Evaluation Question 2 for The Missing Film Opening

1. QUESTION 2 – EVALUATIONQUESTION 2 – EVALUATION
HOW DOES YOUR MEDIAHOW DOES YOUR MEDIA
PRODUCT REPRESENTPRODUCT REPRESENT
PARTICULAR SOCIALPARTICULAR SOCIAL
GROUPS?GROUPS?

2. AA social groupsocial group has been defined as two orhas been defined as two or
more people who interact with one another,more people who interact with one another,
share similar characteristics, andshare similar characteristics, and
collectively have a sense of unitycollectively have a sense of unity.. - GoogleGoogle
DefinitionsDefinitions
RepresentationRepresentation is the descriptionis the description
or portrayal of someone oror portrayal of someone or
something in a particular way.something in a particular way. ––
Google DefinitionsGoogle Definitions
During the production process of The Missing, I have explored a rangeDuring the production process of The Missing, I have explored a range
of different social groups and exploited their ways in todays society. Iof different social groups and exploited their ways in todays society. I
felt it was important to do this as it allows the audience in knowingfelt it was important to do this as it allows the audience in knowing
how they are viewed in civilization.how they are viewed in civilization.
In this presentation I will be speaking about the following socialIn this presentation I will be speaking about the following social
groups:groups:
•MalesMales
•FemalesFemales
•AgeAge
•Social ClassSocial Class

3. GENDERGENDER

4. Male Social GroupMale Social Group
My male protagonist wasMy male protagonist was
portrayed as an abductorportrayed as an abductor
throughout ‘The Missing’.throughout ‘The Missing’.
For this to beFor this to be
successful I knew Isuccessful I knew I
had to research similarhad to research similar
films in order to get afilms in order to get a
better understandingbetter understanding
of this type of personof this type of person..
I wanted to base my antagonistI wanted to base my antagonist
around a character from Thearound a character from The
Lovely Bones, however alsoLovely Bones, however also
make him my own as I hadmake him my own as I had
some ideas and this wouldsome ideas and this would
show how it differs.show how it differs.
I dressed my unknown maleI dressed my unknown male
in dark, uncoordinatedin dark, uncoordinated
clothing to enhance hisclothing to enhance his
suspicious characteristics.suspicious characteristics.
This idea was aThis idea was a
stereotypical conventionstereotypical convention
from other films of thisfrom other films of this
genre who also featuredgenre who also featured
characters like this.characters like this.
However, I cameHowever, I came
up with the idea ofup with the idea of
him wearing a caphim wearing a cap
as a prop, I felt thisas a prop, I felt this
challenged thechallenged the
conventions of aconventions of a
stalker yet also fitstalker yet also fit
I also opted toI also opted to
choose a youngerchoose a younger
person to playperson to play
this type ofthis type of
character as Icharacter as I
hadn’t seen ithadn’t seen it
been done beforebeen done before
so I felt it heldso I felt it held
I think that havingI think that having
someone of this age tosomeone of this age to
play such a darkplay such a dark
character helped tocharacter helped to
portray the real lifeportray the real life
dangers of todaysdangers of todays
societysociety..

5.  My stalker was dressed in dark colours,My stalker was dressed in dark colours,
uncoordinated clothes too, similar to otheruncoordinated clothes too, similar to other
characters with this type of persona in othercharacters with this type of persona in other
films. Such as the abductor in The Lovely Bones.films. Such as the abductor in The Lovely Bones.
 I wanted him to be in dark clothing as black hasI wanted him to be in dark clothing as black has
deep connotations of death, power and evil, thatdeep connotations of death, power and evil, that
fulfil the conventions of a thriller genre. Howeverfulfil the conventions of a thriller genre. However
the white shirt contrasts with connotations ofthe white shirt contrasts with connotations of
purity and innocence, I felt this kept thepurity and innocence, I felt this kept the
mysterious sense within.mysterious sense within.
 The use of a cap helped to keep his identityThe use of a cap helped to keep his identity
anonymous which is something I aimed for, I feltanonymous which is something I aimed for, I felt
that keeping his true self a mystery helped tothat keeping his true self a mystery helped to
heighten the suspension within, to keep theheighten the suspension within, to keep the
audience on edge.audience on edge.
 I also opted for my stalker to be in withI also opted for my stalker to be in with
todays societies fashion. With the use oftodays societies fashion. With the use of
big designer brands such as Conversebig designer brands such as Converse
and Nike, I was able to illustrate to myand Nike, I was able to illustrate to my
audience the realism of the ongoingaudience the realism of the ongoing
events. As well as challenge the typicalevents. As well as challenge the typical
codes of a thriller film by exploiting thecodes of a thriller film by exploiting the
younger generation of males.younger generation of males.
 Within each shot I wanted the audienceWithin each shot I wanted the audience
to perceive him of a young age,to perceive him of a young age,

