2. Representation
By definition, all media texts are re-presentations of reality.
This means that they are intentionally composed, lit, written,
framed, cropped, captioned, branded, targeted and censored
by their producers, and that they are entirely artificial versions
of the reality we perceive around us.
When studying the media it is vital to remember this - every
media form, from a dvd to a glossy magazine, is a
representation of someone's concept of existence, codified into
a series of signs and symbols which can be read by an
audience. However, it is important to note that without the
media, our perception of reality would be very limited, and that
we, as an audience, need these artificial texts to mediate our
view of the world, in other words we need the media to make
sense of reality.
Egs. News, Music
3. Representation
Every time we encounter a media text, we are not
seeing reality, but someone's version of it. This may
seem like an obvious point, but it is something that
is easily forgotten when we get caught up in
enjoying a text. The media place us at one remove
from reality: they take something that is real, a
person or an event and they change its form to
produce whatever text we end up with.
This is called mediation.
What/Who is being represented? Communities, religions,
families, or individual representations AND who is not?
CAGES (class, age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality)
4. In groups discuss about the various
representations in the media of the following
event, person or places:
What images come to mind and what words would
you use to describe them?
Representation = image + point of view?
New York
Football fans
Ascot
How about a representation you’re very familiar with – the teenager.
What words would you use to describe media representations of the
teenager?
Have a look at the following media image representations of teenagers….
7. When considering representation it is important to consider these
points:
Is the representation based on reality? Or are stereotypes relied
on?
Does the way certain groups are represented alter how audiences
think of them? Eg asylum seekers, travellers
To what degree will the representation of certain groups be
accepted by the audience?
The picture on the right is of Tony Soprano from The
Sopranos, an American drama series about modern
day mafia members in New Jersey. Some Italian-
Americans have complained that this programme
represents all Italian-Americans as being criminals
who are violent and corrupt. They say that this
creates an unfair impression of their community.
8. What is a TV Drama?
http://library.thinkquest.org/04apr/00328/dramajen.htm
Some useful links:
http://www.tv.com/drama/genre/5/summary.html
http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/drama/index.html
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/482184/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_television_drama
A look at different representations of Asian Americans on TV ...
AAS Asian American Representation in Lost and other ...
9. TV DRAMA
Dramatic programming is television content
that is scripted and (normally) fictional. This
excludes, for example, sports, news, reality and
game shows, stand-up comedy and variety
shows. Also, by convention, the term is not
generally usually used for situation comedy or
soap opera. Most dramatic programming for TV
falls within other standard categories such as
miniseries, made-for-TV movies or certain rather
circumscribed dramatic genres.
10. With reference to specific
examples from the following
extract, discuss the way it
constructs representations of
gender and ethnic minorities.
11. ABOUT THE SHOW
Awarded the 2005 Emmy and 2006 Golden Globe for Best Drama
Series, "Lost" returns for the second act of its third season of action-
packed mystery and adventure -- that will continue to bring out the very
best and the very worst in the people who are lost.
After Oceanic Air flight 815 tore apart in mid-air and crashed on a Pacific
island, its survivors were forced to find inner strength they never knew
they had in order to survive. But they discovered that the island holds
many secrets, including a mysterious smoke monster, polar bears, a
strange French woman and another group of island residents known as
"The Others.“
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characters_of_Lost
12. Representation of Muslims
81% of British Muslims think the War on Terror is
a war on Islam. 91% think the War on Terror has
increased the threat of terrorism in Britain. .
Thirty six Justice bills, six anti-terror bills and five
asylum and immigration bills have been
introduced in Britain since 1997. Many young
Muslims feel this legislation is aimed directly at
them.
A Populous survey in June 2006 found that 50% of
British Muslims aged 18-24 feel that Britain's laws are
applied unfairly to the Muslim community.
13. The Story
Riz Ahmed and Manjinder Virk play brother and sister Sohail and Nasima. Sohail
is an ambitious law undergraduate who signs up with MI5 and, eager to play a part
in protecting British security, begins an investigation into a terrorist cell.
His sister Nasima is a medical student in Leeds who becomes increasingly
alienated and angered by Britain's foreign and domestic policy after witnessing at
first hand the relentless targeting of her Muslim neighbours and peers. With action
set in Pakistan, Eastern Europe, London and Leeds, both feature-length episodes
detail a tragic sequence of events from two distinct perspectives. At the heart of
this thought-provoking drama is a revealing examination of British Muslim life under
current anti-terror legislation. Britz ultimately asks whether the laws we think are
making us safer, are actually putting us in greater danger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V5Bgo1MbTQ
