Discuss the social representations portrayed in this clip.

The first episode of shameless sets the scene for the rest of the series showing the a working class father and his many children.

The first scene consists of cross cuts between different shots showing a similar image. These shots portray the location to be to a well looked after area suggesting private housing, however this is a contrast with the accent of the voice narrating the scene (voice of father). The accent of the father is quite northern with short vowels suggesting a location such as Manchester. Within the general Manchester area, the main stereotypical idea is of tennements and coucil blocks. With this image, people visualise the area as run down with over flowing rubbish bins, however this is clearly not the case. In this beginning scene and when he he describing his children with the narration, the positioning on screen in central, not following the rule of thirds as show in the rest of the extract.

The voice of the father is calming showing a lot of affection for his many children. This narration also goes against another stereotype which is the mother being of a more nurturing character and looking after the children, in this case, the father shows more a nuturing characteristic. However, the image of a well dressed man is soon erased as the shot appears of the father. He seen to be wearing an old coat, possibly from a charity shop or something that has not been washed for a few years. His hair appears to be unwashed and seemingly like he hasn't combed through his hair. This image is something which would be associoated with someone of working class situation.

The father talks about his children saying he views them as angels and how he loves them. With this thought, the general idea of the audience would show the children showing the same amount of parental love for their father. However this idea is discarded within the next few scenes. There is a shot of them in the kitchen with the father holding a loaf of bread. He starts to become violent with one his children, the other children then push the father to the floor. The next shots show a high angle and a low angle of the father looking up at his children, and the children crowding around and towering over him whilst he is on the floor. The latter shot portrays the inferior characters to the superior characters. The father is seen as inferior because he is looking up at his children, while they look down on him. A shot that could also be used to portray bullies in a playground.

The next shot and scene shows the children running out in what can be compared to a gang of youths running from a crime scene. The children run out, bring the shot to the next scene which shows the front of their home and a caravan parked in the drive. This presence of the caravan could be used to show the main mode of transport for holiday's as (considering their financial situation) they more than likely would not be able to go on holiday via an aeroplane the majority of the time. Along the caravan there are also bin's along the from which seem to be overflowing. This shot shows the initial idea one may have when picturing an area of tennements (stereotypically).

The next scene goes straight to a night sky, showing a gathering of family members and friends. The children are seen throwing cans of beer onto the bonfire suggesting a lack of concern for health and safety for themselves and others around them. This, again is what would be generally thought of with someone of a similar or the same social status (due to increasing stories of gang violence). The camera then makes a quick pan over to the father who also seems to be enjoying the atmosphere without giving much care to the health and safety of those around him. It is at his point where the bonfire is visible as a burning car (vandalism, again associated with the working class). This further shows the lack of care and concern. It is clear the main objective of the night is to have fun at whatever the cost. At this point there is also a shot of the father smoking and drinking a can beer, something, stereotypically inconjunction with the working class. At this point there is another shot of the father drinking his beer with flames just below his face, which is the sort of effect used to show a satanic or devalish character. At this moment of high up roar, a police siren is heard as part of diegetic sound. There is also us of non-diegetic sound within this scene, there is a soundtrack of what could be considered tribal music with pan-flutes. This scene also imitates a image considered to be of tribal nature showcasing a large, close community.

When there is a police car near, most people would get out of the way or run away, however in this instance, one of his son's start to clap at the arrival of he car. Even at this point, they don't seem to make an escape(another stereotype attached to youth gangs). It seems as if they think they need an arrival of the police as proof and main point in having a good night out.