Evaluation Q2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

According to Google definitions "Representation means the description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way". Our film opening focuses on teens who live in an urban area who were affected by the riots. We represented these teens in various ways. Through the decisions made by Noah and Vince to go out and steal electronics, their characters are automatically represented as irresponsible/unruly teenagers who don't take into consideration the lives of others.Through the use of Raheem, we have represented teenagers as mature and responsible, doing the right thing despite the tempting situation.

The character Noah, played by me, was running and had a very anxious/fidgety characteristic making him like the natural criminal. The character Vince, played by Cristian, was the one who used his intelligence for wrong, whereas Raheem, played by Rojal, used his intelligence to do the right thing by staying inside. Vince's body language, ordering Noah out made him as the one who took control of the situation but used his power for bad. Raheem was the stereotypical nerd with the glasses and the shirt under his sweater. Noah and Vince are represented in a negative aspect due to the unlawful decisions they make. Raheem was represented in a more positive light because of his decision to stay inside and not take part in the looting. In terms of costume, Noah and Vince wore dark clothes which give off negative connotations and the fact that they're both wearing hoodies fulfils the stereotype of them being bad reinforcing the idea that we get negative connotations from these characters.



Similar Characters from La Haine by Slidely Slideshow

As our film opening was inspired by the 2011 London Riots and Mathieu Kassovitz' 'La Haine' we found similarities of the different social groups to our characters. Said and Vincent from 'La Haine' are determined to riot whereas Hubert doesn't really want to. This relates to our film, as the two characters Noah and Vince loot, whereas Raheem stays at home. Although, Hubert from La Haine accompanies Said and Vincent anyway, the fact that he isn't entirely comfortable with the idea is enough to link to Raheem from our movie, 'Jacked'.

Below is an interview where I received feedback on representations of teenagers in 'Jacked'. From the feedback I received, I am now aware that we successfully represented Vince and Noah as the irresponsible boys and Raheem as the one who rejected that path.