Clip analysis
I will be analysing
how different ages are presented on a clip of ‘Waterloo Road’
The scene begins with a low level close up that pans on
moving feet. The scene then cuts to a full body shot of the two boys later also
revealing earlier it was a teacher shown at the start. The scene cuts a close
up to the camera being hidden away and both boys. It is then followed by a
short pan of the two boys and the teacher.
There are close ups
when each character is talking to emphasise the dialogue. Once the camera is
revealed there is a low mid shot of the teacher holding it. When the lady
teacher is introduced there is a pan of her walking towards the three
characters followed by a mid-shot of all the characters standing together.
Every time there is a new situation shown, it includes a mid-shot that
introduces the character as well as several pans to show the movement.
The footage is cut into different situations such as from
the start with the camera incident, to the boy passing on information on a
school incident. All these cuts to new scenes demonstrate how there are many
issues presented that are mostly teenage oriented but also show adult
characters.
This gives perspective on two different generations and how
all the issues aren’t just school issues. The ages here present how the
characters each get in to situations and how the programme is not just about
teenage issues but how the link to adults and how the adults get mixed up into
them. Music is also added in to effect the scene.
Sound from the start mostly came from dialogue and
background noise however there is also music shown.
The scene where the man is dressed in what he considers
‘youthful’ cuts to almost cheesy rap music that mocks the appearance of the man
as ongoing lookers and the students both show humorous expressions in the
current situation.
This also demonstrate how age is interpreted, as the man
appears in mockingly youthful clothing where he thinks it might appeal to the
other students while the truth is that they find him funny to look at as he
looks humorous in his outfit. The students mockingly laugh at him showing how teenagers
and adults have different perspectives. The music is generally considered
youthful and quite cheesy which highlights how the setting is in a high school
which is filled with youths.
The mise-en-scene is a high school, symbolically it presents
how children from primary school begin to mature and eventually grow into young
men and women. While this is a high school setting there are adult characters
shown primarily as teachers. The audience sees both adult and teenage
perspectives and it shows how each of the characters react to each situation. The
scenes transition quickly from classroom, to corridor etc. The setting is a
generic and textbook example of a high school as someone who is in a high
school I can see the similarities there are to it and how the layouts and
teachers are. The starting scene demonstrates a clear distinct age difference
with the similar aged students and the senior teacher dressed in professional
attire while the next teacher that shows up is dressed quite casually showing
three different generations. The high school setting comes with a lot of
mundane to somewhat less mundane situations that are realistic portraying high
school life.
The camera shots used such as close ups details the
differences in age and detail the character appearance and dialogue. The
students themselves all are in uniform of course with facial expressions and
facial appearance highlighting their personalities rather than outward
appearance.
The First teacher introduced shows a posh looking old
teacher that also contrasts in terms of accent compared to the two boys
presented in the beginning. He appears to show a dislike towards the boys as
they may have been known by the teacher to misbehave. He appears to be smug
once it is revealed that the camera they attempted to be kept hidden was
revealed showing his satisfaction for busting the students.
The first teacher is dressed in a professional suit which
presents a sort of authoritarian look compared to the students and when
compared to the next teacher shown in the scene it demonstrates personalities
presented on the programme both adult and teen.
The next teacher shown appears quite casual and somewhat
contrasts the appearance of any character shown on the clip as she is the only
one on the clip wearing a bright top. This also compared to the older teacher
shows a younger adult presented.
The next student ‘Amy’ appears to show issues at home and
clearly appears to be angered by his parents. Her personality shown suggests
that she is very blunt and hard headed as later on she is seen confronting
another student.
The next adults are then shown, like mentioned earlier we
can see the so called outfit the man is wearing something rather embarrassing
and doesn't seem to be well received amongst the students as it appears rather
humorous.
There are many scenarios shown in just a 5 minute clip which
shows how each of the characters have their own problems but may intertwine
with each other though some situations seem mundane and set the mood more than
others as a school filled with drama.
Other all we, can see that the students each carry their own
personalities and perspectives as the situation changes from each transition
along with the points of view from adults as the story itself is about the
staff, students and adults linked to the students. Age is also presented in
different ways as adults of different ages are shown differently while the
youth of the show have their own types of personalities that make stands them
out along with the scenarios they are involved with. This shows how busy with
issues there are in the school.