1. Representation SAC Preparation

3. Create a table like this to help with your revision!
Concept
Definition / Meaning
Example / Evidence from Media Text
Representation
Connotation / Denotation
Point of View
Mediation
Selection and Omission
Technical Codes
Symbolic Codes
Written Codes
Conventions / Stereotypes / Tropes

4. What is Representation?
ALL media texts are representations. The depiction of events, people or objects has been selected and constructed by the creator, and is interpreted by the viewer.
No media that you see or hear is a tru reflection of realisty, but a representation of it.
Everything you see is media-ted or a re-presentation.

5. Denotation: The literal meaning of a word or image
Connotation: The emotions or meanings we attach to a word or image

6. Denotation: Snake. Scaly, legless, reptile. Colorful.
Connotation: Scary, slimy, evil, nasty, disgusting. Or
Cool, dangerous, powerful, sexy.

7. Point of view
All representations contain the point of view of the creators. The point of view can be expressed in variety of ways, depending on the manipulation of technical and symbolic codes used.
-Consider media representations of war.
-The point of view of the creator will have a big influence on the way a country or individual is represented.

11. Mediation
An influence or interference by a third party between reality and the representation of that reality.
What are some examples?

12. Selection and Omission
Media representations are made up by what the media created decides we see and not see
Omission is just as important as selection
Consider news bulletins, tourism commercials
-Australian and Brazilian Commercials

13. Technical Codes
Technical Codes are connected to different forms of media.
Camera
Shot Selection
Shot Angle
Camera Movement
Lighting
Where is the light coming from?
Intensity of lighing
Colour of the light (Consider hospital scences)
High key, Low key, Backlit etc

14. Technical Codes (Cont..)
Sound
Music
Sound Effects
Ambient sounds
Diegetic /
Non Diegetic sounds
Mise en scene
Where the setting or scene is
Significance of props, actors etc
Visual compositions

15. Symbolic and cultural codes
Symbolic codes are the ones that exist outside of the media text and within a society as a whole.
Facial Expression
Gaze
Posture
Body Contact
Clothes and Appearance
Colour

19. Visual codes

20. Conventions / Stereotypes / Tropes
Conventions are the way a particular media type is put together, it is the blueprint for the way we expect them to be. Genres are generally a good way to explore conventions
Stereotypes are common and simplified representations of a specific group held by a culture or society. Often used in the media as a shortcut to understanding.
Tropes are common story elements or pattern that are used.

21. What’s on the written SAC?
A range of short and medium response questions that ask you demonstrate your understanding of all of the concepts covered throughout our study of Representation.
You will need to be prepared to provide detailed examples from selected media texts. The texts you should be familiar with are;
- The Breakfast Club (examples of technical and symbolic codes, stereotypes etc)
- Mean Girls (examples of technical and symbolic codes, stereotypes etc)
- Film Posters (Gender)
- Advertisements (Gender)
-Tourism Commercials