Representation: blog tasks

1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?

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. A representation is a re-presentation (literally – to present again), and so the images and ideas we see on screen, in print or online are ‘removed’ from the original object. The media intervene and stand between the object and what we see – the act of communicating the image or idea in some way changes it.

2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?

The same photo can be edited, manipulated and captioned in a way that creates a positive or a negative meaning. A photo of Kate Middleton holding a wine glass can easily be twisted into a news story of her being an alcoholic.

3) Summarise the section 'The how who and why of media representation' in 50 words.

Representations are a collection of media language choices. Different choices are selected and others are rejected. The representations are a combination of these selections and rejections. The elements that are removed do not carry the preferred meaning of the producer, whereas the elements that do carry the preferred meaning of the producer are kept.

4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?

Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings proposes that there are multiple ways in which a text or representation can be interpreted and that these interpretations are influenced by the viewer's social and cultural background. The "preferred reading" is the interpretation that is intended by the creator of the representation, while "oppositional readings" are interpretations that challenge or subvert the intended meaning. This theory is closely connected to the concept of representation, as it suggests that the way a representation is perceived and understood is influenced by the viewer's perspective and experiences.

5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?

Audience members can now construct and share their own media products, and on websites, video-sharing platforms and social media there are more opportunities for people to represent themselves than ever before. Individuals can now engage in the act of self-representation, often daily, through the creation of social media profiles and content.

6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?

During the 2014 World Cup, The Sun sent a free newspaper to 22 million households in England which represented its own concepts of ‘Englishness’ by symbolic references –queuing, the Sunday roast, Churchill and The Queen – to heroes, values and behaviours that the paper (and its owners, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corps) defined as appropriate expressions of ‘English identity’. This representation may have helped some audience members to identify with a certain idea of national identity and our politicians seemed keen to represent themselves about it, reinforcing The Sun’s messages about what it means to be British. However, social media forums and comment pages allowed many people to voice their rejection of the messages. Through self-representation, they were able to show that they distanced themselves from the values of the tabloid newspaper.

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.

Dominant:

2 men investigating a murder - reinforces stereotypes of men being heroic

Alternative:

A woman covered in blood as she murdered someone (women aren't usually represented as murderers)

A woman telling a man off (taking charge)

A man crying (showing emotion)

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

Black people being police officers subverts expectations especially in a time where the BLM movement is stronger than ever.

Mulvey: the male gaze 

Nothing I could find

Dyer: stereotyping and power

A white police officer being in charge reinforces stereotypes of white people being more dominant and educated

Medhurst: value judgements

Men doing detective work makes them seem more dominant and reinforces male heroism

Perkins: some stereotypes can be positive or true

Men being shown as powerful, dominant and in charge is positive