Regional Identity

Regional identity is identifying a persons identity, which is rooted not only in the setting of the film but also in speech, costumes etc. and in the region they live in. Regional identity usually coincides with stereotypes, which means a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. Stereotypes usually have negative or humorous connotations, which do not apply to every single indigenous person in a particular region.

1.   The Only Way Is Essex

Essex's materialistic teen stereotypes are immediately portrayed by the three characters at the entrance to the scene, through the topics shown such as sunbathing, hairstyling and make-up. This is a clear indication that the characters care more for their aesthetic appeal than their personal qualities. The tanning and so called ‘orange skin’ and continuous actions undertaken to make themselves look perfect are both signifiers of materialism and self-obsession, which now became a typical Essex-based stereotype in today's society. 

2.   Made In Chelsea

In an instant, a completely contrary variation of character is portrayed merely through the mise en scene. By this I am referring to the flashy Mercedes', the sunglasses, the fashionable tailored clothing and the yachts. Before even the uttering of a single syllable, audiences would immediately make the assumption that the featured characters live exclusive lifestyles. The subject of the conversation also gives massive implications that the characters are wealthy when the young man mentions going to "cannes in southern France", a destination for the rich and famous. Before the end of the highlight reel, the words Glamour, Romance, Wealth, Excess, Drama and Gossip are shown one after the other in white bold text foregrounded on a plain black background. The title 'Made In Chelsea' then appears - referencing a place, an extremely glamorous, high-flying place. 

3.   Geordie Shore

Geordie Shore is where people have got the stereotyped image of people being part animals from Newcastle with a strong Geordie accent. People who are shown in the reality programme are represented as being party animals who go out and constantly get drunk. This, therefore creates the stereotype that all people who are from or live in Newcastle will be the same as the people who are being presented in Geordie Shore. This show creates a negative representation of young people or a younger generation. This is because the people who play in it, are all of a young age and therefore, this not only creates a negative image on the people from Newcastle, but also on young adults as a whole.