The document provides background information on the British teen drama Skins and focuses on the relationship between two lesbian characters, Emily and Naomi. It describes their on-again, off-again relationship and how they struggle to accept their sexuality. The selected scene takes place at Emily's front door, where a confused Naomi comes to see Emily after an argument. Through their body language and interaction with the door as a barrier, the scene conveys the characters' emotional intimacy and desire to be together despite their difficulties expressing it openly.

1. Skins We have chosen to make our presentation based on the UK hit teen-drama, Skins. Skins follows the lives of a group of teenagers that live in Bristol. It explores a number of different issues that this group of particular teenagers face such as; Homosexuality, Dysfunctional families, Substance abuse, Anorexia, Death and many more. We have chosen to explore how sexuality is expressed by the mise-en-scene in a scene with Emily and Naomi.

2. Emily Emily is a twin and enjoys being one, but is often taken advantage of by her dominant sister, Katie. Emily begins the series being a closeted lesbian, possibly because her sister Katie is homophobic and she is scared of how she would react. However as time goes on she comes out as a lesbian to her friends. She loves Naomi but receives mixed messages back from her leaving her confused about where she stands.

3. Naomi Naomi is a confident, fiery and very passionate young girl. She seems adamant that she isn’t gay, but her feelings become very confused after finding out Emily likes her. Naomi is unsure to what her orientation is and it remains unclear to the audience too. She knows how Emily feels yet doesn’t know how to deal with the situation she faces with her. Naomi eventually learns that she isn’t straight and begins to accept her sexuality .

4. Emily & Naomi’s Relationship Emily and Naomi’s complicated relationship is often strained with Emily’s twin sister Katie making comments about a kiss shared between them which Naomi apparently forced upon Emily, however we find out otherwise. Quickly after starting college Emily and Naomi’s relationship blossoms however Naomi cannot accept her sexuality or attraction to Emily. In our selected scene from skins we see a different side to both Emily and Naomi. Emily is often shadowing her louder sister, Katie who is the dominant twin of the two, and Naomi is a very strong, passionate individual. In our chosen scene we see Emily come out of her shell as she talks to Naomi, and we see a more sensitive, emotional side of Naomi that we are not used to seeing. We understand the characters emotions more greatly when they are being completely themselves in this scene.

5. Location: The location of the clip we have chosen is in a residential street which we soon learn is Emily’s house being visited by a very confused Naomi. The main location is Emily’s front door. The two characters have a conversation with one another sitting opposite sides of the front door. This is because Emily refuses to open the door as her face is “all puffy” and has been “crying a bit” because of Naomi.

6. Costume and Makeup Naomi and Emily both wear dull clothing as they are sitting at the door which may represent their mood of confusion and sadness. They are both wearing simple clothing which is not particularly feminine which may also represent their sexuality. Their clothes are fairly casual which may also show their mood and show they had other things on their mind rather than their dress, such as their current relationship with each other. They are also not wearing anything bright or extravagant which will distract you so you can concentrate on the dialogue. Both of the characters have very subtle makeup on which could reflect their feelings because their mind is elsewhere or it could also reflect their sexuality with it not being particularly feminine like their clothing. The makeup however does help us determine their mood as you can see it is slightly smudged and run down their faces because they have been crying.

7. Body Movements and Proximity When Naomi first arrives at Emily’s house she stands close to the door to show how much she wants to see Emily which helps us understand how attached they are to each other. When Naomi knocks Emily hides behind the wall, she is close to Naomi but the door is creating a barrier which represents their relationship with each other. Naomi sits down outside despite Emily not answering the door so she can be near Emily. Emily sits down as well as though she is not giving in to Naomi but is still wanting to be close to her. Naomi places her head against the door similar to how she would put her head if she was being comforted by someone else, this shows that she wants to be sat like that with Emily. Emily stays sat up and headstrong to not give in to Naomi but moves closer onto the door near Naomi. Emily wants to be with Naomi but still refrains from opening the door so she takes her hand through the cat flap so that she can feel Naomi without having to face her and show that she cares. Naomi rests her head against the door, close to Emily again for comfort now that she can feel her.

8. Lighting It’s dark (low key lighting) at the start of the clip which evokes mystery. Audience can see a huge shadow of Naomi looming over the door. This could be representing a metaphorical “shadow” over her life; her confusion over her sexuality. Close up of Naomi’s face is very light (high key lighting), her face is clear to the audience. Emily in the corner of the room is very dark – this contrast of light and dark could be a representation of their on/off relationship. Naomi’s shadow can still be seen through the door, almost as though it’s hanging over Emily. (Perhaps Emily is taking Naomi’s metaphorical “shadow” upon herself) As Naomi sits down she seems to be glowing as Emily watches her through the door. (This shows the audience Naomi through Emily’s eyes.) Same sort of lighting on both their faces when they are sitting holding hands This shows they are now equal/on the same level as each other. They have a connection. Lighting on their hands is very bright compared to the lighting in the rest of the scene.

9. Props Not really any props in the scene that the actresses use, apart from the door. the door represents their separation but also the small connection that they occasionally have. The cat flap represents their short-lived relationship and the rest of the door represents how they cannot be together. (This could represent their rebellion against society) The door appears darker on Naomi’s side and lighter on Emily’s side, which shows the characters’ individual views on the situation they are in. (Emily is positive about it, Naomi is negative.) Perhaps the doorbell represents another small connection that they have when Naomi presses it.

10. Camera Shots Wide/Establishing shot; shows where the scene will take place. Midshot to confirm the character standing at the door is Naomi. Close up of Naomi to show her emotions clearly. Mid/long shot to show Emily hiding behind the door – she can’t bear to face Naomi, although she is still at a point where she can watch her without being seen. Close up of Emily looking down at Naomi shows her sadness and her make-up is running. Mid-shot of Naomi leaning her head against the door because she wants to be close to Emily – however the door is still acting as a barrier. Extreme close up of them holding each others hands to show the audience their intimacy.