The document discusses how the title and opening sequence of a film represents particular social groups. Specifically, it aims to represent male and female teenagers aged 17-18. Various elements of mise-en-scene are analyzed, including costumes, props, lighting, camera angles, location, and body language, and how they connect to and reflect this target demographic. Costumes worn by the characters are described as being fashionable brands and styles typically worn by teenagers. Props like phones and bags are also analyzed as relating to teenage social groups. Camera angles and lighting are discussed in the context of representing teenage moods and behaviors. The locations of a school and forest are chosen as places teenagers would be familiar with. Body language of shy,
1. Q2: HOW DOES YOUR TITLE AND OPENING SEQUENCE REPRESENT
PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS?
The social group that is shown in my opening sequence represents both male and
female teenagers who are 17-18 years old. I was able to present this idea due to different
features that I have included through the use of mise en scene. Within the mise en scene
I have used costume, props, lighting, camera angles, location, body language and
behaviours to all connect back to the intended target audience.
2. Costume-
For the costumes of the characters I have successfully linked what the characters are
wearing to a teenage and young adult audience. For example, one of the choices of
clothing was a long brown coat that was worn by the female character. This coat alone
links with a female audience as it is a typical coat that a female teenager would wear.
This is because this type of coat is fashionable due to the fact that it is often seen in
shops that are popular with a female audience. These shops are often New Look,
Topshop and River Island. This example of clothing would therefore link with a female
audience as it would appeal to the female audience. Later on, when the female character
makes a costume change, her clothes still reflect a female, and overall teenage
audience. For example, she is shown wearing a 1975 band t-shirt. The 1975 are a
modern day band that are famous within the teenage age group as they make music that
some teenagers can relate too. As this is the case, Brooke yet again can be considered
to follow trends that other teenagers like. On the other hand, Alfie who presents the male
teenage audience is also relatable due to his costume. For example, Alfie’s coat is from
Pretty Green which is a famous clothing brand with male teenagers.
3. Costume-
As this is the case, Alfie can be said to be relatable with other trendy teenagers. As well
as this, he also wears Adidas trainers. These shoes are a famous brand and are usually
unisex. Therefore they are worn by all genders and are popular brand with teenagers.
As this is the case, Alfie’s shoes fit the stereotype of a male teenager, meaning that also
will be relatable with a young male audience. In contrast the character of Henrie, does
not wear clothes that are as stylish in comparison to both Brooke and Alfie, however the
outfit that Henrie wears does still represent a male teenage audience. The clothes that
he wears can be considered to be more casual. Therefore he still does represent a male
audience, yet that audience that Henrie relates to is one that do not typically spend as
much money on clothes as they may not feel the need to wear brands that are as
expensive to show off, or either to follow the typical teenage brands.
4. Props-
The mise en scene of the majority of the props used also link back to and represent the
social groups that I have chosen-
Phone- The phone is a prop that links to a social group of both male and female
teenagers due to the fact that teenagers typically tend to use their phones a lot of the
time. The fact that I have used a phone as a prop links back to this social group and
also will make the characters seem more relatable due to the fact that teenagers rely
on their phones a lot of the time.
Bag- The bag that is used by Brooke is a relatable prop in regards to a female
audience as the bag is from a brand that many teenage girls like. This brand, River
Island, typically is bought by teenage girls due to the fact that it is a well known high-
street brand. As this is the case, the bag in fact does link with a female audience as
most female teenagers would class this as a bag that they would buy.
5. Costume-
Coat- Alfie’s coat is used as a prop instead of costume. This is due to the fact that it is
not worn by Alfie and instead he passes it to Brooke. Brooke then places the coat over
her shoulders yet does not in fact fully wear it as it is not an item of clothing that is
typical to a teenage girl. Therefore, the coat remains a prop. This prop will also link
back to the social group that I am trying to represent due to the fact that the coat is an
item of clothing that many male teenagers would like to own. This is further supported
by the fact that the coat is a brand from Pretty Green. Pretty Green is a clothing
company that many male teenagers buy from. Therefore, Alfie’s coat will link back with
the social group, that is teenage males, that I am trying to present.
Locker- The locker links back to both the male and female teenage audience due to
the fact that lockers are typically found in a school setting and both genders use them
whilst at school.
6. Costume-
Hammer and the knife- The hammer and the knife are both similar props in the fact
that neither of them link back to a teenage audience. The reason for this is that
teenagers very rarely associate themselves with weapons and the majority of
teenagers, both from a male group and a female group typically are not violent.
Therefore, the hammer and the knife both go against a stereotypical male and female
teenage audience.
