The main focus of this advertisement is clearly Michelle, who is sitting in her underwear looking dishevelled. Her underwear is mismatched suggesting a youthful carefree approach but also a lack of sophistication as it is combined with her smudged make-up and messy hair, Just behind her, Sid is sitting naked on the bed with just a pillow covering him, the look on his face, which is brought to our attention by the lamp beside him, suggests that he has done something wrong, possibly with Michelle. Also he still has his hat and glasses on which suggests the stubbornness of youth. Feathers are floating down across the image, this suggests both youthful innocence, as if they were having a pillow fight but also a suggestive 'naughtiness'. The characters are all in and around a bed in a trashed house giving us the impression of students after a party. The wallpaper is ripped and falling off the walls, the scene looks dirty, making us think that the characters are ambivalent to what is going on.
The colouring in the image has a blue tint to it, this suggests coldness and a lack of intimacy which is completely opposite to what the scene suggests. It's almost as if the people who are together are for the sake of it and are just having a one night stand, a typical stereotype of modern British teens. The lighting is low key with 'natural' sunlight on the wall making it seem like it is the early hours, the only other lighting brings our attention to Michelle and Sid.
Many teens would be able to relate in some way to the scene created in the poster, however they may not agree with the extraminality of the scenario which was described as 'depicting an orgy'. The poster was banned after 42 complaints saying the poster could be seen to 'condone and/or encourage underage sex.' Channel 4 hitback saying that '[SKINS] shows the consequences of hedonistic and irresponsible behaviour.
The second poster shows Tony in a bath submerged under the water. His eyes are open so he looks ddead, giving the impression that he was suicidal. This poster seems to say that teenagers do care a lot, a stark contrast to the carefree image in the other poster.
In the shot, shower gel, razors and soap can be seen, the typical cleaning products look out of place in the grimey bathroom, this could be suggesting that Tony felt out of place too. The poster is obviously set in a bathroom, however this everyday activity, taking a bath, looks abnormal as the place to get clean is disgusting. Also students have the image of being 'dirty' so the state of the bathroom is not suprising, however the green tint to the shot gives it a chemical feel and makes it seem like a mental asylum almost.
The whole scene looks severly neglected, which could be mirrored in Tony's drastic actions as he too could be neglected or feeling that way by his family or friends. The abscene of apparent light puts all the attention on Tony and makes the scenario seem very cold.
Again, people will be able to relate to this poster as a fair amount of teens have attempted or committed suicide and those who haven't know someone who has. Adults however may feel that the poster is showing the 'overtly dramatic' actions of teenagers and may find it harder to relate or sympathise.
This poster recieved a small number of complaints saying it was 'offensive and distressing'. However the poster was not banned as the ASA recognised that the poster portrayed the uncertainty of Tony's fate after a road accident in season one rather than suggesting suicide.
