'Grange Hill' textual analysis

Format: Drama/Soap
Created by : Phil Redmond
Original airing: 8 February 1978 –
15 September 2008





Camera, Editing, Sound, Mise-en-scene:

1978 title sequence

- comic/magazine style used for the title sequence
- school location and setting is established through the comic, e.g. sports, school bus, school uniform/clothing, characters
- camera zooms in and out of comic images
- panning of all angles to different comic shots
- titles appear as part of the comic
- background music is slow paced
- after the comic sequence, an establishing shot of the school is seen
- a character goes to unlock a gate, this is shown by a long shot - engaging the audience with the location/narrative

2004 title sequence

- the beginning of the title sequence establishes a 'game' them; the title 'loading' links to games and is moving at a fast speed which is a common feature in games
- the pace is very fast paced
- a game theme is illustrated through different 'levels' and icons, such as 'power' at the side of the screen - these are symbolic of games
- like the pace, the camera movement is also very quick
- a school setting/location is established through the mise-en-scene
- the theme of game suggests that the target audience could mainly be male, as games are stereotypically played by boys more than girls
- teachers are also shown in a negative light, suggesting the drama is from the point of view of students

There are significant differences between the 1978 title sequence and the 2004 title sequence - most notably being the style - a game vs a comic. This shows the development of the drama but also the development of technology. The use of a comic style and a game style for the titles instantly engages the audience and targets the audience as young; children and teenagers can connect with games and comics, as in 1978 comics would have been popular and in 2004 games were popular to children, and regularly played. Nevertheless, while these styles were used, the location and narrative was expressed and hinted at being a school and following the lives of students from their point of view. This was reinforced when in the 2004 title sequence a teacher was seen in a negative light - 'telling them off', suggesting it is a point of view from the student. Therefore, these title sequences highlight that a style can be used to engage and address the audience, but at the same time remembering to introduce characters, setting and theme.