Regional identity is presented a
numerous amount throughout this extract, from the ITV series Doc
Martin. It clearly portrays the stereotypical binary opposite between
the Cornish people and the Londoners; the Cornish are presented as
being rather slow, uneducated and some may even say stupid yet
they have very relaxed lifestyles, whereas the London folk are seen as
being more intelligent and sensible however, they also appear to
be quite stressed and impatient.
In the opening scene of the extract, a wide-shot of the room
is used to show the audience the situation that is happening. We can
clearly see that the Cornish plumbers are trying (and failing) to fix a sink as
well as sharing old stories with each other. Whilst this is happening
the Londoner, Doc Martin, stands by and watches whilst eating a sandwich
and getting stressed. This is a good example of a binary opposite
between the characters from Cornwall and London; the Cornish
are struggling at simple jobs as they aren't fully paying attention and
are wittering on about family life, whilst the Londoner stands doing nothing
but still getting stressed, which is quite selfish as they could've
just done the job themselves. Following this, close-up shots of the
characters are used, to emphasise how stressed Doc Martin is getting and
how little the Cornish plumbers care. Further on in the extract, tracking
shots of the village are used to give the audience of feel of place the series
is set, it presents an old, peaceful looking village located near the sea
in contrast with this, Doc Martin is shown in the centre of these clips
looking stressed and frustrated. This shows the audience that Doc Martin
obviously doesn't quite fit in there and that he is from a very different place
(London).
Several diegetic sounds are used all at once in the
beginning of the extract; this includes a phone ringing, the plumbers
trying to fix the sink, barking and water spraying all over the room. The
mix of all sounds together creates a stressful and chaotic
atmosphere for audience, and it pretty much expresses how hectic
Martin's life has been since moving the Cornwall. Whilst Martin
is marching down the Cornish streets, looking rather infuriated, non-diegetic
music is used, which sounds quite simple but upbeat, this portrays how Martin
is on a mission but still how simple and different the Cornish life is.
This music is soon interrupted by the diegetic sound of a hoover, when
Martin enters the police station. This sound both adds to the stress of
Martin's day but also presents the stereotypical obliviousness of the
Cornish.
At the start of the extract, fast-paced editing
is made by using quick-cuts between the several characters’ dialogue. This
makes the atmosphere of the clip very frantic ad stressful and of course, adds
to chaos of Martin's day. It also helps the audience understand to what he
is going through. To demonstrate how clam and slow the Cornish lifestyle
is; soft, slow editing is used, when Martin enters the village. This contrasts
with how fast-paced martin is moving as he is trying to get rid of the dog, who
he is holding by what appears to be some sort of scarf as a lead.
Martin, the Londoner is presented wearing a smart suit. This
completely contrasts with his Cornish surroundings and people he comes
into contact with as they all appear to be looking very simple and
casual - like the Cornish life is. Some of the Cornish characters are
wearing make-up that makes them appear mucky, adding to their stereotype. All
the buildings and rooms shown in the clip appear to all be made
out of or painted with creams, browns and greys - all boring colours
(boring like the Cornish life).
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