How does your media product represent particular social groups?The Killer’s Identity

Meet the characters(Lauren + Ben)

Who are they?

In The Killer’s Identity’s opening sequence, the girl and the boy (Lauren + Ben) aren’t given names. Their names would be introduced not long after this 2 minute opening.However, just from this 2 minute clip the audience can understand the sorts of people they are. For example, the audience can clearly tell there is both a female and a male involved both of around the similar age and class.

Class

We have represented the middle class within our product through both of the main characters. We did this by dressing them both in clothing that could be associated with the middle class and presenting them neatly and tidily. Although, because Lauren and Ben were doing activities in the flashbacks that were quite active she couldn’t exactly be wearing a nice floral dress and heels.

RaceThe race of both our characters is white. This was for no particular reason other than ease, Lauren and Ben are partners in real life and both had similar flexibility as the rest of our group so it made sense to use them. However, later on in the film it may be more important to consider other races and how we would portray them.

Age

The target audience for our horror film was 15-25 year olds and therefore it was logical to use characters within that age bracket. Lauren and Ben are both 17 but, in The Killer’s Identity we ideally hoped they’d look more like 19. This was so that they were in roughly the middle of the target audience bracket so it would appeal to both ends of the spectrum (15 and 25 year olds.)

GenderWithin our 2 minute opening both females and males are presented. In doing this hopefully it would attract both sexes to continue watching the film. Our product supports the stereotype that women are weaker than men as it is Lauren that is shown being chased and it is implied that Ben could possibly be the one who killed her.

Sexuality

The sexuality we represented in our media product was heterosexual, this is because it is traditional and pretty much all members of society approve with few controversial views on it. This can be seen through the relationship Lauren and Ben have together in the flashbacks. For example, when Ben gives Lauren a piggy back.