The document discusses how the filmmaker represented various social groups in their media product "The Missing". They portrayed: - The male protagonist as a young (age 19) stalker/abductor, dressing him in dark clothes and a cap to seem mysterious while also incorporating modern fashion trends. - The female protagonist as a blonde (age 17) "damsel in distress", dressing her in distressed clothing to seem vulnerable but also using fashionable items to seem realistic. - Social hierarchies through shot types, showing the female high in frames to emphasize her vulnerability and lack of power compared to the dominant male stalker. - Common stereotypes of gender and age groups but trying to challenge some conventions, like showing an older

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 or morehas been defined as two or more
people who interact with one another, sharepeople who interact with one another, share
similar characteristics, and collectively have asimilar characteristics, and collectively have a
sense of unitysense of unity.. - Google DefinitionsGoogle Definitions
RepresentationRepresentation is the description oris the description or
portrayal of someone or something in aportrayal of someone or something in a
particular way.particular way. – Google Definitions– Google Definitions
During the production process of The Missing, I have explored a range of differentDuring the production process of The Missing, I have explored a range of different
social groups and exploited their ways in todays society. I felt it was important to dosocial groups and exploited their ways in todays society. I felt it was important to do
this as it allows the audience in knowing how they are viewed in civilization.this as it allows the audience in knowing how they are viewed in civilization.
In this presentation I will be speaking about the following social groups:In this presentation I will be speaking about the following social groups:
•MalesMales
•FemalesFemales
•AgeAge
•Social ClassSocial Class
•EthnicityEthnicity

3. GENDERGENDER

4. Male Social GroupMale Social GroupMy male protagonist wasMy male protagonist was
portrayed as an abductorportrayed as an abductor
throughout ‘The Missing’.throughout ‘The Missing’.
For this to be successful IFor this to be successful I
knew I had to researchknew I had to research
similar films in order to get asimilar films in order to get a
better understanding of thisbetter understanding of this
type of persontype of person..
I wanted to base my antagonistI wanted to base my antagonist
around a character from The Lovelyaround a character from The Lovely
Bones, however also make him myBones, however also make him my
own as I had some ideas and thisown as I had some ideas and this
would show how it differs.would show how it differs.
I dressed my unknown male inI dressed my unknown male in
dark, uncoordinated clothing todark, uncoordinated clothing to
enhance his suspiciousenhance his suspicious
characteristics. This idea was acharacteristics. This idea was a
stereotypical convention fromstereotypical convention from
other films of this genre who alsoother films of this genre who also
featured characters like this.featured characters like this.
However, I came up withHowever, I came up with
the idea of him wearing athe idea of him wearing a
cap as a prop, I felt thiscap as a prop, I felt this
challenged thechallenged the
conventions of a stalkerconventions of a stalker
yet also fit his mysteriousyet also fit his mysterious
behaviour.behaviour.
I also opted toI also opted to
choose a youngerchoose a younger
person to play thisperson to play this
type of character astype of character as
I hadn’t seen itI hadn’t seen it
been done beforebeen done before
so I felt it heldso I felt it held
realistic elements.realistic elements.
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 todays society.dangers of todays society.

