Evaluation Question 2

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
 

The young female protagonist in the film is represented both stereotypically and non-stereotypically. It is stereotypical of the blonde female girl to be innocent and be the damsel in distress relying on the hero to save them which is somewhat true with the way our character is represented as it is sown that the detective is trying to save her and she is shown to be upset and scared, however she is represented non-stereotypically as she shows independence as a main protagonist taking responsibility for herself running through the woods by herself and taking her life into her own hands. She is fairly unique as a character and there are not many characters from other films to compare her with. She has similarities to characters like Clarice Starling from silence of the lambs even if she isn’t a detective she is trying to do her best to solve and prove her mother murders guilty, being an independent in her own investigation and search, but a lot less professional, and getting herself very close to danger at times showing vulnerability throughout the film.

The detective in our film is a mostly stereotypical representation of the detective character, as in most films, the detective is adult male wearing the stereotypical suit and coat to connote the fact that he is a detective. As a middle class male he is represented stereotypically as being professional, dominant, braver and heroic attempting to chase after and save the girl protagonist. The detective character fits stereotypically with a male character to have these stereotypical characteristics. There is, on the other hand, an element of non-stereotypical representation as he is shown to have fear of loss in failure realising the girl has drowned. He shows a consistent fear of losing her throughout the opening showing a non-stereotypical weakness of a male character to have a connection to another character. The detective is also represented to be slightly younger than expected which is non-stereotypical as this connotes he is less experienced and more fearful.

Thinking about our whole film, we have planned to have to have some stereotypical representations of criminals as there are two murders in the film. We would have liked to emphasise their look as dark and cold hearted killers however we had an idea for one of them to be younger and less experienced or non-professional. He would show remorse and mercy towards our female protagonist and show his weakness throughout the film.

A victim and mother figure was planned as well; she was to not feature for very much of the film at all but would represent a stereotypical innocent damsel in distress. We planned for her to wear lighter colours to emphasise again her innocence.

 Joseph Moss