How does your media product represent particular social groups?Throughout our product we constantly focused on how particular social groups could be portrayed in order to develop understanding for the audience. Our first scene shows gender to be represented in a stereotypical way as the first shot shows the male in the foreground. [See 0:05] Males are also reinforced to be more important through the use of mise-en-scene as the character wears a tie and shirt in purple colours which connotes wise qualities. The use of setting and props also reinforces the idea that the man is a detective, hence stronger, through the use of the desk, file cabinet, telephone and the name plate. Through the use of framing, we can also add to the idea that the character is stronger as the notice board shows bright colours. Compared to the mother’s shot however, there is only a white wall. Therefore the contrast in framing connotes ideas of gender being represented in a stereotypical way.

Gender is continued to be represented this way through the female character wearing black clothing. This connotes that she is grieving over the loss of her missing daughter portraying she is weaker and more vulnerable. Whereas, the detective is shot in more colourful clothes, and ultimately, in a higher position. This can also link to our target audience as some people may be able to associate what is she feeling through the lost of someone close to her. We established this emotion through the close up [0:14]:

However, the mother closes the scene in a dramatic tone [0:34]. Therefore this presents females are more dominant as the mise-en-scene reveals she is more powerful through the use of her emotions. Her contrasting facial expressions do in fact reveal she is strong and this represents females as a social group as strong.

We maintained this stereotype to present social groups in a stereotypical way. Therefore, the audience can familiarise themselves with our thriller.

After this, we introduced other characters and represent gender again in a stereotypical way: male being dominant and females being weak. This is shown through the contrasting body positions between the characters. Through the framing the male shown to be is sitting down comfortably in a typical office chair which connotes wealth and power. [1:00] He is also holding a newspaper which shows information of the missing girl he has captured. This symbolically portrays his sense of control and sinister behaviour. [1:11]

This is representation of gender is then reinforced through the high angle. By positioning the camera in this way reveals the females body position: curled up and this connotes foetus like qualities. The fact she is also holding on the bed indicates that she wants protection.

Gender is also represented in a stereotypical way through the last shot. By having the male cover most of the shot up in black connotes in sinister and controlling ways. Social groups here have again been presented to show women are passive and males are dominant.

In contrast to, the female is hand cuffed to a bed clearly conveying ideas of weakness thus, portraying females as powerless. The fact this girl represents the typical women through blonde hair also reinforces the idea of femininity being defenceless as this is seen in typical thrillers. The mise-en-scene of her white dress also connotes innocence and purity conveying ideas of the stereotypical women.