5.  My stalker was dressed in dark colours, uncoordinated clothes too,My stalker was dressed in dark colours, uncoordinated clothes too,
similar to other characters with this type of persona in other films.similar to other characters with this type of persona in other films.
Such as the abductor in The Lovely Bones.Such as the abductor in The Lovely Bones.
 I wanted him to be in dark clothing as black has deepI wanted him to be in dark clothing as black has deep
connotations of death, power and evil, that fulfil the conventions ofconnotations of death, power and evil, that fulfil the conventions of
a thriller genre. However the white shirt contrasts with connotationsa thriller genre. However the white shirt contrasts with connotations
of purity and innocence, I felt this kept the mysterious sense within.of purity and innocence, I felt this kept the mysterious sense within.
 The use of a cap helped to keep his identity anonymous which isThe use of a cap helped to keep his identity anonymous which is
something I aimed for, I felt that keeping his true self a mysterysomething I aimed for, I felt that keeping his true self a mystery
helped to heighten the suspension within, to keep the audience onhelped to heighten the suspension within, to keep the audience on
edge.edge.
 I also opted for my stalker to be in with todaysI also opted for my stalker to be in with todays
societies fashion. With the use of big designer brandssocieties fashion. With the use of big designer brands
such as Converse and Nike, I was able to illustrate tosuch as Converse and Nike, I was able to illustrate to
my audience the realism of the ongoing events. Asmy audience the realism of the ongoing events. As
well as challenge the typical codes of a thriller film bywell as challenge the typical codes of a thriller film by
exploiting the younger generation of males.exploiting the younger generation of males.
 Within each shot I wanted the audience to perceiveWithin each shot I wanted the audience to perceive
him of a young age, therefore I felt dressing him inhim of a young age, therefore I felt dressing him in
these kind of garments would help portray him in histhese kind of garments would help portray him in his
youth. For example the trainers were a stereotypicalyouth. For example the trainers were a stereotypical
way to do so.way to do so.

6. FEMALE SOCIAL GROUPFEMALE SOCIAL GROUPI researched a lot aboutI researched a lot about
thrillers and their characters,thrillers and their characters,
and I found that there is alwaysand I found that there is always
a damsel in distress.a damsel in distress.
Stereotypically theyStereotypically they
were blonde so Iwere blonde so I
decided to followdecided to follow
this commonthis common
convention byconvention by
incorporating aincorporating a
blonde actress toblonde actress to
play the victim.play the victim.
I also decided to use Mulvey’sI also decided to use Mulvey’s
Male Gaze Theory. I feel IMale Gaze Theory. I feel I
achieved this by having anachieved this by having an
attractive victim, this aided me inattractive victim, this aided me in
knowing that my male viewersknowing that my male viewers
would stay as interested as mywould stay as interested as my
female audience.female audience.
To ensure my opening hadTo ensure my opening had
realistic elements, I dressed ‘Rose’realistic elements, I dressed ‘Rose’
in todays fashion items, e.g.in todays fashion items, e.g.
leather jackets etc. I felt the moreleather jackets etc. I felt the more
normal concepts were the morenormal concepts were the more
likely it was to portray thelikely it was to portray the
message of everyday dangers.message of everyday dangers.
Similar to the maleSimilar to the male
character, I wascharacter, I was
influenced to portrayinfluenced to portray
Rose in this particularRose in this particular
way from Susie in Theway from Susie in The
Lovely Bones. HerLovely Bones. Her
innocent andinnocent and
vulnerablevulnerable
mannerisms were keymannerisms were key
to incorporate whento incorporate when
filming.filming.
The female protagonist fromThe female protagonist from
Spectre also played a part inSpectre also played a part in
knowing how Rose should beknowing how Rose should be
perceived by an audience. Theperceived by an audience. The
actor was distressed throughoutactor was distressed throughout
and this is something I wanted toand this is something I wanted to
achieve myself.achieve myself.

7.  My damsel had blonde hair, which is a stereotypicalMy damsel had blonde hair, which is a stereotypical
element of being ‘dumb’. I wanted my audience toelement of being ‘dumb’. I wanted my audience to
underestimate her to heighten the suspension in the film.underestimate her to heighten the suspension in the film.
 I ensured she was wearing makeup that had worn offI ensured she was wearing makeup that had worn off
and made her look distressed. This would demonstrateand made her look distressed. This would demonstrate
the realism to the audience as well as seem relatable tothe realism to the audience as well as seem relatable to
others.others.
 Her clothing was dark in some places yet light andHer clothing was dark in some places yet light and
bright in others, this was to show her inner connotations.bright in others, this was to show her inner connotations.
The bright colours reflected her youth and how her ageThe bright colours reflected her youth and how her age
has been exploited. However the dark colours explorehas been exploited. However the dark colours explore
her power to escape yet the dangers in her kidnapping.her power to escape yet the dangers in her kidnapping.
 I always made sure that Rose was on her own, I felt by doing thisI always made sure that Rose was on her own, I felt by doing this
the audience would feel more anticipation towards the entirethe audience would feel more anticipation towards the entire
opening. Her loneliness exposes her weakness, nobody suspectsopening. Her loneliness exposes her weakness, nobody suspects
a girl of her age to make it through as the whole female speciesa girl of her age to make it through as the whole female species
are objectified as the weaker sex. With nobody but herself toare objectified as the weaker sex. With nobody but herself to
protect her from the stalker, the tension builds further.protect her from the stalker, the tension builds further.
 I used this stereotype to build an opinion up from the audience,I used this stereotype to build an opinion up from the audience,
the different shot types are ways to discover her weaknesses.the different shot types are ways to discover her weaknesses.
 The way in which Rose was dressed evokes a response from theThe way in which Rose was dressed evokes a response from the
audience because it shows the dangers of todays society andaudience because it shows the dangers of todays society and
how it can happen to anyone of us.how it can happen to anyone of us.

