Representations through stereotypes

Character stereotypes from teen movies

Representations use stereotypes to covey ideas about 'types' of characters. Stereotypes are elaborate exaggerations - they  are NOT REAL. Representations are constructed through costume, props, acting/directing, lighting, camera angles etc. They are not real.

I have analysed a few team movies to see how stereotypes have been constructed through various characters whether they play multiple roles or feature in different films representing different stereotypes. Here are some examples:

1. The Popular cheerleader 'Priscilla':

• Presented as mean and the most popular girl in high school, rich, undisputed status as well as dating the most popular boy from the jocks group
• Has blue eyes, blonde hair shown as very feminine by always being related to pink in some senses like a Barbie doll
• Wears highly fashionable clothes e.g. mini short skirt, belly tops, tightly fitted trousers and so on to show off her breasts and so called beautifully curved slim physique
• She owns a sports car showing off that she is a top girl and has pretty much everything she desires assuming herself as perfect

2. The desperate virgin:

• Clearly indicated and represented as desperate and is looking for sexual activity whether or not the girl has a high status or a normal average girl
• Normally appeared as a member of the geeks tagged as 'wannab's' therefore unpopular
• Obsessed with sexual activity and is seen spying on girls in the changing rooms 
• Spends a lot of time in the toilet

3. The geeks:

• Identified and represented as clever, highly unpopular, victim of being bullied and have very rich geeky smart taste in clothing e.g. massive glasses, 3 quarter trousers belted just above their belly button with shirt tucked in
• Are attracted to the popular girls therefore gets used by the mean girls and gets exposed
• Always carry books with them and seen as very successful in their subjects especially science which is their favourite subject
• Always shown as hard working and organised students

4. The perfect girl 'Amanda':

• Majority of the time represented as beautiful, lonely, clever and pure 
• Has nice combed hair and glowing bright white teeth with a natural fit physique 
• There is a golden bright shiny light behind her when she is introduced coming down the stairs in slow motion to show her angel like and purified status, extremely attractive and most beautiful girl in general even though she is not very popular

5. The jocks 'Jake':

• Represented as rich, very popular, not very mean, shows off, attention seeker, has an undisputed status in high school and dates the most popular girl
• Has blue eyes, nice styled pulled back greasy hair, very fashionable with all the latest trends in clothes e.g. trainers and baseball jacket even has the name jocks on it seemingly as very cool
• Is introduced with rock music
• Likes american football and has teachers getting in his way even without an valid excuse or problem falling for his status and looks. 

6. The token black guy 'Malik':

• Represented as a comedian almost with a lot of stereotypes being involved
• Has a shiny face, afro hairstyle with shiny clean teeth and a dull coloured but smart suit which is very exaggerated
• His actions, responses and expressions are highly exaggerated and seem hilarious but sarcastic almost