Evaluation Question 2.How does your media productrepresent particular social groups?ROBERT GODDARD – DIGITAL RED STUDIOS

How have you represented the characters in your

films?

We wanted to represent our characters as dark and solemn people. Living only in service for the survival of their kind. Thus they became selfish and would kill for their lives. That was the kind of character we wanted to make in Daeris and Doroneth, The Assassins. Drauk was a different matter, we also needed a character who opposed those opinions, and who disagreed with the preservation of a race at the expense of any other. Elves who became selfish and sought out preservation over isolation, we wanted people changed by fear and threat. And we did this via their clothing, mainly black attire, used for hidden or dark themed characters. We picked black attire to reflect the dark thoughts that plagued their mind. Doroneth was given a cloak and removed of identity to indicate that she was completely consumed by the fear. Daeris had more of an “accepting” look, she was given an identity from the beginning with nothing over her head. An out in the open look despite dark clothing. Showing that she has openly accepted the idea of extinction. And Drauk who wore not so dark clothing, with a greyish hood with his dark attire, which could suggest something different.

Is it positive or negative representation?

We wanted to create a negative representation of our characters. We wanted them to be pitied, and sympathised with. Though we wanted people to hate Daeris and Doroneth for killing someone because he had a different ideal to their killing nature, pitied but hated. We also wanted a negative representation of the unseen “kind” Daeris spoke of, seeing as they wished to preserve themselves via slaughtering others which was implied. So it would be mainly a negative representation of the characters.

Did you use stereotypes?

Yes, we went against stereotypes, but not in the way you would expect, we wanted to go AGAINST the stereotypes and put a malicious spin on the way Elves exist. Elves are not supposed to be malicious creatures, and more often than not attempt to isolate themselves from events unless absolutely necessary, and they would certainly not slaughter a race for their own preservation. We wanted to warp Elves to the point where they would fear for their lives, and would go on a drastic mission to eliminate all other possible threats. Turning a wise man into a war god.

How did you position the audience?

We wanted to position the audience into a judgemental position. We wanted them to judge who’s actions were correct and who’s actions were not. We wanted the audience to be told a story and be allowed to interpret that story in their own way and for them to develop an opinion. That was the main aim, to get the Audience to judge. We avoided putting them in the story so that they only follow one side and we avoided making them targets as this was not a horror. This in turn would make the audience a 3rd party fit to judge.

What were you trying to create?

We wanted an environment and a story which would endanger a race. Something that would create plenty of conflict and disagreements between what normally would be a composed fantasy race. We wanted to take the good stories and myths that followed elves and drive them into the dirt. We wanted to ruin the conceptions of Elves by giving them very common Human aspects, such as fear, sadness, rage and hatred. Through such emotions we could completely ruin a species and turn them into beings prone to killing.

What technical skills helped you construct

representation of your character?

My Character, Drauk, was designed to be a determined person who’s word is something he intends to carry out. This can be indicated by the fact that the camera always centred on his eyes when he spoke, and they did not waver during his speech. It also shows him as a powerful character when he attempts to carry out something he said he would do. As he threatened that he would kill Daeris if he had to. Upon the scene coming up to his chance killing of Daeris, it showed Daeris in a helpless state and a low angle to portray Drauk, showing his power. The angle in which Drauk got up to his feet also showed him as a determined character due to still intending to fight despite being outnumbered and hit with a Lightning bolt.