Evaluation - question 2

Q2 - How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The main way in which a thriller film might target its social groups is through the use of characters. Although the film is aimed at a wide target audience, it is specifically created to appeal to teenagers, even more specifically teenage girls. This is done by focusing the film around the troubled life of a young teenage girl, it helps a relationship to be built between the audience and the victim. 

One other way in which the film attracts it's targeted social groups is through the use of stereotypical teenage characters, allowing the audience to relate to the plot. The victims are both emphasised to be stereotypical teenage girls of the same age and gender of the target audience. There are various ways in which the film achieves these stereotypical presentations. For example one way this is done is through the plot of the film. The teenagers are seen taking various short cuts within the sequence through a council estate, a forest and an overgrown pathway, which are seen to be isolated and dangerous settings. This use of mise en scene and setting shows the girls to be stereotypical to their teenage age group as teenagers are typically seen being lazy and irresponsible when trying to get to places as quick as possible.
Also, towards the start of the sequence, the two female victims are furthermore shown to be stereotypical teenagers. This was achieved through the iconography of the various pictures showing the girls that the antagonist is obsessing over. The pictures are 'selfies' a modern commodity where teenagers take photos of themselves for social network sites. It shows them as outgoing and conceited. These are stereotypical traits of a modern day teenager. Due to 'selfies' being a modern commodity within the teenage society, the target audience can easily relate to them. 

With characters being the main link between the film and the audience there were various ways in which the sequence builds relationships between the characters and the viewers. After presenting the two victims as being stereotypical teenagers that the target audience are able to relate to, the sequence had to emphasise the innocence of the victim ( Brittany ) and the dangerous, psychotic behaviour of the antagonist ( Steve ), in order to elaborate on the tension that would build as the plot develops. 

One way that the girls are shown to be innocent is through editing and the use of the dream effect on the first scene of the sequence. This lightens the colours of the shots. By doing this the characters are furthermore shown to be innocent and vulnerable.
In addition to this, midway through the sequence, there is a low camera angle used to show the picture of the young female victim. This presents her as innocent and vulnerable, foreshadowing that she could be in danger.
This innocent presentation helps build a relationship between the audience and the characters. The audience sympathise with the victims and therefore become far more engaged when they are in danger, building upon the conventions of suspense and fear.



Steve also had to be presented as being psychotic and dangerous so that the audience would become furthermore fearful for the victim. The first way this is achieved is through the hidden identity. This is used whenever the antagonist is seen throughout the sequence. It is done through mes en scene, in particular costume. We never see the face of the antagonist due to his positioning and him wearing hooded clothing. This emphasises his psychotic behaviour as the viewers do not know his thoughts or identity, meaning there is no reasons behind him stalking the victim. Cinematography is also used on Steve to show his dominating stature. This is done through the use of a low angle, specifically seen when he is stalking Brittany from outside her window. This shows him as being dangerous and dominant, towering over the camera. It adds to the suspense of the sequence as we become fearful of what he is capable of.

In addition to this, another way in which he is presented as being deranged is through the emphasis on his obsession over the female victims. This is seen particularly midway through the sequence with cinematography. An over the shoulder shot shows him obsessing over a picture of the victim. This elaborates on his deranged state of mind. It furthermore adds to the suspense and fear built as we see how dangerous he is



To conclude, the main social group that the film focuses upon is teenage girls, and their stereotypical vulnerability. This helps attract our target audience as the film is generally targeted towards teenagers who can relate to the characters and the plot. They will sympathise for the teenage victim, adding to the fear factor of the film as she is pursued by an older male antagonist.