How does your media product represent particular social groups?

GEMMA BEALES – The protagonistLabled as: A 16 year old girl.

The character fullfills the representation of young teenage girls being easily lead, caving into social pressure resulting in mental health problems and being quite stereotypical with her isolation of being closed up and untalkative – shown by her being completely on her own, dressed in very dull uninviting colours and having earphones in to block out others. This reflects many teenagers who are under pressure from society, the education system and are struggling while growing up.

From the outset of the opening sequence, the colours, mood the music creates and her dress shows an automatic realisation to the audience that the girl seems vulnerable but the dim lighting and edgy dress sense forebodes a negative mood which is revealed later in the clip.

Clothing• Clothing: Very plain, black top, skirt, tights and shoes. We used

black to represent the dark, evil side of the character but also to tie in with the stereotype that teenagers are very internal and closed up. The black signifies the rejection of society and other members/peers who our protagonist is keeping away from. The jacket being worn is Gemmas coat, we used one of Gemmas coats to have a stronger sense of realism so there was an ability to target an audience similar to her age group – around 16 and to make her clothing more believable. At the point of the possession taking over the character, her tights become ripped and her clothes are ruffled and muddy. This is to show non stereotypical teenage looks which she fullfills due to the possession being more dominant and important in the story line than her subculture/age.

Makeup and Hairstyle

• When first beginning to film, we added no extra makeup to what our actress was already wearing and left her hair in the same style it had been all day. This was to mimic the ‘normal’ day to day teenagers looks to create a realistic opening to the sequence when establishing the character. At the point of the possession taking over the character, her makeup brutally emphasises with cuts, bruises and scars all over her face and her hair becomes back combed and messy. Again, this subverts the teenage stereotype because the possession is more dominant than her subculture.

Gender

• We chose to use a girl as our main protagonist due to the stereotypical view that girls are more vulnerable and susceptible to stress and worry.

Age

Teenagers are heavily focused on especially in the media nowadays. Therefore, casting a teenage girl as our main protagonist is effective because it creates a modern and edgy piece which fits with the times and a popular debate on teenage culture which is constantly taking place. Teens could be seen as the most diverse age range and are faced with most social problems. Choosing to use a teen as our actress we found would be the most suitable because any ideas can be sculpted around the age range.