1. Representation Unit 6: Critical Approaches to Creative Media Products
Extended Diploma Creative Media Production Year 2

2. A Bright Start… Write down the name of your favourite Film Character…
Are they represented in a positive or negative way in the narrative? Why? What elements in the narrative lead you to believe this?
Write down their FOUR key defining characteristics…

3. Learning Outcomes By the end of the session, you should…
Understand what a Stereotype and Countertype are.
Know the inherent problems of Stereotyping.
Know the key strategies that the Media uses to create Stereotypes.
Create your own Stereotyped character.
Understand the representations of Heroic Men and Strong Women.
Please note that the information contained in today’s session is central to an aspect of your forthcoming Unit 6 Assignment. Please ensure you are making coherent notes.

4. Stereotypes

5. Stereotype: Definition
Stereotype The social classification of a group of people by identifying common characteristics and universally applying them in an often oversimplified and generalised way, such that the classification represents value judgements and assumptions about the group concerned.

6. Stereotypes in Action
A young, blonde woman is stereotypically perceived to be unintelligent and preoccupied with the material aspects of life
A teenager in a hoodie is perceived as trouble and a threat to society. They participate in recreational drug use and probably deal in them. A number of them are violent and some have ASBOs.
All of these stereotyped images have been, in one or another, generated, promoted and fuelled by the Media

7. The Problem with Stereotypes
A stereotype is a shorthand form and as such a reduction of the complexity of the reality represented. The idea of stereotyping is often used with negative connotations, as if the removal of all stereotyping would make Media Representations fair and unbiased. However, stereotypes are a necessary component of all mediated communication: there is never time or space to do full justice to the complexity of human beings. The problem is that the shorthand can be, and often is, misleading…

8. The Problem with Stereotypes
A stereotype does more than simply describe characteristics assigned to a particular group, it also carries value judgements. This is clearly highlighted by the earlier example of blonde women being unintelligent – an (incorrect) value judgement is directly and implicitly associated with the stereotype. The same occurs with the teenager in a hoodie in that they might be a hardworking student or minding their own business while keeping warm.

9. How Media Represents Stereotypes
The Media uses two key methods of visually and aurally constructing a Stereotype: Appearance This is includes physical appearance and clothing as well as the sound of the voice. For example: all teachers wear tweed jackets with brown leather elbow pads. Behavior Typical activities and traits that people in the group might do. For example: all Grandmothers like to knit.

10. Over to You…
Think back to your choice of Film Character for this session’s Bright Start. Think about this character’s Appearance and Behaviour. Make a list of these characteristics – are any of these elements stereotypical? If so, why?

11. Countertypes
Countertypes are representations of individuals and/or groups which attempt a most honest image and, therefore, work in contrast to the stereotypical image the Media often presents. One of the most significant countertypes in recent contemporary cinema is Lieutenant Ellen Ripley from the Alien quadriliogy...
With the person next to you, discuss how Ripley is represented in this scene. How does she both conform and subvert stereotypes associated with women?

12. Throughout the Alien films Lieutenant Ellen Ripley is…
A solider, a fighter, a woman capable of handling a pulse rifle…

13. Throughout the Alien films Lieutenant Ellen Ripley is…
A solider, a fighter, a woman capable of handling a pulse rifle…
A ‘male’ who is technically minded and strong, capable of working the heavy Power Loader…

14. Throughout the Alien films Lieutenant Ellen Ripley is…
A solider, a fighter, a woman capable of handling a pulse rifle…
A ‘male’ who is technically minded and strong, capable of working the heavy Power Loader…
The ‘Masculine Protector’ who, in her gendered case becomes the strong ‘Protective Mother’.

15. Over to You…
On your own, complete the following Task… You are going to develop a character. In order to do this, you are to… …Deicide whether they are male or female …Give them a name …Give them a stereotypical job …Give them a stereotypical background story …Dress them in a stereotypical costume and behaviours Now, swap your character with the person next to you… … and swap them again. Now, read through the Character Description and, on the reverse of the sheet, write out a Countertype for this character (i.e. convert what you have read into the opposite, and so creating the Countertype).

16. The Representation of Heroic Men

17. The Representation of (Heroic) Men
The characters used in Action Films are dominated by stereotypes. How are (Heroic) Men represented in these posters for Action Films? What traits do their characters stereotypically have?

18. The Representation of (Heroic) Men
Handsome
Experienced
Dashing
Strong
Brave
Commanding
Heroic
Daring
Cool
Courageous
Secretive
Muscular

19. Roles played by (Good) Men in Action Films
The Tough Guy
The Teacher
Martial Arts Wonder
Destined Hero
Brave Superhero
The Funny One
The Military Trained/ Father

20. Over to You…
How are Women traditionally represented in Action Films? What traits do their characters stereotypically have? Which of Propp’s character type do they conform to or fit?

21. The Representation of Women in Action Films
The Damsel in Distress
Weak
Defenceless
Afraid
Intimidated
Emotional

22. The Representation of Women
Academics, critics and some sectors of the audience have issues with the way in which women are stereotyped in Action Films, primarily because certain films of the genre misrepresent genders. While this certainly was the situation in the genre’s infancy, there have been steady positive changes in this aspects of the genre…
Can you think of any Action Films were Women are represented in a positive manner?

23. The Representation of (Strong) Women

24. Closing Task
Watch the Trailer for The Long Kiss Goodnight. Make notes on how Geena Davies’ character is represented throughout the trailer…
Are stereotypes being used? Where and when?
Are countertypes being used? Where and when?
When looking for examples to answer the questions, pay attention not just to the character but their dialogue, actions and the technical elements (how the characters are filmed; camera angles and types of shot used; their costume for example).