Representation in Film

My film group solidified our storyline first, and once we had a clear direction, we shifted our focus to identifying the key representation issues we wanted to explore and convey through the film. 

Digital and Online Safety 

Our film will open with the mysterious disappearance of a girl, leading the audience to believe that her vanishing followed a date with someone she met online. As online dating and social media continue to grow, issues like catfishing and cyberstalking have become increasingly prevalent. It's all too easy for people to create fake profiles, pretending to be someone their not. In the context of online dating, some individuals may use manipulative tactics to control or harm those they target, creating and unsettling and dangerous dynamic that our story will explore. 

Eighth Grade (2018) is an example of a film that also addresses this representation issue. Eighth Grade focuses on a teenage girl (Kayla) navigating the pressures of social media, online personas, and cyberbullying. In the movie, a high schooler contacts Kayla through social media and shows interest in her. The boy eventually tries to arrange a private meeting and Kayla is stuck between wanting to fit in and feeling unsure about what's actually happening. This dynamic shows how the high schooler used social media to exploit the vulnerability of a younger individual, putting Kayla in a dangerous situation. 

Mental Health 

If my group were to create a full film, mental health would be a central theme throughout the story, focusing particularly on the emotional and psychological impact experienced by the girl whose friend disappeared after a date. While this representation issue isn't apparent in most of the opening scene, the narrative will shift, and the first scene in this new timeline will take place in a therapy room, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of mental health throughout the film. Mental health is a very common issue explored in films, as it has become a growing concern in today's society. 

Still from The Edge of Seventeen (2016) 

The Edge of Seventeen (2016) is a great example of a film that portrays depression in a realistic way. Unlike how pop culture often simplifies depression as something that only arises from bad events, the film accurately shows that depression is a constant underlying struggle. Bad things may exacerbate it, but it's something that people live with, affecting their thoughts and emotions even when things appear outwardly fine.