Representing Social Groups in my Thriller

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Elliot Stahlmann 5214

Key for annotations:

Mise-en-scene

Camera shots/angles and movement

Sound

Editing

Sound and editing

High low-angle shot: introduces the character as inferior or

vulnerable. Conforms to stereotypes of women as playing

the damsel in distress and as being victims and being

vulnerable in society

Costume: black hoodie and white t-shirt. Connotes that she is youthful and young. The use of white projects a sense of innocence whilst the black emphasis that she is not pure and hints towards the trauma she has experienced and the detrimental effects it has had. Conforms to the stereotype of young people as being innocent and vulnerable and so presents this concept to the audience.

Low lighting suggests that she is weak and this conforms to stereotypes of women as being so

Quick-cuts between the action of the flashbacks and the coffee shop is uncomfortable to watch and presents the issue of psychological damage. This evokes a sense of unease and presents the character as weak, thereby conforming to stereotypes of women as weaker and vulnerable and hence presenting women as being subject to male dominance in patriarchal society

Positioning and movement of the protagonist character – she gazes outside whilst in shadow and her face, in this shot, remains unseen to the audience. This, combined with her generic costume for a teenage girl presents the theme of teenage angst and the use of lighting and editing conforms to stereotypes of this where the youthful are presented as facing personal troubles and as being subject to power as being inferior. This scene represents teenagers as weak and troubled and conforms to these stereotypes.

No diegetic sound, only non-diegetic sound of crowds and the soundtrack. This draws attention to the visuals such as the fact that there is no dialogue as she is thinking. This represents her as intelligent and kind which conforms to stereotypes of women as being clever and good-hearted but challenges stereotypes of youths in hoodies as being angry and troublesome as she is sitting calmly. This therefore presents women as smart and kind, and youths as calm and non-violent.

Positioning: the protagonist remains looking outside until later. This introduction of the character presents teenagers as secretive and mysterious which conforms to stereotypes of teenagers as being so

Soundtrack of the piano foreshadows danger and establishes and eerie tone. Thus, conforming to stereotypes of women and teenagers as being vulnerable and in danger

Composition of the shot where the head is placed at the upper left cross-section draws attention to her feminine

features such as long hair and pale skin. This conforms to stereotypes of women as being beautiful and caring about

their appearance whilst her average costume challenges this as she is not wearing anything especially extravagant or

pretty

Composition of shot where the framing breaks the rule of thirds evokes a sense of unease and presents the older male

antagonist as powerful and dominant which conforms to stereotypes of older people and males as being superior and

authoritative within patriarchal democratic society

His dark coloured hoodie and use of costume such as the mask present males as evil and connote mysterious which conforms to stereotypes of men as portraying villains and being enigmatic

The single key light on the face creates shadow around and behind the male protagonist which conforms to stereotypes of males as being evil and manipulating as the shadows presents the antagonist as dark

Low high-angle shot connotes that he is dominant and authoritative. From the point of view of the protagonist, this suggest that she is inferior to him and subject to his power and control

Non-diegetic sound of a drone whine connotes fear and danger and conforms to stereotypes of

men as being dangerous by representing the male

antagonist as threatening

Quick-cut and basic transition establishes a fast-paced and dangerous atmosphere – presenting males as dangerous and violent which conforms to stereotypes of men as villainous and malice

Key-lighting creates shadow and the female protagonist is in more light than the male antagonist. This presents men as being more evil and darker than women and women are presented as vulnerable and powerless. This conforms to gender stereotypes such as those that assume women are weaker and men are superior to women.

Facial expression presents female as depressed or upset which challenges the stereotype of women as being happy and cheerful as she is represented as being quite the opposite

Quick-cut transitions and static transitions establish danger and a sense of fear as they are fast-paced and capture a sense of action. This presents the female protagonist as being in danger and threatened by the male antagonist which conforms to gender stereotypes as males are often seen as more powerful and dangerous and women as vulnerable

The use of shadows and facial expression suggest that the protagonist is unhappy and so this presents male-to-female relationships as negative and patriarchal which both challenges and conforms to stereotypes of men and women and their relationships. This is because heterosexual relationships are often seen as happy and good but this conflicts with such ideals. Again, this also presents that the relationships are patriarchal which conforms to stereotypes of heterosexual relationships as men are usually seen as being in charge and being dominant to women in relationships

Diegetic sound of the protagonist panting conforms to stereotypes of women as being weaker and represent the female protagonist as being in danger and vulnerable

Diegetic sound of static during transition between shots evokes a sense of confusion and vulnerability. This conforms to stereotypes of women as being vulnerable and subject to the power of man. It also presents the protagonist as helpless which also conforms to stereotypes of women as being vulnerable and in danger. However, the fact that it represents the protagonist as being confused challenges stereotypes of women as being intelligent but conforms to stereotypes by presenting teenagers as stupid and helpless to their angst and problems

The use of composition and movement where the protagonist looks directly at the camera and is central to the shot projects a sense of power and connotes that perhaps she is dominant which challenges stereotypes of women and young people as being vulnerable as t represents them as powerful and superior and in control

Very high low-angle shot creates a sense of vulnerability and presents the protagonist as being a victim and hence conforms to stereotypes of women and teens as being vulnerable and obedient to power and control

Her sad expression presents the working-class as being troubled which is common stereotype of the working-class in capitalist society. This hence conforms to this stereotype. What’s more, the shadow and lighting evoke a sense of danger and vulnerability which thus presents the working class as vulnerable and threatened.

Costume also suggest that she is of a low status as she is wearing average cheap clothing for a teenage girl. This conforms to stereotypes of low status people as they stereotypically have low status jobs and hence can afford less extravagant expensive clothing.

No diegetic sound presents the working-class protagonist as boring and of too little intelligence to

start a conversation. This conforms to the stereotype of low status working-class citizens as being dull and

stupid

Use of non-diegetic sound of the crowd walla presents the protagonist as shy and lonely which is a common stereotype of the working-class and low status as they are often portrayed as average, run-of-the-mill characters who fade into the background

Low high-angle shots connote that the working class are inferior and subject to being dominated which conforms to the common stereotypes of the working-class as being of lower status and thus have less power and control

Mask evokes danger and suspicion. This conforms to stereotypes of the working-class as they are often seen as

dangerous and are stereotypically seen as threatening

Low high-angle shot of antagonist presents him as powerful which challenges common stereotypes of the working-class as being inferior and obedient