Task 1 - Question 1

Skins Opening Credits by girlwithglasses




Both texts have different ways of representing teenagers. Bully concentrates on male teenagers where as Skins features on both male and females who are slightly older.

Just within the first few seconds of the trailer of bully, males are represented as clumsy as the medium shot of the main character slipping on a banana skin instantly connotes that male teenagers are not on the bright side. Also to add the characters costume is very scruffy with his shirt out, his top button undone and wearing trainers. This evokes that teenage boys are not well manner people and are rebellious in some way. The use of non digenetic sound of a male shouting used on the title ‘bully’ signifies aggression within teenage boys. The main character gets up to devious acts as seen as he places a ‘kick me’ sticker upon another student back and pulling the fire alarm within the corridor. Also the main character is seen running about and riding his bike through school grounds in a range of close up shots. This signifies that teenager boys are disruptive and insubordinate.

Throughout the trailer there are various scenes which connote male aggression and superiority. Scenes of where larger males bully the younger students and the use of words such as ‘you’re dead’ reveals a violent representation of the males.
However within the trailer there is an alternative representation of teenage boys as the boy shown in a green vest and wearing glasses. Dressing the character this way connotes to the viewers that although there is disruptive teenage boys there are some who are intelligent and well mannered.

Near the end of the trailer there is a small appearance from females, they are represented as sexually active, moody and flirtatious as scenes of two characters kissing and also the use of dialogue such as ‘We had a date and your 3 minutes late’ ‘I’m a nice girl I’m nice to everyone’ connote this.

Skins takes a different approach on representing teenagers, bully seems to focus on teenage boys mostly where as skins has a focus upon both genders. Within the opening sequence there are several topics that are covered such as drugs, violence and sex. This is highlighted in the scenes where images of a beer can, spliff and gun are seen. This instantly evokes that teenagers are involved with these so called activities which are not socially accepted. Likewise with bully they are represented as rebellious and free minded people. However the use of calm non digenetic sound signifies that it is accepted and there’s no real concern with the teenagers carrying out these activities.

It can be argued that Skins is trying to give the public an insight to the average day of a teenager. To show people what they go through and try giving teenagers a fairer representation.

Both texts representation of teenagers are negative, by the use of scenes of violence and clumsiness is bully and scenes of drugs and sex in Skins.