Here are two clip from the first episode of Misfits - the opening scene and a montage of lead characters reflecting partly on the days events but also on themselves in terms of their identity. Watch both clips, compare and contrast them, and try and answer the prompt questions underneath.
Which stereotypes of youth (chav, nerd etc) are seen in this clip?
Looking at the micro-elements (sound, camera work, editing, mise-en-scene) how are these representations created? (Look at how each character has altered their uniform, also the focus of shots as they are getting dressed).
What qualities do their share?
How can the group be seen as having a 'collective identity'?
What is their attitude to the adult in the clip. And what is his attitude to them - does he label them all the same?
Some thoughts: It's interesting the way that even though their dressed head to toe in the same outfit they all give clues to their 'identity' by the way they've modified their outfits. Also there's a very obvious Us and Them set up to the scene with the youths lined up facing the probation worker. Notice the establishing shot - it's a low angle looking up to the gang exaggerating their arrogant/flippant body language, but the probation worker looks like a giant in comparison. This implies there could be some power dynamic with the 'adult', yet this is immediately undermined as soon as Alisha answers her phone.
How are the stereotypes/representations challenged/confirmed in this clip? What are the differences from the opening?
Find out each of the character's powers (apart from Nathan's if you haven't seen the whole series) - how are they appropriate for each of the characters?
Look at these 'popular notions of adolesence' listed here - do any of them fit any of the representations?Do they still have any shared qualities/fears/anxieties?
Some thoughts: For the girls we get an explicit stripping away of part of their identity - Kelly the hard face chav, Alisha the man-eater - when they are alone. So they have an identity they show the outside world, but this could be to hide certain vulnerabilities or to fit in. This is what I think Misfits does really well, it initially presents us with stereotypes but then gradually adds dimensions to each of the characters to created representations of adolescence that can be related to.
Go and explore the official Misfits website. It's a fantastic mix of clips, games and feeds to the characters social media.