TV Drama Sequence

Analysis

In our TV Drama sequence we used Levi Straus' theory 'binary opposites' ensuring that the protaginists (main characters) showed contrasting characteristics that showed opposition between eachother. Both characters were students set in school. Megan Brant was the 'bad' character who showed all characteristics of being a bad-mannered bully who was very inconsiderate and lazy. However, I was meant to be the 'good' girl who was polite, intelligent and very considerate and friendly. There were obvious contrasts between both characters.

Megan Brant illustrates all signs of being the 'bad' student firstly at 00:05 seconds in to the clip. She stands, slouched against a wall with a lazy stance, chewing her gum and looking uninterestedly down at her phone. The careless and unconcerned body language she displays has obvious connotations of what is stereotypically considered to be a characteristics of a 'bad' student. She shows no sign of interest or care in anything going on around her, making her seem extremely unacademic. Furthermore, at 00:06 Megan takes her attention away from her phone for a few seconds and looks disgustedly at me walking past. I wave in a friendly manner at Megan as I pass her, and Megan continues to chew her chewing gum as she watches me walk past, then looks back down at her phone again. The fact that Megan is chewing gum displays that she has no interest in the school or her surroundings and that maybe she doesn't belong here. The only thing that keeps her attention for a few seconds is me walking past, and Megan's facial expression when she sees me exemplifies the hatred she has for me and this furthermore highlights the two opposite characters. The camera pans to the left and we then see me standing up straight against the wall, my posture formal as I clutch some organised books to my chest and look down at the floor. The contrast between Megan and me here is now very apparent as we see the vast difference in body language and facial expression between the two of us. I look academic, smart and sensible, whereas Megan looks indolent, careless and unconcerned.

In the next clip, we see Megan and me sitting opposite eachother in class on a table. Megan is slouched on her seat, chewing her gum again as she casually doodles on a piece of paper, whereas I am sitting upright with my folders and paper organised neatly infront of me as I write obediantly. When the teacher asks the students whether they have done their homework, Megan replies lazily with 'haven't done it sir'. Her careless attitude is really highlighted here as there is an absence of 'I' next to 'haven't' in her sentence displaying that it is sluggishly strructured. Then, contrasting with this, at 00:23 seconds I then politely say to Megan 'I can help you at lunch if you want'. My tone of voice is considerate and friendly as I look at her with hope, and Megan continues to look down at the table showing no interest in what I have to say. Here we can really see the difference in both personalities and how opposite they are.