Evaluation- Question 2- How does your media product represent particular social groups?

(d)

(c)

(b)

(a) Our target audience was between 15-24- the biggest market in the film industry. Our main central character portrays a teenager/young adult on a foreign exchange, a typical situation presented but with a twist, this idea alone of an exchange allows audience to relate to similar experience or ones they have heard about. Immediately from this at first this simplistic and seemingly bland concept member of the audience and understand this concept of ‘Exchange’. The idea of being alone in an unfamiliar surrounding and destination provokes the viewer’s emotions towards Tomos (the central character). Although incredibly contrasting ‘Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone’ presents this idea of unfamiliarity and a new open world. (a)

Our german/ Eastern European teenager Tomos represents a typical stereo type with his attire and accent, he speaks English fairly well as that’s why he is on exchange; studying English Language in his home country. Students ranging from our age bracket (15-24) can easily relate to this almost student ‘stereo type’, and the average studying student age is 19, this allows this social group to sympathise and truly understand the lengths Tomos goes to, to better his education and language. The idea of a students extended life in a foreign country is a topic that is very close to students and young adults and allows the viewer to be more involved. Tomos’ underlying innocence shows the struggle that many young adults go through and feel as they mature, this will furthermore boost sympathy for our character. Coping with emotion and showing this emotion via physical reactions is a flaw that Tomos tackles I believe this to be similar in the case of the film ‘Hard Candy’: a teenager imposed on the real world and what darkness really lies within. (b)

Our father represents the middle class of England; nice car, good income, a holiday a year, large family but with all the usual struggles a family goes through- basically a simple but cushioned life style. This is clearly shown in his costume and should present him in this way to at first show a stereo typical middle income family (c). The father’s accent is well spoke London-English but nothing too over the top, this allows a global audience to understand his class, status and more importantly what he expressive in his tone of voice. In our narrative the British family are guilty of killing through pesistant child abuse, the father represents the shocking truth that such events happen in such seemingly normal families. The father also represents the age group and social group of ‘the middle aged parent’, he is represented in this way to present a false identity of normality, his age, role and title is shown by the interior of the house, and the way he acts towards and communicates with Tomos. The family are supposed to exhibit families living in London, obvious mise-en-scene is used the ensure this. ‘About a boy’ is typical example of families living within London (d).

Overall our media products represents key social groups that are current to our world, and underlying this a serious issues that are constantly remarked upon in the media.

BJH