REPRESENTATION!

 

REPRESENTATION:

Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?

Representation is extremely important in the media front in terms of what is presented by the actors and the actors that are presenting the media. Television, films and digital media can influence how we see others, and how we see ourselves. Accurate, authentic representation can break down barriers, open us to new ideas, create powerful role models, and even be a source of inspiration.

How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?

This demonstrates how the media may use two distinct photographs to convey two meanings that Kate Middleton may not have intended at the moment. This may be how those who have negative opinions on the persona can influence how the media portrays people.

Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.

Media is created for a specific purpose that demonstrates the influence and representation they have. Producers think that their chosen narrative style and the audience's expectations and requirements are important. The producers in this process reject and choose particular representations, which contributes to the ideological meaning. They are referred to as genre codes.

How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?

Hall argued that audiences do not accept the ideology of texts passively but, instead draw on their own interpretations. That audiences view content and perceive the content in different ways that may not have been intended by audiences.

How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?

New technology has enabled audiences to receive information in many different ways and have been able to receive and give opinions that allow them to perceive information differently.

What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?

This representation may have helped some audience members to identify with a certain idea of national identity and our politicians seemed keen to represent themselves in relation to it, reinforcing The Sun’s messages about what it means to be British. However, social media forums and comment pages allowed many people to voice their rejection of the messages. Through self representation, they were able to show that they distanced themselves from the values in the tabloid newspaper.

Watch the clip from Luther that we studied in class (Season 1, Episode 1 - minute 7.40-10.00 - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access the clip). Now answer these final two questions:

Write a paragraph analysing the dominant and alternative representations you can find in the clip from Luther.

The main protagonist is black who is the main detective on the case, The fact that it is a black protagonist can be an alternative representation this is because we rarely see a black representation that is a part of the legal authority, this race is mainly presented as the victim for an example "stop and search". Male is also a dominant representation suggesting that men are the ones who have the most control and power over females. However the boss of the detective is a female which again is an alternative representation because female are seen as inferior and weak towards men but in this clip she's in control of 2 men. This challenges the idea of the stereotype.

Write a paragraph applying a selection of our representation theories to the clip from Luther. Our summary of each theory may help you here:

Levi-Strauss: representation and ideology

Mulvey: the male gaze

Dyer: stereotyping and power

Midhurst: value judgements

Perkins: some stereotypes can be positive or true

Luther Mulvey's theory of the male gaze is not depicted in this footage because the boss is portrayed as an independent woman who is well-liked by her co-workers rather than as a sex object. We can also see how Dyer's idea of stereotyping is contested by this tape of Luther because, opposing to the stereotype, which suggests that men are strong, powerful, and static, Luther's companion is more apprehensive and acts more like a fanboy toward Luther. Additionally, the fact that a female character rather than a man is in a position of authority and is giving commands defies stereotypes.