The document discusses representations of social groups in the author's thriller opening. It shows three groups: a teenage boy, a man aged 20-30, and the general public. The teenage boy is portrayed positively as innocent and caring to challenge stereotypes of teenagers as troublemakers. Details like a loving note to his family create sympathy for him. The man is dressed formally, looking out of place, to represent his older age group but as a psychotic killer he does not reflect most people that age. The general public are shown as careless bystanders, representing their self-centered nature and willingness to ignore crimes.

1. Evaluation – Question 2

2.  My thriller opening conveys particular
representations about the characteristics of
certain social groups. My film shows people
of three different groups; a male teenager, a
man aged 20 - 30 years old and the general
public.These groups of people have been
labeled with particular traits through my
opening.

3.  Teenage boys in media are generally seen as the
protagonist or a thug type character.This stereotype
is not accommodated in my film, as I try to convey
him as an innocent young man.The typical idea of
teenagers being involved in gangs, wearing hoodies
and causing trouble is largely untrue in the real world.
Unfortunately, the minority of the age group causing
trouble are the ones usually publicized, creating a
negative perception of the youth of today. I look to
challenge these stereotypes by showing a teenage
boy not as a trouble maker, but as an innocent, caring
and vulnerable individual in this situation. He is the
victim and the person the audience will be rooting for.

4.  To create this image, of him being caring, we see a note
that he had left for someone else in the household
explaining that he has gone out for a bike ride, one that
will result in him never coming back.The note is placed
next to a picture of the family dog an is concluded with
two kisses. I have purposely used this mise en scene to
create the image of the boy being apart of a loving family,
of which he shows care and affection to.This is contrary to
popular idea of his social group, of being rude and
reckless.The note also creates sympathy for the boy when
he is kidnapped, as the audience know he is being taken
away from his family, and that despite the boys intentions,
he will not be home soon like it says on the note, or in fact
not be home at all.

5.  Whilst their is much to contrast between the
representation of the teenage social group in my
thriller and that of the negative stereotypes
commonly found in media, there are some features
that may be shared between this character and other
representations of teenagers in media.The story is
based around a bike ride, where the teenager is the
cycling around his local park.This conveys the sporty,
athletic nature of the character, who has a keen
interest in his health and fitness. I believe to
representation of the cyclist to be that of your typical
teenage boy, opposing the typical hooded thug that
we have become accustom to in media.

6.  The second main character in the film is the mysterious, suited
man.We know very little about him, so it is hard for us to judge his
character, and even harder to convey characteristics whilst
keeping the same level of anonymity. Despite this, it soon become
apparent that he is not your everyday person. His extravagant
clothing and shaded glasses make him look completely out of
place in the park.The formal clothing suggests to the audience the
age difference between the cyclist and kidnapper. Whilst the
teenager is wearing casual clothing commonly worn to informal
occasions, the older male seems to be dressed as if he had come
back from work.This also helps me extenuate the age difference,
as the kidnapper is within working age, and represents the 20-30
year old social group he is within.

7.  Despite this, the kidnapper does not especially
represent all people of his social group, as
certainly not everyone is a psychotic killer! I've
tried to set him apart from any ordinary
stereotypes, as he is an extraordinary case, and
definitely not a true reflection of other 20-30
year old males. Creepy, violent and mad are
three words I would use to describe the killer,
therefore my opening does very little in
genuinely representing the characteristics of
people within his social group.

8.  Finally, the general public.Throughout the opening we see
the general public enjoying a sunny day in the park,
without a care in the world.....not even for the boy being
kidnapped in broad daylight!The public are seen as mere
bystanders throughout, and do nothing to help the boy in
distress.This can represent the carelessness and self
centered nature of some members of the public.They are
willing to turn a blind eye to the goings on, as long as their
not involved. Unfortunately we see the same attitude
arising in the real world, simply watching crimes happen
un-intercepted. My opening brings this trait to life.The
general public therefore receive a negative representation
in my opening.

9.  Overall, my thriller aims to challenge
stereotypes made by people and so often
presented in the media.The representation
of the kidnapper is also key to his mysterious,
threatening and sinister image.