AS media coursework

1. Media Evaluation
How does your media product represent particular social groups?

2. One social group that is represented is the middle class, which is represented through the main
character who is the victim of the kidnapping. The representation is supported through the use of
costumes and the setting used as his house. The house is typical of a middle class household with the
plant to the side of the front door and then you can also see the street surrounding the house as he
walks down it and the neighbourhood which the house is in also very middle class. It shows that he has
some wealth which could be the reason behind the kidnapping for ransom money. He is obviously the
main character and the rest of the film is going to revolve around him because whenever he is in shot he
is always the main focus of the camera and he a few close ups and the most screen time.
You can also tell from his reaction to the kidnappers that he isn’t used to
this sort of situation because he is frightened and then runs off. In his
naivety thought it would be that easy to get away when he was lead into
false security.

3. The other social group that is represented in our thriller is criminals. Not much is shown about the
criminals but we know they must be professionals because they are efficient and quick when kidnapping
their victim and seem to have done their research because they know where he will be. They may be a
part of a larger society who have a hidden agenda which isn’t yet know to the audience. They could be
after ransom money, however the character shown is only middle class so that wouldn't make much
sense to the audience because their are more obvious targets who are more upper class. They may also
be acting on behalf of someone else and just be providing a service.
They never show their faces and are often
shown in shots similar to this where you
can’t even tell their physique from shots
like this which adds to the mystery of
them. This is typical of a good criminal
because obviously they don’t want to be
seen a lot which is why they don’t get any
establishing shots to help identify them
because they are supposed to remain a
mystery.