2. Clothing plays an important role in the way teenagers
are represented. In our film introduction, Sophie is
seen to be wearing sensible, trendy clothing: grey
cardigan, white scarf, black leggings – this is a
sensible outfit that most audiences would be able to
relate to.
Mia from ‘Fish Tank’, on the other hand, is dressed
very stereotypically – hooded top, vest, tracksuit
bottoms, gold jewellery etc. The media’s perception of
teenagers (and those raised on council estates in
particular) has created a very strong stereotype that all
teenagers wear casual garments (e.g. hoods) and
cause trouble.
4. In ‘Fat’ Sophie speaks in a slightly timid voice, if at all. This
suggests that she is shy and has a limited self-esteem,
creating a stereotype that all teenagers are defenceless
and vulnerable to becoming bulimic. In addition, her voice
almost sounds like Received Pronunciation, which gives
the impression that she is the sensible and respectable
young girl that she appears to be, that the audience can
relate to.
By contrast, ‘Fish Tank’s Mia speaks with an Estuary
English-based accent, and uses a lot of strong (sometimes
very strong) language; this supports the stereotype of
teenagers being aggressive, bitchy and foul-mouthed that
the media portrays.
5. [Extract from ‘Fish Tank’]
Man on balcony: F**k off Mia, Keeley ain’t ‘ere!
[Mia continues to throw stones at his flat]
Mia: Can you give Keeley a message for me? Tell
her I think her old man’s a c**t!
Man on balcony: I’ll have you Mia one of these
days!
Mia: You’d be so f**king lucky!
6. In my opinion I believe that our short
film introduction portrays teenagers in
the way a teenager would see them:
being one myself I consider ‘Fish
Tank’ to be massively over-
stereotypical in the way that it presents
teenage girls, and particularly those
from sink estates for that matter.
7. In my opinion I believe that our short
film introduction portrays teenagers in
the way a teenager would see them:
being one myself I consider ‘Fish
Tank’ to be massively over-
stereotypical in the way that it presents
teenage girls, and particularly those
from sink estates for that matter.
