RepresentationSAC Preparation

Create a table like this to help with your revision!

Concept Definition / Meaning

Example / Evidence from Media Text

RepresentationConnotation / DenotationPoint of ViewMediationSelection and OmissionTechnical CodesSymbolic CodesWritten CodesConventions / Stereotypes / Tropes

What is Representation?

ALL media texts are representations. The depiction of events, people or objects has been selected and constructed by the creator, and is interpreted by the viewer.

No media that you see or hear is a tru reflection of realisty, but a representation of it.

Everything you see is media-ted or a re-presentation.

Denotation: The literal meaning of a word or image

Connotation: The emotions or meanings we attach to a word or image

Denotation: Snake. Scaly, legless, reptile. Colorful.

Connotation: Scary, slimy, evil, nasty, disgusting.Or

Cool, dangerous, powerful, sexy.

Point of viewAll representations contain the point of view of the creators. The point of view can be expressed in variety of ways, depending on the manipulation of technical and symbolic codes used.

-Consider media representations of war. -The point of view of the creator will have a big influence on the way a country or individual is represented.

MediationAn influence or interference by a third party between reality and the representation of that reality.

What are some examples?

Selection and OmissionMedia representations

are made up by what the media created decides we see and not see

Omission is just as important as selection

Consider news bulletins, tourism commercials -Australian and Brazilian Commercials

Technical CodesTechnical Codes are connected to different forms of media.

Camera• Shot Selection• