British Youth (Historical & Contemporary Media)

Historical (Media 1)

• Bullet Boy (2005) is a British Drama film about an eldest son’s involvement in gun crime and the effects it has on his younger brother. In comparison to Skins, this movie focuses largely on morality in relation to the life of this ex convict, while the contemporary TV series mainly revolves around dysfunctional families and mental illness issues. This relates strongly to Richard Dyer’s theory and how we, as the audience, respond to this representation, who is it speaking to and what it actually implies. (‘Ricky’ played by

Ashley Walters)

Historical (Media 1) (Continued)

• 'Q&A: Youth-on-Youth Crime' – The British Crime Survey 2003 found that men aged 16 to 24 were the most at risk, with 15.1% experiencing a violent crime prior to interview by the BBC. Moreover, the 'Nature of Personal Robbery' study suspects that children between the age of 11 and 15 has increased from 15% to 36% over the same period of time. These statistics mirror the violence and crime that takes place in Kidulthood and Bullet Boy.

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3839121.stm

Contemporary (Media 1)• Skins (2007-present) is a British teen

drama that follows the lives of teenagers in Bristol. Bryan Elsey and Jamie Brittain’s perspectives of British youth are biased as the audience only perceives one side of the culture. In comparison to the Young Apprentice TV programme where teenagers have real ambitions, youths here are seen as insolent and immature. Therefore, it is the audience's decision as to how they consume this information. This relates to Jean Baudrillard’s theory in relation to our society becoming so reliant on representations that we have lost contact with the real.

Contemporary (Media 1) (Continued)

• Attack the block (2011) is a British Science-Fiction film, directed and written by Joe Cornish, set in a South London council estate. The audience witness a street gang defending their neighbourhood from hostile alien invaders. Viewers are shown a contrasting perception of youth culture compared to 'Skins' and 'Bullet Boy'. This comes across as interesting and a subject to debate on as teenagers are generally presented in a negative light. The hypodermic syringe theory suggests that audiences are injected with selective material by the media. Based on this information, false assumptions and prejudgements are made.

Historical (Media 2)• 'Gang membership spirals among under-16s' –

‘Children as young as nine are flocking to join violent street gangs and taking part in crimes such as drug dealing, theft and even murder‘. The way this has been expressed to readers strongly affects how they consume these details. This mirrors that of Kidulthood, Skins and Bullet Boy where teenagers are constantly perceived as the troublesome collective. David Gauntlett’s theory of representation supports this within ‘Media Studies 2.0’. He claims that the internet allow us, as the audience, to become our own producers and influence others. In this case, however, teenagers have been influenced negatively, worsening society rather than improving it.

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2002/sep/08/youthjustice.crime

Historical (Media 2) (Continued)

• The Catherine Tate Show – Written by Catherine Tate and Aschlin Ditta, this is a British Comedy television sketch which stars a school girl, along with her classmates being portrayed as rude, disobedient young adults. The comparison of the British youth in this TV programme and 'Attack the Block' is clear considering those in ATB attempt to save a neighbourhood while characters in this broadcast take for granted what is available to them (e.g. education, security). Judith Butler’s theory supports this in ‘Gender Trouble (1990) where she argues that women share the same interests and any chance of a female choosing her own identity is restricted. Catherine Tate opposes this as she consistently takes pride of the control and power that she possesses as the protagonist.

Contemporary (Media 2)

• Kidulthood (2006) is a British Drama film (directed and produced by Menhaj Huda) and is based on the lives of 15-year olds over two days (West London) committing crimes and dealing drugs. This supports ‘The Guardian' article which highlights the increase in violent street gangs across England and Bullet Boy and Skins where teenagers are represented as careless individuals who have no boundaries. Attack the Block opposes this as youths defend the streets rather than violate them.

Contemporary (Media 2) (Continued))

• Young Apprentice (2010-present) - A British reality television programme in which a group of twelve young people, aged 16 and 17, compete to win a £25,000 prize from the British business magnate Lord Sugar. A difference between the representation of youths compared to Skins is observed. Viewers see a group of devoted teenagers starting up their own businesses. teenagers in Bullet Boy are perceived as foolish kids.