QUESTION TWOHow does your media product present

particular social groups?

In this frame, Charlotte is laying in bed suggesting that she is perhaps lazy, unreliable and hasn’t bothered to get a job yet. However, it could present ideas of insecurity as her being in bed, covers her and almost shields her from reality. Charlotte is also wearing a nose stud – this demonstrates her rebellious streak; wearing make-up imitates a feminine desire. All this mise-en-scene relates back to common stereotypes of age (teenagers) in social/film media. Therefore, making this a stereotypical representation of how teenagers are presented.

The blood in the sink in this shot shares the idea of self abuse and bodily harm, the blurred effect suggests that Charlotte is trying to hide guilt of this, hiding her emotions. This is stereotypical as she perhaps can’t express her feelings to her parents because she may feel alone, worthless and invalid. Because it is in the sink, it can be easily washed away, demonstrating another idea that Charlotte is trying to escape the evidence.

The voice overs in this scene signify voices contained within her head. Voice overs are a generic, stereotypical convention of a thriller film. Also, Charlotte will be viewed as someone whom suffers with mental health issues.

The mise-en-scene in this shot is very stereotypical of age – teenagers – as Charlotte is wearing a black hoodie, along side with black jeans and finally black shoes. The colour black connotes not only danger but a hidden self. One could say that if something is ‘in the dark’ it is never fully revealed, you could perhaps relate this to Charlotte. Baggy clothing also suggest lack of care for her overall appearance which is a stereotypical presentation of teenagers in the media.

The shaky hand held camera shows Charlotte’s emotions are distorted, unstable. She is on the edge.

Over the shoulder shot is reflecting on the thoughts and accusations of society and the media. How Charlotte is under pressure and constantly being watched. This is accurate of the media and how they present the teenage generation as always over stepping public boundaries.

Dark low key lighting mirrors her dark, hidden personality and reflects on her inner emotions which are depressive. This shot leaves the audience confused – ‘in the dark’. It also demonstrates her feelings. This is stereotypical in the media as Charlotte is presented as on her own and lost.

In this frame is an isolated location. This represents a stereotypical teenager, always searching for themselves through isolation. The shot used in this scene is a pan, this mirrors feelings demonstrated by Charlotte as uncertain – not knowing who or where to turn to.

Here, Charlotte is running from something, what she is avoiding is unknown to the audience. One could suggest that she is fearful of her inner self, external problems. It shows her incapability to deal with them herself; this reflects back to the representations of the media, in which unreliability of gender and age are stereotypical.

This scene features a chase between two characters. When the second character enters, one could perhaps say that it represents Charlotte’s normal self or where she wants to be. This is a ‘safe’ character – the protagonist – it creates deep irony for the audience as they believe it to be the antagonist. This challenges the film’s normal stereotype as Charlotte could be viewed as the protagonist running from the antagonist, when it is in reverse. This mirrors the feeling and expression of those whom suffer with depression and/or mental illness as it is difficult for them to appear happy and safe. The protagonist in this scene is wearing a distinctive blue jacket – blue connotes peace and calmness which opposes the black sweatshirt worn by the antagonist.

Here, Charlotte is running from something, what she is avoiding is unknown to the audience. One could suggest that she is fearful of her inner self, external problems. It shows her incapability to deal with them herself; this reflects back to the representations of the media, in which unreliability of gender and age are stereotypical.

The meaning of our title is often viewed in essentially a positive and admirable way, however ‘Chosen’ is somewhat ironic, as the audience may begin to accumulate thoughts and questions such as: ‘why is she chosen?’. The answer to that question would suggest that she is chosen is a negative way, putting that in context she is supported by mental illness which juxtaposes against it’s positive connotations. This is anti-stereotypical in the media, yet stereotypical within film as often in the deciding of titles, companies will choose fairly ironic and short names for their product.

In this shot Charlotte is reapplying her make-up in a lit mirror. The Christmas lights displayed around her reflection present ideas of purity, innocence and security. The obvious beer bottle shows her self abuse in the respect that she is drinking – taking her problems away from from reality. This is stereotypical within the media as teenagers are often represented as heavy drinkers and self abusers. As Charlotte is applying more make-up it suggests that she is hiding more and more from society and her inner-self.

The significance of her nose ring in this shot shows her progress which is miniscule, and her capability of returning back to her former depressive self. The stud is symbolic as she still has her rebellious streak which would be shown as the film progressed.