Representation Blog Post

There's one group I constantly feel like is represented with many different stereotypes that are usually negative and not always fair: teenagers. Since the beginning of film, teenagers have been the forefront of many stories and coming of age tales in films from The Breakfast Club, to Clueless, to Mean Girls. These films portray teenagers in many different ways as they go through high school.

One example of how teenagers are represented is through their stereotypes. There are many stereotypes represented by high school teenagers in shows, films, and other forms of media such as the popular cheerleader, the athlete, the nerd, and the social outcast. These roles are often used in many films to generalize characters. They unfairly represent people in a way that isn't always true. For instance, it's rare to see a smart athlete or a nice cheerleader because it takes away from the high school tropes. In movie's such as the Breakfast Club where each of these character types end up in detention together, the movie aims to break down what people initially believe about each character and get deeper. In Mean Girls, the characters categorize their cafeteria into different stereotypical cliques such as the band geeks. I think if I were to use any of these stereotypes I would definitely try and challenge them by having each character act the opposite of what's expected.

I also think another way teenagers are portrayed is as very self-absorbed, technology addicted kids. As the era of technology advanced, so did the commonplace of seeing phones on shows and movies. Now more than ever, there are representations of teenagers texting at the dinner table and with friends which didn't use to be common. News is also spread faster online especially in a show like Gossip Girl, where the school's latest gossip is constantly posted on a blog for others to see. These characters are addicted to checking and reading the latest news about their peers. In shows such as Freaks and Geeks, the kids are portrayed as burn outs with no goals for the future. Since teenagers are often portrayed as lost and confused about the future, shows like that one try and emphasize that it is because they don't care.

Some of these characteristics ring true. Many people I know are stuck in the twisted addiction to their cellphones, myself included. However, I disagree that students don't care about their future. I believe someone people are just generally trying to figure it out and may need more time. The stereotypes such as the "dumb blonde" and " nerdy kids" are definitely unfair to many people. These portrayals can often seep into what people perceive in real life. Since we were raised seeing these representations on TV, many people are unfairly and poorly grouped. I hope in my project I can challenge some of what people may believe and open their minds to a new era of representation, one that is diverse and fair.

Genre Database 2

1. Thriller/Horror
2. The movie usually starts with a scary scene that introduces the villain of the story. There is usually 
   suspenseful music to elevate the scene. The storylines usually follow a few certain plot lines. 
   Sometimes it is a girl or group of friends being tormented or stalked by a killer. Other times, a 
   house could be haunting a family. Usually a recurring theme is that there are a lot of plot twists. 
   The killer is usually someone that the characters least expect. To build suspense, the characters 
   may be trapped or try to solve the mystery on their own which could lead to very scary situations.
3. When filming horror movies, directors typically try to build suspense in many scenes by filming 
   close up shots or point of view shots of the killer. Many of these scenes follow behind the main 
   character or show a mid shot of the killer creeping up behind the characters. In supernatural horror
    films, close ups of specific aspects of the house may allude to the house being haunted. The 
   music in the background is also very intense, usually starting out slow and building up as the 
   scene draws closer to the most intense part. Dark colors are also very present on set. Black is 
   the most prominent color, whether it be an underlying filter or colors in outfit or prop choices.
4. Scream- This film directly embodies the thriller/horror genre. It starts out with the killing of one girl 
   and her boyfriend at her house. This is common in many horror films to introduce the audience to
    the murderer. We are then introduced to the main character who is immediately threatened and 
   attacked by the masked killer. In each scene that the main girl is being threatened, suspenseful 
   music plays. The murderer continues to taunt her and kill her friends, a typical convention of a 
   stalking/ tormenting theme. This movie also follows the horror convention by having the killer be 
   a plot twist. It ends up being her boyfriend along with his friend. These plot twists are a staple 
   part of many horror genres.
5. The Amityville Horror- This movie follows another type of horror film plotlines: a haunted house.
    The film opens with the news that murders happened in a house and the guy claimed he heard 
   voices. A year later, a couple and their daughter move into the house. Immediately weird instances
    in the house start happening. There is usually close up and over the shoulder shots as the parents
    investigate the strange occurances. The daughter claims to have befriended one of the murdered girls.
    When the kids are left with a babysitter, she is haunted and locked in a closet with the ghost of the girl. 
   These scenes are filmed with intense music and close ups to emphasize the fear and shock she felt in
    that moment. As the film goes on, the horrors in the house only continue as the family becomes
    increasing possessed. The family is able to get away in the end and out of the possession.
6. A. The Cabin in the Woods- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsIilFNNmkY

B. Truth or Dare- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgnk3MLw9TM

C. Halloween- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_-x4Dwz-rU

D. Friday the 13th- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCfO1aB8CIE

E. IT- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAUTdjf9rko

F. Hereditary- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6wWKNij_1M

G. Paranormal Activity- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_UxLEqd074