Doc Martin, Representation of Regional Identity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gfYWZzaTBI

In this extract of Doc Martin, regional identity can be identified through sound, editing, mise-en-scene and cinematography.

Sound is used to identify the characters regional identity through their accent and how they speak. For example, the well spoken doctor could be from South England since they often shown as being the center of culture, modern, classy, clever, sunny, richer, doing middle class jobs such as managers. However the poorly spoken plumber could be from North England who are often shown as being poorer, lower class, aggressive, less culture, less clever, doing working class jobs such as builders and plumbers. 

The well composed soundtrack when Doc Martin returned the dog to the police officers could also highlight his regional identity. Since the track is well composed it could relate to him being from somewhere of high quality such as South England who are richer and clever.

Editing has also been used to demonstrate Doc Martins regional identity. For example, the match on action on Doc Martin walking through the door to the police officers house to return the dog created a sense of authority over the police officer. This is because the town where this show is set is in Cornwall, who are often shown as being “backwards”, living in rural areas, working on farms. This brings about a social dominance since Doc is from South England who are a higher class group of people since they have middle class jobs rather than working class.

Mise-en-scene used also defines the regional identity of characters. For example, Doc Martin is dressed in a clean suit and has a well maintained body. This means that he is from a higher class background being from South England. However the plumber is dressed in muddy working clothes and does not look after himself in terms of weight. This means that his clothing and working class job matches up to him being from Cornwall. The mise-en-scene of the outdoors are rural and old fashioned. This means that Doc is above the rural working class because of how he looks and dresses.

Cinematography is also used to determine Docs regional identity. For example, there are two low angle panning shots of Doc Martin returning the dog to the police officer. This means that the camera angles present him as a larger figure compared to other characters in the extract, demonstrating his Southern England regional identity. In comparison, the plumber has high angle camera shots used, presenting him as a smaller figure. This means that he can be easily identified as a lower class person living in Cornwall. Therefore the camera angles used in the extract demonstrate the South English region as dominant over Cornwall since they work in higher class roles.