2.HOW DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT REPRESENT PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS?

- Sam Viner

GENDER There are no females in our film, only males. This is anti-

stereotypical because there are commonly female characters that are portrayed as being weak, not only physically, but mentally too. They are normally looked after / protected by the stronger, male character, sometimes the father of a family. Females are stereotypically the ‘damsel in distress’ figure.

In our piece, although Ben is a male, he is the one being targeted, and is shown to be mentally weak, as he has to take pills in order to function normally. He is highly strung, and nervous, which is anti-stereotypical for the protagonist of the sequence.

Anabelle (2014, US, Leonetti)

GENDER On the other hand, George, the antagonist, is

male, which is stereotypical for the Thriller genre. It is rare for there to be a female antagonist. He is also represented as having power over Ben, because he is intelligent, which is also stereotypical for an antagonist.

This is shown when George is watching Ben as he comes in, and chooses the right moment to swap his pills. We know that he must have met or seen Ben before, because he knew to bring a very similar pill bottle, to swap it with.

AGE The antagonist in a thriller would

stereotypically be older, and may have physical features that make them appear evil / stand out somehow. They might be the leader of a powerful organisation that is planning to, or already commits crimes and wrong doings.

Antagonists in Thrillers have selfish motivations, with a sinister personality, making them willing to do almost anything in order to get what they want. Even though George is not old, he fits this stereotype well, as he drugs Ben, in order to steal his briefcase.

George addresses Ben as “Pal” suggesting that they have known each other for a while, reinforcing the representation of being intelligent, but having a menacing personality.

AGE Typically, the younger characters in a Thriller are targeted,

because they are weak, and Ben fits this stereotype. His weakness is shown through his actions, such as needing to take pills and the way he keeps on checking his surroundings. Also, there are no low angle shots of him, to give him power.