8. REPRESENATIONSREPRESENATIONSFEMALEFEMALE
Rose was continuously portrayed as the weakerRose was continuously portrayed as the weaker
and more vulnerable sex. Which fits with theand more vulnerable sex. Which fits with the
stereotypical views on women in todays society.stereotypical views on women in todays society.
Women are belittled in the way in which they try toWomen are belittled in the way in which they try to
demonstrate power, I wanted to challenge thisdemonstrate power, I wanted to challenge this
and show her power through her escape from theand show her power through her escape from the
abductor.abductor.
The representation of Rose is negative, she isThe representation of Rose is negative, she is
victimised and this is illustrated throughout.victimised and this is illustrated throughout.
Because of the harsh opinions women evoke IBecause of the harsh opinions women evoke I
wanted to stay within these and exploit her agewanted to stay within these and exploit her age
and feebleness.and feebleness.
I gave Rose more air time because my filmI gave Rose more air time because my film
featured more around her, this was unusual for afeatured more around her, this was unusual for a
thriller film as its usual the one with the power tothriller film as its usual the one with the power to
holds more air time.holds more air time.
MALEMALE
Men have always been known as the moreMen have always been known as the more
powerful sex, which is why I incorporated thesepowerful sex, which is why I incorporated these
elements in my opening.elements in my opening.
Although my male antagonist was in the wrong, heAlthough my male antagonist was in the wrong, he
was still holding all the power over his fallen victim.was still holding all the power over his fallen victim.
Whilst she was running, he was following her, whilstWhilst she was running, he was following her, whilst
he held her captive, he abused her and whilst shehe held her captive, he abused her and whilst she
thought she was safe, he knew his plan all along.thought she was safe, he knew his plan all along.
Thus meaning he is more intelligent than Rose,Thus meaning he is more intelligent than Rose,
another stereotypical concept on males.another stereotypical concept on males.
I followed the stereotypical view on men andI followed the stereotypical view on men and
wanted him to overpower the girl as this enhancedwanted him to overpower the girl as this enhanced
the anticipation within.the anticipation within.

9. SOCIAL GROUPS

10. Rose is featured in a high angle shot, thisRose is featured in a high angle shot, this
demonstrates her vulnerability and intriguesdemonstrates her vulnerability and intrigues
the audience in knowing what it is that’sthe audience in knowing what it is that’s
controlling her. This shot makes the stalkercontrolling her. This shot makes the stalker
seem even more intimidating even thoughseem even more intimidating even though
he’s not visual on our screens. Displayinghe’s not visual on our screens. Displaying
him ranked in a higher social class as hehim ranked in a higher social class as he
engages all the power over the female, hisengages all the power over the female, his
dominance overtakes all of hers. This shotdominance overtakes all of hers. This shot
also emphasises how little power Rose hasalso emphasises how little power Rose has
in this and other situations, this may be anin this and other situations, this may be an
indication to her lower social status. Thisindication to her lower social status. This
highlights how important different shot typeshighlights how important different shot types
and angles can be and how they initiateand angles can be and how they initiate
who is ranked where in the social hierarchy.who is ranked where in the social hierarchy.

