Doc martin essay How is regional identity represented through mise en scene, sound, editing and camerawork?

Regional identity is represented in this extract through the use of mise en scene and costumes. For example it is very obvious that Doc Martin and Mrs Brading were dressed in a more wealthy fashion than the original residents of Cornwall. The use of a suit represents regions such as London to be superior to those of Cornwall as compared to the Cornish people dressed in overalls and hats they appear very posh and affluent. This suggests that people from the rural parts of the country are poorer than those living in urban cities. Secondly regional identity is represented through mise en scene by the use of setting. For instance the house featured at the beginning of the clip looks dated e.g. the sink is green which could connote that people in the south west do not take as much pride in their home. This could then give the impression that people from the south west do not earn such a high income resulting in it being difficult for them to afford home maintenance. Regional identity can additionally be measured through camerawork for example a low angle. A low angle is present in this extract when Doc Martin is taking the stray dog to the police station. Whilst doc martin is walking through the village the low angle is used in order to make doc martin look superior to the dog and the people within the village. This portrays Londoners to feel self important as this angle does make doc martin seem larger than he actually is. Camerawork can represent regional identity through a 2 shot for example when doc martin is talking to Mrs Brading in the street about a prescription. The audience are able to see a mid shot of both characters which allows us to see the top half of their costumes. This is helpful when identifying regional identity as both of these characters did not originate from Cornwall. We are able to see that both of their costumes are middle class producing the impression that their foreign regional identity is important to them. The third element demonstrating regional identity is sound. Sound is used effectively in this extract through the use of fast non-diegetic sound. This is present when a soundtrack appears underlying doc martin whilst he is walking past the school. The music builds a tense atmosphere and foreshadows the next event in the sequence. This is followed by a change in music when he reaches the window which additionally is effective as it creates emotion allowing the audience to see that he has had a previous encounter with the teacher. The use of the fast non-diegetic sound represents doc martin to be important as he is the only character in shot and appears to be synchronised with the soundtrack which creates superiority. This additionally supports Halls theory of characters either being dominant or subordinate. Secondly regional identity is represented through the use of dialogue. For example doc martin is from London and his accent contrasts greatly with the accent of the Cornish people. Doc martins accent appears to demonstrate education and wealth whereas the Cornish characters sound less educated and more common. This is additionally backed up by doc martins actions as he takes control in the situation when the tap bursts. This represented urban characters to have more knowledge and common sense.

Lexi Benson

Shot reverse shot is an editing technique used to portray regional identity. This is evident when doc martin is talking to the young lady in the house. He is ordering her around and telling her what to do when she finds the mop. The use of shot reverse shot is very effective here as it allows the audience to see doc martin as dominant as we can see him looking down on her and we are also able to see her looking confused and agitated by him telling her what to do especially when he says work out how to use a mop. This represents urban characters as feeling more important as doc martin appears to believe he can order people around.

Lexi Benson