6. FEMALE SOCIAL GROUPFEMALE SOCIAL GROUP
I researched a lot aboutI researched a lot about
thrillers and theirthrillers and their
characters, and I foundcharacters, and I found
that there is always athat there is always a
damsel in distress.damsel in distress.
StereotypicallyStereotypically
they were blondethey were blonde
so I decided toso I decided to
follow thisfollow this
commoncommon
convention byconvention by
incorporating aincorporating a
blonde actress toblonde actress to
play the victim.play the victim.
I also decided to useI also decided to use
Mulvey’s Male Gaze Theory.Mulvey’s Male Gaze Theory.
I feel I achieved this byI feel I achieved this by
having an attractive victim,having an attractive victim,
this aided me in knowingthis aided me in knowing
that my male viewers wouldthat my male viewers would
To ensure my opening hadTo ensure my opening had
realistic elements, I dressedrealistic elements, I dressed
‘Rose’ in todays fashion‘Rose’ in todays fashion
items, e.g. leather jacketsitems, e.g. leather jackets
etc. I felt the more normaletc. I felt the more normal
concepts were the moreconcepts were the more
Similar to theSimilar to the
male character, Imale character, I
was influencedwas influenced
to portray Roseto portray Rose
in this particularin this particular
way from Susieway from Susie
in The Lovelyin The Lovely
Bones. HerBones. Her
innocent andinnocent and
vulnerablevulnerable
mannerismsmannerisms
were key towere key to
incorporateincorporate
when filming.when filming.
The female protagonistThe female protagonist
from Spectre also played afrom Spectre also played a
part in knowing how Rosepart in knowing how Rose
should be perceived by anshould be perceived by an
audience. The actor wasaudience. The actor was
distressed throughout anddistressed throughout and
this is something I wantedthis is something I wanted
to achieve myself.to achieve myself.

7.  My damsel had blonde hair, which is aMy damsel had blonde hair, which is a
stereotypical element of being ‘dumb’. Istereotypical element of being ‘dumb’. I
wanted my audience to underestimate herwanted my audience to underestimate her
to heighten the suspension in the film.to heighten the suspension in the film.
 I ensured she was wearing makeup thatI ensured she was wearing makeup that
had worn off and made her lookhad worn off and made her look
distressed. This would demonstrate thedistressed. This would demonstrate the
realism to the audience as well as seemrealism to the audience as well as seem
relatable to others.relatable to others.
 Her clothing was dark in some places yetHer clothing was dark in some places yet
light and bright in others, this was to showlight and bright in others, this was to show
her inner connotations. The bright coloursher inner connotations. The bright colours
reflected her youth and how her age hasreflected her youth and how her age has
been exploited. However the dark coloursbeen exploited. However the dark colours
explore her power to escape yet theexplore her power to escape yet the
dangers in her kidnapping.dangers in her kidnapping.
 I always made sure that Rose was on her own, I feltI always made sure that Rose was on her own, I felt
by doing this the audience would feel moreby doing this the audience would feel more
anticipation towards the entire opening. Heranticipation towards the entire opening. Her
loneliness exposes her weakness, nobody suspects aloneliness exposes her weakness, nobody suspects a
girl of her age to make it through as the whole femalegirl of her age to make it through as the whole female
species are objectified as the weaker sex. Withspecies are objectified as the weaker sex. With
nobody but herself to protect her from the stalker,nobody but herself to protect her from the stalker,
the tension builds further.the tension builds further.
 I used this stereotype to build an opinion up from theI used this stereotype to build an opinion up from the
audience, the different shot types are ways to discoveraudience, the different shot types are ways to discover
her weaknesses.her weaknesses.

8. REPRESENATIONSREPRESENATIONSFEMALEFEMALE
Rose was continuously portrayed asRose was continuously portrayed as
the weaker and more vulnerable sex.the weaker and more vulnerable sex.
Which fits with the stereotypicalWhich fits with the stereotypical
views on women in todays society.views on women in todays society.
Women are belittled in the way inWomen are belittled in the way in
which they try to demonstrate power,which they try to demonstrate power,
I wanted to challenge this and showI wanted to challenge this and show
her power through her escape fromher power through her escape from
the abductor.the abductor.
The representation of Rose isThe representation of Rose is
negative, she is victimised and this isnegative, she is victimised and this is
illustrated throughout. Because ofillustrated throughout. Because of
the harsh opinions women evoke Ithe harsh opinions women evoke I
wanted to stay within these andwanted to stay within these and
exploit her age and feebleness.exploit her age and feebleness.
I gave Rose more air time because myI gave Rose more air time because my
MALEMALE
Men have always been known as theMen have always been known as the
more powerful sex, which is why Imore powerful sex, which is why I
incorporated these elements in myincorporated these elements in my
opening.opening.
Although my male antagonist was in theAlthough my male antagonist was in the
wrong, he was still holding all the powerwrong, he was still holding all the power
over his fallen victim. Whilst she wasover his fallen victim. Whilst she was
running, he was following her, whilst herunning, he was following her, whilst he
held her captive, he abused her and whilstheld her captive, he abused her and whilst
she thought she was safe, he knew hisshe thought she was safe, he knew his
plan all along. Thus meaning he is moreplan all along. Thus meaning he is more
intelligent than Rose, anotherintelligent than Rose, another
stereotypical concept on males.stereotypical concept on males.
I followed the stereotypical view on menI followed the stereotypical view on men
and wanted him to overpower the girl asand wanted him to overpower the girl as
this enhanced the anticipation within.this enhanced the anticipation within.

