Social class and status in TV drama

Social class and status in TV drama

Social class and status may be the topic that consists of the most stereotypes and themes. Social class and status is broken up into three sections:

• Upper class
• Middle class
• Lower/working class

Upper class stereotypes:

• The moat common stereotype of the upper class is that they are all very rich, which is mostly true.  A clear example of this is the characters of Downton Abbey who are all largely wealthy.  
• A second stereotype of people who belong to the upper class is that they are all posh.  This consists of a well-spoken vocabulary. An example of this stereotype is any of the family members from the Lannister family in Game of Thrones.
• A third stereotype of the upper class is that they are well educated. This is mostly due to their probable wealthy upbringing meaning that they most likely had a high standard of education.

Middle class:

• The main stereotype of people who belong to the middle class is that they relatively well off but not as wealthy as those who belong to the upper class.
• A second stereotype of those who belong to the middle class is that their wealth is self-made. They have had to work most of their life to get to where they are.
• A third stereotype of the middle class is that they have a good standard of education

Lower/working Class:

• The biggest stereotype of this social class is that they are not very wealthy at all. This may due to either a poor upbringing or a bad decision made with in their life (e.g. gambling).
• A second stereotype of the lower/working class is that they are poorly educated. This is most likely due to that their education itself was poor due to not being able to afford a high standard education.
• A third stereotype of the lower/working class is that they have very cheap and low quality clothing. This is because they cannot afford better clothing and it is what they are used to.

4 Areas of textural analysis:

• Camera shots: The use of camera angles and movements can be used to show how one social class has more power and influence over another class
• Editing: The use of cuts etc. can be used to create a desired atmosphere such as a tense atmosphere when a lower class individual may feel intimidated by someone who belongs to the upper class.
• Sound: Like editing, sound can also be used to create a desired atmosphere. When a lower class individual may feel intimidated by someone who belongs to the upper class the usage of loud sounds such as drums may be used to create a tense atmosphere
• Mise-en-Scène: Clothing of a character can be used to represent what social class they belong to. As well as clothing, the location in which the character works or lives can easily represent what class they belong to. An example of this is in Downton Abbey. The upper class individuals live within the main rooms of the mansion whereas the butlers/servants live in the lower quality living quarters.

6 Areas of representation:

• Age: There is a difference between how characters of different classes behave; some of these differences are determined by their age. For example, two children who become friends at school, one belonging to the working class whilst the other belongs to the middle class. It would be very likely that you didn’t see much difference the personalities of the boys however as they were to grow up, it would be clear to see how the boys would change. An ideal example of this is the plot of Blood Brother in which Mickey and Edward start of as the best of friends but their relationship soon takes a turn for the worst as they grow up and take separate paths.
• Ethnicity: In previous years, throughout society ethnicity has been away to determine someone’s social class and status. An example would be that years ago, it would have been extremely rare for a black person to belong to the upper class. However, this has changed over time.
• Sexuality: Overall I don’t believe that sexuality really does affect someone’s social class and status and I feel that this is represented with in TV drama
• Gender: Throughout society and TV drama, it is clear that men are represented as more powerful than women.  This is presented in a number of ways. It is expected that men should support, care and provide for women whilst they carry out the domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning.  In the past it would have been hard for women to work her way up the social classes but in modern society it is a common site.
• Physical ability/disability: Men have always been represented as more psychically able than women.  A large example of this is any action programme or movie. The hero is a male 9/10 of the time and the man is always the one saving women, never the other way round.
• Regional identity: This is affected by social class and status. There are certain regions that are accosted with different social classes. An example of this would be places such as manchester which is is stereotypically known for being the home of mostly working and middle class where as parts of London are know for housing a larger number of upper class. 

Ethnicity in TV drama

Ethnicity in TV drama:

Just like class and status, gender and disability, ethnicity contains various stereotypes and themes, especially within TV drama.  Within the Alvarado theory, there are multiple themes:

·      Exotic: These are the type of people that are represented as strange or unusual due to their ethnicity.

