Question 2- How does your media product represent particular social groups? How was femininity and Masculinity represented in your Media Product?
In the beginning of our Thriller ‘Framed’ we used two female and two male actors, In this way we have presented the male and female groups equally. The way in which we presented these genders through our character is progressive in terms of stereotypes and the way in which these gender groups are presented in other films. For example we have not presented our female actors as hyper-Sexualised or in a stereotypical way as females are presented in other films; for example as vunerable, innocent and dependable on male characters. The character of Tillie who is a female and is framed of the murder of Finn is presented as Vunerable but only because of her situation not because of her gender Our male characters are not presented in a stereotypical way ethier as they are not hyper-masculinised or purposely there to save a female character. The character of Finn challenges these stereotypes as he is the character that is killed off first and he is a male whereas commonly it is the female that is killed off first; femme fateles in various films are often killed off by male characters. The character of Louisa who is a female character is very progressive in terms of the way she presents females as she is very independent, strong and powerful, although she is seen screaming this only because she is framing Tillie for the murder therefore manipulating the other characters into thinking she is innocent. We based the character of Louisa on progressive representations of independent, strong women featured in other Thrillers such as Alex Drake from ‘Ashes to Ashes’ and Thelma and Louise from ‘Thelma and Louise’. This shows how even though the character of Tillie is a victim like characters such as Marion crane from Psycho, this is not because of her gender and her gender is not relevant. This is because the character of Finn is killed off first, whereas characters like Marion Crane and other classic femme are Killed off first
How has Youth/Age/Contemporary Britain been represented in your Media Product? All of the actors in our Thriller are young, there fore in terms of age young people are the only group represented All of the actors are 16-18 years old. I think that although two of the characters have potential framed the character Of Tillie for the murder of the character Finn, that there is still a positive representation. Despite the negative Actions they carry out, they use their intelligence to perform these to out-wit the other characters, this represents Them as Independent and clever. Steering away from stereotypes of young people as being lazy and dependable upon Adults. Another way in which I would state that youth has been presented in a positive light, is that the four characters Are sharing a house whilst going to University. This automatically paints the characters as intelligent and sends a Positive message to the younger target audience that going to University is common these days among all types of young People whether middle or working class, male or female. Therefore representing young people as academically driven and Intelligent, a fairly progressive representations compared to the stereotypes of Teenagers portrayed in other Films. This then therefore Represents Contemporary Britain in a positive light as it is a place where academia is valued very highly for young people and also a place In where young people to a certain extent are civilized and independent.
How has Ethnicity been represented in your media product? In our media product we have used mainly White British Actors but also a Black British actor. I would state That because our story line does not revolve around any Racial crimes etc. that the ethnicity of our actors is not Important. Ethnicity has not been portrayed in a negative Way, it could be said to of been portrayed as in a Progressive Way though as there is nothing drawing anyone’s attention To the ethnicities of our actors in the opening to our thriller Film. Therefore it shows the progressive attitudes that many Young people show today towards different ethnicities and Shows The way in which different ethnicities are accepted into Society by many young people now.
How has Status/Social class been represented In your Media Product? The beginning of our Thriller takes place in an Middle class Location of a city, in a fairly big house. The characters in our Thriller opening are fairly middle class. The actions which some Of the characters may of carried out; framing the character of Tillie for a murder could in-fact portray social class in a very Negative Way. The way in which the middle class characters use their intelligence To out-wit eachother could symbolize in a wider sense the way in which People of a high social class/status use their position and knowledge Exploit those around them. We also don’t know why the characters May of framed Tillie for this murder and money may be tied Into the reason for this. Therefore presenting the middle class to Be greedy/selfish.