Top boy	Negative representations	Good representations
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Top boy

Throughout the beginning of Top boy, it is clear to see that the institutions have focused more on reinforcing the negative stereotypes of young people we see in the media today. However, the audience demographic could then argue that the institutions do actually challenge these stereotypes.

Negative points

·         Drug dealing

·         Guy slaps girl in the face

·         Bad language they use

·         Trying to recruit young people

·         The focus on black people

Good points

·         Boy going to school

·         Protagonist looking after his mum

·         Refusing to take money from drug dealers.

The most significant negative scene within the beginning of Top boy is probably the fight scene, displaying conflict and violence. The quick paced medium to close up shots connotes the conflict and danger between the two people. Whilst the point of view shots reinforce how intimidating youths can be. During the disruption of the scene (Todorov- Equilibrium), conveys the divergence between two black groups. The way the male character calls on his partner, could reinforce the team work and loyalty between friends, especially when the top drug dealer says: “Are you alright?” However, this can then be thoroughly subverted as when the guy knows that his stock has been taken he uses diegetic dialogue to say: ‘Are you serious? How can you be so stupid man’? This could then connote that young people are always in it for themselves. Another example of conflict is the close up of the pan shot when the man in the car pulls out a gun, the close up shot focusing on the barrel, further connoting that youths are ‘declilized’ and Alvarado’s ‘dangerous’. Also the close up to over the shoulder shot of the guy slapping the girl connotes the domestic violence between man and women, and how the boy things it’s okay to abuse the girl, further connoting that young people have no morals or remorse for the actions that they perform. Whilst the way her friend then says: ‘I don’t give an f***,” when she moans about the man slapping her, connotes the lack of loyalty and protection of their friends.

However, in comparison, there are quite a few good representations that the audiences have focused on during the beginning scenes of top boy. The most significant one is focused through the protagonist, as he is represented as being a career for her his mother. The first depiction of him during the equilibrium, of him looking out of the window at the gang, could connote the idea of the glass being the barrier that keeps him away from taking that bad path. Whilst, this could also connote a preservation of his innocence, as he’s looking on it from a child’s perspective. This can be further linked to when the gang attempt to recruit him as a drug dealer, the guy trying to bribe him for money and he says: ‘my mum wouldn’t like it”. The way his friend says: “How come you don’t take money from them, you never say no to money”, subverts the idea of youths being easily influenced, as at a young age he is sticking up for himself by the way the drug dealers say ‘smart kid!’ when they leave. Nevertheless, the way the protagonist tries to help his mum (getting her breakfast, coaxing her to get up and dressed, and promising her that she’ll look for a new apartment), allows the audience to sympathize with him, whilst also reinforcing that youths aren’t always in it for themselves and can be respectful and care for others.