·      Dangerous: These types of people are generally seen as a threat to society. There are also seen as taking advantage of society and are underlying institutional racism.

·      Humorous: In previous years, someone’s race has been used as a source of comedy. An example of this is 70s TV programmes. The programmes removed threat of races by making them the butt of jokes.

·      Pitied: These are groups that are deprived or are victims of natural disasters such as floods, war or famine.

·      Sexualised: People that fall under this theme are seen as sexually violent and this is often linked to their culture. These people are seen as a threat to our society through actions such as rape. 

Tokenism:

This is the limited inclusion or the artistic/political representation of traditionally marginalised group, usually creating a false impression. An example of this is the purpose placing of a black character in an all white cast.

There are many stereotypes linked with ethnicity. One specific type of character that is heavily stereotyped is a black character. Specifically on males, there are many stereotypes associated with black characters. For example, black males are often presented as using poor language (e.g. slang, curse words etc.), dressed in cheap and saggy clothing and commit some form of crimes (E.g. theft, illegal drugs etc.). An example of this stereotype in TV drama is Dexter Hartman (Played by Khali Best). He speaks very quickly, uses a large amount of slang. He often wears loose baggy clothing and flashy accessories such as gold necklace.

A counter type to this stereotypical view of a black male character is Luther from the British original drama Luther. He is a professional, well educated and smartly dresses criminologist who completely goes against this stereotype.

Another stereotype based on ethnicity is of a character of an Indian heritage.  One of the most common stereotypes of Indian characters is that they own local shops. Two examples of this are Dev from Coronation Street and Apu from The Simpsons.

 

4 Areas of textual analysis:

• ·      Camera shots: The use of camera angles and movements can be used to highlight the power that one race/culture has over another one.  For example a low angled shot may be used on a group of white males to and then jump cut to a high angle shot that is showing the viewer a group of black males. This would be used to show that in that specific situation, the white males have more power of the black males.
• ·      Sound: Sound effects and music can be used to create a desired atmosphere and representation of a specific culture/race. An example of this may be when one character of a specific ethnicity is being intimidated or threatened by a group of people from a different ethnicity the sound may consists of loud sound effects such as drums. This would be used to create a tense atmosphere.
• ·      Editing: The use of quick and short jump cuts can be used to show a action pact, intense, or awkward scene between multiple characters of different cultures/race whereas a scene that consists of much more longer continuous clips with less jump cuts is able to create a much calmer situation.
• ·      Mise-en-Scène: This mainly relates to clothing in TV dramas regarding to a characters ethnicity. Different clothes are associated with different cultures/races.

6 Areas of representation:

• ·      Age: Throughout TV drama there are many characters of different ethnicities that are of all ages. Age isn’t really a factor that is influenced by a person’s ethnicity.
• ·      Gender: Again, just like age, a characters gender doesn’t really have an effect on their ethnicity.  There is always a variation throughout TV drama.
• ·      Sexuality: Sexuality again doesn’t really have an effect on a person’s ethnicity and vice versa. Throughout TV drama there are variations of characters of different cultures/races that have different sexual preferences.
• ·      Class and status: Ethnic minorities are often stereotyped as lower class however in some cases, the ethnic minority is the wealthiest person in that area.
• ·      Psychical ability/disability: Throughout TV drama, the most common ethnicity for a disabled character is a white Caucasian however there are sometimes exceptions.
• ·      Regional Identity: Just like Age, Gender and sexuality, the regional identity of a person doesn’t really have an effect on the ethnicity of that person.

Disability in TV drama

Disability in TV drama

There are multiple stereotypes of disabled people throughout TV drama.  Paul Hunt identified 10 of these stereotypes:

• ·      Pitiable or pathetic
• ·      Object of curiosity or violence
• ·      Sinister or evil
• ·      The super cripple
• ·      As atmosphere
• ·      Laughable
• ·      His/her own worst enemy
• ·      Burden
• ·      Non-sexual
• ·      Unable to participate in daily life

The most common of these stereotypes is the pitiable or pathetic disabled character. These characters are usually shown to be deserving of pity when faced with difficulty or prejudice.  An example of this is the quick yet memorable appearance of the disabled girl in the Inbertweeners episode titled ‘Bunk Off’ in which Will accidently hits a girl in a wheel chair with a Frisbee. This girl is represent as helpless and pathetic.  The way in which she is presented makes the viewer feel bad for the girl, especially because of her disability.

