Question 2 How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My film primarily represents teenage males. This is because the majority of the characters (including the protagonist) fall into this category.

There are no female actors which means that this group has received no representation from my thriller opening, however this does not mean that there is no potential for representation in the full production.

The way in which teenage males are represented through the protagonist is heroic and hedonistic. On the other hand he also breaks the traditional role of male hero as in the end he is seen turning the gun on his friend after his “betrayal” is revealed. Traditionally the hero would never do this regardless of the situation.

Teenage males are also represented as victims through the protagonists friend. This character is taken hostage, tortured and loses his only hope when his friend turns on him. This represents the vulnerable side of teenagers, a side that others can feel pity for.

My film also represents males in their mid twenties through the antagonist. This character breaks the conventions of a leading member of a gang; he is portrayed as nervous and defenceless and subsequently does not last long when confronted by the hero. This is in stark contrast to the stereotypical gang leader characters such as Don Vito Corleone (The Godfather) and Harry (In Bruges) who, despite being very different characters are presented as equally confident and ruthless. As a result of this character’s features males in their mid twenties are seen to be weak and corruptible - he is part of a criminal gang.

All of my characters are of the white British ethnicity. For this reason it is difficult to compare the way they are represented with other ethnicities however ultimately they are seen as corrupt figures.

The location of the action (suburban house) represents a working to lower middle class. Furthermore it also challenges the stereotype that crime only occurs in extravagant settings such as mansions or underground bases by making a crime scene out of a suburban house.