by Kieran Walker

1. We have represented our protagonist to resemble very much the typical
stereotype most represented with Coming-Of-Age films that star a female
protagonist. Mary Kate, our protagonist, is viewed as a healthy,
positive girl with a typically feminine persona, taking full pride in her
appearance. She is socially and technologically active, using gadgets
such as her smartphone, iPod/MP3 player & laptop to stay socially up-to-
date and involved within her personal life, such as with friends and
school work. It can also be used for leisure such as celebrities
(connoted through the use of poster and music iconography), music,
watching videos, accessing website and social networking. The persona is
very much living within a 21st century modernized and technologically-
dependant society, with most teenagers of her age demographic group (16
years) being indulged with communication via websites and gadgets,
instead of in-person, making them much more dependent within todays
society.
Gadgets featured in the
sequence connoting the
status and modern time
of the persona.
Popular social networking sites that
our protagonist would be most likely
use in order to interact with friends.

2. It is noticeable that the protagonist is within full-time education
presumably school, as we see her preparing for the average school day as
she uses specific iconography typically allocated with teenagers within
school life. With the protagonist being in school, it makes her more
relatable to the key target audience, as they are familiar and can
relate to the protagonist’s daily morning routine, as we see in the
opening sequence such as getting dressed and breakfast. The diegetic
music connotes the genre of pop music, with an up-beat tempo. The fact
that it is viewed that the protagonist has chosen this specific music
type connotes the mainstream view that teenage girls like music simply
of the specific pop genre.
The protagonist
follows the3
everyday high school
life of any other
teenage. Having to
get up early for
school, pack her
bag/school supplies
and catch the bus.

3. The protagonist is of White British ethnicity, with no obvious signs of
a religious upbringing however it is a possibility. She is slim, with
naturally long, blonde hair, adding the mainstream stereotype that the
protagonist is good looking and healthy. With long, blonde hair also
being a typical convention of a female that audiences find attractive
and desirable. The protagonist styling is notably seen within the
sequence. At first we see her wearing a hot pink, leopard-print onesie
and pink fluffy slippers, this connotes the fun and young age and
personality of the protagonist, with onesies most recently becoming
that of a fashion statement, showcasing the protagonist’s constant
fashion interest and admiration for her appearance, even when going to
bed. This could be represented as a very over-the-top, melodramatic &
exaggerated element, as most people don’t care much for their
appearances when going to bed however this connotes the protagonist’s
glamorous and glamourized exterior well towards the audience watching.
Protagonist, Mary Kate, who fits the
stereotype and displays desirable traits
that appeal towards an teenage audience.

4. A large variety of bright, energetic colours are seen in the opening
sequence, with the protagonist’s bedroom and clothing being infused
primarily with the colours pink and purple, connoting a feminine and
stereotypically girly vibe. The colour pink is most associated with
females as it is a colour easily linked with the idea and themes of
romance, love and femininity. The colour pink is often shown on a lot
of COA film posters and logos, such as ‘LOL,’ ‘Angus, Thongs & Perfect
Snogging’ & ‘Clueless’, all of which dominantly feature the colour pink
within their logos and poster advertisements to showcase the typical
themes within the films. The character’s considerably large house
connotes that she is from that of a working class family, with her
parents earning a considerate amount of income and finance to be able
to afford a car (as seen in the very first establishing shot) and
later, when inside, due to her various amounts of gadgets and devices.
Bedroom filming location.
3 examples of COA films connoting a female target audience

5. The representation of our protagonist is to be viewed as positive due
to our protagonist’s unique interest in having a desire to progress
even further, her desire to become a journalist and apply for
challenging concepts, such as interning at a fashion magazine, which is
the film’s main narrative. The fact that our character wishes to place
more work on herself outside from school is of a positive view as most
students wish to have as little work to do within their leisure as
possible. Noticeable aspects within our opening sequence is also the
protagonist’s eagerness and happiness with having to get up early for
school, conveying the message that she is of a high intellect, has a
good social life and overall positive time whilst at school.
Variety of popular, mainstream American teen fashion magazines.