The Representation of Youths in Contrasting Films

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Recommended: Role of audience in film

The Representation of Youths in Contrasting Films

All media text contain messages. These can be positive or negative. A

positive message is a true-to-life representation, where individuals

and groups are given a positive image. A negative message is a untrue

and exaggerated stereotype, often see the individual or group from a

poor perspective. An example of a positive message demonstrated by

media text is the speech given by Tony Blair during the suicide bomb

attack on London on Thursday 7th June 05. This message can be seen as

positive because in this speech the media text illustrates to the

viewers that Britain will not be defeated by terrorism. Other messages

can also be formed by media text which may be to do with family,

friends, life, ect. These messages are very important because it

controls the viewers. The media presents these messages through the

use of representation. This is the process through which aspects of

the real world are reconstructed through media text and most commonly

the construction of particular individuals or social groups, such as

gender, age, sexuality, race, religion, disability and class. The

audience’s job is to recognise these e.g. stereotypes. This is a

person or thing that conforms to a fixed or general pattern. By the

use of a standardised simplistic image. An example of this would be

teenage life is demonstrated with parties, upbeat music, ect. It is

the choice of the viewers to agree or disagree with these media text.

The following essay will examine the representation of youths in two

contrasting films. The films that will be analysed are 10 things I

Hate About You directed by Gil Junger in 1999. This film demonstrates

the modern teenage life with girls and boys falling in love and

attending their school prom. The second film that will be analysed is

Stand By Me directed by Rob Reiner in 1986. This is an adventure film

about four friends who go on a journey to find a dead body to become

famous in their town. The two films are very contrasting in many

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