Analyse how the producers construct the representations of working class in the first six minutes of Shameless

   The representations of working class have been clearly presented by the producers of Shameless in terms of the language and living standards of the characters. We can see that the main character is named Frank and the series is based on his life. He is a lone-parent which is said by a sociologist, Charles Murray to be a reason of poor living standards and can influence children in a negative way as in this case, grow up without a mother figure. This causes unemployment and underachieving.

The series begins with a brief introduction of the characters. We notice that there is a jump cut of the establishing shot which focuses on the estate. The jump cut puts emphasis on the area which the characters live in and call their home.

We are introduced to Frank's children when they hit their father with a loaf of bread, this suggests that the children are not disciplined like middle class children. This is exaggerated by a low angle shot of the children when they check to see if their father is concious. We can interpret that the body language between one another within the household is quite violent and rude. The clothing of the characters is seen as quite chavvish and informal as opposed to the middle class who dress formally.

The working class is represented in a very rough yet homely neighbourhood. We see that although the characters live in the working class they still share a good relationship with their neighbours. The interpretation of parties in the working class are considered as setting cars on fire and creating riots by throwing beer cans into the fire and creating a significant amount of havoc. A sound of a siren is heard and a close up of the police car is being focused on, the bright sirens illustrate that the police are the working classes worst enemy. An establishing shot is focused on as the police run after the neighbourhood after they had created riots on the street. The credits then appear with the title of the TV drama, 'Shameless'. This title compliments the establishing shot as it shows that this is a norm for this neighbourhood as they have no shame for actions which have been performed.

We can notice flashes of police lights which are reflected on the faces of the neighbours as they throw beer can into the fire and are burning this car. This emphasises the idea that creating chaos and havoc is a traditional norm of the working class.

The high angle shot of the front of the house creates a stereotype of how the working class supposably lives. The caravan suggests that they are travellers who are family orientated. There are washing machines and cookers outside which creating a very cheap image and we see that the working class do not care about how they present themselves.

This over the shoulder shot demonstrates that the working class is represented as dirty and scruffy looking. We see this as Phillip is about to enter Karens house, her mother is uneasy about him entering with his filthy, soily shoes on. She insists that he take his shoes of and place them in a carrier bag. This shows a clear class difference as Karens mother is presented in a clean and formal way as opposed to Phillip who has muddy shoes and is dressed in dirty shoes. As Karens mother opens the door we sense she felt very uncomfortable and frightened about opening the door for him, this suggested that the working class was seen as hooligans and wild animals who do not believe in hygiene.

The extreme close-up of Phillip putting his clothes in the wash is emphasised as the washing bag is a black carrir bag compared to a laundry basket, illustrating that they can not afford luxuries as they are ofthe working class.

The mid shot suggests that the working class are quite poor and would go to extremes to get money froom anywhere as this shot is of a stranger stealing the bag of the eldest daughter whilst she is out clubbing in a public nightclub. This illustrates that people are capable of anything if they need money and need their daily necessities.

The language which was spoken by Veronica suggests a very informal and restricted code, this suugests that she is from a working class background as she has poor english. She comes accross as quit rude as she addresses the night club bouncer as a 'fat twat'.

We can acknowledge that these boys are from the working class as they share an overcrowded room with one another which suggests that they do not have enough rooms for them all to be independent. The soundtrack creates a very out of place atmosphere which suggests that the working class is incapable of fitting in with the middle class.

The overall representation of the working class is that they are very careless and would do anything to get by in the world.