The media product created by my group and myself represents the ever growing social diversity within our society. We mixed up the stereotypical hollywood formula, not only to illustrate the way forward for our society but to empower our female character. However all are characters are surrounded by one body crime and we use different techniques from mise-en-scene to camera, editing and sound emphasise this.
Zell, our main female character, is the media pieces pivotal character, subverting social roles. Zell is on the job with three other guys, however not a regular job for a girl, she is not only supporting but leading what appears to be some sort of robbery. While the mise-en-scene of the character we had her have, side plats, a navy boiler suit, white trainers and a gorilla mask. Plats gives the character somewhat of an innocence, however they are swell very practical to getting hair out the way of the face, but not the most practical way such as a bun, which would keep all the hair our of her face. What plats do is give space for her hair to swing comforting the character to the female stereotype of long hair as well making the character appear somewhat innocent like a young girl. While this look makes our character appear as if following a girly stereotype, we subvert the stereotype with her attire and the use of naturalistic makeup. A female character would usually have very saturated and vibrant lips, which would give the character sex appeal, however we didn't want this. We wanted her to appear as boyish as possible, to emphasis her strength and power as a women, we wanted to show her pure side, with ought having to mask her with attraction. This subverts the stereotype, but as well may confuse audiences and make her fall into a different stereotype of a crazy women, which we were going for but not at the same time, because we wanted her to appear elegant with her plats but brutal with ought the make up. We had her attire match the rest of the robbery crew, with the boiler suit, trainers and gorilla mask, this illustrated them as a group or a unit. This was important as we wanted to conform to the stereotype of being bank robbers, and we used guerrilla masks for this to instigate the idea of them being animalistic. Zell was the youngest of the group, this was an important feature, as while the youngest she appears to be the boss. Her youth gives her the fiery characteristics, conforming to the teenage stereotype, however she subverts her youth stereotype as she appears to be running the show. Throughout the piece she is the only character apart from Dave, that is shown with ought a gun. This supports the female stereotype of her not getting her hands dirty, however the she reaches for the gun in the last scene it subverts this stereotype and empowers her the most as she is shown to be the only one who will get her hands dirty and get the job done. Although at the end of the piece she is stopped from shooting James, the mafia character, showing that with her youth she still has a lot to learn, this moment highlights her naivety, conforming to the youth stereotype, as conforming to the female stereotype as she is being suppressed as a women, which is not so relevant in our society today but is still unfortunately a stereotype today.
Now Adam, our second most important character within the van scene. He illustrates a lot of characteristics of being a man, with his dominant persona and his assertive tone, he follow the stereotype of man mainly through out the piece. However, the conflict between Zell and him could be seen as subverting to the male stereotype, due to his authority being question, however on the other hand this could be strengthen the male stereotype as he is standing his ground and using his dominance to argue other wise. His attire is the same as the rest in the van, conforming to the bank robber stereotype, and making them all appear as one, as all have the same characteristic of greed, which is an animalistic behaviour, which is why they are all given guns except Zell. Guns show power, and from the outset Adam has a big gun, emphasising his power, conforming to the mail stereotype of power. However through out the sequence he does not once use the gun, showing that he has control again strengthening the stereotype. His head is shaven and his beard is bristle to give him a skinhead look, to justify his grimy behaviour and make him appear more aggressive, which the stereotype of a skinhead would suggest he has a lack on money, strengthening the behaviour of robbing something from someone, conforming to the stereotype. He is one of the oldest within the van, which subverts him from the stereotype of authority as he is dominated by Zell, however his power is exacerbated with the low angle projected up at him making him seem powerful and dominant conforming to his masculine stereotype.
Mike is one of the quieter characters. He has not much camera time throughout the sequence, however when he does he is seen as a warm hearted person. His attire is the same as the rest of the characters in the van illustrating that he as well is one of the team, conforming to the stereotype of the bank robber. However, his pure empathy and his urge to help Dave subverts him from the psychopathic stereotype, making him more humane and relatable. Due to the audience identifying with this, it gives him a sense of power conforming him to the stereotype of a human. His gentle behaviour is ironically metaphorical as it is juxtaposed by his gorilla mask, which is seen as an aggressive animalistic behaviour, but when he takes it off he is another person. Even though he gets little camera time through out the sequence he is there to keep things slightly lighter, due to the conflict between Adam and Zell being very intense. He appears to be in his early thirties making him closer to Adam’s age then Zell’s, giving him the same wisdom and maturity as dave, conforming to the stereotype. While he appears young he knows what he is doing in the stressful situation subverting him from the youth stereotype. When it comes to the final scene, Mike finally conforms to his masculine stereotype and uses his force to stop something bad from happening, displaying his dominance and assertiveness, suggesting he is not just a shy puppy.
Dave has little to say but shows a lot about his character throughout the scene. He is part of the robbery crew as well with his costume design reflecting the others conforming him to that stereotype of being a unit. His ability to direct Mike while in great pain highlights his male stereotypical behaviour. However, he is squirming about and is in a lot of pain which can be seen as weak therefore subverting from the masculine stereotype. His age shows him to be in his early fifties, which could be one of the reasons he got shot, due to him not being so quick on his feet no more, conforming to the stereotype of him being old. As well due to his ability to know what to do comes from experience which as well conforms to the stereotypical role of him being a elderly character.
James the final piece to the puzzle. Well not really, but his dominate and assertive behaviour illustrates his male stereotype which he conforms too. He is not wearing the same customs as the characters in the van showing he has more authority, which conforms to the stereotype of him being elderly as well him being a man of business. The camera shots of his hard gaze at the characters within the van shows his dominance and and subtle confidence, as he does not flinch, conforming to this masculine stereotype. His old age shows his experience as a character, which is supported by Adam and Mike stopping Zell from shooting him as they now that will just cause bigger issues.
Overall, our media product shows many different types of stereotypes in our society, but as well subverts from many of the female generalisations and makes an example of how a women can be powerful rather then someone that needs to be saved or seen as a sex symbol. While the male characters mostly conform to there stereotype, representing the male social group, and the different characteristics within that social group.
