Representation blog task

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

Representation is important as it is the act of communicating an image or idea and changes it in some way. The audience react to how things are presented in the media and base their opinions on that which could be positive or negative.

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

The mediation process can be manipulated to create different meanings, for instance the two Photographs of Kate Middleton communicate two different meanings. The first image may suggest that she may have a drinking problem because of the way the image represents her alongside the captions that may be used to describe the image.However, the second image is not as easy to manipulate into a negative perspective. This shows that the meanings created are controlled by photographers, directors etc.

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

When it comes to representation the producers must take into account the expectations and needs of the audience as well as the limitations provided by the genre codes and the type of narrative they wish to create.Producers will select certain choices and reject others, the purpose of this is that they elements that are rejected will not carry the meaning the producer wants to communicate.

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

Hall argues that meanings are not fixed by the creator of the text but depends on the relationship of the reader and the text. Hall believes that people 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?

New technology allows us to construct selective and controlled representations we wish to communicate.

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

In 2014, The Sun  sent a free newspaper to 22 million households which represented its views on British identity.It gave references to The Queen, Churchill and the Sunday roast.However, social media allowed many people to reject this view of British culture and identity and distanced themselves from the values the newspapers presented. This suggests that representation is changing as people reject views and use social media.

7) Finally, think about this week's representation theories. Watch the trailer for classic action movie Taken and write an analysis of the representation of people, places and groups in the trailer using terminology and theories you have learned this week:

In this film, Mulvey's theory of the 'male gaze' is reinforced as the film is about a young Woman that is kidnapped and used for human trafficking for the pleasure of men. This reinforces the theory of the male gaze as the Women in this film are objectified and taken advantage of for the sexual satisfaction of men. There is also the theory that stereotypes are not always true as the connotations of a killer would probably be evil, sadistic, psychopath cold-hearted etc. However, in this case the main character is only killing evil people involved in the kidnapping of his daughter and to get her back. So there is the question of whether his reasons justifies his actions.