For my course in Collaborating and Communicating in the Early Childhood Field, my assignment this week is to: record an episode of a television show you do not normally watch. Watch the show with the SOUND TURNED OFF and respond to some questions.
I chose to watch Melissa and Joey. After watching the show with sound, I learned that Melissa is the youngest councilwoman ever to be elected in her district. Joey is a businessman who lost his job in a scandalous Ponzi scheme being run by his firm. Melissa has a sister who is a convicted felon, and Melissa has custody of her two teenagers. Melissa ends up hiring Joey as a live-in cook and nanny to the children, Rider and Lennox.
What do you think the characters’ relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating? It is clear that Melissa is the boss and Joey works for her. It also looks like they are not happy with the situation. They seem to be arguing all the time. The people who play the children give off a very different message. They have softened facial expressions and seem to enjoy one another’s company. I was surprised by this, because so many television programs reflect teenagers as constantly fighting. They seem to enjoy the adults and don’t roll their eyes when being talked to. They are often smiling. They seem perky and good-natured. Their body language expresses a carefree lifestyle – that of a teenager.
What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing? Based on the ways they are communicating, I would say Melissa and Joey definitely do not like each other. They are self-driven and very animated. They make large gestures often and frown a lot. Their arms are often crossed and they lean in and point in one another’s faces. Their mouths are big and open when they talk and it looks like they are constantly arguing. They walk away while the other is talking and turn their backs on one another. They swing their heads back and roll their eyes while listening to the other person. Melissa’s hands are often on her hips and she is pointing her finger a lot. She seems to treat everyone the same way, Joey, her work colleagues, family and friends. However, Melissa and Joey’s body language also gives off the idea that a lot of sexual tension is going on between them. They use their bodies to flirt and their facial expressions also communicate flirting.
Then, I was to watch the show WITH SOUND respond to these questions:
What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed? Surprisingly my assumptions about the adult characters were very accurate. They are constantly arguing. They are both very bossy, think they are in control and think the other person is always wrong. I was also surprised to find that I could pick up on this sexual tension between them without listening to any sound. However, I misread the teens. While they look happy and weren’t nearly as animated, they did act like typical teens and didn’t get along all that well.
Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well? I’m sure I would have made better assumptions about a show I watch regularly, but again, I was surprised at how I was able to pick up on much of their body language.
You should try this experiment. It was very enlightening.
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