Writing an essay

Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of REGIONAL IDENTITY using the following: (50 marks)

• Camera shots, angles, movement and composition
• Editing
• Sound
• Mise en scene

EAA: Explanation, analysis, argument (20 marks)
EG: Use of examples (20 marks)
T: Terminology (10 marks)

The establishing shot is of an outdated doctor's surgery, lacking many of the modern items one would expect to see, this cultural code immediately positions the audience to regard the countryside as 'behind' in terms of technology and other advancements - this is a common stereotype of the countryside. The use of a wide angle allows the audience to see the contrast between the suit wearing Doc Martin (who represents the 'city') and the two boiler suit wearing tradesman (who represent the countryside). Doc Martin is positioned higher in the frame, which could connote power and authority, whilst one of the two workers appear lazy; he is seated, overweight and eating. The room appears uncared for, it is lit using natural soft key lighting and through the use of mise en scene we can see that there are boxes piled up.

Moreover, the insert shot is of an old fashioned police office which shows an officer is hovering, implying he has free time to clean because the countryside is quiet and crime free. Through the use of mise en scene we can see that the computer is off which could demonstrate there is little work to be done and the fact that it isn't an updated computer might show that there is no need to because there might not be a lot of work to do in the countryside. The use of the tilt on the police man portrays how important he is which is then overpowered by Doc Martin as he is from the city which makes him significant, an eyeline match highlights that Doc Martin and the police officer share the same power. The mid-close up on the police officer's face indicates the surprise when Doc Martin enters the room, this may illustrate the rarity of people entering the office.

Further more, the medium close up shot is of Doc Martin and a woman trying to talk to him. Doc Martin is closer to the camera which could portray the power he has over the woman, it also could imply that he doesn't want to talk to her as he has carried on walking away. The mise en scene shows that the woman has a car which could infer that she might be lazy to walk around or that she has a lot of money to buy a car, when they walk the mise en scene changes to mountains and the ocean which is a stereotypical view of a countryside, the sound of seagulls in the background as they walk are also a stereotypical view of the countryside as it is near the sea and normally has lots of seagulls around it.

In addition, the medium shot is of a woman calling Doc Martin to help her carry vegetables. The old woman is closer to the camera which could indicate the power she has over Doc Martin, and because she is old, it positions the audience to see that she is wise which then is proven to be correct when she tells Doc Martin the teachers name because she knows everyone. Through the use of mise en scene we can see cottages which is a common stereotype of a countryside to have cottages as they are old fashioned, we can aslo see a school which is bigger than both Doc Martin and the old woman to imply that schools are important. The vegetables in the van could connote that she works on a farm or grows vegetables which is also a stereotypical view of people from the countryside, her attire could also show this.


I have under analysed terms for sound and not used any of Roland Barthes narrative codes. I could have put more camera angles in my essay and used more regional identity angles that are shown in the clip of Doc Martin. I haven't mention many editing techniques that was used in the clip and I have only included one thing about the sound used in the background.