Representation is the constructed and mediated presentation of people, things, ideas or a place. Representation can also be a process by which the media present the ‘real world’
Questions that can be asked when analysing representations are;
WHO or WHAT is being represented?
HOW is the representation being created?
WHO has created the representation?
WHY is the representation created in that way and WHAT is the intention?
WHAT is the effect of the representation?
All these questions should be taken into consideration when a representation is being made, so when me and my group come to the representation of our final production we shall consider all of this so that the correct intention is made by the viewing audience.
Things such as facial expressions, the language used, the framing and the physical closeness can all play a part in the representation. Lighting, music, editing, camera work and the mise-en-scene also create an illusion of representation.
In our production me and the group are considering a horror typed representation but to allow this we are going to consider the type of lighting which will be low key lighting to give an effect of mystery. Music will be slow anticipating beats and camera work will be mainly long shots so the audience can see what is happening and extreme close ups to express the emotion and feeling of the situation. A complete idea has not been thought out properly yet but we have had a few ideas that we are considering. We are going to put all of our ideas together to come up with something that we all think will be an effective representation of what we are trying to show.
Stereotypes are simplified representations which focus on certain characteristics of the group and assume these to be shared across all group members. Inherent within a stereotype is a judgement on this characteristic; this is usually negative but not always.
Stereotypes on films are not creating a new one but they are simply reflecting an existing one within a certain culture. By using these stereotypes, the media can be said to be reinforcing the ideas behind them and consolidating the views they contain. The stereotype is often viewed as negative, this is done because;
- The judgement of the stereotype is seen as bad for example, gossiping as a waste of time with bad outcomes.
- They do not allow for individual traits to exist in members of the group
- They are created by those outside the stereotyped group and are often seen to be an exertion of power.
- And finally the stereotype gives a ‘complete picture’ about the group and implies the knowledge and understanding that can be applied to all members of the group.
However some stereotypes attempt to create positive representations, these are called corrective stereotypes. This is when those that are constructed in such a way as to deliberately work against the usual and expected stereotype. An example of this can be seen as Edward in the film ‘Twilight’ he is a vampire which is seen as ‘bad’ but yet he drinks only animals blood which goes against the norm of vampires and he falls in love with a human which is totally unexpected of a vampire, therefore this has created a positive representation towards vampires.
Stereotypes can be formed around different characteristics of a group such as Appearance, Behaviour and Attitude. Yet again for our final production we will consider how to include these three factors to allow a stereotype to be formed in either a negative or positive way.
Questions that can be asked when analysing representations are;
WHO or WHAT is being represented?
HOW is the representation being created?
WHO has created the representation?
WHY is the representation created in that way and WHAT is the intention?
WHAT is the effect of the representation?
All these questions should be taken into consideration when a representation is being made, so when me and my group come to the representation of our final production we shall consider all of this so that the correct intention is made by the viewing audience.
Things such as facial expressions, the language used, the framing and the physical closeness can all play a part in the representation. Lighting, music, editing, camera work and the mise-en-scene also create an illusion of representation.
In our production me and the group are considering a horror typed representation but to allow this we are going to consider the type of lighting which will be low key lighting to give an effect of mystery. Music will be slow anticipating beats and camera work will be mainly long shots so the audience can see what is happening and extreme close ups to express the emotion and feeling of the situation. A complete idea has not been thought out properly yet but we have had a few ideas that we are considering. We are going to put all of our ideas together to come up with something that we all think will be an effective representation of what we are trying to show.
Stereotypes are simplified representations which focus on certain characteristics of the group and assume these to be shared across all group members. Inherent within a stereotype is a judgement on this characteristic; this is usually negative but not always.
Stereotypes on films are not creating a new one but they are simply reflecting an existing one within a certain culture. By using these stereotypes, the media can be said to be reinforcing the ideas behind them and consolidating the views they contain. The stereotype is often viewed as negative, this is done because;
- The judgement of the stereotype is seen as bad for example, gossiping as a waste of time with bad outcomes.
- They do not allow for individual traits to exist in members of the group
- They are created by those outside the stereotyped group and are often seen to be an exertion of power.
- And finally the stereotype gives a ‘complete picture’ about the group and implies the knowledge and understanding that can be applied to all members of the group.
However some stereotypes attempt to create positive representations, these are called corrective stereotypes. This is when those that are constructed in such a way as to deliberately work against the usual and expected stereotype. An example of this can be seen as Edward in the film ‘Twilight’ he is a vampire which is seen as ‘bad’ but yet he drinks only animals blood which goes against the norm of vampires and he falls in love with a human which is totally unexpected of a vampire, therefore this has created a positive representation towards vampires.
Stereotypes can be formed around different characteristics of a group such as Appearance, Behaviour and Attitude. Yet again for our final production we will consider how to include these three factors to allow a stereotype to be formed in either a negative or positive way.
A negative stereotype is shown in little britain as vicky pollard which gives the sterotypical view of a teenager.
And a coherent stereotype of a teenager is used in the american seres 'The Gilmore Girls' as Rory is only used in a positive way and goes against all the negatve aspects of a 'typical teenager'
