1. How does your media product represent particular
social groups?
I believe that my media product shines a light on some of the many
struggles that immigrant populations face in the West. My lead actor
(played by my grandmother) emigrated from Gibraltar in the mid 1960s.
When she arrived she faced racism from parts of her community who didn't
understand or were too ignorant to perceive that someone could speak
differently to the manner they are familiar with. In my media product I gave
this a slight twist, my lead character is a witch who could use her powers to
seek revenge against the racist wrongdoers in her community. I believe
that this empowers and represents the immigrant population of this country
who have been cast down and attacked by the people of this country.
2. Furthermore, the plot of the story revolves around the murder of a hispanic teenager
by his white friends. Many branches of the immigrant populace could relate and note
references to such cases of hate-crime related incidents; such as the Stephen
Lawrence murder case and how the native population reacts to such an awful event.
Also I feel that most teenagers can relate to the character Gabriel: A teenager who
faces intense bullying from his classmates and supposed friends which results in his
murder. Current statistics reveal that 46% of British teenagers experience some form
of bullying in their youth. 10% of this percentage have gone on to attempt or commit
suicide as a result of the acts against them. I feel that because this large percentage
of teenagers have faced little to substantial amounts of abuse, they can relate and
seek reconciliation in knowing that although my teenage character Gabriel is killed,
there is someone there to pick up the pieces and seek vengeance.
3. What kind of media institution might distribute your
media product and why?
Independent/ art house premieres are sometimes produced by foreign
studios such as Pan's Labyrinth (2006) d. Guillermo del Toro and are
spoken in the native language to the country of to that of the director/
writer. Coming from a mixed Hispanic and English background I grew up
learning both languages and I felt that I had a fluent enough understanding
in the Spanish language to produce my film in the language. I cast my
grandmother who is fluent in the language and has an authentic
Andalusian accent. This provided the authenticity that most art house films
strive for. Furthermore my film has a budget of next to nothing which
although may not be comparable to the low budget films. This is why I
believe an independent/ art house theatre might distribute my product in
their theatres.
4. Who would be the audience for you media product?
During my research period I discovered
that teenage and young adult audiences
tend to watch horror/ thriller movies
more frequently than their elders. I
found that 43% of the people I polled
said that the genre they enjoy most was
horror with a further 30% saying thriller
and the remaining 24% divided between
romantic comedies to chic-flics. I was
glad that most people would therefore
enjoy watching my film in cinemas as it
contains the tropes and features found
in films of this genre.
Horror
Thriller
Comedy
Rom-Com
Action
Romance