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 photograph of Kate Middleton in the newspaper is a re-presentation of what she looks like, with people controlling and manipulating the image at various stages throughout the process , people see things differently and they choose what they want to believe about it or represent it in their own way than its shown. people easily could create both a positive and a negative representation from the same image.

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

people should first look at why is that media product created and what its reason or message behind it, sometimes elements are rejected because the audience create their own meanings and not what the actual producers meant. This repetition of values and ideologies starts to feel ‘natural’ to the viewer. Roland Barthes argues that the ‘naturalisation’ of ideas actually acts to hide the ideology from view. It is present within the text but we don’t recognise it because it comes across as being common sense. 

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

Hall argued that audiences do not necessarily accept the ideology of texts passively, but instead draw on their own cultural and social experiences to create their own interpretations. In his view ‘meanings’ and messages are not fixed by the creator of the text, but depend on the relationship between the reader/ viewer, and the text.

So, sometimes the producers release somethings and mean a thing behind it but the audience might critique it and take the oppositional reading of what the person was actually trying to communicate but they take and create negative and bad things and blame it on the magazine or the producer. 

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

With the rise of new media, audience members can now construct and share their own media products, and in 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 on a daily basis, through the creation of social media profiles and content. so on social media they can comment on osts, share their own posts and beliefs. 

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

In these ways, the style of a specific selfie, the identification with our favourite book or film, or the clothes we choose to be seen wearing become the ‘media language’ choices we make when constructing our own identities online.

Zoella’s expressions show she is aware of the camera and poses carefully to create the visual image that supports her video persona. Part of her appeal is that she is perceived by her 2.6 million (!) Twitter followers as a ‘normal person’ rather than a celebrity media construction; but this identity is carefully constructed and maintained. Her audience identify with her, and she offers an inspirational lifestyle hat her fans admire.

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.

A dominant clip is when Luther looks devastated sitting down and his boss comes a white female dominating him and commanding him the shot and angle shows  us how she looks like she is bigger than him and has more power than him this reinforces white people stereotypes as they are leading and haws more power of the black people community , however it also subverts women stereotypes how women is commanding a man and the man is obeying the females commands. however  as they are working together this can subvert stereotypes as also the white man shakes hands  with and respected Luther. 

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:

The Perkins theory may be illustrating that the stereotypes that are subverted between black and white people are positive because it shows that they are working together and they are a team. Also the subverted female leaders stereotype it is subverted but its also positive and how women can actually lead and have power not only men. 

Levi-Strauss: representation and ideology

Mulvey: the male gaze

Dyer: stereotyping and power

Medhurst: value judgements

Perkins: some stereotypes can be positive or true