Representation of Regional Identities- North and South Extract

Initial Thoughts: 
Right from the very beginning it is evident that this clip is a period drama and set in a different time period as the English is very posh and the props are also very old. The woman is wearing a bonnet which isn't stereo typically 21st century, also the source of lighting seems to be by candle which defies the current light bulb as a source of light. In this clip it also seems that God is a main theme as when the woman is talking she seems hurt that the man may have betrayed his faith or goodness to God in some way, showing that belief is important which it was back in olden times.  However this textual analysis is based on how regional identity is represented, through a first viewing of the clip the regional identity is represented through speech when the woman is saying that all the people in this place want is "money and smoke", at first listen I can guess that she is talking about urban people, I know i'm right when the scene then switches to an urban scenery, this represents urban people to be quite selfish and their main priority is to earn money or own luxuries. The urban setting is made out to be quite rough as it is described to have "no green" making it be represented as place for business and not a home setting. The urban setting is also represented to be quite busy and rushed when men pile down the stairs alarming the country lady, this also represents there to be a big difference between the region of urban and country. Without going too far into it as this is just an initial thoughts, it is evident that within just 3 minutes and 5 seconds with my first time viewing the clip that there a lot that represents a stereotype of certain regions, urban in this clip especially.

Camera Shots:

(0:04) The first shot used is a medium close up shot which reveals the woman's chest and up, from this hot you can clearly see a bonnet on the ladies head and a collared shirt, this isn't a stereo typical idea of current clothing. Later on in the clip the woman comments on how she is in an urban area and how she hates it, leading us to the assumption that she is a country girl and is used to a country setting. This represents people who live in a country setting to be quite old fashioned and perhaps even conservative in comparison to urban people.

Many extreme close up shots are used when people are bustling down the stairs, the shots also switch very quickly, this emphasizes the amount of people in one area which represents the urban region to be busy and very rushed in comparison to the country region which is represented usually to be quite relaxed and calm, however that is not shown in this clip. In this clip however a country girl is easily swept off her feet and is thought to be quite weak, puny and usually taken advantage of, this is proven in this clip.

(4:26) This shot is high angle therefore you can see an overview of the scene from this. In this shot you can see a lot of people showing again that the place is busy, you can can also see cobbled paved floor which is represented to be urban because if it was the country it would be represented with greenery and foliage. The urban region is represented to be quite fast paced and efficient.

Editing:

Cuts are mostly used within the conversations between the characters which shows the fast movement and how instant everything is, this reflects the representation of the urban area, which is represented to be fast paced and quick smooth movement. In fact, throughout this clip, mainly cuts are used, again reflecting the representation of the urban area, straight forward.

Sounds:

A diegetic sound is the pounding of the feet on the stairs as everyone rushes down, by the house you can tell that there a lot of people and you can hear that the foot steps are quick, this is representing the urban region to be busy and quick, which is the opposite of relaxation and calming, which is the country region which the two women are who seem to be quite different from everyone else.

(2:03) A non diegetic sound used is the mood music at the end of the first conversation, the mood music is quite intense and creates a horrible mood which is the result of the argument between the man and woman which I am assuming are husband and wife. This doesn't really have anything to do with the representation of regional identity however you could say that because the mood music is a result of the argument, the argument represents being self centered which is a reflection of the representation of everyone within the urban region.

(2:14) An asynchronous sound is the dogs barking off screen, this is quite the opposite of an urban representation as animals would usually be associated with the country region however this could represent urban regional identity for being loud as even animals are making noise as if the bustle of the people isn't enough.

Mise-en-scene:

(2:24) In this shot you can see washing hanging in the background which represents the urban area to be quite crowded and perhaps even overcrowded. You can also see women tending to the washing which leads us to the assumption that this is their job, which leads to the representation that people who are within the urban region are represented to be workers, money obsessed and therefore self centered. The ladies working are in a bonnet proving that they are working and aren't dressed up. However the woman at the front of the shot is dressed up and doesn't look as if she is about to work, this is shows that she is new to the area and doesn't really know what is happening, whereas the other people know they are there to work, which represents those of the urban regional identity to be quite determined and work orientated.

In conclusion I think this clip is a good representation of the urban region for regional identity and even the country region is represented through character and comparison. However overall the urban region is represented to be busy, self centered, rude, money orientated, work orientated, loud and fast paced. This is a very clear representation of urban and produces stereotypes that would not fit a country region, this however makes it clear to understand for an audience.