Britain has developed into a society where the younger generation are stereotypically viewed as a threat everyday life. Issues are mainly raised in areas such as; Gun crime, underage sex/teenage pregnancy, drugs and education which have all been a big part of the media. Status seems to be really important in the UK which leads to street gangs. Teenage boys from the age of 14 are stereotyped as criminals and threatening, although some points are true within youth culture, it can be highly over exaggerated on how teenagers are ‘rebellious’ and has been criticized that the media does not pay attention to the positive activities that the younger generation brings to society and focuses on the negative points. Crime within the youth culture seems to commence from broken homes, poorer backgrounds and ethnic minorities.
The target audience for mine and Naomi’s short film is mainly aimed at wide audience that seems to be affected by the problems that occur in today’s modern society, to narrow it down we are hoping that it connects to boys and men aged 15-25. I and Naomi will attempt to represent teenagers that get involved in gang culture and what influences them to get involved. We want to make the approach towards our short film realistic by using typical locations such as council estates and actors that will also be viewed as the target audience.Our film will be focusing on society and youth culture. We are going to explain where gang crime and the use of drugs can possibly come from and we are going to use through a storyline of ‘broken homes’. I feel that I have witnessed youth culture in London from personal experience so it has inspired both me and Naomi to make drama based around that. Most short films that represent today’s younger generation only focus on the bad and violent points, however me and my team member have decided to focus on both sides hoping to send out an inspirational message towards our target audience.
SYNOPSIS.
It will be about 5 minutes long and is based on a story where a boy is taking part of a race to qualify in London 2012’s Olympic events (Sport is a big inspiration for teenage boys in the UK) however just before his about to run he gets flashbacks of him growing up on a council estate with a drug addict as a mother and how gang culture and drugs contributed to a tragic event in his life where his older brother who was someone that he looked up to and loved, gets shot and dies. Throughout the narrative voice of Marlon (Main character) he talks us through the film in order for us to understand the images that we are viewing this way the audience will get a better understanding of his life events and how he succeeded to where he is now.
Target Audience Profile's.
Ive picked at least four people that I would expect to be in the target audience for our film.
Cameron Jahansi , Age 17
I currently live in west London with my mum who works as a nurse in a local hospital. I am in my final year of college and hope to go to university next year to study business and financial computing. I am an only child but my mum still makes me work for my money and claims that ‘everything is so much easier for young adults these days which makes them take advantage and not appreciate anything’. I did go through a phase where getting in trouble by the police and in school became part of my life but I realized that I was not helping myself and just putting my mum threw things she didn’t deserve so it was up to me to make things right and I chose to live my life the correct and safe way.
David lockett , Age 23
I just graduated from City University with a LLB in law hoping to start my legal practice course. I have a five year old son who has changed my life drastically in a positive way because I know everything I do right now is for him. I have a younger brother who is 16 and is currently serving 9 months in youth offenders for handling stolen goods and contributing towards criminal damage, I hope that when he gets out he follows my footsteps and start to approach life in a positive way. I enjoying experiencing new things and living each day as it comes. I have had a fair life and have tried to stay out of trouble and get jobs that would occupy me. Although I am a young father I try my best to teach my son the things my father taught me which helped follow dreams and not pay attention to what individuals can do to try and bring you down, sadly my father passed away a few years back which effected the whole of my family but I think it hit my younger brother the most.
Natalie Wilson , Age 43
Natalie Wilson , Age 43
I have five children the younger two who are twins aged 5 live in foster care, one aged 7 lives with me and the older one aged 14 lives with her boyfriend and his family. I have a history of being an alcoholic and addicted to drugs which made me neglect my children making life for them hard and difficult. Doing this was the worse thing any mother can do and I am ashamed that i put my own flesh and blood through this. Although I don’t have the best relationship with my kids I am trying my best to make it up to them. I have a job at the local supermarket Iceland’s which has helped me with my role as a mother tremendously. I promised my children that I would never fall back into that route again and I am going to stick by that promise. Ever since I got diagnosed with breast cancer I have realized that I am only affecting the people that mean the world to me. I am on patrol at the moment by the social services who are watching to see if I am capable enough to have custody of my two little beautiful boys.
Laurence shenton, Age, 33
I have two kids one boy aged 6 and one girl aged 4 , I currently work full time and do voluntary work every now and then in a youth centre. I enjoy having a laugh but spending time with my family is when I appreciate life the most because I know many people will do anything to be in my position. Recently I have been promoted at work to the job title as a ‘Student Service Officer’ which has never made me happier, young people come and speak to me when they need help with anything, or just need someone to talk to because they don’t have anyone else they can turn to, this has allowed me to get closer to the younger generation and actually talk to them about how they see things. I must admit it has taken me a very long time in order for students to trust me but it has been worth it, they seem to teach me more than I actually teach them. What society needs to understand is that these kids are not animals or what people make out to be; they just want to be listened to. Working with youths has made me despise of the stereotypical view towards the youth in the UK.
Target Audiences are set to focus on different groups: Adults, teens, children,mid-teens, and preschoolers. It is essential to become familiar with your target market, their habits, behaviors, likes, and dislikes. we have decided to try and reach not just our target audience but everyone else that will possibly connect to this because of life events
