

• Monty Python - Four Yorkshire Men

• Last of The Summer Wine
• The Darling Buds of May
• Emmerdale
• A Touch of Frost
• All Creatures Great and Small
• Heartbeat
• I Didn't Know You Cared

Movies

• Brideshead Revisited
• The Full Monty
• Jane Eyre
• Kes
• The Railway Children
• Wuthering Heights
• Calendar Girls

• Further listings of films set in Yorkshire can be found at: http://www.webwombat.com.au/travel/articles/yorkies.htm

• Stereotypes

• Eccentric villagers
• An example is Greengrass in Heartbeat
• Country scenery - rolling hills and the dales
  
• Moody atmosphere of the moors - Bronte Country - Wuthering Heights
• History
• Accents - 'Ecky thump!'
• Farmers - flat caps

Although Yorkshire based programs are popular on the TV this may become a thing of the past in the near future. ITV, who airs most of the regional programs, is planning to relocate it's studios to Manchester. It has already shelved well known 'Yorkshire' programs Heartbeat and The Royal and a Touch of Frost is also ending at the end of this year. However it is believed that Emmerdale will continue to be shot on its purpose built set in the grounds of Harewood House, Yorkshire.

There are more details in the article which can be found on the Media Guardian Website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/feb/18/loss-leeds-hq-killer-blow-itv

Z Movies and Hidden Agenda

Media, Z Movies