Higher / Int2 Media Studies

The Key Concepts: Representation

Representation: An overview

Representation is the process by which the media presents the real world.

It is the process of translating ideology into words, images and sounds.

We will consider: Mediation Discourses Applying Propp and Levi-Strauss’ theories Stereotyping Use of codes

Mediation…

Mediation refers to the way the media selects and interprets social and cultural events.

Consider the way the media shows something (the mediation of it) and ask:

What effect does this have on the target audience?

What effect does the control of the medium have on the way it represents things?

How powerful is the media in shaping people’s perceptions of something?

What motivates the media to represent things in certain ways?

Discourses…

Examine texts for signs of: Ideologies and myths being portrayed

through the text’s representation of something

Representation of people in such a way as to show struggle, evoke sympathy or compassion, and portray them as good or bad.

Accuracy with real world views? Similarity or difference from other texts

(intertextuality)

Propp and Levi-Strauss’ theories…

Propp: Propp’s 8 types of character (villain, donor, helper,

princess, her dad, dispatcher, hero, false hero) In what ways does a text represent characters within

these categories?

Levi-Strauss: Levi-Strauss’ theory of binary oppositions (good

vs evil, male vs female, etc) In what ways does a text use binary oppositions

to represent things?

Stereotyping – Scottish…

Stereotyping – American…

Stereotyping – Chav/Ned…

Stereotyping – Emo/Goth…

Stereotyping…

A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. Stereotypes are standardised and simplified conceptions of groups based on some prior assumptions. The media use these as they are easy short-cuts for portraying things.

Examine texts for signs of stereotyping.Why is stereotyping dangerous?

Use of codes…

Which codes (cultural or technical) are used to represent people, places or things in a text?

Consider: Costumes, colours, mise-en-scene Camera shots, editing, sound and lightingWhat do these things say about the things being

represented?

Why do the media represent things in certain ways? To make the audience sympathise with someone

or something? To create a different emotion in the audience?

Example representation analysis…

Consider the following trailer for Clueless:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zuRkQSx5gs

We will write a representation analysis together, focusing on the representations of teenagers and America

Remember: Mediation Discourses Theories of Propp and Levi-Strauss Stereotypes Use of codes

Activities…

1. Read and complete the activities on page 65 of the textbook.

2. Read and complete the activities on stereotyping on pages 67-71 of the textbook.

3. Write your own representation analysis – the representation of the Scots and English in the trailer for Braveheart – finish for homework.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3FtZMS7J5Q