 A counter type to this is the laughable disabled character. This is a character that is purposely created and used for humour purposes. This may be due to the fact that some people find pleasure in the misfortune of others. As well as this, disabled people have been used as a source of humour since the ancient Greeks. An example of a character that is used for humour purposes is Joe Swanson from Family guy. He is often displayed as a source of comedy and his disability is repeatedly mocked for the viewer’s entertainment.

Another stereotype of disabled people is a character that is sinister or evil. This attitude may either be simply encrypted in the characters personality or they may adopt this attitude due to their disability that has negatively affected their life therefore negatively affecting their personality. An example of this type of disabled character is Donna Yates (played by Lisa Hammond) from EastEnders.  She is one of the market traders who came equipped with a negative attitude since her first appearance on the show.  She is constantly agitated and rude to the other market traders and is always attempting too steal customers. 

 A sort of countertype to this stereotype is the ‘super cripple’. The super cripple is the type of disabled character that is in apposition of admiration despite the disability they possess. However the actual admiration that is achieved by this character is often seen as patronising since it appears that the character is admired due to the fact that they have a disability and not the actual achievement.  A very common example of this is the Paralympics, which are the global Olympics specifically for those who are disabled.

   

 4 Areas of textual analysis:

• ·      Camera shots: The use of various camera shots can be used to represent the power of a disabled character in a particular circumstance surrounded by other characters. This can be one through the use of camera angels and movements. An example of this would be a high angled shot of a disabled character, most likely in a wheel chair. This represents that the disabled has less power than other characters.
• ·      Sound: Sound can be used to create a number of moods and atmospheres. In terms of disability, the most common example of sound creating an atmosphere in terms of disability is when an awkward atmosphere is created. This can be achieved in a number of ways but the most common is actually the use of no sound at all. This means that the viewer is a able to ‘feel’ the tension and negative atmosphere between the characters.
• ·      Editing: The use of quick and short jump cuts can be used to shown a action pact or awkward scene where as a scene that doesn’t consist of many cuts is able to create a much calmer situation.
• ·      Mise-en-Scène: Most disabled characters in TV drama are represented as ‘normal’ and to a certain degree, ‘fit-in’ with all other characters. An example of this is via their clothing, which is mostly normal everyday clothing.

6 areas of representation:

• ·      Age: Disabled characters are represented in TV drama can be of any age. However, the age of a disabled character often effects how the character is presented. For example, a younger disabled character may be represented as a much more pitiable or pathetic whereas an older disabled character may be represented as a bit more sinister or evil. This may be due to the fact that they have most likely had to have to live with their disability for a long period of their life and this has had a negative on their personality.
• ·      Gender: The gender of disabled character can sometimes have an affect on the personality and actions of the character. For some reason, a female disabled character is often pitied more than male disabled characters.
• ·      Sexuality: One of Paul Hunt’s 10 stereotypes of disabled characters is the non-sexual character. However, a person’s disability in theory doesn’t really have an effect on a person’s sexuality. An example of a character that possesses a disability but is in a relationship is Charlie (played by David Proud) from Siblings.
• ·      Class and status: In terms of everyday society, the social class and status of a person doesn’t really effect if they have a disability or not. However, within TV drama disabled characters most commonly belong to the middle or lower class.
• ·      Ethnicity: A person’s ethnicity has no reel effect on if a person is psychically abled or disabled, including within TV drama. However saying this, white disabled characters are more common within TV drama than any other character of a different ethnicity.
• ·      Regional identity: This does not really have a direct impact on the physical ability of a person. Within TV drama there is never really a clear link between someone’s regional identity and whether they are disabled.

Regional Identity

Representation of Disability - Diary of a Call Girl

Disability - Secret Diary of a Call Girl

This clip from the Secret diary of a call girl contains the representation of multiple stereotypes about disability and of those who have to live with a disability. 

