Do Now

• Use the sheet to draw the stereotypes.

Representation in TV Drama

Learning Objectives:

- To begin to develop an understanding of media representation. - To consider representation more specifically in relation to TV drama.

Define the following• Representation• A visual depiction of somebody or something.

The media are said to re-present reality.

• Demographic• A way of categorising people into groups.

Starter- demographics

• What are the factors that determine demographic?• Age- Gender- Ethnicity- Class- region- Sexuality-

Religion

• Task: What is the target demographic for the media examples below:

• Teletubbies The Passion of the Christ• Sex in the City The Voice newspaper• ZeeTV Top Gear• Eastenders Skins

Define Stereotype

• ‘A narrow preconception or view of a particular demographic’.

• Stereotype task: you will be given a demographic in pairs.

• List the commonly held stereotypes of that group.• Think about a media example where you might

have seen that stereotype confirmed.

Stereotypes- conform or subvert?

Are all stereotypes negative?

e.g: ‘Black boys are athletic’. Can you think of any others?

•Are any of the media examples you thought of positive

•When discussing stereotypes we can discuss them in terms of conforming and subverting. What does that mean?

•Conform- to go with the existing rules.

•Subvert- to go against the existing rules.

Think: how can you apply the idea or conformity and subversion to the sixth form.

Conform and subvert in TV

Think of a TV show.Can you think of a characters that conforms to

stereotypes and one that subverts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USb-XNYqjZk

• Choose 1 of the male characters above.

• Discuss with your partner and then write down how they are represented according to their demographic determinants:

• Consider whether they subvert or conform to stereotypes?

Do Now: Male characterisation.

Characterisation• What is characterisation?

• TV characterisation is vital in retaining audience interest. Why?• Because its often the characters that ‘draws us in’ to the story. We can

empathise with them.

• All character types are constructed. By whom?

• The writers, directors and the actors performing them.

• We can use this acronym to analyses characters.

• Values and beliefs• Appearance• Narrative significance/ Importance to the plot of the drama.• Settings / Locations

Stock TypesA stock character, which has universal appeal and is frequently

copied in literature, television, radio and film.

In soap operas these are ‘typical’ roles that can be seen across thegenre such as hard man, gossip, tart etc.

• Task: Think of a stock type in the following:– A horror movie.– A sitcom.– A police drama.

Basic Representation in TV Drama

• Watch ten minutes of ‘Eastenders’.• Consider the representation of these

demographic factors using the worksheet

• Age• Gender• Class• Region• Ethnicity

Why is representation important to mainstream TV Dramas?

• They are watched by millions and can assist in forming opinions about demographics - can reinforce stereotypes.

• However they can subvert negative stereotypes of a demographic.

• They can also help to educate the masses about a ‘minority’ demographic the people are ignorant of.

Representation and the message

*All media texts present a view of the world which more or less accords with an agenda set by the organisation that is broadcasting the medium.E.g.: Eastenders is a BBC production. Therefore what does Eastenders have to do on a regular basis?

Task: watch this clip from Eastenders. What is the BBC aiming to achieve in these scenes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYRwjKN62BY

And don’t forget…• TV dramas appeal to a large &

diverse audience and there are different reasons for pleasure:

• Educational• Escapism• Easy viewing• Identification & involvement• Community

Recap

• Representation

• Demographic

• Stereotype

• Archetype

• Stock type

• Character construction

• VANS