What is representation?
The media does not present reality — they represent it by offering a careful selection of reality. Media products consisting of only a selection of manufactured elements and are not the same as lived experience. It would be impossible for the media to depict the world in its complex entirety and so, the essential elements are selected that will most effectively convey the message or idea. This manufactured version is based on the values of the producers and, in turn, the values of the larger society and culture. This version is not a presentation, but a re-presentation.
A media representation is a depiction, a likeness or a construction. A representation can be of individual
people (age, identity), social groups (gender, ethnicity, sexuality), ideas, emotions, places, social issues or events.
The media is very powerful as it can influence an audience's attitude in relation to these ideas and issues.
A representation can be a single image, a sequence of images or a whole program, written words, spoken
words, song lyrics or more. The media use representations to convey meaning in a symbolic way and are useful in conveying complex thoughts or concepts. When reading media texts we need to understand the representations being presented and how they are being constructed.
In your workbook summarise what a representation is.
What is a representation made of?
Media educator Steve Baker defines a representation as a mixture of;
Watch this video the learn more about representation.
A media representation is a depiction, a likeness or a construction. A representation can be of individual
people (age, identity), social groups (gender, ethnicity, sexuality), ideas, emotions, places, social issues or events.
The media is very powerful as it can influence an audience's attitude in relation to these ideas and issues.
A representation can be a single image, a sequence of images or a whole program, written words, spoken
words, song lyrics or more. The media use representations to convey meaning in a symbolic way and are useful in conveying complex thoughts or concepts. When reading media texts we need to understand the representations being presented and how they are being constructed.
In your workbook summarise what a representation is.
What is a representation made of?
Media educator Steve Baker defines a representation as a mixture of;
- The thing itself
- The opinions of the people creating it
- The reaction of the individual consuming it
- The context of the society in which it is taking place
Watch this video the learn more about representation.
Who? What? Why? Where?
When you are looking at media texts you need to question representations, think about the following questions:
When you are looking at media texts you need to question representations, think about the following questions:
- Who or what is being represented? Who is the preferred audience for this representation?
- What are they doing? Is their activity presented as typical, or atypical? Are they conforming to genre expectations or other conventions?
- Why are they present? What purpose do they serve? What are they communicating by their presence? What's the preferred reading?
- Where are they? How are they framed? Are they represented as natural or artificial? What surrounds them? What is in the foreground and what is in the background?
Representations can mean different things to different people. We all decode representations according to our own life experience, where we've lived, how old we are, and what other media texts we are familiar with, as well as a myriad psychological factors. Other elements such as political sympathies and social class can come into play. When producers construct a media representation, they often assume that the audience is one homogenous mass that will all decode the representation in the same way. However, people see even the most basic images in different ways.
Look at these images. What do you see? Discuss with the people around you.
Look at these images. What do you see? Discuss with the people around you.
A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words...
Producers of media texts know that visual representation is a very powerful tool when it comes to persuading your audience what to think about a topic. Ferocious man-eating beast or majestic free-spirited being?
Complete the four activities below.
Activity one:
In your workbook, draw a picture that represents love.
Producers of media texts know that visual representation is a very powerful tool when it comes to persuading your audience what to think about a topic. Ferocious man-eating beast or majestic free-spirited being?
Complete the four activities below.
Activity one:
In your workbook, draw a picture that represents love.
Activity two:
Create a table in your workbook to compare and contrast the images below.
How do each of the images make you respond? What elements in the images make you respond in this way? Refer to colour, lighting, cropping, shot angles and the images focal point in your answers. Try not to think about your prior knowledge and only think about what you see in the image.
Create a table in your workbook to compare and contrast the images below.
How do each of the images make you respond? What elements in the images make you respond in this way? Refer to colour, lighting, cropping, shot angles and the images focal point in your answers. Try not to think about your prior knowledge and only think about what you see in the image.
Activity three:
Think Pair Share & take notes in your workbook about the images below.
Look at the pairs of images below. Same human being, different representation. What choices have been made about framing, lighting, make up, cropping, costume? Can you guess what kind of context of story each image is from? What does each image make you think about that person? How do you think these very different representations affect their mage as a celebrity or person? Do you think either one of these images is the 'real' individual?
Think Pair Share & take notes in your workbook about the images below.
Look at the pairs of images below. Same human being, different representation. What choices have been made about framing, lighting, make up, cropping, costume? Can you guess what kind of context of story each image is from? What does each image make you think about that person? How do you think these very different representations affect their mage as a celebrity or person? Do you think either one of these images is the 'real' individual?
Stereotypes
A standardised idea or image which we use to describe a group of people, things or ideas. It is thought that they share similar charcteristics which can over simplify the group they describe. Stereotypes are efficient in the media, audiences understand the meaning behind the symbolic codes and conventions. Stereotypes are also narrow and prescriptive representations, not everyone fits the same mould.
Activity four:
In your workbook summarise what a stereotype is and provide three examples of a stereotype.
Then, finish these sentences in your workbook thinking about what you would expect of these stereotypical groups.
Rap music always....
Women should....
Men are always....
Nice houses have....
Old people enjoy....
A horror film will....
Happiness looks like....
A standardised idea or image which we use to describe a group of people, things or ideas. It is thought that they share similar charcteristics which can over simplify the group they describe. Stereotypes are efficient in the media, audiences understand the meaning behind the symbolic codes and conventions. Stereotypes are also narrow and prescriptive representations, not everyone fits the same mould.
Activity four:
In your workbook summarise what a stereotype is and provide three examples of a stereotype.
Then, finish these sentences in your workbook thinking about what you would expect of these stereotypical groups.
Rap music always....
Women should....
Men are always....
Nice houses have....
Old people enjoy....
A horror film will....
Happiness looks like....
Activity 5
Watch this video and answer the following questions:
Watch this video and answer the following questions:
- Is this a fair representation of Americans?
- How might omission have been used to create this representation?
If you want to extend your knowledge and understanding about representations check out these videos and links.
Representation and Composition Task
1. Using the grid below construct two images depicting a subject and mood/emotion. You must choose an element from each coloured row to incorporate into your images. You may only use each element once, so choose carefully.
2. Prior to shooting your images, plan your composition and how you intend to represent your chosen subject and mood/emotion. You should sketch your image and annotate the image defining any technical terminology and explaining your choices. Your plan must be signed off by your teacher prior to shooting your images.
3. You may use editing software to complete your images, this may be required to ensure the technical elements of your image are incorporated.
4. Write a short reflection on each image discussing how successful or unsuccessful you believe you have been in representing your chosen subject and mood/emotion. (approximately 150 words)
5. Submit your plans, images and reflection to your teacher.
2. Prior to shooting your images, plan your composition and how you intend to represent your chosen subject and mood/emotion. You should sketch your image and annotate the image defining any technical terminology and explaining your choices. Your plan must be signed off by your teacher prior to shooting your images.
3. You may use editing software to complete your images, this may be required to ensure the technical elements of your image are incorporated.
4. Write a short reflection on each image discussing how successful or unsuccessful you believe you have been in representing your chosen subject and mood/emotion. (approximately 150 words)
5. Submit your plans, images and reflection to your teacher.
Acknowledgements
http://www.mediaknowall.com/gcse/gcse.php
www.jaconline.com.au/media/downloads/chap03.pdf
Flack, Jo - Nelson Media VCE Units 1-4
http://www.mediaknowall.com/gcse/gcse.php
www.jaconline.com.au/media/downloads/chap03.pdf
Flack, Jo - Nelson Media VCE Units 1-4