Representation

Representation Theory

The media literally re-presents the world to us. Dominant and oppositional arguments conflict e.g. on one hand the media is showing us how things actually are, on the other hand they are telling us how things should be (dictating representations, not just reflecting society).

The main representations we study in the media are:

 Masculinity
 Femininity
 Social Class
 Sexuality
 Race and Ethnicity
 National Identity
 Age

So -

How did you represent social groups?

How did you ‘construct’ your characters? - Costumes, props, mise-en-scene

Task

1 Define Representation  

2 Talk about how you will represent your characters,

Using the very limited pieces of information you have been about your characters, describe the mise en scene of that character:

•        What would they look like

•        What would they wear

•        Where would they live

•        What props might you expect to see them with

•        What other visual information might you see related to this character

•        What other social group labels would they have?