How does your media product represent particular social groups?

In my film opening, I use camera angles, editing, sound and mise en scene to create several different representations of the two teenage girls in my opening.  A number of close up shots of the homeless teenager creates an intimate feeling between the audience and the character, which creates sympathy for her and therefore creates a vulnerable representation. This follows the stereotypical view of teenage homeless people as the public tend to hold much more sympathy for the young homeless rather than the older.

Also, a range of mid shots of the wealthy girl going about her daily routine sets her slightly further back from the audience so they feel more strongly towards the homeless girl. I did this, as throughout the film, I would have put the focus on only one of the two girls at each time so the audience can get an understanding of their individual lives first, then see how they impact each other. Even still, the shots allow the viewer to see she is quite content and happy, which also conforms to the stereotype of wealthy young women.

The compilation of close up shots with very dark lighting of both girls, along with the whispering sounds creates a negative representation of mental illness and in particular, schizophrenia as it is shown to have a huge impact on each girl, but also creates a horror style atmosphere, which also contributes to the negative representation.

Through a focus group I found that:

“im not really sure what the genre is, but it does build up a tense atmosphere”

“the music and the whispers make it seem like a thriller because it make me feel uneasy and want to find out what happens”

“the voice over definitely makes it seem psychological or horror or something to do with the mind. Its really good because it only hints at what will happen which makes me want to see more”