The social groups that are represented in my media production is the more confident teenager who pressures others into doing what he wants. There is the more nervous and introvert teenager who is easily pressured. As well as the middle aged policeman who has a clear dislike and resentment towards the younger generation and especially teenagers. There is also the aggressive and protective father who dislikes his children but is still protective over them.
It is important for audiences to recognize 'types' in a film, particularly in a film opening, so that the narrative (characters and events) are quickly picked up. This will also reduce the likelihood of any ambiguity later on in the film.
For example, it should be made clear from the start which characters are protagonists and which are antagonists and what kind of role they have as well as the genre the film is.
In our film it is clear from the start that one of the central characters is the policeman and that he is going to be the antagonist. This is ironic due to the police uniform being a symbol for crime fighting and as a symbolic code of justice. Our policeman figure is somewhat reminiscent of the protagonist from the TV series Luther, in that he is a conflicted soul who is struggling to balance his job and his family life and his own teenage children. He is also under large amounts of stress. He is like a volcano just waiting to erupt.
There are two teenagers who could not be more different:
One is the more confident teenager who is getting very good grades at school and has realised his potential. He is an extrovert who is never in trouble despite sometimes looking for it.
The other is the complete opposite as he is an introvert who has social anxiety and is nervous around strangers and struggles to deal with new things. He does not like things being thrust upon him and he has not realised nor reached his full potential.
Society often stereotypes teenagers as being trouble-makers and being involved in gang violence. Gang and knife related deaths amongst the young is on the rise and this leads to many adults perceiving every teenagers in a hoodie as being a killer and being involved in a gang.
I have curated a Pinterest to show all of the social groups that are represented in my film opening. I have added multiple analyses of the social groups shown. I have done this by adding text beneath each picture through the comment boxes. Please Open It Here My Pinterest
In addition, we went to great lengths to develop our characters through a series of interviews in which we 'hot seated' our character; by devising interview questions, scripting responses, finally recorded the results. We drew on the advice of Pen Densham the author of Riding The Alligator an Oscar nominated film maker.
Detective- Can you recall the events of 14th?
Teen- Yeah mate, but the report was ‘immensely’ biased
Detective – That is not a fair assessment due to the fact
that the evidence is piled up against you
Teen- How come you ain’t asked for my statement after the
event ey? I swear this is required after a crime has happened – although there
is nothing to be said about…
Detective- I am aware of this but it did not help that you
fled from the scene- you are lucky that charges are not being pressed.
Teen- We were dazed and confused, it all happened so fast, we’re
still young and scared as well as being absolutely innocent. It didn’t help
that your mate was overly aggressive and obviously had some sort of personal problem.
Detective- I am not very sure that was the case as my
colleague reported back that you fled the scene with no intent of stopping for
the law. He did let his personal beliefs get in the way of his job, and the
aggression is quite a fantasy.
Teen- (sarcastic and obnoxious laugh) Well you’re obviously gunna defend your mate
and your reputation, which I can understand as I would defend by mates too, but
you are being so out of order and you are also sitting on the wrong side of the
law. Using it for what you want!
Detective- Well this is quickly getting out of hand, may I remind
you that you are on film and any part of this recording can be used in a court
of law.
Teen- Whatever mate.
Detective- Right you are obviously still traumatised from the
experience and we should resume the questioning on a later date.
Teen- Sorted (thumbs up, and follows by standing up with his
friend behind him putting their hands in their pockets)
Below are the two video interviews of our characters:
Psychiatrist: Hello, how are you?
Police Officer: Not bad, I’m pretty good thank you.
Psychiatrist: So, have you been alright recently… has there been anything on your mind at all and still there now?
Police Officer: I’ve just been under a lot of pressure recently.
Psychiatrist: From work?
Police Officer: Mainly from work, but also from home I guess.
Psychiatrist: What’s been happening at work that’s causing you to stress?
Police
Officer: I am failing to meet deadlines, my boss is angry, the work is
piling and don’t get much time at home for my family.
Psychiatrist:
Ok, do you think this has affected you mentally, like do you think it
has influenced the accident that happened earlier this week.
Police Officer: What accident? There wasn’t one that involved me.
Psychiatrist: I want you to be honest with me now because I am suspicious of the way you are acting. (Squints eyes)
Police Officer: Okay, yes there was… but it wasn’t anything major I promise. (Rubbing his hands acting aggravated in his chair)
Psychiatrist: Ah, I see. So I am right in saying that there was an accident on your terms and yours only?
Police Officer: Unfortunately yes. (Looks down to his feet)
Psychiatrist: Right… Here is how I’m going to help (places hand on the file of paper before fading black into a cut away shot)
Excellent work: you have analysed the social groups in your film opening clearly and you show imaginative, creative ways of developing your characters as well as presenting the 'interviews' that you conducted. Well done.
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