2. Waterloo Road
Can I identify what approximate age the characters are?
The age groups within the piece consist of that of teenagers, 20-30 years olds and the middle aged.
Are people from different age groups shown as having different interests, personalities, attitudes, behaviours?
If so, how?
Teenagers- The teenagers within this extract are portrayed as stereotypically irresponsible, this can be inferred from the
school camera that the teen students accidently break. By attempting to hide their error within their coat a sense of cowardice
can also be discovered. Overall portraying teenagers rather negatively: reckless and irresponsible.
Middle Aged- The middle aged teacher is presented as rather laid back, yet intimidating in his demeanour, he expresses a
sense of confidence and power over the younger groupings.
20-30 year olds- The younger teacher is portrayed as rather alert and somewhat serious, as expresses through her rather
dominant straight backed and formal posture, expelling a sense of power. However she is also portrayed as rather forgetful,
as portrayed through her guilty expression in response to a question regarding the schools insurance.
Is their age represented as being important in their life?
The teenagers are presented as weak and limited in their actions as a result of their age, in which their actions are maintained
by their older superiors. Thus the actions of the teenagers are somewhat limited and controlled by the power exerted by the
older characters, taking the role as teachers.
Also the older groups within this piece seem to be under pressure to take on a role of superiority over the younger students,
perhaps possessing the desire to set an example of the acceptable responsible and concentrated demeanour the students
are expected to replicate.
3. Waterloo Road
Are people from particular age groups portrayed as being better, more powerful, than others?
The middle aged character is portrayed to hold the most power of the groups presented, his age grants him experience
and his demeanour and side conveys a sense of power and authority. Also his rather laid-back posture communicates a
sense of confidence which is lacking amongst the other groups. For example the teenagers appear rather weak, and
possess little power as they are scolded by their teacher for breaking school equipment.
Are people from particular age groups portrayed as being abnormal /weaker/ more pathetic than others?
The teenagers are portrayed as the most weak age group. This can be seen fro their guilty, worried expression upon the
arrival of 2 teachers. This suggests that they are submissive to that of the older groups, who possess authority and power
over their actions. Also, there submission to the middle aged teachers scolding reveals the teenagers to be aware of their
weakness as people of this age, as they do not oppose these forces.
How do other characters in the clip treat the characters from different age groups?
The younger characters, this being the teenagers and the 20-30 year old teacher both submit to the authority that the
middle aged character possesses. Thus revealing that age plays a large role in ones power and authority over others. The
younger (20-30 year old) teacher also submits to the middle aged character, possessing a rather formal and nervous
demeanour in his presence (suggesting they possess the intention to appear serious, impressive and mature in the face
of their superior), whereas when addressing the younger teenagers she exerts a sense of authority and power. Thus
revealing the youngest group of teenagers to be the weakest and treated with the least respect out of the three.
What is the message the clip is trying to portray about age?
The clip portrays he idea that age can determine how you are treated, and that often the older one is the more power and
dominance they can exert and naturally hold over others. Thus portraying experience to be an important feature of
authority. Also it can be determined that the lives of younger groups such as teenagers are often determined by those
older than themselves.