The clip begins with a long shot that shows a women (Billie Piper) from behind. As she opens the front door of her apartment, we see a large man standing behind a younger man who is sat in a wheel chair. This single shot of all three characters shows us modern days society's view upon different types of people. The abled body man is seen as the taller than the girl and towering owner the disabled boy, this represents his power and how he is seen as more important than both the woman and the disabled character. Along side the man, the woman is also seen as higher than the disabled boy. This again shows how the disability makes the boy less powerful and less 'important' compared to the other two characters.
A cut is then used to show the face of the woman who, whilst  smiling, is looking down at the boy. This may again link to the idea that disabled people have less power in todays society and have to be looked down upon by those who possess more power. 

As the clip continues, the boy and his father (As we find out later on in the clip) make their way into the girls apartment. As the moves in, his father follows him very closely behind following him in the same path. This represents the stereotypes that create a fragile and powerless image of disabled people and that they need constantly caring for. Once the pair have stopped moving, the camera cuts to a close up shot of the disabled boy. In this shot, we see hime glance up to the women. This again represents the idea of disabled people being the lowest in society and they look up to the rest of society.

The three characters are then stood in the woman's living room. The boy then asks his father to retrieve an envelop from his bag. This represents the idea that disabled people require the psychical assistance from though who are psychically more able. It also reinforces the idea that disabled people are unable to complete easy tasks such as this one. Once the father has handed the woman the envelop, an over the shoulder shot is used and we see the woman who tells the two to 'Makes themselves at home'. After saying this she  quickly departs for the time being. In her absence, the boy's father wanders around the woman's apartment. His short self led guide of the room is then interrupted by his son who is positioned in front of a few steps yet due to his condition, he is unable to monuver up them. This situation is a clear representation of the idea that people with disabilities are unable to complete simple tasks such as getting up steps. The following event also plays upon the stereotype that disabled people require the help of others without disabilities. The boy simply says 'Dad' and his father knows he requires some psychical assistance. He is given this assistance by his father lifting him out of his wheelchair, carrying him up the steps and placing him on the girls bed. Blake's father places him down gently to ensure that he is not harmed and is further comforted by adjusting his leg positioning and fluffing pillows for him. This again refers to Paul Hunt representation of disability as the disabled character in this clip is viewed as pitiable because he is needing attention more often to do things in life in which the audience and the characters feel sympathy for the disabled character due to the numbers of inabilities that he now has compared to an able bodied person. The father does exactly what his son asks such as when he asks to untie his dungarees so that they do not look like they are wearing the same t-shirt in order to try and raise the popularity of the character. 

As Blake's father leaves the apartment, the female character firmly shuts the door and attempts to lock it. This can suggest that she may be taking advantage of the disabled character by preventing the possibility of the male’s father returning. However it is not until the female character looks at Blake for her to realise that he may need attention from his father, so she unlocks the door and approaches the disabled character. Blake's concerning emotions on his face displayed when she locks the door suggests that he feels nervous/vulnerable knowing that his dad would no longer be able to enter the apartments. She approaches the Blake whilst rubbing her hands together which suggests that she is preparing for either an intimate moment or she is uncomfortable being around a disabled character in this sort of situation. After the female character’s speech about the ‘nice’ relationship between Blake and his father, he appears to be very uncomfortable around her as his facial expression appears blank and occasionally looks in a different direction to the female character. When asked for whether he wants a drink, there is no vocal response from the character but a head nodding gesture which furthermore supports the discomfort of the character the sexual situation that he is not used to being in. When the female character approaches the male character with the drink, she pauses as if she doesn’t understand what to do. In response, she acts like a mother figure by assisting the male character with drinking as he may have a difficulty doing so as well as watching over him to prevent anything from happening to him that may affect him.