9. SOCIAL GROUPS

10. Rose is featured in a high angle shot,Rose is featured in a high angle shot,
this demonstrates her vulnerabilitythis demonstrates her vulnerability
and intrigues the audience inand intrigues the audience in
knowing what it is that’s controllingknowing what it is that’s controlling
her. This shot makes the stalkerher. This shot makes the stalker
seem even more intimidating evenseem even more intimidating even
though he’s not visual on ourthough he’s not visual on our
screens. Displaying him ranked in ascreens. Displaying him ranked in a
higher social class as he engages allhigher social class as he engages all
the power over the female, histhe power over the female, his
dominance overtakes all of hers. Thisdominance overtakes all of hers. This
shot also emphasises how littleshot also emphasises how little
power Rose has in this and otherpower Rose has in this and other
situations, this may be an indicationsituations, this may be an indication
to her lower social status. Thisto her lower social status. This

11. AGEAGE

12. FEMALE AGEFEMALE AGE
I wanted my female victimI wanted my female victim
to be the age she was into be the age she was in
real life, 17. I wanted toreal life, 17. I wanted to
do this as a way to makedo this as a way to make
my film show realism, Imy film show realism, I
felt that by my actorfelt that by my actor
playing a girl of her ageplaying a girl of her age
she was able to relateshe was able to relate
more to her role andmore to her role and
therefore play a moretherefore play a more
engaging character thatengaging character that
my audience could relatemy audience could relate
with.with.
I think that these agesI think that these ages
worked well with eachworked well with each
other, I was able toother, I was able to
entertain my viewersentertain my viewers
I also made Rose a 17I also made Rose a 17
year old girl as in otheryear old girl as in other
film with similarfilm with similar
narrative I have nevernarrative I have never
seen a girl of this age,seen a girl of this age,
they have always beenthey have always been
slightly younger.slightly younger.
Therefore this age wasTherefore this age was
something new for mesomething new for me
and this genre, I wantedand this genre, I wanted
to challenge the differingto challenge the differing
between a young girl andbetween a young girl and
a maturing girl.a maturing girl.
I felt that by portrayingI felt that by portraying
this protagonist as 17this protagonist as 17
years old I was showing ayears old I was showing a
comparison betweencomparison between
genders too.genders too.
Stereotypically youngerStereotypically younger
girls are perceived moregirls are perceived more
positively rather than men.positively rather than men.
I felt I was able toI felt I was able to

13. MALE AGEMALE AGE
In films I had researched that also had this typeIn films I had researched that also had this type
of narrative and protagonists, I found that Iof narrative and protagonists, I found that I
had never seen a younger stalker. So this ishad never seen a younger stalker. So this is
what influenced me to challenge stereotypicalwhat influenced me to challenge stereotypical
views on stalkers.views on stalkers.
My stalker was anonymous, he was aged 19 andMy stalker was anonymous, he was aged 19 and
I think this was portrayed through his clothesI think this was portrayed through his clothes
and manner. For example the use of darkand manner. For example the use of dark
clothing and a cap to hide his identity.clothing and a cap to hide his identity.
I feel that my male was a stereotype of this kindI feel that my male was a stereotype of this kind
of generation. They are alleged as abusive,of generation. They are alleged as abusive,
disorderly and dangerous. I recreated thisdisorderly and dangerous. I recreated this
through my narrative and I believe I displayedthrough my narrative and I believe I displayed
these different factors.these different factors.
Overall, I found that by using younger ages thanOverall, I found that by using younger ages than
usual I was able to put a twist on theusual I was able to put a twist on the

14. ETHNICITYETHNICITY

15. I didn’t want my film opening to be based aroundI didn’t want my film opening to be based around
age and ethnicity as I felt there were more effectiveage and ethnicity as I felt there were more effective
elements of the film to be concentrated on. Both ofelements of the film to be concentrated on. Both of
my actors are white British, because my picturemy actors are white British, because my picture
was set and filmed in Britain. After researching awas set and filmed in Britain. After researching a
lot of different thrillers I found that they werelot of different thrillers I found that they were
majorly American, although American accents weremajorly American, although American accents were
possible I opted to stay with the British theme as apossible I opted to stay with the British theme as a
way to challenge typical conventions of a thriller.way to challenge typical conventions of a thriller.
Equally, I felt that by maintaining the BritishEqually, I felt that by maintaining the British
ethnicity I was able to challenge stereotypes ofethnicity I was able to challenge stereotypes of
British people. For example having 2 characters ofBritish people. For example having 2 characters of
the same ethnicity and age however a huge contrastthe same ethnicity and age however a huge contrast
in personasin personas..