2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Our media product represents particular social groups, particularly with AGE and GENDER. We made certain decisions to represent these groups and managed to combine the two.

• Firstly, we picked a female for our leading role. The character of Zoe is also a teenager showing youth, so immediately, the social group of young women is presented.

• This will appeal towards our main audience of women of this age, as they can relate to the main character due to her independence, and also as we are presenting a female on her own without showing her relying on a male figure.

•  This character is the female protagonist due to this and also shows the female social group as brave.    

• Also, through her appearance and age, this character may also appeal to a social group of young men as she is attractive and young. Furthermore, as Zoe is seen to be very chatty and outgoing, her appeal on teenage boys would be even greater. This personality, presents the social groups of teenagers as positive in being social, active and confident.

• Also, the character of Zoe making money from the odd job such as babysitting represents a range of social groups who are in a similar position, so students in this case. This shows how they are financially independent and are willing to make money to support themselves.

• Furthermore, using a young child (Summer), we have added vulnerability and this age also shows innocence and the fact that such a young child has been taken, we have raised awareness. Also, as we have not shown what the child looks like, we are distanced from the character and this shows the age group as easily influenced and capable of being taken. 

• Through the reactions of Zoe once the child has gone missing, there is a sense of maturity added, showing the social group age-wise and grown up rather than present them in a negative way such as showing a childish and immature lead character.

• Also, there is the use of mystery in hiding the identity as we do not know the gender or age of this person. This is so that we do not immediately present a particular social group as the bad person and takes away any trace of identification. This also provides more tension as we do not know who this female teenager is up against.

Overall, we have shown the social groups of teenagers and females in different ways throughout our media, but have mainly showed them in a positive way to create an appeal to these social groups.