This is an analysis of how the social group of teenagers was represented in my coming of age film opening sequence.

1. This location takes place inside a school which is instantly recognisable due to the use of props
such as the textbooks and table and chairs. This represents our protagonist as being a student
and dedicated to her schoolwork. She is dressed in smart clothing which further empathises the
fact of teenagers having to be serious in school and almost creates a sense of restriction. Her
body language further indicates this as it is very closed off and protective. This represents that
teenagers often feel uncomfortable and repressed growing up, particularly in school and around
the opposite gender. The male walking past her is dressed in very casual clothing which suggests
males don't feel this sense of restriction and isolation as much, however the way he walks and
holds himself represents teenage males as feeling as though they have to be these confident and
outspoken individuals and that they have a certain role to play.

2. In the use of a close up we are showing the audience a view of what the female protagonist looks
like. We have used an actress who is young as she is representing the teenage girl population.
Her makeup is very simple and thus is suggesting that not all teenage girls are the 'typical' type in
the fact that they are overly concerned with their hair and makeup. Despite her youth, in the words
that she is saying in the poetic voice over, and her serious facial expressions, she is showing that
girls of her age are often more mature and wise than they are considered. The voice over content
is in a form of a spoken word poem and represents the social group as being much more aware
and less naïve of the goings on around them as usually represented as. Therefore, our media
product is trying to contradict and face the usually stereotypes of the teenage social group in
showing that there is a lot more to them that is worth taking the time to find out about.

3. Our protagonist is wearing quite plain and dark colours which is representing teenagers as often
being quite misguided and angry. It is at a contrast to the usual bright colours seen in coming of
age films and also the smarter clothes the protagonist is seen wearing in the flashbacks at her
school. This suggests that she, and often many from the same social group, feel that they cannot
be themselves at school and under certain pressures in society and that they have to fit into a
certain mold. The location at one point is in a mall which is the first indication of the typical
representation of the teenage social group. This is that they are often shown shopping in a mall in
their free time but this is also challenged by the fact that she is alone, without any friends around
her which suggests that teenagers often need time alone and don't always want to be constantly
surrounded by other people and friends they are frequently represented as. The use of a slight low
angle shot is used which represents the character as being powerful, confident and in control
which is important as it is only when she has left home and on her own that she feels this way
,despite it being a potentially scary situation, and thus many of the same social group could
identify with this.

4. The music in the soundtrack is quite sombre but also whimsical which suggests teenagers often
have thoughts and dreams about doing something or going somewhere but generally think it won't
happen. The protagonists' facial expression is quite sad and uncomfortable which represents
teenagers as not being very confident in class due to being scared of being judged or exposing
themselves to other people. Her body language is quite hunched over and isolated as though she
feels that she is all alone whereas, the way she is represented is the way that lots of teenagers
often feel. There is a strong wind battling around the protagonist as she is sat on the floor which
suggests she is facing and fighting her troubles, although as she is sat by the edge it could mean
that she felt she was close to losing before finding her self and running away. Others of the social
group could identify with this, however the chemistry equations written on the whiteboard behind
her gives the scene a semblance of normality as it is a common scene in a school and thus they
can relate to the situation and feel it represents them.

5. The use of low-key lighting and dark colours in the whole opening sequence is different to what
you'd expect from a coming of age film and possibly represents the teenage social group as
having deeper depths and darker thoughts and feelings than people usually think. However, the
bright lights and high-key lighting in certain spots represent the protagonist as finding the light
when in a dark place, keeping up hope and managing to find a way to be who she wants to be. I
feel this can represent the social group as a whole and many could identify to this. The location for
the majority of shots are in a city which has always represented a place for escapism and for
people who want to discover themselves and experience more than previously. It also represents
the protagonist as being very strong and independent that she would brave a place like this on her
own and therefore represents other teenagers similarly. Teenagers would definitely relate to this
due to cities are often shown as a place you go to grow up and strike out on your own which is
something teenagers often dream about and thus suggest that they are frequently ambitious.

6. The use of low-key lighting and dark colours in the whole opening sequence is different to what
you'd expect from a coming of age film and possibly represents the teenage social group as
having deeper depths and darker thoughts and feelings than people usually think. However, the
bright lights and high-key lighting in certain spots represent the protagonist as finding the light
when in a dark place, keeping up hope and managing to find a way to be who she wants to be. I
feel this can represent the social group as a whole and many could identify to this. The location for
the majority of shots are in a city which has always represented a place for escapism and for
people who want to discover themselves and experience more than previously. It also represents
the protagonist as being very strong and independent that she would brave a place like this on her
own and therefore represents other teenagers similarly. Teenagers would definitely relate to this
due to cities are often shown as a place you go to grow up and strike out on your own which is
something teenagers often dream about and thus suggest that they are frequently ambitious.