representation

CriticalPerspectivesExam: Section 1b

Representation

Exam: Section 1b

Related key concepts…• Media Language

(how the representation is created/mediated, denotation and connotation)

Related key concepts…• Media Language

(how the representation is created/mediated, denotation and connotation)

• Institution and audience (who is doing the representation and who it is aimed at?)

What we need to know?Who is being represented?

• In what way?

• By whom?

What we need to know?Why is the subject being represented in this way?

• Is the representation fair and accurate?

• Is there an opportunity for self-representation?

MediationEvery time we encounter a media text, we are not seeing reality, but someone's version of it. This may seem obvious, but it is easily forgotten when we are enjoying a text.

MediationThree things to look for…

MediationThree things to look for…

• SELECTION

MediationThree things to look for…

• SELECTION• ORGANISATION

MediationThree things to look for…

• SELECTION• ORGANISATION• FOCUS

Mediation

SelectionWhatever ends up on the screen much more will have been left out.

Mediation

OrganisationElements will be organised carefully in ways that real life is not.

Mediation

OrganisationElements will be organised carefully in ways that real life is not. This organisation will result in…

Mediation

FocusThe audience is pushed towards concentrating on one aspect of the text and ignoring others.

This is mediation.

Mediation

This is mediation.Reality has been changed

Mediation

This is mediation.Reality has been changedThis may not always be obvious but it is always and inevitably the case

Mediation

Think of examplesof how you have changed realityin yourproductions…

Mediation

Society, the individual and representation

Representation theory

Representation TheoryThree ways of looking at it…

Representation TheoryThree ways of looking at it…

• REFLECTIVE

Representation TheoryThree ways of looking at it…

• REFLECTIVE• INTENTIONAL

Representation TheoryThree ways of looking at it…

• REFLECTIVE• INTENTIONAL• CONSTRUCTIONIST

ReflectiveThe representation takes the true meaning and tries to create a replica of it in the mind of the viewer.

Representation Theory

ReflectiveThe representation takes the true meaning and tries to create a replica of it in the mind of the viewer. This is the view that many people have of how news works - news producers take the truth of news events and simply present it to us as accurately as possible.

Representation Theory

Reflective• objective• no bias• no point of view

Representation Theory

IntentionalThe representation is structured and clearly aimsto project a specific idea or meaning decided by the producer

Representation Theory

Intentional• focused• subjective• persuasive• has an intention

Representation Theory

ConstructionistA representation can never just be the truth(reflective) or the version of the truth that someone wants you to hear (intentional) since that is ignores your ability as an individual to make up your own mind and the influences of society on the way you do it.

Representation Theory

Any representation is shaped by…

Representation Theory

• the thing itself

Any representation is shaped by…

Representation Theory

• the thing itself• the opinions of the producer

Any representation is shaped by…

Representation Theory

• the thing itself• the opinions of the producer• the reaction of the audience

Any representation is shaped by…

Representation Theory

WHAT

PERCEPTIONHOW

Representation Theory

what we are shown

what we seeis not necessarily

Representation Theory

what we see

is shaped by

education

experiences

culture

class

prejudicesetc.

Representation Theory

DominantIdeology

Representation Theory

Dominant IdeologyThe way most people think and the codes that most people live by in any given society. This is not static but constantly changing as new ideas and attitudes develop and become predominant.

Representation Theory

Dominant IdeologyOver the years representations are gradually accepted (or rejected) by the majority of people and in this way the dominant ideology is gradually changed. A process called negotiation.The “establishment” tends to reinforce this ideology while others will attempt to “push the boundaries”

Representation Theory

Dominant Ideologyis reinforced every time a text is presented which represents the opinions and beliefs of the majority of the people

Representation Theory

Stereotypes

Representation Theory

Stereotypes

Representation Theory

A stereotype is a standardised and usually oversimplified, mental picture or attitude that is held in common by members of a group.

Stereotypes

Representation Theory

A stereotype is a standardised and usually oversimplified, mental picture or attitude that is held in common by members of a group.It is a simplification used to make sense of a real person or group (or place) which, in reality, is much more complicated.

Reality is complex and difficult to fully understand….

STEREOTYPINGSimplifies and speeds up communication

Stereotypes

WE “GET IT” STRAIGHT AWAY

Stereotypes

Stereotypes

Stereotypes are potentially highly dangerous but stereotyping itself is impossible to avoid. It is a natural function of the human mind.

Stereotyping is something that we all do in order to survive mentally

in the confusing world around us.

Stereotypes

We should also be aware that just as with the process of mediation stereotyping involves the selection, organisation and focusing of the complicated reality.

Stereotypes

A media stereotype is constructed from…

Representation Theory

A media stereotype is constructed from…

Representation Theory

• appearance

A media stereotype is constructed from…

Representation Theory

• appearance• behaviour

A media stereotype is constructed from…

Representation Theory

• appearance• behaviour• media specific factors

A media stereotype is constructed from…

Representation Theory

• appearance• behaviour• media specific factors• comparison with the norm

Appearance and behaviour

These are not media specific and are what we use everyday to judge (and stereotype) people.

Stereotypes

Media specific elements

Our expectations as an audience for anygiven genre and its conventions are well known to producers.

So they will build stereotypes to satisfy us

Stereotypes

Comparison with normality.

This is how we judge stereotypes

Stereotypes

Comparison with normality.

This is how we judge stereotypes

BUTWhat is normal?

Stereotypes

Are you normal?

the end

Are you normal?Are you a stereotype?