How accurately is youth culture represented 'The
Inbetweeners'?
Angle
> How many British values are depicted throughout the movie?
Hypothesis
'The Inbetweeners' is the only franchise which accurately depicts how British teenagers are in terms of their attitudes towards studies, work and taking on adult responsibilities.
MIGRAIN
Media Language:
> Mise-en-scene: the characters wearing brands which are massively popular in the UK: Hollister, Lacoste
British accents with all the cast
> Lighting, camerawork: professional shots, this is significant as it marks how successful The Inbetweeners brand is from a comedy sitcom into a movie
Many close-ups to show characters facial expressions when they drink too much for instance
> Sound: parallel sound: at some points exotic music playing to match vacation place
> No canned laughter: not a typical comedy, this differentiates it
> Not a typical sit-com - only thing consistent is their journey through school (GCSE, A Level and Uni)
> Modern and social school enviroment - suburban and more realistic
>Mise-en-scene: trendy clothing - marketing technique to engage younger audiences
>Crude humour - highlights comedic element and in context, e.g. having an embarrassing first car further assits in enabling people to relate to it
>No non-diegetic music whilst characters in direct conversation makes the dialogue mor realstic
>Non-diegetic' and diegetic music when the characters are traveling in a car, makes the traveling seem more instant, thus creating a greater sense of excitement and interest for what would otherwise be seen as a boring, pointless scene.
>In addition to this, the use of narration, in these sequences, not only helps to continue the narrative through these scenes, but allows the viewer to establish a more personal relationship with characters. This appeals to the target audience more, because the characters are put into situations which the target audience can easily relate to - the more personal link with them, causes the viewer to feel as if they too are experiencing the characters experiences with them.
>The shots are predominantly 'medium close ups'. This fits in with the fact that most of the scenes are predominantly dialogue. This connotes a more personal aspect to the conversations, and makes the audience feel more immersed - almost as if they themselves are part of the conversation. Additionally, this element is developed further by the large use of' shot reverse shot' editing to keep the conversations fast paced and to again keep the viewer’s concentration and attention. This also helps the dialogue seem quicker and more realistic.
>Other camera angles are used for comedic effect, like long shots focusing on the yellow car (a figure of fun, and main joke point of the segment). This helps contribute to the comedic aspect of the show and ultimately helps the show fit into its purpose of making the audience laugh and entertaining them. However the yellow car is only successful as a comedic device, in the context that it has been given to a young adult male, whereas stereotypically, the colour yellow is associated with females.
>The editing (as previously mentioned) is mostly 'shot reverse shot' as the programme revolves around and relies upon its dialogue for comedy. When not using 'shot reverse shot', mainly regular cuts are used. This is because the genre (sitcom) does not typically try to convey messages through editing, rather the main aim is to just try to entertain the audience.
>Lighting is kept fairly high key. This is to fit in with the genre and humour of the programme, to appeal to and entertain the target audience. The high key lighting, promotes general light heartedness, which links to the crude humour in the show, as it connotes that it is not something to be taken too seriously and is generally there to be laughed at. This light hearted atmosphere achieved from the lighting, also helps to anchor the shows in the comedy genre. This appeals to the target audience as they find that with this they can simply watch this show, be entertained and laugh at it, without taking it too seriously. This appeals to THIS shows target audience as they, (young people aged 15-25), are people who are stereotypically thought to enjoy comedy shows more than drama.
>The order of the show is basic and linear with standard continuity
Institution:
> Production: non-hollywood
> Promotion: The Inbetweeners film was marketed to the British public through teaser trailers in order to generate hype. Film Posters where created because they built up the films popularity by integrating them into the audiences lifestyle. For instance, at bus stops and billboards. The Inbetweeners Movie was marketed all around the UK through various media platforms such as: Cinema, Television, Radio, Posters, Magazine. The Inbetweeners Movie was marketed in order to promote the film and attract it’s target audience so that it can be successful within cross media platforms. The Inbetweeners Movie uses consistent fonts and colours in order to show continuity in it’s products. The same font is used in the poster and trailer so that the audience is reminded of films continuity and appeal. Moreover, certain clips in the trailer depict the same colours as the film poster. Therefore, suggesting the film is generating the same meaning of energy and fun throughout it’s products. In conclusion, the film’s promotional package doesn't exclude any change of reaching newer audience members because of it’s public advertisement. Lastly, the film package works together effectively by having continuity in it’s products and similar colours so that the target audience remains enticed and continues to learn more about ‘The Inbetweeners Movie’.
> Regulation: 15 - BBFC stated how it "contains strong language, twice very strong, and strong sex references"
> Profit: $88 million box office
> Production: Bwark Productions, Film4 Productions
Genre:
> Film genre: through the sexual jokes made and awkward conventions
For instance:
- Simon's continuing obsession with Carli,
- The girls then turn up and suggest that they all go skinny dipping at the local beach. Jane attempts to kiss Jay, but when two men poke fun at him over her weight and Jay pulls away, she leaves him behind.
