GAVIN AND STACEY

PRESENTATION OF SOCIAL CLA

By Emma Brookbanks
and Hannah Green
 REPRESENTATION OF SOCIAL CLASS

 We have chosen Gavin and Stacey to analyse the

divisions in social class and how they are reinforced by
directors. We will be looking at many different aspects
within the production for example:
 Mise en scene:
 Costume
 Props
 Setting
 Dialogue
 Sound
 Editing



 MISE EN
SCENE
Houses / Setting
 SMITHY ’ S HOUSE :
Small semi-detached house
with one garage which is
of a basic nature which
reflects the basic and low
class of smithy’s family.
The brown colour make it dull and
almost dirty especially the mould
under the windows this shows their
lack of motivation to maintain a smart
image, implying their poor attitude
towards appearance.

Their car is old, dirty with tacky

writing over the windows this shows
they may not be able to afford I nice
new sleek car again representing the
low class of the family.
 Gavin ’ s House :
Their house is classic with white
external walls and black beams The house appears to be very open, big
and widow frames, this empathises open windows surrounding the house also
their status, the strong black and the porch over the front door adds the
white contrast demonstrates the aspect of sophistication which reflects
strong differences and contrast their personalities.
of the families and their social
class.
The house is bordered
with shrubbery and
potted plants show a
distinct difference
between the two
families and that
Gavin’s family take
great care in their
appearance to be
formal and more
affluent with a high
social standing

The juxtaposition of the two houses demonstrates the

difference between the two classes.
MISE EN SCENE

Costume / Personality
 SMITHY
Smithy’s costume is
very simple which The character
consists of a blue has left his
button up shirt and top button
beige trousers, the undone which
simple combination gives the
mirrors the simple impression that
personality and mind he is laid back
of smithy. and untidy

His build of being

over weight shows the
typical trades person
for example a builder
eating junk food which
reinforces the
division of social
class
 CATHY , SMITHY ’ S MUM

Both Cathy’s lack of

Cathy’s costume includes a make-up and wet, flat
kaki t-shirt and a skirt and scruffy hair
jacket set. The matching demonstrates her
skirt and jacket have a big minimal attempt to
flowery pattern, which look presentable, this
consists of loud colours, again contributes to
this represents her big, loud the overall perception
personality which indicates of their low rank in
her low class social status. society.
Her outfit looks as though it
has just been thrown on and
little though has been put
into her appearance, again
showing the lack of self
preservation within the
family reinforcing the Overly dramatic
impression of a low class representation using a
family. juxtaposition of
dialogue and manner
along with simple or
basic house decor.
 RUDY / RUTH SMITHY ’ S SISTER
Rudy’s general clothing
would fall under the
stereotypical category
of a ‘Chav’ the white
three-quarter length
trousers, long yellow
hooded shirt with her
cropped denim jacket all
create the image of a
commoner. The main
aspect of her costume
which indicates a low
class and crude
personality would be the
her black bra is on
obvious display
presenting her character
as promiscuous again
strengthening the low
social class within
their family.
Therefore supporting the image of a
teenager in a run down council estate
returning home in the early morning
with a hangover from the previous
night which displays antisocial
behaviour.
Her accessories or
props enhance the
common feel of her
character for example,
her jewellery includes
big hooped earrings,
long chain and ring
which looks tacky and
cheap. Rudy’s hair is
also braided on the
left side of her head,
this again is
associated with ‘Chavs’
who are often of a low
social class.
Rudy’s black sunglasses hide
her tired eyes from where she
has been out all night and
not slept, this displays the
typical teenage and lower
class connotation of reckless
behaviour.
 Gavin
Even though he has
just got out of bed
his head is reasonably
tidy, this shows us he
takes care in his
appearance and that he
tries to look
Gavin’s costume indicates appealing fitting into
that he is a laid back I high level of social
casual character. He is class. This also
wearing a football shirt reflects his care with
and a pair of shorts his personal hygiene.
after waking up from bed,
many males do not
consider putting on
extra clothes before
coming downstairs, this
shows us he feels it
inappropriate to come
down half dressed,
showing us he has a good
level of class.
 Pam & Mick , Gavin ’ s Parents
Pam’s costume a matching
dress and jacket which
is fitted to her shape,
she is also wearing
small sandals with a Mick’s costume matches
diamante buckle, her Pam’s, he is also
sleek costume and the sophisticated which a
way she presents herself smart navy blue suit along
shows that she has taken with a blue shirt and tie
time and effort to make with brown shoes. His
her self suitable to go simple suit immediately
presents his high class
out. status, also his body
language shows the
Pam’s props also audience that he is
demonstrate her as confident and has a laid
someone with higher back personality enhancing
class for example her his class also it displays
hair and make-up is in his close relationship
pristine condition, she with his wife and the
wears a small simplistic protective nature towards
necklace which adds her.
class to her outfit and
finally she is bearing
gifts which shows her Pam has a perfect
kindness and wealth posture, she is stood
telling us that she can erect which shows her
afford luxuries confidence and that
displaying her high she presents herself
social class juxtaposed well.
with Cathy whom just
 Stacey
Stacey’s costume is a
simple dressing gown,
this shows that she has
some level of class as
many normally just walk
down in pyjamas. Also it
shows us that she does
not feel the need to
dress up.
Stacy’s hair is a
simple bob style and
she is also blonde,
despite Stacey having
a huger level of
class than smithy’s
family she is
prevailed as a blonde
which allows her to
fall into the typical
stereotype of being a
‘dumb blonde’.
 Gwen , Stacey ’ s Mum

