Representation

In our film opener, we focused mostly on high school experiences, especially around gender, youth, and emotional vulnerability. We wanted the footage to feel raw and real, instead of the polished look you usually see in teen dramas. The film shows young girls navigating a hostile social environment. Instead of focusing on the popular kids, we zoom in on the “outsiders,” the kids who are often overlooked.

The two main characters show different ways of dealing with trauma—one through physical distress, the other through quiet endurance. While the “bully versus victim” dynamic is pretty common, our approach is less stereotypical because we focus on the emotional aftermath instead of the bullying itself. Most media shows victims as either revenge-seeking or unrealistically resilient, but we wanted something more real.

We also challenge typical teen media in two ways. First, most teen shows use high definition and bright colors, which makes school seem glamorized. Our film uses a lo-fi, digital aesthetic to keep it grounded. Second, we avoid the “mean girl” stereotype by highlighting support from peers instead of just cruelty. For example, the split screen in frame five shows that pain is universal.

To make the representation even stronger, I’d suggest a couple edits: In the first frame, when the bully walks in, the girls’ reactions could be less about fear and more like, “Oh, not again.” I’d also add more details to the characters and their belongings so they feel like real individuals, not just “the victims.