Alex Hooseman

Representation of Age – Bad Education

Introduction:

For this task, I am looking at the representation of age between the teacher, Alfie, and the students. I will be looking at the character’s behaviour in the scene as well as camera shots, movements etc, to identify whether a common stereotype of teenagers is in action.

Stereotypes:

Typical common stereotypes of teenagers include foul language, “street” slang, being law abiding and lastly trying to present themselves as a dominant figure.

Analysis

The scene begins with an Establishing Shot. This shot is used to show the audience the what the scene looks like. This shot provides the audience with important information, regarding the setting and the storyline.

The shot establishes the time and location. This scene for example can be interpreted as a school corridor in the afternoon. Eventually, the first characters come into shot to then begin the context of the scene.

Establishing Shot

The following shot becomes a Two Shot. This the introductory shot of the scene that introduces the characters 0f the scene. This shot expresses the relationship between the two characters as well as the action in which they find themselves in. In this scene, the relationship between the two characters is a teacher and his student. The action of the scene is the pair exiting the girl’s toilet.

The teacher can be interpreted as trying to be a student as tries to use a phrase that a normal, professional teacher wouldn't say, “Yippie khai-yay!”. This again refers to the idea of age, as Alfie clearly attempts to use teenage phrases and actions to bond with the students to get a positive outcome. This could represent Alfie’s character as an older teenager.

The Two Shot is also featured towards the end of the scene when the student and the teacher begin to reach an agreement. The image below clearly shows that the student is the dominant member of the conversations due to his confidence in his actions and intimidating attitude compared to the teacher who’s facial expression shows fear and that he is uncomfortable. This once again follows the stereotypical behaviour of teenagers as rude, intimidating figures who use fear as a method of getting what they desire. This is interpreted by the behaviour of the student who is confronting Alfie.

Two Shot

The next comes an Over the Shoulder Shot. This type of shot enables the audience to view the action from over the shoulder of another character. This is used in the interaction between the teacher and the student confronting him.

The interaction between the two characters is about a picture of the teacher and another student being captured by the student who attempts to upload onto the social media site, Twitter. This type of shot is used throughout the scene.

The student acts and behaves like the typical stereotype. Slang, foul language and presents himself as the dominant character in the scene by countering Alfie’s speech with a ‘foul-mouthed’ response, such as calling him ‘Butt Nugget’ and ‘Flippers’ to seem superior. As well as owning up to law abiding actions such as graffiti. This follows the typical stereotype of teenagers as they are presented as lively, immature characters that do anything for attention.

Over the shoulder Shot

The Mid Shot is used to show the audience the detail of the characters from the waist upwards. This also enables the audience to connect with the character which then focuses on the narrative and the body language of the characters in the scene.

The image shows the scene in which Alfie counters the students name calling of ‘Jumper’ with a speech of a JLS star modelling a similar brand of clothing on BBC’s The One Show. His speech can be viewed as a witty attempt to make himself the dominant member of the conversation. Instead he receives mockery from the supporting bullies.

Alfie’s speech can be interpreted as childish and not professional as he stands on the spot and speaks the first thing that comes to mind about the clothing to make himself ‘cool’ and appealing to his peers and surroundings. This again refers to the concept that his character is represented as a slightly older teenager who is out of his comfort zone by being placed in a formal, working environment.

Mid Shot