Introduction to Representation
Notes
Representation is a crucial key concept in A Level Media. Here we explore how the media represents different people, social groups, places and events - and discuss the impact on society and individuals.
The key notes on representation:
The key notes on representation:
- Representation is the process by which the media presents the ‘real world’ to an audience.
- Media texts are artificial, constructed versions of reality
- Even factual media – such as news – goes through processes of selection, organisationand editing that shapes its content
- How are particular people and groups represented in the media? How and why arestereotypes created?
- Why are certain social groups – in both a national and global context – under-represented or misrepresented?
Mediation
Media texts are a construction of reality, and play an important role in the way we view the world.
Reality is therefore subject to mediation which is the process that takes place when a media text’s meaning is created.
When mediation takes place, an institution, individual or even technology comes between the actual event and the audience.
Stereotypes
Media messages have to be communicated quickly which often means relying on stereotypes. Stereotypes work as a kind of shorthand where a word, image or sound will stand for a lot more.
A stereotype is a standardised, usually oversimplified mental picture or attitude towards a person, group, place or event.
Stereotypes act like codes that give audiences a quick, common understanding of a person or group of people—usually relating to their gender, class, ethnicity or race, sexual orientation, social role or occupation.
Representation: dominant or alternative?
A representation in the media will either reinforce or challenge the stereotype.
If it reinforces the stereotype, it is a dominant representation.
If it challenges the stereotype, it is an alternative representation.
Questions:
1) List the different people/groups represented in the trailer (men/women/Americans etc.)
Men, women, Americans, french people, daughter, father.
2) For each group you identify, decide whether the representation is a dominant or alternative portrayal. Explain why you think this.
For men, I think the representation is dominant because they are the only ones that are fighting in the movie and there isn't a single woman fight in the movie. This is dominant because the media also says that men are strong and have been stereotyped to be stronger than women. For women, the representation is dominant because the media also says that women should be weaker and that they should be housewives and so on. For Americans, the representation is dominant because in movies and media, the Americans are always the ones that win in the end and every other foreigner are evil and they lose in the end. The representation for french people, it is alternative because the media don't represent them to be evil or villainous. For daughter, the representation is dominant because the media show that the father is like a guardian and will always protect his daughter whereas that is not always the case. For husband, the representation is dominant because in the media, the father is shown to be the one that gets the job done and does everything for the family.
3) What stereotypes can you identify in the trailer?
I can identify that the father is the person who will save his daughter and get stuff done. Women are also presented to be weak and fragile. The men are also represented to be stronger than women.
4) Why might the Taken trailer offend or alienate certain groups?
The taken trailer may offend or alienate certain groups such as women because they are portrayed to some, negatively, they are portrayed to be weaker and have to be saved by men all the time.
5) Why do mainstream film and television texts such as Taken so often use stereotypes?
Mainstream film and television texts such as Taken so often use stereotypes because they want to be able to relate with the audience and want them to be attracted to their movie or television text. They also want to do this so things make sense for the audience.
Men, women, Americans, french people, daughter, father.
2) For each group you identify, decide whether the representation is a dominant or alternative portrayal. Explain why you think this.
For men, I think the representation is dominant because they are the only ones that are fighting in the movie and there isn't a single woman fight in the movie. This is dominant because the media also says that men are strong and have been stereotyped to be stronger than women. For women, the representation is dominant because the media also says that women should be weaker and that they should be housewives and so on. For Americans, the representation is dominant because in movies and media, the Americans are always the ones that win in the end and every other foreigner are evil and they lose in the end. The representation for french people, it is alternative because the media don't represent them to be evil or villainous. For daughter, the representation is dominant because the media show that the father is like a guardian and will always protect his daughter whereas that is not always the case. For husband, the representation is dominant because in the media, the father is shown to be the one that gets the job done and does everything for the family.
3) What stereotypes can you identify in the trailer?
I can identify that the father is the person who will save his daughter and get stuff done. Women are also presented to be weak and fragile. The men are also represented to be stronger than women.
4) Why might the Taken trailer offend or alienate certain groups?
The taken trailer may offend or alienate certain groups such as women because they are portrayed to some, negatively, they are portrayed to be weaker and have to be saved by men all the time.
5) Why do mainstream film and television texts such as Taken so often use stereotypes?
Mainstream film and television texts such as Taken so often use stereotypes because they want to be able to relate with the audience and want them to be attracted to their movie or television text. They also want to do this so things make sense for the audience.
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