Evaluation Activity 2

How does your media product represent a particular social group? Social Group: Upper/Middle class, teenage girls. Overview: In the opening sequence of our media product, Down in the Woods' features a character called 'Ally' as the protagonist. Ally is around 16/17 years old, and in the opening sequence Ally is seen walking through a forest with her boyfriend 'Tyler' (also aged around 16/17). The pair are chatting amicably as they return from a date together. Tyler surprises Ally with a necklace (hung from a tree branch). However the couple are unaware that the 'Demon' is intently watching them, and he eventually attacks them: killing Tyler and leaving Ally both physically and mentally traumatised. The 2013 horror-thriller film, 'The Purge' also features a 16 year old girl as a main character. 'Zoey' is the daughter of the protagonist of the film [James Sandin] and is one of the main characters of the film. Like Ally, Zoey also has a boyfriend - although he is older than her which has caused tension between her and her parents as they disapprove of the relationship. This doesn't deter Zoey from seeing her boyfriend [Henry] - in the film they have clandestine meetings in her bedroom. Relationships, Roles and Trauma: Both of the relationships that the characters have with their boyfriends, represents a different stereotype. With Ally, the perfect, lovey-dovey relationship is seen. Zoeys is in a stereotypical rebellious relationship with a bad-boy: in this case a boy who is older than her, that her parents heartily disapprove. Both girls see their boyfriends die in front of them: Zoey is with Henry when he succumbs to his wounds, after he attempts to kill her father (during the Purge when all crime is legal) in order for them to continue on their relationship without his interference. On the other hand, Ally sees her boyfriend Tyler murdered by the Demon. This is an intensely traumatic experience for both of them and deeply affects them. In Zoeys case, after Henry dies she is taken hostage at gunpoint, by a stranger in their home and later attacked and nearly killed by her neighbours (along with her mother and brother her father by this point has already been killed). Similarly, Ally is attacked by the Demon, after Tylers death, and she is left in an almost catatonic state.

Ally played by Penny Ives in DOWN IN THE WOODS.

Both characters appear to be very vulnerable, it can be said that they are the stereotypical damsel in distresses that are found in a lot of horror/supernatural/thriller films. Ally is left physically scarred

after her encounter with the antagonist, whereas Zoey suffers very little actual physical harm. However, both the characters suffer immense psychological trauma which has severe affects upon them. For instance after Tylers death and her attack, Ally becomes a recluse, shunning the outside world and it is unclear if she will survive to fight the Demon. Zoey also becomes incredibly scared after Henry is shot by her father, and she appears as the damsel in distress when her parents save her from being held at gunpoint. However, Zoey challenges this stereotype when she saves her mother and brother from being killed, by shooting their attacker (one of the main antagonists in the film). In that moment she ceases to be the damsel and becomes the saviour. As of yet Ally has not proved herself to be the saviour. The consequence of the not being anyone to save her from the Demon has meant she now needs saving psychologically. It is hinted however that something will prompt Ally to snap out of whatever state she is in now, in order to defeat the Demon. This is implied through the texts she receives from her friend Mel. Costume (and relationships continued): Both their costumes are accurate representations of their age group. In 'The Purge, Zoey wears a school uniform, connoting her youth. This is a typical representation of a teenage girl, as she is most likely attending school at the moment. Also, the fact that her skirt is quite short and her blouse form-fitting, gives a rather stereotypical representation of teenage girls: that they are constantly trying to make themselves look more attractive. In Zoeys case her costume adds to her sense of sexuality emphasised by her early scenes with Henry. Her very first scene is her kissing her boyfriend on her bed and the scene seems very sexual in nature. This could be construed as a stereotypical representation of a teenage girl [of Zoeys age]. The notion that they are sexually frustrated, and perhaps applicable to all teenagers, that they are very hormonal and crave physical contact.

In contrast, Ally and Tylers relationship is not sexualised at all: their interactions together seem quite innocent, they limit themselves to hand-holding and hugging. This could be seen as the counter-type of the idea that all teenagers just want to have sex. It may be the case of Ally and Tyler that they are satisfied with a less physical relationship. Or it could be that they are not at the point

Zoey Sadin played by Adelaide Kane in THE PURGE.

Allys costume also gives a conventional representation of a teenage girl; the brightly-coloured tiedyed t-shirt, worn with a high-waisted skirt and converse, are all on-trend. This gives a stereotypical representation of a teenage female: conforming to the idea that teenage girls are fashion conscious and always want to look their best. This stereotypical trait is further emphasised by Allys dip-dyed hair, a very popular trend where the ends of the hair are dyed a different colour. Class: Zoey and Ally differ in the representation of their class: it is clear in The Purge that Zoey comes from a privileged background: her family are seen to have a lot of money, her father is an affluent businessman, and they live in a wealthy, gated community and a large, luxurious house. However it

is a little more unclear as to Allys class. From what we can see of her room it is well equipped and nicely furnished and decorated, if a little small. It seems like a normal teenagers room, including its untidy nature. We can surmise from this, and her seemingly normal London accent, that Ally is of a middle-class background. Zoeys bedroom in comparison Props: In terms of props, both characters follow stereotypical representations: in that they both have smartphones. Ownership of such a device is very common, especially amongst the youth; it can also be connected with the desire to keep up to date with trends and stay fashionable or cool. Such a desire is a typical trait of teenagers in general, but is more often stereotypically associated with teenage girls. In The Purge the other major prop that Zoey uses, other than her phone, is a gun. This is a countertype: the prop connotes that she can take care of herself. Or it can connote that shes desperate, and so terrified that shes resorted to using a firearm to defend herself. However, eventually Zoey uses the gun to kill an attacker suggesting she is not the stereotypical damsel in distress. In comparison to Zoey, Ally doesnt really use any props of a defensive nature. The only ones she uses are the necklace and the hoodie both of which are given to her. This could connote a kind of helplessness about her, that perhaps she is reliant on her boyfriend. This is further emphasised by that when he dies, she is left vulnerable.