Evaluation: representation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Representation

Representation refers to the way which media presents the “real world” through media text such as films, which is significant for the audience to distinguish the context of a product.

Our trailer “One Day” is a drama film, focusing on topics such as mental illness and youth. We show a clear representation of teenagers through their external appearance and behavior, portrayed in the media. Therefore our characters conform to the stereotypes in terms of image, friendship, and relationship wise. Particularly, the concept of growing up and figuring out how to be perceived in a way which society accepts and considers “normal”.

Throughout the trailer, we established the journey of Belle and her struggles from the past, which is not often addressed in society as teenagers are seen as care/worry free. It was important for us to accurately represent and discuss the prevalence of depression amongst teens today. Although there is numerous cause of the mental illness it’s a growing concern in society, which goes skewed and misunderstood. This conforms to the conventions in drama, as it tackles serious topics in a way it’s entertaining to the audience but also educational – similar to the film “its kind of a funny story".The character Craige subverts to typical representations of teenagers because he is portrayed in a very vulnerable manner and has a dark tendency, which would be seen in society as unusual behavior, causing him to attempt suicide, as he is unable to confide with his peers/ family.