The document discusses representations of young people in several British soap operas, including EastEnders, Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, and Emmerdale. Across the different shows, characters are portrayed through their costumes, facial expressions, relationships, and actions. Some characters portray negative stereotypes of youth as moody, irresponsible, or violent. Others provide more positive representations as studious or fashionable. Cinematography like close-ups and shot reverse shots are used to emphasize emotions and vulnerabilities. The representations both reflect and influence societal views of different groups of young people.

1. Representation in soaps
Eastenders
Whitney Dean has been featured in Eastenders
over a long period of time and we have seen her grow up throughout the soap.
Mise en scene
The costume and props associated with Whitney have always made her appear
chavy and working class; for example her large earrings and hair style. Additionally
she is often seen wearing tight fitting low cut tops and tight jeans which could
reiterate Laura Mulvey’s theory of the ‘male gaze’ as this image of a teenage girl
may appeal to men.
Camerawork
In a lot of close up shots Whitney is shown to look down after she speaks which
could represent her as shy thus representing young people as having a false
exterior.
Editing
The use of shot reverse shot additionally supports this representation of Whitney as
we are often able to see the way she looks down at the ground. This represents her
to be vulnerable, therefore portraying young people to be conscious of themselves.
The character of Whitney additionally supports the theories of both Baudrillard
and Dyer. For example her costume legitimises inequality as it portrays women to
be an object for a man to look at. Additionally her image appears to be hyper-real as
the image of young girls in provocative clothing has now become our idea of real as
it is seen on TV so frequently; however this isn’t a real representation of young
females as some do not comply in this way.

2. Eastenders Cindy at 15 years old is new to this soap and therefore unlike Whitney we have not as
an audience seen her grow up.
Mise en scene
Cindy’s costume represents her to be quite a respectable youth- she does not wear
provocative clothing and she has long natural looking hair. A lot of the time the
audience see her as quite moody as she is rarely shown smiling- this could represent
teenagers negatively as a moody exterior could be threatening to other members within
society.
Her costume is usually dark and sombre which could connote a troubled lifestyle or evil
within the character. Cindy does not fit the theory of Laura Mulvey as her clothes are
not revealing and she dresses appropriately for her age.
Camerawork
Close up shots are often used on Cindy to emphasise her facial expression. The close up
shots of Cindy represent young people to be moody and irresponsible as we have seen
a relationship developing between Cindy and another character which resulted in Cindy
becoming pregnant and giving birth to a baby at the age of 15 named Beth.
Editing
Similarly shot reverse shot has been very effective in representing the character of
Cindy to the audience as we have been able to see her develop in her teenage years for
example friendships and relationships with boys.
Dyer and Baudrillard are relevant to the character of Cindy as the stereotype of Cindy is
a vulnerable girl who got pregnant at the age of 15. EastEnders have legitimised this
stereotype over the years and there have been other storylines including teenage
pregnancy for example Lola. Additionally this stereotype has given the audience the
impression that teenage pregnancy is extremely common and has now just become a
natural development within society.

3. Hollyoaks
Nico Blake aged 14 has recently been reunited with her birth mother after
Sienna had found out that she had not died as an infant.
Mise en scene
Nico’s mid-length brown hair represents her to be very innocent as she clearly
has not dyed it and she usually has it natural. Lack of cosmetics on this character
portrays young people to be innocent and selfless. Additionally her costume is
simple and casual which represents young people to be respectful.
Camerawork
The use of a high angle looking down upon Nico represents her to be weak
compared to other characters who are adults. Her facial expression is often
shown to be worried and anxious and therefore Hollyoaks is representing young
people like Nico to be subordinate within society.
Editing
Face pace editing helps the audience to understand Nico better as she is often
seen to be looking scared. The fast pace editing emphasises this and allows the
audience to see that Hollyoaks is portraying young people as insignificant as they
are not able to defend themselves.
Dyer’s theory is relevant to the character of Nico as she is stereotyped to be
weak and vulnerable as she is not able to stand up for herself. This give the
audience the impression that young people can be taken advantage of by adults
and they will just accept this.

4. Coronation street
Sophie Webster aged 19 has always felt like an outcast in her family and when her
sister goes missing she demands attention from her parents by sending them cards
saying ‘Sophie’s next’.
Mise en scene
Sophie wears fashionable casual clothes and is often seen to be playing with her
hair. This could portray young people as vain and self-obsessed (in particular
females). On the other hand it could prevent stereotypes of laziness as Sophie has
obviously taken her time to try and look her best. Additionally her facial
expressions and body language appear to be generic and therefore this does not
represent young people in a negative way.
Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze is relevant here as Sophie likes to be
fashionable and therefore can wear clothes that appeal to men. Additionally she is
stereotyped to care about her appearance which is Dyer’s theory of legitimising a
stereotype which then influences females viewers to do the same.
Camerawork
Mid-shots and close up shots are used frequently on Sophie. This additionally
could make her seem vain as she appears to have confidence which may mean she
feels as though she is attractive.
Editing
Shot reverse shot allows the audience to see Sophie’s facial expressions and body
language whilst she is talking to other characters. Through doing this Coronation
Street has represented Sophie to be conscious of her appearance and confident
when talking to others.

5. Coronation street
David Platt born on Christmas day 1990 has recently been featured in a
storyline where he has tried to kill his brother due to an adulterous affair.
Mise en scene
He dresses casually and styles his hair which represents young people in a
positive way. His facial expression is often evil and smug which could portray
young people negatively as they could be seen as selfish and militant. Similarly
his body language represents young people to be lazy and carefree as he often
has his hands in his pockets and slouches.
Camerawork
Mid shots are often used to show his evil eyes and facial expression.
Additionally a focus pull is frequently evident as he is often listening in to the
conversations of other characters. This enables the audience to believe that
young people are sneaky and dishonest.
Dyer’s theory of ‘stereotypes legitimise inequality’ applies to David from
Coronation Street as his character is negatively representing young people. The
stereotype David portrays is allowing the audience to think that young people
are out of control and cannot deal with their emotions and problems and
therefore need to result to violence.

6. Emmerdale
Belle Dingle aged 16 born on Christmas day. She has recently been involved in a
murder storyline involving her killing her best friend.
Mise en scene
Belle still attends school and therefore she is often seen in her school uniform.
This could represent young people to be studious and hardworking as she is
gaining education she will need in further life.
Additionally as she appears to wear her uniform correctly it shows her
dedication to her school. She may be viewed as a stereotypical teenager as she
is often seen drinking and disobeying her parents.
On the other hand she is shown to be a murderer after she has an argument
with her best friend. This could represent young people to be out of control and
emotionally unstable.
Camerawork
The use of close up shots when Belle is confessing to the police represents
bravery as she is giving the information freely; however the shot additionally
allows the audience to see how guilty and vulnerable she looks as she gives
herself up to the police.
Emmerdale’s Belle supports Baudrillard’s theory of hyper-reality as she comes
from a lower class family. For example she lives on a rundown farm. She
therefore is enticed to break the rules and drink underage. This represents
young people to be inconsiderate and troublemakers.