How does your media product represent

particular social groups?

Evaluation Question 2

Students/Teenagers Our films’ protagonist is a university science student

He is presented as someone eager to make a difference and has

a strong sense of morals; he puts himself at risk for the greater

good

He is also determined and hard-working as he doesn’t give up

despite having to take on a bigger force than himself (a

convention of the thriller genre)

He is quick-witted, intelligent and uses his initiative as he reads

the secret document despite the risk and lack of time. He is also

intelligent enough to test out his theory in the laboratory

This is an anti-stereotypical representation as students are often

associated with laziness, apathy and endless drinking!

Underclass At the start of our sequence, we find the protagonist (white t-

shirt) years after the events of the film.

He looks depressed and void of enthusiasm.

He drinks alcohol; a dependence that he has picked up to fill the empty spaces in his life and drown his sorrows.

He sits slumped over, highlighting his low position in society as everyone looks down on him physically and metaphorically

He is reluctant to give up any information; demonstrating a lazy and apathetic attitude

He has a record of paranoia

This is a stereotypical representation as the underclass

are often associated with unemployment,

alcohol and lacking in motivation

Middle Class The psychologist (red tie) at the start of our sequence represents

this social class

He gets on with the job but doesn’t enjoy it

His condescending tone shows no respect for the other

character; he doesn’t believe this characters’ stories of

conspiracy

He sits straight-backed, contrasting to the other characters

slumped posture, which shows the power he has over this man

but also his higher social class; he also feels he is better than

this job

This character conforms to the stereotypical bureaucrat who

sees the patient as just another name on his desk, and adopts a

pessimistic attitude

Scientists

The student assumes the role of a scientist to test

his theory

He is presented as hard-working and diligent as

he works for a long period without stopping;

illustrated by the time-lapse.

He is also tidy and organised as he keeps his lab

coat hung on a hook and replaces it afterwards

This conforms to the stereotype as scientists are

often portrayed as focused and highly intelligent.

MI5 Agent The man who leaves the top-secret file open represents this

group

He is presented as careless as he leaves the file open for our

protagonist to find

He is also in a rush, which is why he forgets to close his

computer down - showing how he also gets on with the job but

doesn’t really enjoy it

He also views himself as better than others – like the

psychologist - as he knocks into our protagonist, who has just

entered, without a word of apology

This is an anti-stereotypical representation as ‘spies’ are usually

portrayed as discreet, collected and thorough.