Evaluation Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

We represented women in a non-stereotypical way. This was done through action codes and costume.

Challenging:  Gender stereotypes.

Lotus is the dominant character in the opening sequence and indeed the whole film. She is seen as the powerful, strong action hero instead of the stereotypical male action hero in thriller action movies such as James Bond/Jason Bourne.

In terms of inspiration we used the Bride from Kill Bill as well as the recent trend in female assassin/spy movies such as Hanna, Columbiana and Haywire.

The Bride is also a strong female character who is the antihero of the film and is constantly seen overpowering men such as her showdown with Bill at the end. Although our hero is less revenge driven, she equally has power over the man in the sequence. This does not conform to the stereotype of women as sidekicks, love interests or damsels in distress in action movies such as Princess Leia in Star Wars who although strong and resourceful has to be rescued by the male characters. The stereotype we are challenging is that the male characters are normally the stronger ones or more in control.

This is shown in our film in its action codes:

·         She is shown to be methodical and calculating in her actions when she appears behind the glass. She is in control.

·         She brings the gun quickly to his head and forces him to sit up.

·         She takes one last look at him at the end, again showing her control and calmness over the situation.

She wears gloves, a leather jacket etc. She is dressed practically to kill-not provocatively. Business-like.

Another representation in the sequence is the male. We wanted to represent him as a character the audience did not sympathise with so that his death was not upsetting to the audience.

The main way we did this was with the iconography, the unsettling CU’s and his slow methodical movements, as well as his obsession with money and greed. This is emphasised by the match on action of him clicking open the briefcase and then later the shot of him smiling sinisterly and leaning back.

Due to all of this the audience understand that this is an unsavoury character and don’t warm to him which would be the wrong reaction.

This image of the Godfather: Part II shows young Vito Corleone smoking a cigar which carries similar connotations of greed and corrupt morals.

In conclusion we used iconography, costume, action codes and camera angles.