Fish Tank Textual Analysis
The extract depicts many micro elements from within the
mise-en-scene. These micro codes are employed to create a specific representation
at macro level, of rebellion and a low economic status. The key representative
area, in this introduction is youth. The extract depicts how the young female
protagonist interacts with several children and teens from within her community
and the issue of violence is highlighted.
The location
that depicts her low economic status is a built up council estate consisting of
high rise flats and damaged property. Costume design for the youths,
stereotypically depict their age and class. The protagonist is dressed casually
in a ‘hoodie’ and track suit bottoms. However, several of the other girls are
wearing crop tops and track suit bottoms. Many of the girls are accessorised
with large hooped earrings that consequently would be associated with the characteristics
of a ‘chav’.
The male youths, costume design is also
stereotypical, one features wearing a cap, a couple in T-shirts and all in
trainers. Two of the male youths are featured with dogs that resemble pit bull
terriers. The dogs are used as props to emphasise a macho imagine that projects
an issue of intended violence.
The
micro element of heavy makeup on one particular girl denotes the youth factor,
whilst the protagonist and several other girls in contrast have a more rustic,
but natural look. Their pasty skin tones emphasis their lack of exposure to the
sun, as their environment is overshadowed with high rise council flats, which reinforces
the macro level of their low economic, social status.
The
natural bright sunlight along with two bare-chested male youths enforces the
realism of the season. However, the gritty low key lighting that was denoted in
the flat stair well conveys the negativity of the protagonist’s class and
status. Her uneducated foul language is bought into realism, by her lack of
manners and this depicts her as having an issue, associated with being
rebellious. General mouthy, outbursts towards other characters reinforces her
rebellious nature. The issue of sexuality is also being portrayed here, as
girls practice dancing provocatively in front of half naked males. Moreover,
this is possibly to draw attention and to seek recognition from the opposite
sex.
Sound is a technical element that allows an audience to establish
the narrative and from within this introductory extract, diegetic sounds from
loud music, a mobile phone and even the sound of throwing stones, will enhance
the realism of the protagonists urban environment.
Editorial cuts in the scene where the protagonist is being aggressive towards the other girls, are faster pace and this creates a dramatic effect of energy and tension. These factors are representative of issues surrounding youth, which are associated with violence. Wide establishing shots with slow paced editing at the beginning of the extract, convey the regional identify and location. Combining these micro codes, the macro level of the genre is established.
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Editorial cuts in the scene where the protagonist is being aggressive towards the other girls, are faster pace and this creates a dramatic effect of energy and tension. These factors are representative of issues surrounding youth, which are associated with violence. Wide establishing shots with slow paced editing at the beginning of the extract, convey the regional identify and location. Combining these micro codes, the macro level of the genre is established.
Back to contents