Ferris bueller's day off - Representation

1. The use of an establishing shot as the beginning shot gives the
audience an action code in the way that it gives a clear indication of
where the film is set. Furthermore, it tells us how important this
setting could be at a later point in the film – an insight to the
narrative. As well as the insight to a narrative, this shot could also
establish an equilibrium. This is shown in the way that the house
and cars are arranged in a ‘normal’ manner. This gives the audience
a clear idea as to what is ‘normal’ for the characters within the film.

2. The first introduction we get of Ferris is in this
shot where he represented as weak and
vulnerable. We see this through the extreme
close up used to highlight the stunned
expression on his face. This makes the audience
sympathise for the character due to the fact that
he is seen in this vulnerable state right at the
start of the film.
Furthermore, the diegetic
sound used in this shot further
reinstates the belief that he is a
vulnerable character. The sound
of adults conversing concern for
the teenager shows us that he
must be in a bad state. In
addition to this, the dialogue
shows us that there are other
people in the room. This may
put the audience at ease slightly
because we now know that he
has support around himand is
not as vulnerable than if he was
on his own. As a result, this
represents the social group as
weak and vulnerable to a
certain extent but this opinion
may be less relevant due to
others being on set with him,
shown in the way of diegetic
sound (dialogue.)

3. The representation of the middle-aged parents in this shot is one
of naivety and an element of a gullibility. As a result, this social
group may have a decrease of respect from other groups such as
their children; which results in situations like this where the teen
think they are able to trick the parents into doing what they want.

4. Next, the representation of this character is
slightly different to the other protagonist even
though she is of a similar age. This clearly tells us
that the gender of the character can completely
change the representation of a certain age range.
In this shot, the female character
is represented as fairly stubborn
and disapproving. We know this
as an audience due to the angle
of her head as well as her facial
expressions. This representation
effectively exploited thanks to
the camera angle of a
medium/close-up shot used. This
is highly effective because not
only does it include her facial
expressions at a closer angle
than a lower shot – it also clearly
shows us the angle of her head
which creates a stubborn
impression give from her.
In addition to the camera angle, the character ‘type’ also
tells us how she is supposed to be represented by the
producers. We know that she is strongly opposing the
motive of the boy through the use of her facial expressions.
However, from the establishing shot at the beginning of the
sequence we also know that they are in a family house. As
a result, the stubborn representation of this social group is
continued because we know that the opposition between
brother and sister is a commonly used binary opposite in
films to create a the immediate equilibrium.

5. In comparison to the introduction of this protagonist, we now see an
extremely different representation of him. By changing his representation to
one of misbehaving and mischief, we know understand the fundamental
characteristics of him which allows us to begin to understand him more as a
character.
The editing used in this certain part of the sequence is of good pace
and tempo. This gives it a slick feel to the opening and allows Ferris
to act quickly before his parents to turn around to find out that he
is lying about his illness.

6. This final shot shows us how he as successful convinced his parents that he is
unable to attend school. This represents him as an extremely manipulative
character who is able to lie to his parents and thus get his own way. In addition,
it represents his social group (male teens) as extremely immoral and unjust. This
represents this audience in an unfair manner because it suggests that everyone
within his social group is like this. As a result, the target audience of teenagers
may feel aggrieved by this unfair representation and carry on watching the film
to hopefully see a more fair representation of their social group.