How does your media product represent particular social groups?
- 2. AGE I think that the representation of age in our opening sequence is effective. Conventionally, within dramas the plot is based around mature characters. Therefore, because our sequence only features one character we wanted them to be a middle aged man so that we could reinforce a level of realism which is typical of a drama. With our target audience being 15+ we thought that they would be able to connect with his character more so, and understand his personality traits. However, this new feature of motion tracking introduces a ‘fresh’ approach which will perhaps interest younger audiences. Our drama is aimed towards a wide audience of different ages which perhaps the majority of dramas may not be. Another film which does something similar, is the film ‘Her’ where they add a quirky twist to the typical romantic drama with the main character falling in love with a IOS. I think that by incorporating a new element, younger audiences are gravitated towards something they haven’t seen before. For our own opening we have combined the old narrative and taken a new approach on the visual style: which I think fits to the needs for audiences of all ages!
- 3. LONLINESS AND ISOLATION A main aspect of our opening was trying to illustrate this loneliness and isolation within our sequence and characterisation. On the bases of our film it is easy to gather he is very OCD however underneath the surface this lonely character is very much there and we wanted that to become a main feature of the film. I think that many audiences can familiarise themselves with feeling lonely which can hopefully allow them to connect with his character and sympathize with him: which is conventional of a drama. Some of my favourite films incorporate the theme of loneliness such as Lost in Translation, Taxi Driver and Into the Wild. However, a prime example is the film Cast Away where the film captures the heart breaking struggle of Chucks battle with survival and human sanity. In particular, the scene where he finds comfort in a Volley ball called Wilson who becomes his best friend: highlights the sheer loneliness he feels.
- 4. RACE Our representation of race is White British. The protagonist of Derek Miller conforms to this stereotype as a well educated and affluent male. However, the theme of loneliness and isolation allows his character to have far more depth which subverts the stereotype that White males are restrained. We hope that his character doesn’t come across as arrogant or ‘rowdy’ which is stereotypical of a White British male. But more so, someone who is quite introverted and isolated with the outside world giving his character a likeable quality. We hope that the audience can strive for Derek Miller to have a good outcome and be able to empathise with him (typical of the Drama genre).
- 5. GENDER Within Dramas, gender is wide spread containing both females and males. However in our opening the only character and gender you see is a man . Throughout the sequence, you see him dressed in a suit which attains a sense of masculinity. From an audiences perspective we could hope that there might be a possible relationship which sparks up which involves a female. We have conformed to a few drama stereotypes where a male plays the lead role and this idea of ‘male domination’ is key. For example: - The Shawshank Redemption (!994) -Forrest Gump (!994) -The Godfather (1972)
- 6. SEXUALITY Within our opening, we haven’t established a clear sexuality to whether he is heterosexual and homosexual, but there are subtle hints within the opening that suggest that he is straight. For example, him wearing the suit throughout the sequence suggests he is quite masculine. Many drama films explore different sexualities so there isn’t a typical stereotype in which our genre conforms too. For example: Milk (2009) Harvey Milk becomes the first openly gay person to be voted into public office in America. The film is based off a true story about his journey living as a gay man during the 70’s. Titanic (1997) In comparison, the film Titanic takes the form of tragic love story between Jack and Rose.
- 7. SOCIAL CLASS From an audiences perspective, we gather that he is either middle or upper class due to the setting and costume represents him as a wealthy man. Moreover, we get glimpses of his office and his kitchen which reflect that he is middle class citizen. The idea that it is his him living in this grand house suggests his wealth more so. Drama films can involve upper and lower classes there aren’t really any boundaries when it comes to that representation.