Q2) How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Race / ClassIn terms of race our film is consistent with convention. The indie genre of music tends to be more predominantly white

Walk The Line The Rentboys

This particular ethnic group is shown as being close yet lacking of diversity. This could imply they come from a background that may also lack ethnic diversity. The same way rap music is seen to be conventionally ethnic, indie music is synonymous with the white, teen/young adult demographic.

RaceChoosing not to challenge this convention may cause limitations.

One potential limitation is the ethnic audience. They may be disappointed that the band lacks this diversity and therefore not be able to relate as well.

However audiences may come to expect this lack of orientation due to the conventions of the indie genre. So although ethnic diversities are unlikely to watch the film at the first place; challenging this convention could have set our film apart more from others.

GenderThis screenshot of one of the members of the band shows the direction we chose to take in terms of gender. The garage door is a maroon colour and therefore suggests something more masculine than female; where something more feminine would be something like pink. The Marilyn Monroe quote however also instills a slight feminine element. This mix of masculine and feminine, leaning towards masculine, also symbolizes the indie genre itself. The male in the centre also implies a centrally masculine theme.

GenderThe footage of a young teenager being filmed bowling shows the unity of the group and the fun they have. Bowling can be seen as a male sport/hobby so the group with him is likely to be male. The editing makes the footage technicoloured and fuzzy which empasizes the importance of their friendship. The person in the footage is also wearing a wrist-band, a fashionable accessory in indie fashion.

AgeIn order for our target audience to relate to the band, the members of the band are all young teenagers. This also helps emphasize the plot of an aspiring band and the fact that their young age may lead them to face countless problems. Their age is used to show their aspiration to have fun together and make music because they enjoy it. The fact they’re young may also contribute to showing why they are so close as adults may be less capable of showing the same level of affection. The white/male indie teenager is represented as valuing friendship deeply and having a profound love for music as it is music that brings them together at the end.