Representation is the way a social group is shown to an
intended audience. This can be either positive or negative for that social
group. A social group is defined as group where the individuals thereof are
linked by a set of similar beliefs and ideas.
The teenage girl in the film is the targeted victim of the
intruder. Stereotypically she is represented as the good, vulnerable female who
has no power to change what is happening to her. The intruder wears a hoody, trainers
and jeans, all clothing items in your average boy's wardrobe. As the intruder's
hood is up his face cannot be seen. The hood evokes stereotype of anti-social
and gang affiliated behaviour amongst viewers. the attire of the intruders
makes him represent as the 'bad guy', which as it is the intention of the film,
means that we were successful in getting this message across. Having the female
as the good girl and the male as the bad guy is also a stereotype in itself as
crimes are usually attributed to the male gender.
Both the male and female characters ages fits a stereotype:
teenage girl and make-up, and teenage boy and casual dress. Stereotype is often
perceived to be negative but I believe that it is useful and necessary in
driving the plot in the film. Stereotypes allow the audience to make
assumptions which helps them to piece together cues from the film like the
music and the choice of camera shots used. For example long, high pitched
screechy sounds indicate something sinister occurring, whilst over the shoulder
shots indicate that one is being watched. The use of lighting also aids differentiation
in gender representation as when the female is on screen the lighting is
brighter, however when the intruder is being shot the lighting is dimmer.
The victim belongs to the white English social group which
is normally presented in mainstream media as the 'better' race and victim of
foul play by other races. Likewise, the white English teenager is the victim in
'intruder', however this does not go to say that the intruder is of another
race as he is not seen.
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