Consider links with other case studies we have studied and also link understanding of Sket with any relevant theory.

Overall, does the film fuel or challenge negative representation of identity?

Discuss the themes within the film and consider how these contribute to the collective identity of young people.

How are the girls represented in the film? Complete a brief character analysis for Kayla, Danielle and Shanks.

Use specific examples from the text. Pick key scenes and focus on how camera/mise en scene/sound create meaning.

Kayla's representation changes throughout the film. At the beginning, she is portrayed as being very timid and almost scared by her new surroundings. For example, when she is being harassed on the bus, she makes little attempt to defend herself, possibly in fear of what could happen to her. Her reluctance to be living in London is also emphasised through an argument she has with her sister.

When she begins to become involved in the girl gang, we see a drastic change in her representation. She begins to

Analyse the poster for Sket
What does the image suggest about the film, in terms of the:

- Characters - their identity as individuals and as a group

- Setting

- Story

How does it suggest these things?
How does this poster image fit with the ways girls tend to be shown in film posters, or on magazines, or on TV? Explain your answer, using examples where you can

Future representation of youth identity

The future of youth identity, in my opinion, will remain negative. Society is too heavily controlled by the mass media to allow a conflicting source to interfere with their beliefs. Antonio Gramsci’s theory of ‘Hegemony’ emphasises the way in which the mass media only publish ideas that will conform to their interests and ideals. This means that society is fed information, which has been manipulated to contain a specific focus (i.e the negative portrayal of youths)

The stereotypical portrayal of youth identity can be challenged but youths are rarely given the chance to voice their opinions openly. David Gauntless suggests, “Identites are not ‘given’ but are constructed and negotiated”. Even when youths are given the opportunity it isn’t guaranteed that they will be taken seriously because of the negative stereotype that is attached to them.

After watching the video and listening to the Plan B interview on BBC 1 Extra, consider the following:

Does the video fuel negative representations of youth collective identity? Or does the video and lyrics together attempt to challenge these negative views?
The images used in the video fuel the negative representation of youths; this is through the portrayal of gang culture and riots. However, the lyrics take a more satirical approach to these issues by identifying the stereotypical portrayal of youths within the mass media. The song addresses youth’s feelings of repression by the government and how their collective identity isn’t given a platform on which it can develop – this therefore leads to the stereotypical representation becoming an accurate representation as youths feel they must live up to expectations. The comedic approach to youth representation that Plan B takes combats the negative portrayal of youths and attempts to change people’s views.

Can you offer textual examples of how young people are represented in the video?
Images within the video focus on the negative portrayal of youths;
- Masked hoodies looting shops
- Gangs of youths surrounding a burning building

- A youth filming someone being beaten up on their phone

- Youths jumping on a car.
- CHAV – "Council Housed and Violent"

- Are there any instances in the video which show authority abusing their power?

The video does depict some instances of authority figures abusing their power, for example;
- A police officer punches a youth for seemingly no reason
- Riot police swarm the streets

- What was Plan B trying to challenge through his lyrics and video for iLL Manors?

"The world, and this country especially, is fill of contradictions. I’m just highlighting them, I’m not condoning anything. I aired my feelings about the riots very publicly when they happened and I still feel the same way. What happened in Tottenham in some ways I can understand but what happened everywhere else in the country was opportunism. I wont justify it because I dont agree with it. In fact it upset me so much I want to change it, so I wrote this song to bring the issue back to the forefront of public conversation. I feel it has been swept under the carpet and forgotten about, and it still needs to be properly addressed."

-What does Plan B hope to achieve through his music and film?