Evaluation of Representations

General

 

• Representation is when social classes such as gender, age, ability, sexuality etc. are re-presented through the media.
• In our piece we have created a mixed representation of teenagers (age), whilst also creating representations of gender.
• These representations are constructed using misè-en-scene, camera angles/movements, editing and sound.
• Genre plays a key role in the kinds of representations we construct - we are working in a hybrid of coming of age/social realism. Both rely heavily on high verisimilitude as the narrative relies on the audience being emotionally and visually engaged with the characters and plot.
• With this comes particular issues round representation - where there is concern about representations being "biased and limited" (Pickering) our style may be particularly harmful as it is believeable and gives an impression of 'truth' - it is therefore more likely to perpetuate stereotypes into wider society.
• However, like any producers, we need a certain amount of stereotypical representation to create our narrative (Adorno). This is even more the case as we only have 2 mins to convey ideas to our audience.

Representations of Teenagers

• Within the teenage group there is a split between how our representation of them can be viewed.
• The first way is a positive representation.
• In the flashback scene  a young, happy looking girl in bright colours and eccentric 80’s makeup is seen innocently waiting on a bench.
•  This is a positive representation - implies that she isn't a stereotypical wild teenager; in a big, intimidating group etc

  

  Happy in the snow

• It further defies the stereotype that most teenagers smoke or drink to enjoy themselves because instead she is openly expressing and happy to show emotions.  
• This stereotype is seen through various media/film products, such as ‘Skins’, ‘Project X’ and common soap operas like ‘Eastenders’ or ‘Coronation Street’.
   

Similar stereotypes to that of the characters in 'Skins'

Opposite stereotype to that of Whitney from 'Eastenders' 

• Another way in which teenagers are represented positively is by the relationship between Ruby and Sam, seen in the flashback scene.
• A close up of Sam picking up Ruby’s keys is used to emphasize the kindness of his character.
• This friendship is conveyed as a genuine one because through Ruby’s reactions and parts of her dialogue it gives the impression that she has feelings for Sam
• However, Sam's reactions prove that he does not necessarily feel the same, therefore keeping their friendship honest

Ruby and Sam conveying a friendly relationship

• Another relationship to consider between the characters is Sam and Jimmy’s.
• This is conveyed through Sam’s dialogue when he says ‘as long as it’s okay with Jimmy’. By subtly mentioning Ruby’s brother in between her attempt at ‘flirting’ with him, it gives the impression that Sam is loyal to his friend as he doesn't cross a line and try anything with his sister.

The band happy together in rehearsals

• One of the main positive representations of teenagers, however, is the subtle concept of the film; the teenagers have an ambition.
• This defies one of the biggest stereotypes of this generation that the majority of teenagers do not have any life goals other than to go to parks in their hoodies and drink or do drugs.
• This conforms to Althusser’s theory that when stereotypes are often repeated, they begin to seem ‘real’ because a lot of the media show the mishaps of teenagers on TV shows such as Geordie Shore or Skins.
• However, we contradicted this because not only do they have an ambition, but it is internationally recognised, made apparent through the dialogue of the news reporter saying that they were a ‘hit band’.
• This is positive because they have made a successful living out of something they love to do, which is further shown through another part of the news reporter’s dialogue saying they started with a small cult following because it proves they worked their way to the top. 

Nostalgia achieving ambitious dreams

 

• On the other hand, a negative representation is also displayed; the most obvious being the main event of the film - Ruby committing suicide.
• This does conform to the stereotype of teenagers using drugs excessively as confirmed by the news reporter declaring her death was an overdose.
• We see this stereotype portrayed through media series such as Skins. It also relates to an even closer stereotype of famous people eventually surrendering to life in the spotlight.
• This representation conveys Pickering’s theory that using stereotypes often result in ‘negative and biased’ views because it implies that Ruby could not deal with her emotions in a mature way.
• This reflects badly on how the audience will perceive her character because she appears weak as she essentially failed to pursue the life she so eagerly wanted. 

Innocent child with ambitious dreams 

• However, although it is a clear negative representation, Adorno suggested that sometimes stereotypes are essential in media forms as a way of acting as a ‘shorthand’ to compress life in a short form.
• Therefore, this stereotype is essential to our piece because of our chosen genre; as mentioned previously, our piece relies on high verisimilitude, which is what this stereotype emphasizes.
• There has been many famous people announced on the news because of their decision to end their life; the most recent example being Amy Winehouse. 
• Our 'death'is also announced via news - we don't see the older Ruby, only an impersonal report of her death. Distances audience - we are more emotionally connected with her brother.

Press coverage of Winehouse death

Similar press announcement in our piece

Representations of Gender

• To consider the representation from another angle,  it is worth noting that the character that crumbles is a female.
• This gives a negative portrayal of women because they are already stereotyped as being weak and less inclined to cope with their emotions.
• In addition to this, it is also apparent through the sobbing fan, who we didn't plan to be a female, but is one, as she cannot control her emotions over somebody she did not directly know but felt connected to through music.

Stereotype that women are more known for being unable to control emotions: a fan weeps to the news about her idol.

Similarities to real life famous people unable to cope with the stardom: Amy Winehouse.

• The audience, however, is given the impression that Jimmy is also struggling to cope with the loss of his sister shown by various close up and extreme close ups of his reaction to listening to the news.
• To further show this a sound perspective is used to highlight his confused and distressed emotions; the news reporter is only on in the background when Jimmy has the screen time and therefore, to the audience, it appears as though he isn't actually listening with great detail which conveys the emotional and sensitive side to him, considering he did not want his sister involved with the band in the first place.
• Overall, then, our characters' age and the genre, which is all about deep emotions, means representations of gender are less pronounced than they might have been.

Ruby's brother, Harry, defying stereotype that it is mainly women who cannot tackle their emotions sufficiently.

Use of Sound to Create Representation

• In the first part of our opening, asides from the diegetic sound of the news report in the background, there is no other diegetic sound and no non-diegetic sound.
•  This use of silence portrays the seriousness and intensity of the scene because there is nothing to alter the atmosphere except for Jimmy’s emotions. 
• Whereas, in the flashback scene, there is upbeat non-diegetic 80’s music and lots of dialogue; this highlights how Ruby’s personality changed in the years when she reached stardom because when speaking to Sam, it was apparent to the audience that she was a young, carefree teenager – until she had fame. 

Upbeat pace, more vibrant colours for the flashback

Summary

Overall, our piece conveys a very mixed representation of teenagers.

They are emotional, unstable and carry out dramatic actions.

They are also talented, motivated, loyal.

I agree with Wee who suggests that in teen drama of this kind, the age of the characters becomes irrelevant - they are used as a vehicle to convey adult problems and dilemmas, and their age gives them license to struggle with these, reassuring viewers of all ages.