Question 1B: representation

Analyse one of your coursework productions in relation to representation.

What is representation?

Applying the theory

Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding theory

All media texts are encoded with messagesIt is up to the audience to de-code these meanings

Barthes

Signifier/ signifiedSignifiers are used to signify meaning. Meaning is embedded in a text in this way

Judith Butler

Queer theoryThe idea of a natural and coherent sexuality, both heterosexual and homosexual, is formed through the repetition of stylized acts in time

How have you mediated representations of sexuality in your production?

• Homosexual?• Heterosexual?

What about cultural representations?• The idea of Britishness?

Use the Tube Chop tool to dissect your trailer to show how you have represented each of the above. Find three examples for each. Use this to analyse the micro elements used to construct these representations, including;• Editing• Sound• Mise-en-scene• Camera

Can you apply any of the three theories to your examples?

Structuring your answer

• The emphasis here is on using examples from the text to support or challenge a theory or idea

Introductory paragraph1. Define the concept of representation2. Outline the production3. Tell the examiner about the concepts you

are going to discuss

Planning the rest of your essay

Use each concept to structure your answerFor example, you could start with Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding.Then use two or three detailed examples from your text to discuss how representation is mediated in relation to this theoryThen you could discuss Barthes, and so on….

Design a detailed essay plan for this question