Evaluation Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups? Annabelle Sherwin 2145

Question 2

I am comparing our main character with the main character from the film I am number four as they both share differences and similarities. Both characters are from the same ethnicity of the same age group (18-20) and speak the same language.  Tony –from our film opening, has committed a crime and is trying to run from the government who are after him. If he gets caught it could be the end of the road for him as he could have jeopardised his future. Therefore he is trying to blend in with everyone else which is why he is wearing bland colours for his costume so he doesn’t standout. John –from I am number four, is also hiding and running from people who are after him. When they find him they want to kill him as well which is another similarity. However they both have different past’s and stories as John has not done anything wrong, he is from another planet and is seen as a threat to the people who are after him. They are both trying to keep a low profile and not draw attention to themselves. They both have something to hide that they don’t want others to find out. The social groups they are both in is the ‘outcasts’. Neither of them has had a normal life and so has been isolated quite often. They are different from others with secrets to reveal their true identity.

The other two characters which appear in the opening, work for the government. As everyone in the country has a barcode and has to check in so the government can keep an eye on them and their whereabouts 24/7. Meaning they are very controlling and keep everyone in check and in order. In The Hunger Games the capital is the equivalent of the government. They are also highly controlling and keep the whole country in check otherwise they get punished. The characters have high authority as they are in charge of everyone’s safety. However the capital are in power because of a terrible war whereas the government in our opening did not have to fight to get in their current position, the government just became a stronger unit. The social group they are in is the ‘manipulative’ group. They convince others that what they are doing is right and persuade their people to follow them. When really they’re doing it to benefit themselves. Barthes' theory of Semiotics suggests that features have a denotation and a connotation. The denotation for the government is that their offices are dark -where as Tony's house is brighter. The connotation of this is that they have a secret, something to hide.