RepresentationAS Level Media Studies

Representation

•All media texts are a construction of reality.

•Technical, symbolic and written codes construct the representation.

•Representation is concerned with how media texts present and mediate ideas of the following...

•People (HOW are they represented?)•Places (HOW is the place ‘given’ to

audience?)•Events (what is included and what is left

out?)

Write down four ideas about the following places...

AFRICA

SCOTLAND

USASPAIN

Write down four ideas people who have not been in the UK might say about...

British people

British weather

British food

British lifestyle

Representation of place

• Look at the postcards in your groups.

Comment on...• Dominant colours and their connotations• figures/objects – what is being represented?• What’s happening in the picture?• Any key words/phrases on card.

• Is Ireland/NI represented in a fair and accurate way?

• How could they be improved?

Representation of place

•Ireland/Northern Ireland

•Imagine you work for a postcard design company.

•Think of a design for a postcard that represents Ireland in a POSITIVE light.

•Now think of a design that represents Ireland in a NEGATIVE light.

Stereotypes•The process of representation often

involves the use of stereotypes.•A kind of short hand where one word or

image stands for a lot more.•Can be used for humorous effect. (Little

Britain clip)•Can be offensive, prejudiced and even

racist.•Are audiences influenced by media

representations?

Stereotypes

•Agree or disagree...

•We usually hold stereotypical beliefs about things we know little about.

•Stereotypes are usually about large groups of people.

•Stereotypes can be self fulfilling.•A stereotype can never change or alter.

Stereotypes

•What stereotypes are associated with the following groups?

•Teenagers•Asylum seekers•Single mums•Politicians

Gender Stereotypes - male

Gender Stereotypes – female

Gender Stereotypes

• Examine the comic strip narratives you have been given.

• How are the boys and girls represented?

• How are the characters examples of stereotypes?

• Using the comic strip frame provided, re write and redesign the comic narrative so you are challenging accepted gender stereotypes in comics.

Representation of events•Media texts convey a version of reality

that is SELECTIVE and BIASED towards the people that created them.

•World cup final – England 2006

Representations

•Over the years, representations are accepted or rejected by the majority of people and the dominant ideology is gradually changed.

•Views change, eg women’s role in society, smoking, youth, the environment.

Representations

•While before, many groups felt under represented in the media, now groups such as women, homosexuals ethnic minorities have a more visible presence.

•With Web 2.0 individuals and groups can represent themselves as they choose.

Western Culture...

•We have access to alternative representations.

•We can access different views on topical issues.

•We have the technology to access media texts from other countries.

**GLOBALISATION** – the process by which media experiences become standardised across the world.

Analysing Representation

1) Who produced it?

2) Which individuals/groups/issues appear?

3) How are they portrayed?

4) Why was this particular representation (this shot/angle/story etc) selected?

5) What frame of reference does the audience use when responding to the representation? (age, nationality, social class, lifestyle etc)

Key Questions to ask yourself..

•Who is being represented?

•In what way?

•By whom?

•Is the representation fair and accurate?

•What opportunities exist for self-representation?