Tuesday, 5 April 2011

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The main character (William) vaguely represents the social group of urban teenagers, although he conveys more meaning. He seems isolated, misunderstood, and riddled, but this is just a phase everyone goes through as they grow up, right?

As i compare William in my opening with the character of Jimmy Smith (8 Mile) in that opening, i begin to see similar traits.  Both of these characters share the characteristic of isolation, even though Jimmy is beyond his teenage years. This tells me that, although people are generally categorized into specific social groups, human beings are all capable of experiencing the same feelings.

Both characters spend a large proportion of the opening alone, either by personal choice or social influence. The difference between the two though is that Jimmy's isolation is emphasised through the fact that he's practically the only white male within the local underground hip-hop scene, so there are clues to possible social influences. On the other hand, William seems to have taken solitary by choice, seeing as he hasn't been outcast by all social groups; we see his mate 'Jonesy' at the end of the sequence.


Despite initial reasons of isolation, both characters aren't as purposeless as you may think.  Deeper thought is conveyed within both characters, for example- the shot of William, alike Jimmy, staring into the mirror long and hard, as though he's trying to find something. Jimmy aspires to be a well known hip-hop artist and has the skill aswell as mental clarity to reinforce manifestations, but his path is blurred and it's a struggle to find his way. William's block is more obscure, as he does not actually realise his potential and what he's destined to achieve if he simply grasps the opportunity. In this respect, William's dilemma is far more psychological. It is quite ironic that both characters problems present a strength in the other's world, reinforcing how non-beneficial isolation has become.

  I believe this shows that problems arise within every persons life, despite social background or culture. Opportunities come and go, but it takes realisation and drive to grasp them

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