Mock Exam

How does the clip challenge or reinforce positive or negative stereotypes of age?
1) Camera angles, shot types, composition and movement
2) Editing or cuts, pace of the edit, prominence and continuity
3) Sound; dialogue, soundtrack, foley and sound effects
4) MES - Location, costume, lighting, colours and performance

1) When the adults are conversing with one another, there are long takes to reflect the serious atmosphere of their conversation, demonstrating the positive stereotypes of adults are responsible and wise. Point of view shots and over the shoulder shots are used in the confrontation scene so they audience understands how the young girl is feeling, showing her vulnerability and helplessness. In the part of the extract when the elderly woman discovers the young girl has gone, a wide angle is used to emphasize the stereotype of elderly people being isolated, lonely and a vast amount of space around them. Tracking movements are used whenever adults are in the frame doing something active, showing that they're working, responsible and of importance due to their capabilities. Tracking camera shots of the adults show they're of importance. In the scene where the elderly woman is in Amy's room, a wide angle shot is used to reinforce the stereotype of elderly people being isolated and inferior. 

2) The editing in this extract challenged the stereotypes of age; when the camera showed the elderly people labouring and working on the farm, the shots were not slow and gradual, they were at quite a quickened pace to reflect the actions of the elderly characters. Shot/reverse shot is used when the characters are having a conversation to aid the flow of continuity. The transitions used throughout the extract show that the clip is shown from an adults point of view, further suggesting that adults are dominant and their way of life is "normal". 

3) Sound motif is used heavily throughout this extract to help the audience understand the atmosphere within the scenes. In the part where Amy is packing her things to leave, the music is slow, giving off a sad atmosphere. When the elderly people are active and labouring, the music is upbeat and jovial, challenging their stereotype of being slow, isolated and grumpy. The music helps portray the elderly characters to be active and physically able. The music challenges the stereotypes of age in this extract; in Amy's first appearance the music pace drops drastically which isn't the usual sound stereotype for youhts. Another interpretation could be that the pace of music dropped and became slower to demonstrate that she's a troublesome character, hence the change in atmosphere from the upbeat and jovial adults. Yet another interpretation could be a foreshadowing of the conflict between her and other age groups. The sound of the cars crashing could be a representation of the conflict between ages. Throughout this extract there is stylised dialogue for each character to conform to their stereotypes. The young girl attempts to act mature within her speech when other adults are around but when her real age is exposed, her dialogue changes and uses excuses and lies like a child would, using phrases like "I hate you", reinforcing the negative stereotypes of youths with rebellion and irresponsibility. The sound effects of her fast-paced footsteps could be an interpretation that youths always run away from their problems whenever the situations becomes too difficult to handle, conforming to their stereotype of being vulnerable. 

4) The props used in this extract challenge the age stereotypes; when the elderly people are working they are lifting heavy thing, using shovels and driving tractors.The first part of this extract is set on a farmland which appears to be a place of work and no children are present, implying that adults are responsible enough and physically able to work. The headmaster's costume was a well-dressed suit and attire which gives the audience the impression that he is an educated man with authority and is in a high position of power. The adult who is the guardian of the young girl is dressed in manual labour attire, suggesting that he's responsible enough to handle hard work. The young girl in this extract is dressed in jeans, trainers and a jumper