Representation in Media products usually relies heavily on stereotypes. The problem with this is that stereotypes are based on a small truth and then they are exaggerated and generalised, being quite often negative. In our film we are mainly using the representation of children. Children are usually seen as innocent and vulnerable. We do use this representation, however, we break it down, showing that the girl is not really what she seems. The representation of children in thrillers and horrors may very often be stereotypically evil.
Our main character has both sides. At the same time she is innocent and a victim of her own mental disorder, she behaves in an evil way. The voices she hears lead her to this evil side, therefore she is at the same time the villain and the victim, because she is also suffering with her disease.
We used mise en scene to create this 'false' image of innocence. The girl is dressing normal like normal children. The colourful tights with flowers are very child-like. She also wears a white T-shirt with flowers, very child-like and innocent. The pigtails is the main feature as it really does connote childishness and innocence.
We broke the innocence and represented children as evil figures mainly by the use of editing. Filters with creepy effects made what looked innocent, look scary. The use of some props like blood, the ripped teddy bear, the scrapbook, etc also helped to portray this stereotype. Many other thrillers and horrors use children as a scary element.
Another negative stereotype that we use is mentally disable people. It is very often used in thrillers, especially psychological thrillers. Mentally disable people are usually presented as freaks, psychopaths, serial killers, murderers, evil, harmful, dangerous. The idea that mentally disable people cannot control their actions and do not have a normal acceptable behaviour frightens ‘normal’ people.
Our character Amy is mentally disable and the more she gets into her illness, the creepier and scarier she gets, this is why towards the end of the clip we show her rage, she is losing the plot and cannot control her madness anymore, ending up taking evil actions.
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