11. AGEAGE

12. FEMALE AGEFEMALE AGE
I wanted my female victim toI wanted my female victim to
be the age she was in real life,be the age she was in real life,
17. I wanted to do this as a17. I wanted to do this as a
way to make my film showway to make my film show
realism, I felt that by my actorrealism, I felt that by my actor
playing a girl of her age sheplaying a girl of her age she
was able to relate more to herwas able to relate more to her
role and therefore play a morerole and therefore play a more
engaging character that myengaging character that my
audience could relate with.audience could relate with.
I think that these ages workedI think that these ages worked
well with each other, I waswell with each other, I was
able to entertain my viewersable to entertain my viewers
whilst also inform them aboutwhilst also inform them about
real life dangers andreal life dangers and
experiences that can happen.experiences that can happen.
I also made Rose a 17 yearI also made Rose a 17 year
old girl as in other film withold girl as in other film with
similar narrative I have neversimilar narrative I have never
seen a girl of this age, theyseen a girl of this age, they
have always been slightlyhave always been slightly
younger. Therefore this ageyounger. Therefore this age
was something new for mewas something new for me
and this genre, I wanted toand this genre, I wanted to
challenge the differingchallenge the differing
between a young girl and abetween a young girl and a
maturing girl.maturing girl.
I felt that by portraying thisI felt that by portraying this
protagonist as 17 years old Iprotagonist as 17 years old I
was showing a comparisonwas showing a comparison
between genders too.between genders too.
Stereotypically younger girlsStereotypically younger girls
are perceived more positivelyare perceived more positively
rather than men. I felt I wasrather than men. I felt I was
able to demonstrate thisable to demonstrate this
through age and narrative.through age and narrative.

13. MALE AGEMALE AGE
In films I had researched that also had this type ofIn films I had researched that also had this type of
narrative and protagonists, I found that I had never seennarrative and protagonists, I found that I had never seen
a younger stalker. So this is what influenced me toa younger stalker. So this is what influenced me to
challenge stereotypical views on stalkers.challenge stereotypical views on stalkers.
My stalker was anonymous, he was aged 19 and I thinkMy stalker was anonymous, he was aged 19 and I think
this was portrayed through his clothes and manner. Forthis was portrayed through his clothes and manner. For
example the use of dark clothing and a cap to hide hisexample the use of dark clothing and a cap to hide his
identity.identity.
I feel that my male was a stereotype of this kind ofI feel that my male was a stereotype of this kind of
generation. They are alleged as abusive, disorderly andgeneration. They are alleged as abusive, disorderly and
dangerous. I recreated this through my narrative and Idangerous. I recreated this through my narrative and I
believe I displayed these different factors.believe I displayed these different factors.
Overall, I found that by using younger ages than usual IOverall, I found that by using younger ages than usual I
was able to put a twist on the expectations of thrillers.was able to put a twist on the expectations of thrillers.
The younger ages helped to create the idea that there isThe younger ages helped to create the idea that there is
danger all around us, this equally aided me in engagingdanger all around us, this equally aided me in engaging
an audience and keeping them interested.an audience and keeping them interested.

14. ETHNICITYETHNICITY

15. I didn’t want my film opening to be based around age andI didn’t want my film opening to be based around age and
ethnicity as I felt there were more effective elements of the film toethnicity as I felt there were more effective elements of the film to
be concentrated on. Both of my actors are white British, becausebe concentrated on. Both of my actors are white British, because
my picture was set and filmed in Britain. After researching a lot ofmy picture was set and filmed in Britain. After researching a lot of
different thrillers I found that they were majorly American,different thrillers I found that they were majorly American,
although American accents were possible I opted to stay withalthough American accents were possible I opted to stay with
the British theme as a way to challenge typical conventions of athe British theme as a way to challenge typical conventions of a
thriller. Equally, I felt that by maintaining the British ethnicity I wasthriller. Equally, I felt that by maintaining the British ethnicity I was
able to challenge stereotypes of British people. For exampleable to challenge stereotypes of British people. For example
having 2 characters of the same ethnicity and age however ahaving 2 characters of the same ethnicity and age however a
huge contrast in personashuge contrast in personas..