Opening scenes- teen dramas.

I've chosen to look at the opening scenes for the teen dramas:
(click any of the list below to go to the clip I have chosen for that programme)

• Skins (shown on channel 4)
• E20 (shown on BBC iPlayer)
• The Inbetweeners (shown on channel 4)

I chose to compare these three because each of the opening scenes in the clips that I found for Skins and The Inbetweeners have some quite similar film language used in the scene (such as similar mise-en-scene, location, camerawork etc). Whereas, E20 is quite different in regards to some of these aspects, even though it is still thought of to be part of the teen drama sub genre.

Mise-en-scene:
The mise-en-scene used for the opening scene of The Inbetweeners episode I have chosen, generally connotates that the main character involved in the this scene (Simon) is slightly immature and also connotates that he is a stereotypical teenage boy. For example, the props we see on the desk beside the bedroom door includes a computer, a tall pile of CD's, and deodorant. This communicates to the audience that this is a stereotypical teenage boy, because his room consists of stereotypical teenage boy objects. For example: deodorant - teenage boys are said to smell, CD's - a stereotypical teenager is said to listen to a lot of music, often used to block out the noise of the parents (which is similar to what Simon is doing during this scene, but using his voice to shout instead, which may reinforce this stereotype), and a computer - because teenagers (especially boys) are stereotypically thought to live in front of a screen. Props in this scene that make Simon appear immature include a small blue globe that young boys usually get bought, but some may say this is contrasted by the large piece of artwork on his wall. The costumes that the characters in this scene also convey immaturity, and support a typical teenage boy (Simon is seen wearing a t-shirt, hooded jacket, and jeans - all quite simple, conveys simplistic personality). The single bed also connotates immaturity, and maybe even suggest Simons lack of experience in sexual activity, which again adds to the humour because it contrasts the conversation his girlfriend has with him during this scene. The mise-en-scene in the opening scene of Skins also communicates to the audience that the main character of this episode (Pandora) is immature. This is mainly done by her costume - a baggy pink pyjama t-shirt, the colour pink connotates young girls. In this scene we see Pandora in Effy's bedroom, this again reinforces Pandora's immaturity because the miss-en-scene in the room is quite mature (such as the double bed), which contrasts Pandora's appearance.
The mise-en-scene in the opening scene of E20 is different to both of these because the first thing we see is the teenage characters wearing green jumpsuits, which says to the audience that she's involved in some kind of community service, which can be perceived as quite a mature thing to be taking part in. She also has her hair tied up, which suggests she's prepared to get stuck in and do some work. But this is then contrasted when the other two teenagers enter the scene with the prop of a large inflatable toy.

Narrative:
One of the similarities between the opening scenes of The Inbetweeners and Skins is that they both have some kind of help to understand what was going on, if for example someone has missed the previous episodes. The Inbetweeners has a commentary at the start of the episode, and Skins runs a 'previously on skins' clip. E20 doesn't have anything like this.
Another difference between the two opening scenes is the type of conversation the characters partake in during the scene. In E20 the conversation is focussed on helping the community, which is quite mature and sophisticated. Whereas the conversation in The Inbetweeners and Skins opening scenes were focussed on teenage love and sex, which is quite a stereotypical teenage topic.

Location:
The location in both The Inbetweeners and Skins is in a teenagers bedroom, whereas in opening scene of E20 is set in the street, which is less intimate so the audience doesn't feel as close a connection between themselves and the characters.


Sound:
The non diegetic sound in the opening scenes of both Skins and The Inbetweeners is music modern music which introduces the scene. E20 also introduces the scene with modern music but this music is faded into the scene to become diegetic.

Camerawork:
The very first shot we see in the opening scene in Skins is an arial shot which zooms into Pandora, which not only communicates to the audience that she is the main character for this episode but it also allows the audience to feel like their becoming closer to her not only in the distance of the shot but also in terms of relationship, which helps the audience to feel connected to the character. The Inbetweeners does this by starting the opening scene with a close up two shot of Simon and his girlfriend while their kissing. This again not only tells the audience that themselves and their relationship will be the focus the episode but also again allows the audience to understand and have more of a personal insight into their relationship.
E20 starts it's opening scene with lots of quickly cut establishing shots, and doesn't focus on anything or anyone for too long. So it differs from the first shots in Skins and The Inbetweeners because it doesn't immediately tell the audience which character will be the focus of the episode, and therefore doesn't allow the audience the build a closer relationship with this character in order to sympathise and understand their story further.