Introduction to Representation
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This document discusses representation in media texts and how to analyze representations. It defines representation as how groups, events, places or social changes are portrayed in media. Representations offer a version of reality but are subjective and constructed rather than objective. The document outlines Richard Dyer's 4 key points for analyzing representations: 1) What is represented 2) How it represents social groups 3) Who is responsible 4) Audience response. It also discusses theorists Stuart Hall and how representations rely on stereotypes that can subordinate groups.
Introduction to Representation
- 2. Which of the following do you think accurately represents reality: • a television newscast? • a documentary? • a Reality TV programme? • a TV drama?
- 3. 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.
- 4. 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.
- 5. – Gender – Age – Sexuality – Ethnicity – Class and status – Ability/disability – Regional identity
- 6. 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.
- 7. Representation Reality The real world Mediation The process of producing a film text. Representation The text itself. A ‘representation’ of the real world.
- 8. Lily Allen How would you describe Lily Allen in this picture? Write down 3 adjectives.
- 9. How is Lily Allen represented here? Write down another 3 adjectives.
- 10. Representation Key points to consider when analysing representations: 1.What is being represented? 2.How is it representative of social groups? 3.Who is responsible for the representation? 4.What does the audience make of it? Consider the Lily Allen examples as we work through each of these points…
- 11. 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.
- 12. 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?
- 13. 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.
- 14. 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!
- 15. 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?
- 16. THEORISTS
- 17. Richard Dyer’s Typography (1985) 1. What is represented? 2. How is this representative of social groups? 3. Who is responsible for the representation? 4. What does the audience make of it?
- 18. STUART HALL • Representations in texts are established through media language. • Media Representations are often reliant upon stereotypes which reduce social groups to simplistic characteristics or traits. • These stereotypes reflect inequalities in power leading to the subordination of certain social groups (e.g. ethnic minorities, women
- 19. STUART HALL • Meaning in texts is encoded through media language. • The ways in which texts are decoded often reflect the encoded meaning although this cannot be guaranteed. • These ‘preferred’ readings are likely to be dominant due to the positioning of the audience through media language. • Other possible readings can be described as negotiated or oppositional, reflecting resistance to the encoded meaning.
- 20. 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.
- 21. Recap - Representation Key points to consider when analysing representations: 1.What is being represented? 2.How is it representative of social groups? 3.Who is responsible for the representation? 4.What does the audience make of it?