Regional identity

Discus the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of regional identity using the following (50 marks)

• Camera shots, angles, movement and composition
• Editing
• Sound
• mis-en-scene

EAA: Explanation, analysis, argument 20 marks                                                                                            EG: Use of example 20 marks                                                                                                                             T: Terminology 10 marks                                                                                                                       

The establishing shot is of an outdated doctor’s surgery, lacking many of the modern items one would expect to see, this cultural code immediately positions the audience to regard the countryside as ‘behind’ in terms of technology and other advancements- this is a common stereotype of the countryside. The use of a wide angle allows the audience to see the contrast between the suit wearing Doc Martin (who represents the city) and the two boiler suit wearing tradesmen (who represent the countryside) Doc Martin is positioned higher in the frame, which could connote power and authority, whilst one of the two workers appear lazy; he is seated, overweight and eating. The room appears uncared for, it is lit using natural soft key lighting and through the use of mis-en-scene we can see that there are boxes piled up.

An insert shot shows an old fashioned police office where a police officer is hovering, which could infer that there is little or no crime in the country side and therefore the officer has nothing to do. Through the mis-en-scene the audience can see that the computer is off meaning there is no work to be done in the countryside, additionally the computer is outdated which could mean there is no need for new and modern computers as there is nothing for the officer to do.  This is a stereotypical assumption that there is no crime in the countryside and everything is slow and calm. A mid- close up is used on the police officer and it shows his surprised face, his surprised face could indicate that is rare for someone to enter the station.


The medium close up shot is of Doc martin and a woman who is trying to get his attention and talk to him. The Doc is closer to the camera and the woman is further away, also the doc takes up most of the screen which could mean that he has more power than the woman, the doc clearly does not want to talk to this woman as he keeps on walking away. Through the use of mise en scene we can see that the woman drives a car even in a small village, this could imply that she is lazy as usually everything in the countryside is a short distance away. During this scene you can hear seagulls in the background which is another stereotypical view that there is a constant sound of seagulls.

The next medium shot cuts to show the Doc helping out his aunt carry her vegetables; in this case the woman is closer to the camera which could mean that she has the most power in the situation. In this scene the woman talks to the doc about a teacher, the woman knows everything about the teacher which suggests that everyone in the countryside knows everyone as they live in a close community. The mise en scene suggests that most people who live in the countryside live in small cottages as this is what we see the aunt walk into, this is another stereotypical view of people who live in the countryside. Another stereotypical view point is that the aunt is carrying vegetables which would suggest that she works on a farm, this is a common stereotypical thought about people who live in the countryside which is that all people are farmers and grow vegetables.

I have under analysed the sound and editing in this clip, and I have also not mentioned Roland Barthes narrative codes. I should have explained more about the cuts that were used in the clip and explained why certain camera angles were used.