Regional Identity Lesson 2

Consider the list of TV Dramas. Write next to them where they are set. 5 Minutes The Bill Brookside Byker Grove Casualty Coronation Street Eastenders Emmerdale Footballer’s Wives Heartbeat Holby City Hollyoaks Inspector Morse Jonathan Creek Life on Mars Prime Suspect Shameless Sugar Rush Teachers A Touch of Frost

The BillLondon BrooksideLiverpool Byker GroveNewcastle CasualtyBristol Coronation StreetManchester EastendersLondon EmmerdaleYorkshire Dales Footballer’s WivesLondon HeartbeatYorkshire Holby CityBristol HollyoaksChester Inspector MorseOxford Jonathan CreekLondon, Cornwall Life on MarsManchester Prime SuspectLondon ShamelessManchester Sugar RushBrighton TeachersBristol A Touch of FrostBristol

A Word About Social Class Check the list again and you’ll see that the regions depicted are more often than not lower class communities in traditionally working class cities. This is particularly the case in soaps. It is pretty hard to think of a show that foregrounds regional identity that is set in a predominantly affluent city, like Henley or Tunbridge Wells This may be because, broadly speaking, issues that the shows will deal with to get audiences - like divorce, violence, alcoholism, drug use, ill health etc are more prevalent in deprived areas, again, it’s the believability factor that has to be balanced with drama.

Excerpts from a model answer in relation to the Coronation Street opening analysis In terms of the depth of field, at one point, the screen is almost split by two different types of housing, with more modern ones in focus. This suggests that there is division and intrusion in the region and that it is having to modernise, despite not being ready or willing to and we see for the first time that Coronation Street is a street full of contrasts. The opening shot is a crane shot, used as an establishing shot which pans slowly, showing the roofs of brown terraced houses and a milk float driving by. The shot clearly indicates a close-knit, working class community (connoted by the bike, the absence of cars and the traditional pub) and the milk float suggests domestic routine is central to the community. The absence of people is noticeable and suggests that the drama is more about the region (Weatherfield) and what it brings than the individuals themselves who come and go. The houses look old and very established, adding to the impression that the region outlives its residents. The bridge provides a change of scene and is imposing and solid and very in keeping with a mise en scene dominated by brick – suggesting a community that is strong with very solid foundations – a solidity and permanence within the gloom. The change of scene, like all the edits is by dissolve and this links all the together to make it clear that the shots are all of the same region and that the region is the dominant factor in the show. Throughout all of this, the famous brass instrumental plays in a mournful, minor key and the association of brass instruments with Northern industrial life helps to establish the rationality of the show. Allied to the images, it presents us with a sense of timeless, Northern working class life with its connotations of a down to earth community, in which the lives of people are played out against a background of grime and squalor.

We will now watch a clip from Eastenders. Make notes on what the regional identity being constructed is, and how it is constructed. Are there any stereotypes being reinforced or subverted?

Enough! We are exhausted! We demand to watch some TV! Log onto the excellent screenonline.org.uk Click on the ‘Television’ tab

Click “PLACES”

Click on parts of the map and write down, under regional headings, which TV DRAMAS have been made about that region. Feel free to read about the shows and watch clips of them! Try to note about 5 and watch about 2 for each region.