representation overview 2013 ppt

REPRESENTATION

Which of the following do you think accurately represents reality:

• a television newscast?

• a documentary?

• a Reality TV programme?

• a TV drama?

Constructed reality

The truth is, that none of these programmes accurately reflect reality. Reality is mediated in all four examples.i.e. a newscast story or documentary is never entirely objective. • It may contain slant or bias.• It may only show one aspect of an issue.• It contains many camerawork and editing decisions that will

have an effect on meaning created.

Also, the types of stories that make the news - the "if it bleeds it leads" approach does not create a well-rounded picture of events as they occur in real life.

KEY POINT: reality on television is constructed

TV drama takes a further step into constructed reality by dealing with characterisations and dramatic elements within those characters lives.

TV dramas, although fictitious, may perpetuate stereotypes that influence our perceptions about different groups of people.

– Gender– Age– Sexuality– Ethnicity– Class and status– Ability/disability– Regional identity

Representation

Representation – How groups, events, places or social changes are portrayed in the media; how they are re - presented.

Representations offer a version of reality.

Representations are subjective rather than objective and are constructed.

Representation

RealityThe real world

MediationThe process of

producing a film text.

RepresentationThe text itself.

A ‘representation’ of the real world.

Lily Allen

How would you describe Lily Allen

in this picture?

Write down 3 adjectives.

How is Lily Allen represented here?Write down another 3 adjectives.

Representation

Key points to consider when analysing representations:

1.What is being represented?2.How is it being represented?3.Who is responsible for the representation?4.How can the representation be interpreted?

Consider the Lily Allen examples as we work through each of these points…

1. What is represented?

What information does the text give you about characters, places or subject matter? Consider denotation and connotation – analyse the technical elements (camerawork, mise-en-scene, editing, sound) and the meaning created for the audience.

2. How is this representative of social groups?

Consider what it says about particular social groups (gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity, physical ability/disability, regional identity and class/status). Consider positives and negatives and use of stereotypes. Does your text reinforce or challenge stereotypes?

3. Who is responsible for the representation?

Consider the programme makers and the institutions responsible for production. What agenda do the producers have? Why would they want to represent things in a certain way? - think about target audience, genre, commercial aspect or artistic expression, etc.

4. What does the audience make of it?

Taking all of the above into account what might the audience response be? However, as we know not everyone will respond to the text in the same way so there is not one answer to this!

Check point

• In pairs, nominate who will go first and second.

• You will have 1 minute each.

1. Explain what is meant by the concept of representation. If possible, give examples to back this up.

2. What 4 points can you work through to analyse representations in a media text?

Recap - Representation

Representation – How groups, events, places or social changes are portrayed in the media; how they are re - presented.

Representations offer a version of reality.

Representations are subjective rather than objective and are constructed.

Recap - Representation

Key points to consider when analysing representations:

1.What is being represented?2.How is it being represented?3.Who is responsible for the representation?4.How can the representation be interpreted?