7. Camera angles and eye line match-
The different camera angles that have been used, at times, represent the different
social groups and the actions and feeling of the characters. For example, I have used a
low angle in the scene in which Alfie is shown laying on the floor and Henrie is stood
above him. In using a low angle, I have made Henrie seem like a dominant figure in
comparison to Alfie who is vulnerable in comparison to him. In relation to this camera
angle, the eye line match of the two characters is not the same due to the fact that
Henrie is looking down on Alfie and Alfie would in fact be unconscious. At the same
times, like the camera angle, the fact that there is a change in eye line match also links
in with the fact that at the time that Henrie is in a much more dominating situation than
Alfie overall. In a similar way, a lack of eye line match was also used again in the scene
in which Brooke and Alfie are talking about Leeds Fest. Alfie looks over to Brooke to
keep the conversation going and to let her know that he is not ignoring her. This relates
back to the social group that I am presenting as when talking to each other, teenagers
typically tend to keep eye contact with in each other in order to not seem rude.
8. Camera angles and eyeline match
On the other hand, Brooke breaks the eye line match due to the fact that she is trying to
get the hammer out of the bag. Even though this exactly does not link to a female
audience, there is another reason why she breaks this eye contact. This reason being is
that Brooke is quite unsure and shy of Alfie. This is a behaviour that some girls do when
the could feel uncomfortable around someone. Therefore, the fact the Brooke is very
jumpy in regards to eye line match can relate back to the fact that some teenage girls act
shy around people that they don’t know very well. On the same hand some close up
shots have also been used in order to represent the same idea that some certain people,
mainly Brooke, has the most power in comparison to the other characters. In relation to
my audience, the significance of Brooke being the attacker, yet again goes again the
female victim stereotype, and the idea that girls typically are not as dominant or as
powerful as males.
9. Lighting-
Even though some scenes are too bright and reduce the horror factor from the film, in
contrast, the light could be said to be a sense of false hope or kindness. This relates
back to Brooke as she at first glance appears to be a nice person. In relation to lighting,
the brightness could symbolise Brooke’s cheerful attitude. The idea of a cheerful
attitude, in many cases, can link back to a female social group due to the fact that many
teenage girls typically are quite kind and caring. Yet Brooke has the ability to change
into a horrible person, and therefore the darker scenes that are shown later on may
relate back to how her personality can change. It can be said that the darker lighting
can represent how some girls mood’s can change very fast. This can link back to the
indecisive moods of some girls and how they are quick to anger. As I am a girl my self,
the idea of this change of mood is something that I myself can agree on as my moods
can change fast if I don’t have a good nights sleep, or if someone annoys me. This idea
is not limited to females only, the lighting levels may also present the anxiety that is felt
by Henrie when he finds the knife, and how his mood declines once he stumbles across
it.
10. Lighting-
Therefore, the idea of changing light levels, and how this can link with the social
representation of the groups that am I presenting in regards to moods and overall does
link to both a female and male teenage group
11. Location-
The school location where Brooke is shown initially is relateble to most teenagers as at
this, most likely between the ages of 16-18, the majority of teenagers stay in some form
of education, such as a high school, sixth form or college. The next location that is shown
which is a forest may also be relatable to some groups of teenagers. For example, some
teenagers in the summer tend to go camping in the woods with their friends to relax and
have fun. In this case the characters are not going camping, yet they were supposed to
be going for a walk to find an abandoned house in the woods. This strange behaviour
could be typical of some teenagers as they may even enjoy vandalising the abandoned
house.
12. Body language-
Overall, I believe that I have been able to present the type of body language that is quite
typical of a teenage audience, and the traits of the characters shown are revealed
through the use of body language. For example, Alfie is shown to be quite confident and
is helpful towards others. The idea that is confident and quite charismatic links in with the
idea with a male teenage group who may be from the popular group of people within a
school setting. Therefore, from the action of Alfie being kind to Brooke, and the fact that
he is charismatic could then link with some members from the male teenage group. In
comparison Brooke, as well as Alfie presents a friendly front whilst she is talking to
Henrie. This is noticeable due to the fact the she smiles at Henrie. On the other hand,
Brooke can also appear very secretive and aloof. For example, when she is getting the
hammer from the locker, she looks around at her surroundings to make sure that she is
not being watched. On the same hand, Brooke appears to be very awkward when talking
to Alfie as she is yet again trying to get the hammer out of the bag.
13. Body Language-
The fact that she is shy and skittish looking due to her body language, could at times link
to when females are being secretive and uneasy with others. As this is the case, both
different sides of Brooke, and both different side of the body language, do in fact link with
a teenage female audience.
14. I believe that my title and opening sequence is a true representation of a male and
female teenage audience as I have presented themes and ideas that are typical of this
audience. For example, I believe that the representation that best relates to this target
audience is my use of costume. The reason for this is because the clothes worn by the
characters were their actual clothes. As this was the case this therefore means that the
clothing choice was directly linked as my characters were in fact wearing typical teenage
clothes.