Evaluation activity 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Definitions of representation

• the description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way. Oxford dictionaries

• an artistic likeness or image. Merriam webster.com

• the act or an instance of representing or the state of being represented. Free dictionary.com

Within the film ‘Adulthood’ which is an established urban drama film the character ‘Sam’ played by Noel Clarke is stereotyped similarly to our main character ‘Steeze’. He is a young male, angry with a history of violence. His apperance and costume enhance this persona. The hoodies that he is shown mainly in embed his darker secrets within life . The relationships which he shares with others are detached and cold, other characters project hostility towards him. Stereotypically ‘Sam’ and Steeze are stereotyped in the same manor. They come from urban decayed environments where power and respect is earnt from violence and abuse. They have had a history of criminal activity or friends who are associated with this and are now paying the price when trying to better themselves and move out of this lifestyle.

Within Adulthood same becomes the archetype urban, troubled male youth however Steeze and the treatment for out opening deals less with the urban and more with skater culture but portraying the realistic side of the young practiconers of skating yet it also delves into the life and social issues of seeking power off the streets and in the professional world

The values and beliefs of the two characters are shaped around bettering them selves, picking up the pieces and working their way out of urban deprivation.

Social group The particular social group that we have chosen

to represent is young male, working class urban skaters, around the age of 16 and above

We have filmed in urban derelict skater parks which are popular places for young skater male youths and are also very representative and stereotypical of urban environments as there is lots of grey concrete and graffiti

Representation of main character • Another way in which we have

enhanced our representation is by focusing and depicting the darkness and grit that can be within the lives of some young urban males.

Representation of main character

Depicted in urban environments

Skateboard

HoodieSmoking Without friends/

alone

Balaclava

Social group represented

• The social group that we have chosen to represent are stereotypically associated with

• Drugs, crime,deviacne ,alcohol, and smoking • Urban music/ parties• The night, grafitti and urban locations

However did we represent male teenagers in the right way ?

• Within the opening of our film the positive representation of male youth lye's in the skill and ability they have developed in skating and the potential of this to elevate youngsters and take them off the streets.

• However there is a dark underbelly within the opening that represents the loneliness and hurt of being a male urban youth with constant pressure to be powerful and hard

Positive and negative of our representation

Negative Positive

• Smoking•Dark mysterious light•Balaclava – reference to crime •Graffiti locations •Sense of loneliness, despair, insanity and fear

• Skating and skill of skaters•Introduces a sense of hope as it becomes clear skating is a way out for this young male