Collective Identity of Drug Addicts and Football Fans - Task One

There are various examples of Mise-En-Scene that can be used in a film or drama when representing drug addiction, some of these include:

Unhealthy appearance
- When the film or drama represents drug addicts, the characters will usually appear "sick" or "unwell." For example they may have tired eyes, may be heavily underweight or have very pale skin. Things like this emphasise the effect the drugs are having on the addicts

Poorly dressed
- Drug addicts are usually represented as poor or at least lower class. Therefore, addicts that are being portrayed will usually be dressed in dirty clothes. Drug addicts are also shown to spend what little money they have on their addiction

Poor living conditions
- Drug addicts also tend to be portrayed as living in rough areas or "slums" due to their low income that is only ever spent on their habit anyway

Items relating to drug use
- Scenes in films and dramas tend to show their drug addict characters surrounded by the substance they are addicted to, and the items that are needed. For example, a cocaine addict may be shown next to a rolled up note of money or a mirror. A heroin addict may be shown to be in possession of a syringe, belt etc.