Gwen’s costume is
almost outdated, the
floral apron creates
a homely feeling
along with her knee
length floral dress.
Both these items
present Gwen as a
sweet and kind Gwen is wearing a
person, and that she simplistic watch
is that of a high which indicates
class nature. that she is
organised and
simple. Her hair
appears to have a
Gwen is portrayed as a semi-perm which
stereotypical housewife could indicate her
and mother figure who is families class to
defined though her actions be between the
and attire. This is shown other two.
also through the use of
props as she is catering
and preparing food like a
mother does.
 Brin , Stacey ’ s Uncle
Brin’s costume is a very
smart beige suit with a
white shirt and a pink
tie. The suit itself
allows the audience to
relate the character as
a smart sophisticated
man. However the beige
colour also indicates
that he is a man with a
simple mind. it is
apparent that he is of a
higher class, but it is
contradictory with his
colour scheme.
Brin has the prop of a
bible, this shows the
audience that he
attends church or at
least has a religious
perspective, religion
today isn’t as
strongly believed in
and it is often
attended by those whom
have a higher class,
so this is a strong
confirmation of Brin
social class being
reasonably high.
DIALOGUE / SOUND

Tone /Regional
 SOUND
Diegetic
Within this 4 minute clip
diegetic sounds are emphasised
in a clear way to allow the
audience to feel a sense of
reality in what they are
viewing.
For example when Rudy is
looking through her phone the
director has focused on that
sound to indicate to the
audience that it is a vital
prop within the frame.
 is an electric guitar, which is
Non diegetic
Within this 4 minute clip non
diegetic is common as it
introduces the new setting.
Several different soundtracks
are used within the 4 minutes
but they all carry the same
theme, cheerful and upbeat.
The texture of the soundtracks
are light, with minimal use of
instruments.
The most regular instrument
which is used within the tracks
used in many different styles
which presents different styles
within the programme which may
reflect the different classes
which is portrayed within the
clip.
 SMITHY ,Gavin
and Stacey ’ s dialogue .

Smithy’s family are from Essex, which reveals a strong accent,

however Gavin’s family are also from Essex, but the tone of
their dialect creates a harsh division between the families.
For example Smithy’s family talk in a very common manner, with
lots a swearing involved in their diction. Where as in
contrast Gavin’s family do also contain the regional accent of
Essex but they talk more precisely. Which again help the
audience distinguish the great different between the two
families and their class.
Stacey’s family however are from Wales, again they have a
strong accent which can make it harder for the audience to
place the class of Stacey’s family in comparison to the other
two families, the tone of Stacey's voice is abrupt and shows a
slight difference in class and regional identity to Gavin’s
family but not as greater difference between Stacey’s family
and Smithy’s.
Also the dialogue used between Smithy and Rudy shows a more
aggressive/ argumentative family order.
 EDITING

Shots /Angles
 EDITING , CAMERA SHOTS / ANGLES
The first shot we come across is an establishing shot
of the outside of smithy’s house, which is later
followed by an establishing shot of Gavin’s house.
There are many shot reverse shots to illustrate a
conversation and to make it clear who is talking, this
technique dominates the short clip as it is mainly
conversation taking place, many medium shots are also
used to demonstrate the conversation.
The other frequent type of camera movement is
tracking, this enables the narrative to move along
quickly like when smithy pulls up in the car, the
camera tracks the car.
The editing within the clip contributes to the
division of social class and regional identity
through juxtaposition.