RI representation

1. By Danielle Duffy
Regional Identity: a study of the
representation of the South West/Londoner
in TV Drama Doc Martin

2. Camerawork
 The use of a tilt-up shot revealing the policeman
vacuuming his office introduces this character in a way
that allows us to observe his attire; and identify his
occupation as someone whose job is to prevent and
resolve crime, who is actually casually cleaning his
floor whilst on-duty
 This presents him as rather relaxed; and further I
could imply that he is able to act in this way because
of the relaxed state of the village
 This represents villages as calm areas where you
wouldn’t expect crime to happen; and therefore as
welcoming, a close and happy community
 The man’s casual, friendly demeanour means Doc
Martin feels it is acceptable for him to act rather
impertinently, and due to his temper tells him he is
uninterested in what he might have to say to say to
him
 This is expressed with a head and shoulder shot to
connote his annoyance, portraying Londoners as
insolent and short tempered, and looking down upon
South-westerners
 I believe this fits the stereotype as English people are
commonly portrayed as snobby – for the audience this
may be disagreeable as other English people may feel
it is unrealistic and gives people a negative view of
them

3. Editing
 The editing of the piece is rather slow and
relaxed; somewhat contrasting against the
troubles featured within the clip such as the
bursting of a water pipe inside Doc Martin’s
house, causing him to become rather angry
 This represents the lives of south-westerners as
calm and easy-going, opposite to the situation in
urban areas like cities which are bustling with
people determined to go places
 The lack of cuts also helps to create verisimilitude
within the piece, and the viewer observes the
happenings from a realistic point of view
 Particularly; a long take is used to show the
conversation between Doc Martin and another
women who seems not to be from the area
 The long take is slow and stable; representing
these people as calm and collected, in
correspondence with their posh dialect,
additionally representing them as somewhat
superior to the others as their time on screen
reflects their importance

4. Sound
 The dialogue in the extract forms a representation of the characters as
Doc Martin, and the lady who pesters him for a prescription speak rather
articulately and with clear dialect; a common stereotype of Londoners
who are thought to be rather posh
 The south-westerners have quite a thick dialect; used with slang that
mostly only those of that region are familiar with
 Their laid-back and casual nature makes them appear friendly, however
perhaps lacking in education; particularly when the plumber stutters/re-
starts his sentence as if struggling to find the words to explain
something; suggesting that he is less intelligent
 The woman’s comment, referencing historic medicinal knowledge
(“Hippocrates oath”) reveals she is well educated; stereotypical of those
of more affluent background
 Non-diegetic sound of an upbeat piece of music is used as Doc Martin
walks the dog to the policeman’s office, adding a comedic feel to the
scene and making the audience feel as though they should laugh as this
man who is stressed whereas those around him aren’t – presents him
initially as an outsider, however doesn’t have a negative mood and
suggests that he is welcome in the area, further representing South-
westerners as open and friendly

5. Mise en scene
 Binary opposition is created between Doc Martin; being
a man of London descent, in contrast to the South-
Western plumber man
 His position as standing; and therefore above the
plumber sitting down presents him as of higher
importance
 Their difference is mostly evident through their
costume, alluding towards the characters’ affluence;
Doc Martin, being from London in his suit (formal attire)
showing how he is able to afford to dress and appear
well-presented, and the plumber’s casual and worn-
looking overalls; attributional of his common, manual
job
 The dominant position seems attained by Doc Martin;
being considered higher up in society due to his higher
class (he is likely to be middle as his job is important),
and this is expressed through the dialogue used as he
instructs the others around him to do what he says,
becoming stressed whereas the south-westerners are
more laid back
 The way Doc Martin speaks to the people around him
is rather as though he is talking down to them, and
feels superior to them, perhaps because of the way he
is from a social background of higher intellect whereas
they are stereotyped typically as ‘living backwards’
 This could link to Gramsci’s theory of Hegemony, as
the more affluent and educated man assumes the
dominant position over the South-westerners