Skins: Episode One - Mise En Scene and Camera Practice

Mise En Scene

The mise en scene of the protagonists bedroom challenges and conforms to stereotypical views about youth culture. The establishing shot suggests that the series targets a teenage audience and it will follow the life and experiences of a teenager. The duvet cover shown is of a double bed with a naked man and woman, suggesting that this age group is sexually charged. The protagonist is positioned in the middle of the two bodies suggesting that he is sexually inexperienced. It could also be suggesting that he is alone and confused about his sexuality, which conforms to teenage sterotypes.In this shot natural lighting is used to give a sense of realism so the teenage audience identifies with the life of the protagonist.

Then we see the rest of the protaganists bedroom. We see it being very tidy and organised, challenging the stereotpe that teenagers are untidy. We know this due to his cupboard draws being full of clothes that are neatly folded and clean. The boy also has a clean floor where we would expect teenagers to have items lying around, but this protagonist is neat and tidy. Whereas we see the binary opposite of his sister, who comes home in the early morning with messed hair and clothes. Also as we are shown her room, she has clothes lying about and her bedsheets are all messy. Conforming with the stereotype of that age group. As we see the rest of the room it is noticable that it is all neatral colours, nothing stands out that matches him being male or female. This goes against the sterotype of the traditional colours of blue for boys, and pink for girls.

Camera Angles

The idea that teenagers are curious about sex is reinforced through the over the sholder shot used when he is looking at the older woman getting dressed through the window over the road. The shot is hand held so that the audience can have the same experience as the teenage main character. The following close up shot shows a lack of expression suggesting that this is routine and he has become disaffected by the image. This conforms to the stereotype that teenagers' lives are surrounded by sex and it plays a big part of their life.

The camera angle of the protagonist's sister, Effy, is a pan or track shot across the driveway. This is used to show us that she shouldnt be where she is and she is breaking the rules, as the pan is used to give us the feeling that she is anxious about being seen by anyone. This conforms with the stereotype of teenagers as Effy is clearly seen as staying out all night partying, we can tell this due to her messy clothes, hair and her make-up is all smudged and runny. This also agrees with the stereotype that teenagers are rebellious and keep secrets from their parents.The camera angle is also used to highlight the contrast between Tony and Effy as it comes out of the house into the street. Showing us that they are two totally different people. Conforming with the sterotype that brothers and sisters of this specific agegroup dont see eye-to-eye and dont get along with each other.