MIGRAIN: Representation
1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?
Depending on what you would like to convey, you might need to consider representations to simplify or to suggest that the world has moved on. We use historical, social and cultural contexts to justify the uses for our own choices to represent an individual or group in a specific way.
2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?
The photograph, then, is a representation of the Duchess. It may look like her but, in addition to her likeness, it will communicate ideas about her that are created during the mediation process. The photographer, picture editor and news editor are its ‘gatekeepers’: at each stage of the representation process, attempts can be made to shape and control the image, depending on the nature of the story, and the news agenda
at the time. Thus a photograph of the Duchess could be used to help stir up positive support for the Royal Family; alternatively it could imply a critical view of the monarchy. Much depends on the context of this image, and the other media language choices that surround it. Try writing captions for the photos above. You should quickly see how easily you could create both a positive and a negative representation from the same
3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.
the expectations and needs of the target audience, the limitations provided by genre codes, the type of narrative they wish to create and their institutional remit.
4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?
Stuart Hall's theories prove that people may not always agree with what and how a topic is represented in the media which also shows people aren't as passive and won't take these representations of the subject at face value.
5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?
With the rise of new media, audience members can now construct and share their own media products, and in websites, video-sharing platforms and social media there are more opportunities for people to represent themselves than ever before. Individuals can now engage in the act of self- representation, often on a daily basis, through the creation of social media profiles and content. We may define ourselves in a variety of ways. Our personal identities may be based on the characteristics we see as being part of who we are – e.g. our age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity – or we may foreground our cultural identities, based on our sense of belonging (or not) to specific cultures or groups. There is, of course, some overlap here. We may identify ourselves through our personal sense of masculinity and/or femininity but we may also associate ourselves with particular cultural groups based on gender identity.
6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?
National sports is an example of how identity is represented in England. The Sun sent a free newspaper to 22 million households in England which represented its own concepts o ‘Englishness’ by symbolic references queuing, the Sunday roast, Churchill and The Queen
7) Finally, think about this week's representation theories. Watch the trailer for classic action movie Taken and write an analysis of the representation of people, places and groups in the trailer using terminology and theories you have learned this week:
A British working class family's holiday used to be in Blackpool but now is in Spain, this is an evident use of Perkins' theory as the representation changes over time. This is linked with the film as the daughter gets taken in Paris.The kidnappers become represented as cruel and evil entities who disgust the viewer. Neeson's 'set of skills' are displayed in this short snippet and the actor is represented as violent yet calculated. This agrees with with the dominant stereotypes that Americans are violent.
Mulvey's theory can be applied here as well due to the fact it is the WOMAN who gets taken, implying that the media states that a MALE must come save her.
We can also apply Dyer's theory as the portrayal of Eastern Europeans are seen as enemies show that those who have more power are more likely to enforce stereotypes and the less powerful are more likely to follow and agree with that stereotype.
2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?
The photograph, then, is a representation of the Duchess. It may look like her but, in addition to her likeness, it will communicate ideas about her that are created during the mediation process. The photographer, picture editor and news editor are its ‘gatekeepers’: at each stage of the representation process, attempts can be made to shape and control the image, depending on the nature of the story, and the news agenda
at the time. Thus a photograph of the Duchess could be used to help stir up positive support for the Royal Family; alternatively it could imply a critical view of the monarchy. Much depends on the context of this image, and the other media language choices that surround it. Try writing captions for the photos above. You should quickly see how easily you could create both a positive and a negative representation from the same
3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.
the expectations and needs of the target audience, the limitations provided by genre codes, the type of narrative they wish to create and their institutional remit.
4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?
Stuart Hall's theories prove that people may not always agree with what and how a topic is represented in the media which also shows people aren't as passive and won't take these representations of the subject at face value.
5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?
With the rise of new media, audience members can now construct and share their own media products, and in websites, video-sharing platforms and social media there are more opportunities for people to represent themselves than ever before. Individuals can now engage in the act of self- representation, often on a daily basis, through the creation of social media profiles and content. We may define ourselves in a variety of ways. Our personal identities may be based on the characteristics we see as being part of who we are – e.g. our age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity – or we may foreground our cultural identities, based on our sense of belonging (or not) to specific cultures or groups. There is, of course, some overlap here. We may identify ourselves through our personal sense of masculinity and/or femininity but we may also associate ourselves with particular cultural groups based on gender identity.
6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?
National sports is an example of how identity is represented in England. The Sun sent a free newspaper to 22 million households in England which represented its own concepts o ‘Englishness’ by symbolic references queuing, the Sunday roast, Churchill and The Queen
7) Finally, think about this week's representation theories. Watch the trailer for classic action movie Taken and write an analysis of the representation of people, places and groups in the trailer using terminology and theories you have learned this week:
A British working class family's holiday used to be in Blackpool but now is in Spain, this is an evident use of Perkins' theory as the representation changes over time. This is linked with the film as the daughter gets taken in Paris.The kidnappers become represented as cruel and evil entities who disgust the viewer. Neeson's 'set of skills' are displayed in this short snippet and the actor is represented as violent yet calculated. This agrees with with the dominant stereotypes that Americans are violent.
Mulvey's theory can be applied here as well due to the fact it is the WOMAN who gets taken, implying that the media states that a MALE must come save her.
We can also apply Dyer's theory as the portrayal of Eastern Europeans are seen as enemies show that those who have more power are more likely to enforce stereotypes and the less powerful are more likely to follow and agree with that stereotype.
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