Media studies GCSE Representation L.O- To identify the ways that the media use representation Outcomes- To create a collage which shows what representation means.

In pairs, consider what these pictures reflect

Representation Dictionary describes representation as: To represent something is to describe, or depict it, to call it up in the mind by description or portrayal. To represent also means to symbolise, stand for, be a substitute for- E.G The cross symbolises suffering and the crucifixion of Christ.

What is representation? Representation is concerned with the way that people, ideas and events are presented to us. This could be representation in magazines, news, soap operas, films and so on. It may include representation of people, places, events.

The media The media will represent people, places and situations to us For example, the people in Eastenders are representing certain groups of people. The media rely on the audience understanding these representations and accepting them

For some people, the medias representation of something may be the only contact that person has with the representation. E.g. Representation of Religion Teenagers Police

As media students, it is important for us to question: Who is represented (age, gender, class, region, ethnicity, sexuality) Identifying a lack of representation Deconstructing how they are represented (technical and cultural codes) to the audience

Representation Understanding the difference between what is real and what is represented is vital to our understanding of any media text. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE MEDIA TO PRESENT THE WORLD AS IT REALLY IS BECAUSE THE MEDIA CONSTRUCTS MEANINGS ABOUT THE WORLD THEY CHANGE OR MEDIATE WHAT IS REALLY THERE.

Re-presentation Things can be described as a re- presentation of things. So the media, re present the world to the audience. The ideas are a re- presentation of the original Event ------- Mediated-------re-presentation

Re- presentation Describe an event to the person next to you.

What you achieved was a re-presentation of events. You probably left out some details. Watching the news is a re-presentation of events. The way in which the show has been edited and the points of the story they pick up, means that it is not possible to represent the story, only re- present it.

For analysis Richard Dyer (1983) posed a few questions when analysing media representations in general. 1. What sense of the world is it making? 2. What does it imply? Is it typical of the world or deviant? 3. Who is it speaking to? For whom? To whom? 4. What does it represent to us and why? How do we respond to the representation?

Representations of youth How do you think youth is presented? Watch the following clip and consider if you feel it is a realistic re- presentation of youth Waterloo road

Eastenders Watch the following clips of Eastenders, what stereotypes do you think are used by the directors? Consider the stereotypes used How the audience is able to recognise them What pleasure the audience may getting form these stereotypes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHjfdeVvJP0&feature=channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgUf9hlTnnU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMDbkHT9Hys

And this? Consider Dyers questions in response to these photos

Gender How do you think gender is re-presented in our society? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGoC8FTLKSI Difference between men and women http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rWbg4-dw1g Pepsi max http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGCax1MQi_Q wkd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtFgSxed-Oo Mccoys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO2-VO8b-ns&feature=related Mccoys

Age How is old age re-presented in society?

Stereotypes Sometimes representations can turn into stereotypes A stereotype is a simplified representation of character, appearance and beliefs. A stereotype is a commonly held public belief about specific social groups or types of individuals

The media may use a stereotype because they are easily recognised by the audience and can convey ideas to the audience In a soap opera, what would we stereotype this character to be like?

Blondes

How do the following adverts reinforce stereotypes? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDBMHz1Dthw (Cooker advert) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z6ks8Z0X20 (gender stereotyping of women)

Why are correct representations so important? People can think negatively about a group of people People may use the media representations as the basis for their beliefs People may feel they are unfairly represented.

Task In a group no bigger than three, create a collage which explains what representation and stereotypes mean You will need a definition of both and pictures which reinforce the representations and stereotypes that you decide to focus on