Analyse media representations question

Analyse media representations in one of your coursework productions.

In my horror film opening the term 'Mediation' was used as the three key points that expand from mediation are: selection, organisation and focusing. The idea of selection is where in the media industry for example a photo shoot the selected photographs published in a magazine were chosen for a reason and the others weren't chosen fro a reason. In my horror film opening the specific clips that were chosen were chosen because they highlighted the representations and stereotypes more and allowed the audience to see these clearer. For example a medium close up shot of the teenage male and female looking into each others eyes in love was chosen. This is because teenagers are represented to be obsessed with the opposite gender and making this a priority over other more important things. Therefore the representation of this was shown in the clip to show the stereotype being conformed to. Another example would be a close up of the female character 'Riley' screaming in fear. This shot was chosen through mediation because the shot best enhanced and exaggerated the representation of women being very vulnerable and weak as one of the conventions of the genre horror is the women to play the character of the victim to show them being overpowered. Furthermore several shots weren't used because they were either blurry or they didn't best show the representation that I wanted to put across to the audience.

Secondly the whole of the horror film opening was organised in a way that would create a very unsettled atmosphere and would make the audience want to carry on watching. This was shown through the mise-en-scene and the narrative. Firstly the mise-en-scene of the lighting being very natural and calming to begin with and to end with however during the flash back in the middle was very dark and sinister shows how the clips were organised following the narrative theorist 'Todorov'. This was to represent his equilibrium theory through out. The disruption of the equilibrium is highlighted through the change of lighting and this enhances the audiences attention in many ways as it changes the atmosphere completely. In addition this was also chosen to be done as it allowed the audience to focus on the 'Villain' in this film opening as the zooming in and close up shots of her were shown in the flash back making her the main focus of the clip. This also highlighted the representation of the theme of evil that is one of horror's main conventions.

In my film opening I used the reflective view of representation this is because in previous research and planning I had focused mine on previous horror film openings that already exist. By doing this I had found the representations used in horror and how they are used. Therefore reflecting this in my own planning and construction to show to my audience the most accurate horror film opening that is following codes and conventions of horror very well. For example the media represent teenagers as very low class, smoking, drinking, wearing hoodies and very rebellious. This is because of the media is made by adults and they have this representation on teenagers therefore showing it in a lot of films made. This shows how they have made an opinion on them to be very out of control and as an individual (part of the audience) watching this it is then your decision whether to believe this or not. Therefore a conclusion is made on your position for example I am a teenager therefore I would not agree with this representation.