Week 7
This week we were tasked to 'make an article to analyse different types of characters in films, TV and games. In particular, identify characters that you feel are based on stereotypes, in terms of aspects such as gender, race sexuality, class background etc'
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The programme that I am going to analyse is 'Outer Banks'. It is a story following four teenagers who are considered on the poor side of life but they rebel and chase whats rightfully owed to them to survive.
Describe the character - ​What is the character's background? What are their values?
John B is 16 years old and grew up as a 'Pogue'. The Pogues are on the bad side of the island, also known as 'The Cut'. Early on, John B explains that he grew up as an only child and was raised by his father. His mother left to Colorado when he was 3 years old. Nine months before to the pilot episode, John B's father went missing at sea and is presumed dead. However his body was never found. John B is convinced that his father is still alive. He had been living with his uncle following his father's disappearance, but his uncle left some months prior to the pilot to build houses in Mississippi.
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The storyline follows John B in finishing his fathers work in finding three hundred million dollars worth of gold from a sunken ship called The Royal Merchant. Along the way, he is faced by false claims threatening jail time so he is on the run, he falls in love with a rich girl whos father killed his own, and he finds the gold at the end of season one.
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Why would the audience empathise with this character?
The audience will empathise with this character for many reasons. His father died when he was very young and he wouldnt have been old enough to have any memories of his mother, he was falsely acused of murdering a police officer, and he worked so hard in hunting down and finishing his fathers work.
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Why is it important for the audience to connect with and care about the character?
It is very important for the protagonist to connect with the audience as then the watchers will be able to imagine they are in John Bs shoes and feel the same emotions he is feeling through every scenario. This makes the series feel a lot more real and also makes it more gripping and exciting.
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What is meant by empathy for the character?
Empathy is the act of understanding somebody elses emotions. If the audience can understand the protagonists emotions then they will start to relate and feel sympathy for the character, creating this 'good guy' persona for him no matter how much bad and wrong he does.
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In what ways does the character behave or appear to follow stereotypes?
He is the very typical surfer-boy. Growing up in North Carolina near the beach and ocean, many people gravitiate to surfing. He also portrays a very edgy persona when he ventures out into a horrible, life threatening storm to surf the giant waves that destroyed a lot of the rich peoples houses, electricity and town.
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What is your opinion on the use of stereotypes, in making media products?
I think stereotypes are important in making media products as it helps with the storytelling. Using stereotypes saves a lot of time as without them, the audience would not be able to grasp the main characters intentions, background and future. Without stereotypes, the series wouldve been twice as long in attempts to connect the character to the audience in detail as it wouldnt be there.
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How can it be useful in developing ideas?
Stereotypes can be very useful in developing ideas as an idea of a surfer can evolve to an edgy teenager, who has a soft side, et cetera. This is used in probably all media products that have a protagonist as it is a good starting point to plan a storyline or series.
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How can it be negative or dangerous?
Sterotypes have to be very sensitive for different races and genders as if done wrong, offense will be taken by members of the targeted characteristics. For example, if a hispanic character only eats tacos, and does bull-running all day, this is a bad interpretation of this race and there is a lot more that goes into planning a character of such sensitivity. Sterotypes need to be adapted to create an accurate portrayal of the characters. However, they are a good starting point in creating characters and character building.
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