1. Lauren Sainsbury
Comment on how disability is represented in the clip
Exam Style Answer: Skins
In the clip, a close-up shot of Tony’s hand is used when he is trying to undo his trousers to go to the toilet. The
close-up shows the audience just how difficult he is finding it as you can see him continuously trying and his
actions show he is getting frustrated. This highlights that he finds day-to-day life activities a challenge showing
that he is severely disabled. Just after this, Max’s mum has to come in and help him showing that being
disabled also has an effect on those around him.
Another close-up is used of Tony’s hand as he clasps Max’s when they are on the bus going through town
and another bus passes them quickly. We see him grabbing it quickly showing that he is still traumatised from
his accident and that he needs comforting which emphasises his struggle to try and get back into his old life.
The equipment in Tony’s bathroom at home represents him as being reliant and needing a lot of help showing
that he always needs to be taken care of. We see his mum sat in there in the dark looking at the equipment
miserably which shows that his family is upset about it too and that they are still trying to come to terms with
the new lifestyle they have to take on.
Once Max and his friends have finished dancing, the lighting is dark on Tony’s face showing his vulnerability
and implies that he wouldn’t be able to dance like his friends just had. As it is light on Max and dark on Tony, it
shows the contrast between them. The darkness symbolises that Tony is going through a difficult part of his
life.
Tony’s dialogue represents him as having no confidence or self-esteem anymore, for example, he says ‘I’m
stupid now’. Because of this, people have to reassure him such as Max and his mum do at the dinner table
which shows that people with disabilities need encouragement and reassurance from those closest to them.
The incidental music while Tony and Max are on the bus is edgy and tense which implies and symbolises his
anxiety and fear. This to the audience also shows his unhappiness and that anything could cause him to
become scared i.e. another bus passing him. This shows that things that wouldn’t bother a sane person are
terrifying to those who are mentally and physically disabled.
When Tony is first introduced there is no music representing him as an outcast as everything becomes silent
around him. However, later in the clip, a slow meaningful song is played (non-diegetic) whilst he is walking
symbolising that life is hard for him and that he is unhappy.
A shot-reverse-shot is used when Tony has a conversation with a group of younger girls who don’t understand
his condition. This shows their facial expressions and reactions towards each other highlighting that they are
nothing alike.