The document discusses the representation of social groups in the media product "Vengeance". The protagonist Ethan Barrett is portrayed as a 17-20 year old male to relate to younger audiences, though protagonists are typically older males. The detective is portrayed by an older, more experienced looking actor to attract older audiences. Both characters conform to typical representations in the thriller genre. The settings and costumes also aim to be realistic and appropriate for the thriller genre. Sound, camera work, and editing techniques like shot-reverse-shot are used to set the atmosphere and reveal details in a way that builds mystery and intrigue, as is common in thrillers.

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

2. Character 1 – 1st character introduced.
 THE PROTAGONIST- portrayed by Ethan Barrett.
- He is a male adolescent. Originally, we thought of
using a male adult because that is more likely to
conform to a typical psychological/crime thriller. Also
we discovered that typically, male character are used
as the protagonist of most thriller, as they are very
dominant. Even though, an adult would have been
ideal, we had a limited range of actors to star in it.

3. - The social group is shown through the age of our
protagonist which we had collectively decided of
being seventeen-twenty years old. However though
more research it is typically elder men being
portrayed as the main protagonist. Through using at
male character of seventeen-twenty, our target
audience are able to relate to his character. the age
rating we chose was a 15 because we can appeal to
a wider range of ages whereas if we had chosen 18,
it would have been seriously limited.

4. ETHAN BARRET.

5. CHARACTER 1 – PHSYICAL
COMPARISON.

6. CHARACTER 1 - SIMILARITIES.
 ‘VENGEANCE’, ETHAN BARRET AND ‘DRIVE’ (Winding Refn,
2011) , RYAN GOSLING PLAYING ‘THE DRIVER’.
 They both carry a duffle bag as their main prop, which is very
suggestive about their roles and intentions. Elements of secrecy
and mystery are implied through this prop which is true about each
character. both characters have a vengeful intention whether it is
assumed from the beginning of the narrative or if it was decided
upon towards the end of the narrative which is the case for Drive
(Winding Refn, 2011) both character share similar costumes and
makeup elements. These include outfit attires (bomber jacket and
plain outfit underneath), hairstyles (comb over) and overall physical
appearance. Considering this, both characters appear to a wide
target audience seeing as though they are both young and
attractive, males can relate and females would be drawn to the
character.

7. CHARACTER 1 - DIFFERENCES.
 The one prominent difference between the character
of Ethan Barrett and Ryan Goslings character is the
maturity level. For example the portrayal of their
roles is significantly different as they each have
different experiences in acting itself. Ethan Barrett is
an amateur compare to Ryan Gosling as he is a
Hollywood actor who has had many roles in many
successful films and Ethan Barrett is still in the
process of learning.

8. Character 2 – 2nd character introduced.
 THE DETECTIVE – portrayed by Ciaran Donnelly.
- We believed that Ciaran would be perfect for representing
the detective in our opening as he looks like more of a
mature experienced character which was exactly what
we had in mind to play the detective. We decided on a
male detected because typically in thriller films of similar
genres, they have male detectives rather than female.
Typically males are more calculating and articulate and
are seen as perfect to portray that role. His character is
likely to attract an older target audience as most people
in that age range are drawn to watching films that include
older mature characters rather than watching films that
primarily contain adolescents.

9. CIARAN DONNELLY.

10. CHARACTER 2 – PHYSICAL
COMPARISON.

11. CHARACTER 2 – SIMILARITIES.
 VENGEANCE, CRIARAN CONNELLY, AND ‘SEVEN’
(DAVID FINCHER,1995), BRAD PITT. ALSO,
‘PRISONERS’ (DAVID VILLENEUVE, 2013), JAKE
GYLLENHAAL.
- Each actor take on the role of a detective. They both
must converse with the protagonists of the films and all
have key essential roles to play in the films. Ciaran
matches the physical appearance of Brad Pitt’s character
outfit wise and he also matches Jake Gyllenhaal’s
character hair style wise. All have a look of formality as
they are in high position roles where they must look
presentable and professional, which add to the realism.

12. CHARACTER 2 – DIFFERENCES.
 Again the number one difference between Ciaran
Connelly and the other two actors are the experience
levels. Both Jake Gyllenhaal and Brad Pitt are
accomplished Hollywood actors that have starred in
successful films. Like Ethan Barrett, Ciaran is still an
amateur in the process of learning and the gaining of
experience.

13. MICE EN SCENE
 The setting of our thriller was primarily in a dark alleyway which
conformed well to the thriller genre as there is a prominent sense of
mystery and suspense. Also in the interrogation room, which was
representative of typical crime thrillers, as from our research we
found that most films of that genre contain scenes within some sort
of interrogation room.
 Ethan’s costume is typical of a young adult and is very
representative of the dress sense of many of the same age range at
this current time in society. We understand from our research that
this is the suitable age of a male character within typical
psychological/crime thriller but for the purpose of out opening it was
easier to get a younger person to play the role. Ciaran’s costume
conformed well to the character of a detective as this was what
many typical detectives wore. All the elements of his physical
appearance was well suited to the role.

14. SOUND
 Non-diegetic sound in our opening was a key aspect
as it really set the scene and allowed our audience
to be full immersed in the atmosphere. In particular
the sound of the rain was very effective as it gave a
stronger sense of realism and add to the ominous
atmosphere. The diegetic sound was also a key
aspect of out thriller as it was very effective in setting
the scene and gave the audience a stronger sense
of the narrative. For example the sound of the
protagonists heavy breathing and steady heart rate
was very suitable to the narrative and genre.

15. CAMERA ANGLES/SHOTS
 In particular the side shots of the protagonist was very
revealing of the deep emotion on his face, as it showed
the devastation on his face. It is also confusing to the
audience as we see that contrast in motive of the
protagonist throughout the opening. This is an element of
the typical psychological thriller as the audience is having
to calculate what is actually happening.
 The close up throughout the opening are also essential
as it is very important for the audience to have all their
attention to the aspects being focused on. For example
the gloves may be significant later on in the narrative.

16. EDITING
 Shot-reverse-shot is essential in the second part of the
opening as more is revealed to the audience about the
narrative and they continuously questioning what is
happening. It shows the emotions among each of the
characters face and it is very helpful in showing the
details of the roles, for example the calculating and
consideration of the detective as he questions Ethan and
also Ethan’s distraught reaction showing the extent of his
experience and the effect that will consume him.
 The dissolve used when the title is shown is very
conforming to the conventions of a thriller because it is
very mysterious and it suits the suspense atmosphere.