Representation: Blog Task

1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?

Representations are always seen from either yours or someone else's point of view. It also usually follows someone else's ideology. This understanding of how representations work helps us to see how media products create different meanings.

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

There are two different sets of images of the Duchess, in this case the photographer, picture editor and news editor are its gatekeepers. attempts can be made to shape and control the image, depending on the nature of the story, and the news agenda at the time. This allows the image of the Royal Family to be improved depending on how the image was taken.

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

Producers consider what the audience expects from them, the limitations of creating media in that genre, the narrative they hope to create and their institutional remit. Choices are made and accepted while others are rejected in order to maximise profits when that media is released. In addition, it shows that a wallpaper itself might not have ideology, however when combined with other ideas, it shows ideology. This supports what Roland Barthes suggests there are some ideologies that feel natural because we're used to them. 

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

Hall argued that audiences don't just absorb media passively, like the hypodermic needle model theory suggests, but instead draw on their own cultural and social experiences to create their own interpretations. 

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

Individuals can now make self-representations, and this is even more prominent through the use of social media, more prominently in TikTok and Twitter.

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

During the 2014 World Cup, The Sun sent a free newspaper to 22 million households in England which represented its own concepts of "English" by symbolic references to heroes, values and behaviours that the paper defined as appropriate expressions of English identity. This representation might've helped some audience members to identify with a certain idea of national identity, however social media forums and comments allowed many people to voice their rejection of the messages. 

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.

Dominant: men solving a murder case, which reinforces men being leaders which is a common stereotype

Alternative: the boss being a women; her being in control and at a higher work position compared to the two men.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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:
Levi-Strauss: representation and ideology

Mulvey: the male gaze

Dyer: stereotyping and power
Medhurst: value judgements
Perkins: some stereotypes can be positive or true

A white male being in control of the murder case can reinforce the stereotype that white men are more dominant and in power and are common leaders. In addition, the clip showing that both the men and woman being in control reflects a positive stereotype.