Waterloo road age representation

Initially, the establishing shot of this clip is a close up low shot of some brown shoes walking past chair legs. The zoomed in approach amplifies the significance of the feet and allows the audience to establish the accentuated slow and almost suspicious walk. The clip then  cuts to a two shot of two teenage lads which connotes that these boys are being shifty and are up to no good, their actions are emphasised by the approach of  the teacher Grantly. This portrays  teenage lads as being trouble makers who are more  likely find themselves in trouble unlike the mature teachers. The close up of the teacher and students  faces in a two shot,emphasises the boy's schoolboy appearance, and results in a direct comparison to that of the teacher clearly much older.The mid shot of all three characters allows the audience to determine the body language between them and we are presented with the two boys appearing to be standing with their heads down avoiding eye contact, on the other hand  the teacher has his hands casually in his pockets whilst staring them down in an almost patronising manner. This clip indicates that age is associated with the older population having authority and control over the younger characters. The use of panning is used further in the clip when Mr Chalk is trying out a more modern clothing style and the camera pans from his trainers up to his head. The purpose of this shot is  to create temporary confusion as to whose the shoes belong to and contradicts the audiences’ preconceptions of the expected character. The trainers and clothing are items associated with that of a younger person however it is the teacher wearing them. The use of this shot highlights how strange Mr Chalk looks in his outfit, mainly due  to his age. This again indicates how it is expected by many that people should stay within their stereotypical image/clothing associated with their age category. 

Moreover the use of sound in the clip contributes to the representation of age with the use of dialogue. From the initial scene the viewer is able to establish the relationship between teacher and students with the use of the term ‘Sir’ which illustrates a level of respect between the older and younger characters and the authoritative role the adults play. Age is represented as a hierarchy, the adults having the most control and importance with the children and students least. The way in which Grantly uses the very direct order ‘Give it!’ also connotes his more powerful position because the students are forced to obey him. His subsequent tuts at the kids in a patronising way also connotes his demeaning behaviour and his lack of respect for the children, emphasised with him saying ‘Oh did he hold your hair?’ The older age group are represented at this point as being disrespectful to the young and can sometimes abuse their position as authoritative figures. The digetic noise in the corridor scene sets an environment of liveliness and busyness, reflecting the vibrant and energetic age group. There is also the introduction of non-digetic club like music in this scene, which is synchronous with the following fight that begins with two students. The upbeat and fast paced song is appropriate to the age of the characters as it is in a style associated with their age group and is also relevant to the building pace of the scene. The music also amplifies the significant of the fight and represents teenagers as being rowdy and aggressive. Slang is used by the

student’s repeatedly throughout the clip and whilst reflecting background also relates to their youth and suggests that it is common place within a younger age group (e.g.d’ya hear me/ d’know) This can connote both their ignorance and determination to break rules and be individuals, whilst wishing to separate themselves from the adults.