Evaluation Task - Representation

Representation -

In terms of social groups our production has focused on British youth. All of our actors were of similar age between 16-18, which shows how people of similar age and background will come together to do something in order to make the task easier for both good and bad reasons. Age and levels of power were not related in our production as, in reality just because a person is older does not necessarily grant them power, as even though the older character Damien had the car, Cavell possessed the firearm, which gave him a higher sense of power although his confidence had been taken by the loss of his mother. In today’s society it is common for youth to become independent of their parents at a young age as many single mothers cannot afford to provide for their children’s expensive lifestyles and as a result they feel they need to provide for themselves. In our character Cavell’s situation he has lost his mothers support completely due to her passing away and has no official job and now has to live with his girlfriend. Though his situation may seem little farfetched, parents giving up on their children is becoming more and more of a reality each day. Many young prisoners in the UK claim that they “had no choice” or the “had to commit crime to get by”. We believe that Cavell’s situation captures these comments and his actions reflect somebody in a similar position.

Our location is a block of flats in Ponders End in the London borough of Enfield with an electronic security door, which regulates who enters and exits the building. Flats and estates are where most gangs are formed due to the close proximity of each flat and the community that is formed by this. Many flats are owned by the council and are rented cheaply to poorer families. This poverty and the want for expensive mobile phones and clothes lead to crime as there are very few jobs available and it is quicker and easier for gangs to do. 

 The first character to be introduced is Cavell who at first looks like a normal teenager getting out of bed but in the morning but this changes slightly as he look very downbeat as if he has no fight left in him. Cavell leaves the flat dressed in dark colours with no emotion on his face further emphasising his sorrow at the loss of his mother. From the setting Cavell is in he looks neither poor or wealthy as the bedroom he woke up in was well furnished but not over the top and the whole block of flats look well maintained showing that the area is quite good. From the flat door all the way to the car Cavell walks lethargically and once he enters the car doesn't even greet Damien just sits down and waits until Damien speaks first. This fully captures his sorrow, as he doesn't even want to speak to his close friend in a time like this. Subsequent to this Cavell presents the gun to Damien which completely changes the audiences perception of Cavell from an emotionally trouble teen to a young criminal. He is now represented as a menace to society as opposed to his earlier representation as a victim of society [no parents].