Lydia SearEvaluation Question 2:

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

‘East End / Working Class’• The social group that I am representing in my

media product is the ‘East Enders’ social group.

• In the majority of feature films with East Enders, they are always represented as ‘cockneys’, with a strong East London accent, and an attitude to work hard for what they want, as they are stereotypically shown to have been brought up in a working class environment, so naturally are hard workers.

Do the hard work yourself No stress

Working their way up

Not fussed

Hard Working

“I was born in the East End of London to poor parents but managed to climb my way up the social ladder and escape”

“I’m not a banker-wanker or anything like that. I’m a business man.”

“But the game’s too easy in London; it’s not enough anymore. So I’m gonna crown myself the fucking king of New York”

How are the men represented• Men are always on top. They’re the ones in charge. Therefore, they

are always seen with a sense of authority and seriousness about their business. It’s almost like a game of trying to be the alpha male.

• This is clearly shown in the way they dress;

• Suits always make the character look smart, and gives them that sense of authority that they strive for. If they wore jeans and trainers, then nobody would take them seriously.

• Smart clothing is also evident in my media product for the same reasons; the stereotypical representation of East End gangsters.

Camera Work; how it contributes to the presentation of the character type

Camera framing and movement is a great way to show to the audience what you want them to think about the character or stereotype. Certain positioning's can subliminally make the audience fell a certain atmosphere about a character. Psychologically, it is more pleasing for the main object in frame to be in one third, for example, so this would make the audience feel at ease.

Here, the character is placed in the right third of the frame. This instantly encourages the audience to assume that he has thought it through and is successful and clever.

Moreover, we see him from behind looking into the train he’s about to get on. The fact that we don’t see him engage with us gives us the idea that he is focused and determined, and ready for his journey ahead. Typically, gangsters need to be successful and up for anything.

‘Billy’ is framed centrally within a mirror which is a repeated shape of the door. This creates a sense that he is stable and knows what he is doing.

Also, he is looking into the mirror as if he is reflecting on his achievements and success. He seems proud, and shows the audience that he is ready for The Big City. Gangsters in the East End are always ready for the unexpected.

Here, where the title is shown, I wanted it to be really signature. So a close up brings the audience closer to the mind of this gangster as he unfolds the story so far, whereby he is moving to New York for a challenge.

The fact that he is looking outwards and not to the camera makes the audience that he is contemplating his future plans as a successful gangster and he is very serious about his role.

Gangsters are always serious about their business, and this shot demonstrates that very clearly.

Summary• The East End gangster social group has been met

stereotypically through many methods;

– Dialogue– Costume– Camera Work– Actor chosen; worked well with me and understood my needs to

act successfully as a gangster

• The social group was successfully met as my character shows traits of hard working, stubbornness, dedication and seriousness towards his business.