The following scene follows with a close up of the father entering his vehicle and then a long shot of the building of which his son and the female character are inside. Diegetic sound in this scene includes music played on the vehicle radio which is classical to ensure that the character is calm and is not worried about his son. This allows the character to pass the time by thinking that his son is not harmed. Eventually, the radio is turned off and the character plays with functions of the vehicle further prevent the character from worrying and also to pass the time. However, the pace in which the functions emphasise that the father is concerned about his son. This is supported by the father character occasionally looking at the building to express his concern. Jump cuts are used throughout this scene to emphasise the anxiety of the character. 

The last scene of this specific clip opens with the female character touching Blake and a close up as well as a panning shot is used to capture this. The closed eyes and facial expressions of the disabled character whilst the female character touching him expresses the uncomfortable position that he is in. This may be due to the idea that he is not used to intimate moments such as this. A mid shot is included to show the female character’s realism of the discomfort of Blake. He then says ‘I’m not used to being touched’. This diegetic sound enforces the stereotype that disabled people are subject to less sexual moments such as these. This again is related to Paul Hunt’s representation of disability because disabled people are viewed as 'non-sexual'. Regardless of this, the female character maintains here composure by continuing to smile at him. The female character asks to take off Blake’s shirt, this then allows the him to experience more sexual intimacy than he is used to. The female character assists with helping Blake take of his shirt which again plays upon the stereotype that disabled people require the help go more abled people. This acts casts the women as a motherly figure. The soundtrack does not emphasise sexual intimacy but calm and caring moving. As she assists with lying the male character back down on the bed once again, she is positioned on top of him in a sexual position. This may show that she is taking advantage of him or allowing him to experience sexual intimacy. The clip concludes with this scene.  

The Inbertweenrs – Disability In The Media

The Imbertweenrs – Disability In The Media

Why is the clip funny?

The reason that this clip is funny is because of the mixture shock and surprise. As soon as Will gets the idea to try and impress the girls by throwing the Frisbee, in true Inbetweeners fashion the viewer can already tell can something’s is going to go wrong but it’s the manor of how the situation turns ugly which is so surprising. The fact that it is will who throws the Frisbee, the most ‘Innocent’ of the four, makes the clip even more humorous since we wouldn’t expect a situation to occur because of him.  Also, the way that the situation transforms from bad to worse when will tries to take back his Frisbee whilst explaining his sorrow adds another layer of humor as it casts Will in much darker light than he was in before. In many ways, its not even the disabled girls that makes the clip funny, the pure awkwardness of the clip and the reaction of Will that really makes the clip funny.

How is the disabled girl being represented?

The disabled girl in this clip is being represented in a humorous sense and is one of the key elements that make this clip both funny and awkward. She is also represented very child-like and helpless in tat specific situation.

Are we meant to laugh at the disabled person?

I don’t think that in this clip specifically, we are meant to laugh at the disabled person. Even though the inclusion of a disabled person limitedly makes the clip funnier, I feel it’s the entire situation and the awkwardness of Will that is funny.

Are they the ‘butt’ of the joke?

I personally don’t think that that the disabled character in this clip is the ‘butt’ of the joke. I do however think that the scenario that Will ahs found him in is the ‘butt’ of the joke. The whole situation is really what the joke is and is simply made funnier by the inclusion of the disabled person and would not be the same joke without her.

How do you think disabled people respond to this?

I think that there would be a mixture of emotional responses about this specific clip. I feel that there would be some disabled people who would understand that they were not being mocked in the clip and that a disabled character was used to intensify the awkwardness of the clip and how will reacts to hat he has done. On the other hand however, I fell that some disabled people may not be ok with how a disabled person is shown and used in this clip. They ay easily see it as an attempt to mock disabled people or ‘use’ them to make the clip funny.

Are we as a society cultivated to think that we should pity the disabled?

I think that from a young age we are not taught necessarily to pity the disabled, but more like we are taught to maybe show a bit more respect for the disabled try and understand that even though they do have a disability, they are just the same as anyone else. As we get older, we are able to understand the reasons behind why people are disabled. I feel that in modern times we as a society focus less on pitying the disabled and feeling bad for them and instead trying to improve their living standards and possibilities in life. An example of this is the continues installation of wheelchair access to many buildings.