Essay Question Plan

Essay Question: How is the collective identity you have studied represented in contemporary media?

Plan:

Intro -> Explanation of the Collective Identity. The Collective identity of Youth is represented in contemporary media through films such as Kidulthood, London to Brighton and Fish Tank.

Paragraph 1 -> Popular notions of adolescence -> London to Brighton, Youth (Joanne) shown as vulnerable and is controlled by adults. Shown through camera angles (high angle shots) also often on the left of the shot. -> Supported by Kidulthood, Trevor is controlled by his uncle (again through high angle shots) and is vulnerable to adults. -> Also in Fish Tank, Mia is shown to be vulnerable behind her hard exterior; and is taken advantage of by her mum's boyfriend, Connor.

Paragraph 2 -> Youth often demonised by mass media -> Kidulthood: youth shown in a bad way, drinking illegally, doing drugs - scene of girls sniffing coke, being promiscuous at a young age towards people their age and much older. -> Fish Tank supports: Mia is violent and drinks - as well as her 8 year old sister, who is seen to also smoke. -> this is a stereotype of youth and the area (Essex). "the true horrors we fear day to day are not supernatural bogeymen or monsters created by scientists. They are our own youth" - Daily Mail

Paragraph 3 -> Youth are let down by adults -> Fish Tank: Mum shows little interest in children, keeps control of them through violence, doesn't know/care that they drink and smoke. She is also not bothered of Mia leaving home at the end of the film to start a new life in Wales. -> London to Brighton: Joanne ran away from home, Dad is violent and the mother died - she therefore looks to Kelly as a role model. -> Kidulthood: Trevor's parents don't get a mention, and it could be argued that they could have protected Trevor from his dangerous uncle. "Parents aren't always around to help socialize their children or even to just show them affection. Compared to other cultures, British kids are less integrated into the adult world and spend more time with peers." - Times magazine

Conclusion -> In conclusion, youth has been represented as .... ... ... in the films Fish Tank, Kidulthood and London to Brighton; with the writers and directors taking advantage or camera shots, mise en scene etc. to put across their view of youth today to the audience....