Read the Media Magazine feature 'Representation old and new'. This is in MM51 on page 6 - go to our Media Magazine archive to find the article. Complete the following tasks:
1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?
The word representation itself holds a clue to its importance. When we see a person, place, object or idea being represented in a media text, it has in some way been mediated by the very act of representation.
2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?
They took 2 pictures where no one was drinking except for her and they used this to label her with a drinking problem.
3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.
When analysing representations, it is always essential to question who is creating them, and why. All media products have a specific function which will impact on the representations they construct. Producers will consider:
• the expectations and needs of the target audience
• the limitations provided by genre codes
• the type of narrative they wish to create
• their institutional remit.
4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and op positional readings fit with representation?
It links into representation because it makes the audience want to be more dominant. Furthermore it links to the theory as it wants the media products portray the people that need to be portrayed in a bad way.
5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?
Its easier to create different preconception as cameras are more advanced and it is easier to change things around.
6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?
people are very proud of their nationality if they are white however Britain slowly is turning is becoming less and less white people.
Watch the clip from Luther that we studied in class (Season 1, Episode 1 - minute 7.40-10.00 - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access the clip). Now answer these final two questions:
7) Write a paragraph analysing the dominant and alternative representations you can find in the clip from Luther.
8) Write a paragraph applying a selection of our representation theories to the clip from Luther. Our summary of each theory may help you here:
Levi-Strauss: representation and ideology
Mulvey: the male gaze
Dyer: stereotyping and power
Medhurst: value judgements
Perkins: some stereotypes can be positive or true
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