In our production there are 2 main characters, and one who makes a brief appearance in a hallucination. All three are shown in the film as young, white males. The choice to do this was partly out of research and partly out of practicality; our research showed that the vast majority of antagonists and protagonists in horror films were male and, although the victims were often female, our group was comprised of males and so it was far easier to organize dates for filming, etc. within the group rather than having to rely on too much external aid (our antagonist was external to the group, however). This constructs a very patriarchal representation, especially seeing that the antagonist (shown to be in control throughout the opening sequence) is male.
The males are represented in different ways; the protagonist is shown to look younger and more vulnerable by use of water to emulate sweat and non-verbal language and this is therefore a negative representation whilst the antagonist is shown to look slightly older and in control by his costume and calm non-verbal language, but also mysterious and potentially evil by his dehumanizing aspects (the way he appears to be everywhere at once, etc.), which may also be a negative representation although could be seen as positive in the sense that he has the power. Similar techniques can also be seen in the 'Saw' series (various directors, 2004 - 2011) in that the antagonist is shown to be calm and in control whilst the victims panic and are shown as vulnerable.
Non-verbal language shows the protagonist is scared.
Overall, I would say that our media text serves to reinforce gender roles on the whole, despite the lack of female victims, as it is very conventional of horror films to have male antagonists and also to include male victims. It also does not challenge traditional Western views on the whole.
High angle shot shows vulnerability in the white male protagonist.
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