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Sample Paragraphs for the Clip

The clip from Waterloo road is a school-based television drama and the clip focuses on a number of situations within the students and teachers lives.

The clip opens with two schoolboys discussing concealing something. They are approached by an older male teacher. At one point there is a medium long shot with the boys positioned to the left and right of the teacher as he questions them and then states “Give it.” before they hand over a badly damaged camcorder. The costume of the boys establishes they are within a school and are therefore of school age – they are wearing black trousers, white shirts and ties which are loosely fastened and are in the school colours. One wears a black coat and has a shoulder bag. The older male teacher is wearing a tweed style suit with a perfectly tied tie; it looks fairly old fashioned with an old fashioned brown jumper. The representation of youth in this scene is quite stereotypical as the boys are wearing school uniform which looks scruffy and they are stood with their shoulders hunched, facing the teacher. The fact that they are hiding a broken camcorder is also quite stereotypical as young people, especially boys, are often represented as up to no good and engaging in criminal behaviour. They appear unreliable and untrustworthy, as they have broken the camcorder, which also fulfills the stereotype. This conforms to the four suggested stereotypes of teenagers although the boys could be seen to conform two of the suggested stereotypes; the respectable because they are staying and listening to the teacher, and the delinquent which is symbolised through the damaged school property and the fact that they lie to conceal it.

The representation of adults is also stereotypical as the older male teacher is seen as an authority figure who is in control of the situation. He is superior to the young men and this is shown through the use of dialogue where he demands “Give it.” and the boys did as they were told. His old-fashioned costume is juxtaposed with the young teacher who approaches wearing a modern, fitted formal outfit.  There is a medium two shot where both the older teacher and younger teacher are seen. The older teacher has a sarcastic, knowing vocal tone and appears to the audience to undermine the younger teacher with his tone and body language. She is seen looking up towards the older teacher.  Despite their equal job roles, the younger teacher, who has forgotten to insure the camera that is now broken, is undermined. This represents young adults as being less organized, careful and capable than older adults, which is a stereotypical representation; the older male is seen as wise and knowledgeable and quite condescending as adults, especially in this job role, often speak down to people (students) as they are in authority.