REPRESENTATION

               REPRESENTATION IN MEDIA PRODUCTS


What kind of world is being represented by the media text and how is real life being constructed and  mediated by the producers ? Is what it presents close to a reality ?

What elements of the group  , issue or event  being represented   have been selected for the audience , and which elements have been ignored or removed ?



How are stereotypes used in the text ? Positively or negatively , and who is being stereotyped ?

Does the text reinforce these stereotypes or subvert, explore and challenge them, making the audience feel differently ?


Who is the target audience of the text ?

What is the context and purpose of the text ,  including the genre ?

What messages about the specific group /issue/event are contained in the text and how are they encoded and decoded  in the technical codes ?



FOR EXAMPLE...….GENDER
                                 Representation of women  in the media   



Stereotype 1  :  Sex object


Text :   Blurred lines music video  ( Robin Thicke /Pharrell )



Silent

No agency 

Used/dominated by men for their  own purposes

Disposable and replaceable

Often undressed /dressed provocatively

Looking to camera/men either blankly or indicating sexual availability                                        



Stereotype 2  :  Housewife/mother






Text : Asda Christmas advert 2012

Own desires secondary to family

Decision maker and organiser  in all  domestic matters

Selfless

Main domestic worker : cooking,cleaning, picking up children, fixing ongoing issues







Text  : Music video  :   Dear  Future Husband ( Meghan Trainor)


Text :  Music video : Hard out here (  Lily Allen)




Do these videos successfully subvert or challenge any of these stereotypes?


       



                              
                                               


                         

                                               Text :  Game cover  : Tomb Raider ( 2013)


VIDEO ESSAY    Born sexy yesterday     


The Trinity Syndrome    article


             


                                           Representation of men in the media


Stereotypes and elements :


Masculinity

Sexuality /interest in sex

Competitiveness ( with other men/women)

Domination of women

Body image and physique

Power and independence

Head of family

Incompetence/lack of concern with domestic labour

Sexual attractiveness /concern with sexual attractiveness

Wealth and status


Stereotype 1 : Alpha Male

Blurred lines






      Men's Health  September 2014



Stereotype 2 : Nerd


Video essay :   misogyny in The Big Bang Theory


Stereotype 3 : Lad





WKD advert  " The lads clean "


Stereotype 4 : Failed Domestic male












SUBVERSIONS ?




          

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