Good Vibrations

Good Vibrations, Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn (2013) 

http://www.londoncitynights.com/2013/03/good-vibrations-2012-directed-by-lisa.html

"New York has the haircuts! London has the trousers! Belfast has the reason!" 

What is re-presented?

Teenagers are represented as aspirational, and talented, and this presentation stems from focus of the plot, the band The Outcasts, who rose to fame with their hit song "Teenage Kicks". The film is set during The Troubles, which plays a part in negatively presenting the social group as violent, and the punk scene included showcases teenagers as delinquent, unmotivated, alternative and desperately trying to escape their adult futures. 

Whose representation is this?

The two directors are fairly unknown, and the producer Andrew Eaton, has made films such as "Rush",  "The Killer Inside Me" and "9 songs".

Why has this presentations been constructed in this way?

The Troubles in Ireland was a time of social upheaval and so, would likely be made to add to the realism and historical accuracy of the film. The film also doesn't challenge the naturalised convention of teenagers appearing violent and irresponsible. The entertainment value likely increases as a result of including interesting and dangerous characters.

How can this representation be decoded (Audience Reception)?

• Historically accurate
• That teenagers during that period were aspirational, talented and popular, the successful rise of The Outcasts is evidence of this. There is also a suggestion of influence and meaning to the social group, who create a song that changes a mans life in a time where everything seems so hopeless
• However, the Punk scene showcases a social group trying to break out on their own and be different from their parents 
• Irresponsible = Terri Hooley marries his wife at a young age (However, this was the norm for that period)

What points or arguments can you make as a result of this analysis?

That teenagers as alternative lifestyle seekers and delinquents is a popular and long-lasting representation, included in films which portray the 1970's-1980's.

Which theories and theorists can you reference in support of your comments and arguments?

• Hegemony Theory and Charles Acland
• Dyer's Typography
• Baudrillard "Simulacrum"

What is overall conclusion you come to for this case study?

That the film presents both positive and negative perceptions of teenagers, and although they the negative perceptions in particularly are naturalised and the "norm" for the media contemporarily, there is a suggestion that because the film is historical, the representations can be seen as more genuine, rather than deliberate.