We have represented our protagonist to resemble very much the typical stereotype most represented with Coming-Of-Age films that star a female protagonist. Mary Kate, our protagonist, is viewed as a healthy, positive girl with a typically feminine persona, taking full pride in her appearance. She is socially and technologically active, using gadgets such as her smartphone, iPod/MP3 player & laptop to stay socially up-to-date and involved within her personal life, such as with friends and school work. It can also be used for leisure such as celebrities (connoted through the use of poster and music iconography), music, watching videos, accessing website and social networking. The persona is very much living within a 21st century modernized and technologically-dependant society, with most teenagers of her age demographic group (16 years) being indulged with communication via websites and gadgets, instead of in-person, making them much more dependent within todays society.

Gadgets featured in the sequence connoting the status and modern time of the persona.

Popular social networking sites that our protagonist would be most likely use in order to interact with friends.

It is noticeable that the protagonist is within full-time education presumably school, as we see her preparing for the average school day as she uses specific iconography typically allocated with teenagers within school life. With the protagonist being in school, it makes her more relatable to the key target audience, as they are familiar and can relate to the protagonist’s daily morning routine, as we see in the opening sequence such as getting dressed and breakfast. The diegetic music connotes the genre of pop music, with an up-beat tempo. The fact that it is viewed that the protagonist has chosen this specific music type connotes the mainstream view that teenage girls like music simply of the specific pop genre.

The protagonist follows the3

everyday high school life of any other teenage. Having to get up early for school, pack her

bag/school supplies and catch the bus.

The protagonist is of White British ethnicity, with no obvious signs of a religious upbringing however it is a possibility. She is slim, with naturally long, blonde hair, adding the mainstream stereotype that the protagonist is good looking and healthy. With long, blonde hair also being a typical convention of a female that audiences find attractive and desirable. The protagonist styling is notably seen within the sequence. At first we see her wearing a hot pink, leopard-print onesie and pink fluffy slippers, this connotes the fun and young age and personality of the protagonist, with onesies most recently becoming that of a fashion statement, showcasing the protagonist’s constant fashion interest and admiration for her appearance, even when going to bed. This could be represented as a very over-the-top, melodramatic & exaggerated element, as most people don’t care much for their appearances when going to bed however this connotes the protagonist’s glamorous and glamourized exterior well towards the audience watching.

Protagonist, Mary Kate, who fits the stereotype and displays desirable traitsthat appeal towards an teenage audience.

A large variety of bright, energetic colours are seen in the opening sequence, with the protagonist’s bedroom and clothing being infused primarily with the colours pink and purple, connoting a feminine and stereotypically girly vibe. The colour pink is most associated with females as it is a colour easily linked with the idea and themes of romance, love and femininity. The colour pink is often shown on a lot of COA film posters and logos, such as ‘LOL,’ ‘Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging’ & ‘Clueless’, all of which dominantly feature the colour pink within their logos and poster advertisements to showcase the typical themes within the films. The character’s considerably large house connotes that she is from that of a working class family, with her parents earning a considerate amount of income and finance to be able to afford a car (as seen in the very first establishing shot) and later, when inside, due to her various amounts of gadgets and devices.

Bedroom filming location.

3 examples of COA films connoting a female target audience

The representation of our protagonist is to be viewed as positive due to our protagonist’s unique interest in having a desire to progress even further, her desire to become a journalist and apply for challenging concepts, such as interning at a fashion magazine, which is the film’s main narrative. The fact that our character wishes to place more work on herself outside from school is of a positive view as most students wish to have as little work to do within their leisure as possible. Noticeable aspects within our opening sequence is also the protagonist’s eagerness and happiness with having to get up early for school, conveying the message that she is of a high intellect, has a good social life and overall positive time whilst at school.

Variety of popular, mainstream American teen fashion magazines.