Discuss the ways the extract constructs representations of

regional identity.
From this extract from Doc Martin, we can see how regional identity is
constructed through the use of camera angles, sound, editing and mise-en
scene. In this extract, we can recognise that it is set in a rural, Cornish
village.
In the opening scene, we can see an establishing shot of a room that
holds 3 characters and gives us a sense of what is going on. This shot sets
the scene and straight away we can view two male characters at the front,
and another man at the back from a low angled shot. This immediately
indicates that Doc Martin at the back is of higher power as he is standing
up and taller than the others. The low angle also gives a clear view of a
sink which fits with one of Roland Barthes narrative codes of an action
code as we can see what the workers are doing. A deep focus to this
camera shot allows us to see the characters costumes clearly and we can
view that the man at the back is dressed smart and wearing expensive
clothes. From this use of mise-en scene it suggests he is from a different
background as he fits the stereotype of a Londoner being rich and posh
as he is the only one wearing smart clothing. On the other hand, the
establishing shot also shows us that the two workers are in the same
uniform. They fit the stereotype of Cornish people being backwards or
living in rural areas or on a farm. The lighting in the room also encourages
this as the dull colour palette backs up the fact that the workers in the
village have manual, boring jobs that are hard and demanding, and
therefore the shades of grey symbolise their repetitive lifestyles. A two
shot seems to be interrupted by Doc Martin which suggests also that he is
out of place which creates a feeling of awkwardness. However, the older
worker (the father), refers to his son as boy as he is undermining him
and his unexpected, impressive knowledge. The son however, does not fit
with normal regional stereotypes. It is commonly presumed that in most
rural villages, business is family trade, which is what is portrayed in this
extract. It can be seen that the son is capable of better things than
manual labour, as seen when he says It could be a literally reference,
this part of the extract lacks non diegetic music, so we can get a sense of
realism and it focuses on the conversation.
Proceeding from this point, a pipe bursts in the room and a phone starts
ringing. This adds to the chaos in the room and the father reacts in his
usual laid back manner which is what we expect concerning his regional
identity as he meets the Cornish stereotype. Doc Martin reacts in a more
urgent manner as he is used to this fast paced environment and
programmed to deal with these problems instantly. The boy and Doc

Martin deal with the situation as it appears that they are more intelligent,
whereas the conventional rural citizens appear calmer and settled. We are
then presented with a close up of Doc Martin as he shows his anger and is
infuriated with the characters lack of knowledge. This again differentiates
him from the others and he is not used to this laid back attitude. A jump
cut is then used to pan of Doc Martin walking with a dog. This pan allows
us to view his annoyance and the way he briskly walks through the town
faster than the regular locals. This indicates that he is yet to part with the
hustle and bustle of city life and settle into rural lifestyle. Upbeat non
diegetic sound is played as he marches through the village which is
opposite of him as he is angry and the music is happy.
In the next scene, the camera pans up from a policemans feet to give a
sense of authority and that he is respected in this small community.
However, Doc Martin doesnt seem to care for this and seems rather
impolite and rude. His abrupt dialogue demonstrates his lack of interest
for the police mans role look, I am not interested in your opinion as
whether I seem a bit lonely. A swift cut to the next scene emphasises the
blunt nature of his response. We can then see another unconventional
character who speaks well spoken English just like Doc Martin. It becomes
apparent that she sees similarities in herself and Doc Martin. She also
doesnt have a rural Cornish accent and sounds like a Londoner. She
meets the stereotype of people from London being well spoken and posh.
She is represented as a higher class not only because of her accent but
also because of her clothing, as it is different from the more regional
characters in the extract. A following pan of the two emphasise his busy
lifestyle and hectic nature from a big city. This is shown because the
camera appears to be handheld, so Doc Martin has no time to stop and
therefore the camera comes with him. Doc appears to not want to indulge
in conversation so just bluntly says Im not quite set up yet which goes
against the stereotype of rural villagers being friendly. The woman then
says youre just what the community needs; she appears to be trying to
impress him as they are both from outside of the community. The whole
conversation between them is a mid-shot at eye level. This connotes that
they are both of equal status and perhaps are both from the same region.
In the final scene, the camera appears to be level with the slanted
pavement which gives a sense of unease and disorientation. The camera
then cuts to an old lady unloading vegetables from a truck. This fits one of
Barthes narrative codes of an action code, as it tells us what she is doing.
The vegetables also fit with the idea of a rural community as it fits the
stereotype of rural villagers and Cornish people being farmers. It also fits
the stereotype of rural villagers having manual jobs as most of the more
important jobs stereotypically are in the cities. The slow movement of the

camera encourages the idea of rural villagers like to gossip and we get the
sense that it is more of an intermittent conversation rather than the one
earlier.
Overall, I feel that this Doc Martin extract portrays certain stereotypes of
rural villagers like the man working at the beginning and the old lady at
the end, but some characters like the upper class woman and son worker
differentiate to this and give a sense of a more intelligent origin. Doc
Martin also is quite unconventional and indicates that he is a quite blunt
and dismissive character.