Introduction to Representation

1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?
Everything that appears in the media is in fact a representation.

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

It may look like her but, in addition to her likeness, it will communicate ideas about her that are

created during the mediation process. The one picture with her drinking could be used to imply that she may have a drinking problem

3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.
Directors intentions are important when studying representation because it informs us of their effective choices. Producers and meticulous and calculated. They grow through a process and consider:

• the expectations and needs of the target audience

• the limitations provided by genre codes

• the type of narrative they wish to create

• their institutional remit.

Producers focus on the meanings that they want their audience to take away with them and in doing so present the media that supports their message

4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?
The audience can completely disagree with the producers intentions and with what they try to imply or can be persuaded with the choice of images and the producers mediation process


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 in websites, video-sharing platforms and social media

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

National identity is raised during national sports competitions. 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. Audiences voiced their rejection of this on social media and comments

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.

One dominant reading an audience would have is with gender. The director uses a female superior officer to men which subverts stereotypes however an alternative representation is that the victim is also female which reinforces those stereotypes of women being vulnerable ad naive.

8) Write a paragraph applying a selection of our representation theories to the clip from Luther. 

Dyer's theory on the power of stereotyping is demonstrated here as Luther is almost seen as the antagonist in the opening scenes and this is highly exaggerated through the music building up tension and how Luther's face is covered and is still seen as an enigmatic figure until they reveal his face and his identity as a police officer. Medhurt's theory suggests that stereotyping is shorthand for identification and that audiences use stereotypes a lot in short spaces of time.