Social group representation

Representation of social groups

miese en scene
sound
camera angles
editing

Almost Famous

William Miller, 15 years old

This character's clothes are quite standard subdued 70/80's clothes, this shows a lot about his character as he is quite a quite reserved person and so his clothes are not flashy or making a statement. This helps us identify with him as he is around the target audience's age and we like him because he's accidentally awkward and funny in an endearing way. His hair is also not fancy it seems as though just like a standard teenage boy he does not take  much notice of it. He grows up with his mother and sister where we see the controlling of his mother that many teenagers can relate to allowing them to sympathise with William on a personal relationship level.

The music that William likes is quite rebellious and is also the soundtrack to the film, Stillwater is a rock band from the 80/90's that many parents did not agree with and as it becomes a massive plot point we are drawn towards the escapism and rebellion of what William is doing and what we could only dream of ever doing. What he's doing is really cool and many people will never have the chance to go through a journey on this level that will change them as a person so we are attached to what we see on film and romantically relate to the things that we only have small glimpses of in real life.

The colours used in the film are very reminiscent of the time it is set, it is said to not just be a film about William but a film about the time and this is very true, everything has been designed to remind and emulate the time period.

Penny Lane

This character is a very important character in the film, she teaches William so much about women and love. She is based on a real person who toured america with many bands in the early seventies. Her clothes are subtle flamboyant and seductive but in a more reserved way, her clothes are pretty and girly mostly. This helps normal girls relate to her as she is not massively rich, so anyone could be her and people hold onto this when relating to the characters. If there is a reasonable similarity of any magnitude between you and the person on screen the relation to them is much larger.

Some of the music that links to Penny Lane is quite magical music, it is more pretty slow music, it is showing Williams view of her and how he adores her in the end. He sees her as a pure perfect character that he is falling tenderly in love with, and this is reflected in the music.

Good Will Hunting

Sean assumes the role of psyciatrist and ends up as a friend to Will Hunting. His original relationship with Will is shown in his clothing and the setting in which the meet to talk. He is a simple dresser but uses warm dull tones like browns and greys, sometimes he has sunny yellows that show us his nice caring side, not many people relate to this character as psychiatrists aren't a large profession but also not many people become friends with geniuses and have fundamental part and impact in their learning and lives. We see some changes in clothing when they become more friendly, Sean wears a hat the first time they speak outside of his office and this is shown to be a massive turning point in their relationship where respect and understanding begin. It is not because Sean wore a hat but they fact that his clothing changed specifically in that scene shows some importance.

Lots of the shots show the difference and opposites between the two characters for example their living conditions show that Sean is more well off but this only brings us closer to him as we see his loneliness and therefore the reason for his massive attachment to Will. We feel sympathy for him but also see that his actions are selfless and humble. the scene show above tells us a lot about the characters and their love as Sean has a long monologue where the camera is held at eye level on Sean only until he begins to talk about love where the camera pans to include Will showing us his attachment to him. We can relate to this as many people find it attractive to hold deep platonic relationships with other people because of out social nature.

 

Will Hunting is the main character in the film, his clothes are quite plain and simple, this reflects his choice of lifestyle to be uncomplicated and unimaginative. He dresses to blend in as he desires not to be special at the beginning of the move he holds the same style of clothes but near the end we understand it is more humble and intelligent for Will to try to blend in rather than be flashy and outwardly special. We can relate to this because the attractiveness of being different due to being a genius is something no one can say they don't want but the humbleness is also part of the relation.

Submarine

Oliver Tate is the main character in submarine, his clothes are a big part of his character and reflection of his emotions. Throughout the film his clothes change for example when his depression is at its peak he wears the same clothes as his father, the only person he know who has depression so his emulation of his dress and action in some cases is a very important part of the film. It also allows us to connect with the slightly childish side of this emulation, children learn from actions and so his copying allows us to see his more mature mind towards depression. Near the end of the film we see this change and his acceptance of having to deal with his problems in his own way. Growing like this is not something the target audience will relate to but the parents and older people watching will be able to see the transition that they themselves went through.

The music in Submarine is very important, it was specially written by Alex Turner to fit the films feel and is a character in itself at some points. It seems to encompass the emotion and the slight aimlessness that Oliver seems to go thorough. This seems to be something that a lot of teenagers go through and so the music to compliment but not depress the person going through the same thing is a very attractive part of the film. 

Learning Comments

• The characters are the most important part of any coming of age film, not just the main character who will grow and change but the supporting characters who bounce off the main character and become a very integral part of the plot and the change of  the main character.
• Paying attention to the mies-en-scene will be quite important in my opening sequence, it can be integral and expositional to create an entire world in a piece of film.
• Playing to the appropriate social group is quite important, using miss-en-scene to create a world/feeling that they can relate to and recognise is very valuable.