- In the water, Lucy and Simon appear to be growing closer, and are about to kiss, but Simon sees Carli on the beach and leaves Lucy alone in the sea.
> Generic conventions: characterisation of Neil, who is naturally naive and submissive and this tends to create humour
Representation:
> Accurate representation as the characters could relate a lot to British school boys as elements of their lifestyle, such as going to parties, pulling girls and drinking, are all stereotypical acts of an average college boy.
> However, some of the sexual jokes over-exaggerated for comedy purposes
Audience:
> Target audience:
- British
- Males 65%, Female 35%
- College/Uni students
- Aged 15 - 31
- Lives in towns/cities
- The Inbetweeners is aimed at those in the group E, which is students, as it is set around student life student problems, etc, it might not appeal to those who work as a lawyer or a tennis player, and it is a young adult’s show.
- ABC1 - seocndary
> Expectations of teenage boys reinforced - the partying element
> Primary audience: British teenagers, secondary audience: American students - this is because the movie was released in America too and many teenagers go to the cinema during summertime traditionally
> Visual pleasure: the British female characters are appealing, such as Carli, who comes across as sassy and confident - "Male Gaze theory" (Laura Mulvey)
> Narrative pleasures: entertainment and escapism - done through the comedy provided
Ideology and Values:
> Dominant ideology: traditional values of British culture, such as their lifestyle, how they dress, the fact the just finished education successfully and are rewarding themselves with a holiday
> Positive values: demonstrates how if you work hard in school you can reward yourself with a nice holiday
Narrative:
>Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium:
- Equilibrium - they have just finished school and decide to take a lads holiday to Malia
- Disequilibrium - meet a girl from their school, she causes a group divide
- New equilibrium - at the end the group is back together and the girl is out the way again
Social:
- British culture presented which helps educate other ethnicities
Historical:
- Marks a contrast in how teenagers live their lifestyles now, such as having more freedom, access to technology, the authority to answer back to teachers/parents, compared to many centuries ago where this wouldn't be socially acceptable
Economic:
- ABC1 demographic drawn into the movie to see a viewpoint on how British teenagers are
Political:
- It's possible many politicians may agree that British culture is not accurately presented as it presents teenagers in a negative light
- The movie could influence teenagers to be focussed on partying, rather than studying
Issues/Debates
- Representation and stereotyping - British culture is the main element in my critical investigation proposal. The idea of which 'The Inbetweeners' is successful in differentiating themselves to be a film which has different values/beliefs compared to a big Hollywood production film. The dominant ideology shown through the use of strong British accents
- Media effects - US reports stated the language barrier was an issue which prevented people from watching the movie
- Media technology and the digital revolution – the movie released on Netflix, was huge success - the option to add subtitles makes it easier for foreign audiences
- Gender and ethnicity - Patriarchy - all male cast, females seen as sex objects and are degraded as they're only useful for sex and partying. All white cast highlights British element
- Audience theories - Todorov's theory
- Genre theories - comedy presented thoroughly, links to Richard Dyer's argues that genre are "pleasurable"
- Hegemony - audience relates to the four main characters because they have a feature they the share or admire with the star. Some fans may attempt to replicate the star in their behaviour, what they and what they do. But this could also be a negative impact as some stars often are heavy drinkers and focussed on who can "pull" the most girls.
- Hebdige - theory of sub cultures
- Uses and Gratifications - escapsism and entertainment, also building personal identity as the target audience can contextually relate to certain aspects and incidents
Research plan (media texts, academic texts and websites)
Media texts
What your main focus will be:
- The Inbetweeners
- Topboy - represents British teenagers in a different light, this is done through gang-related crime and it set in the urban areas of London.
- Ill Manors - this text is similar to Topboy, drugs is the main prominent issue and this film depicts how the middle-class in particular suffer the consequences of making decisions to sell drugs in order to make a living.
- Kidulthood - this movie has similar context in terms of drug use to Ill Manors and Topboy. The characters are all in high school.
- Misfits - depicts how teenagers who break the law end up doing community service. This links with my media text as it shows a different perspective of what teenagers get up to.
- 90210 - American TV drama - demonstrates the differences the youth have in America is comparison to British teenagers.
Youngers - Season 1, Episode 1 - British comedy drama
- Educating Yorkshire
- Dramatic Waterloo Road moments
- The Trouble With Girls, BBC documentary - girls associated with crime
- Panorama - Young Gunmen
ACADEMIC BOOKS
Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood A Cultural Approach
Arnett, Jeffery J.
Teenage: The Creation of Youth Culture
Jon Savage
MOD: Britain's Biggest Youth Movement
Richard Weight
The Little Book About Sitcoms
Youth Culture in Modern Britain
David Fowler
Fountain of Youth Book
Peter Kelder
Internet Links
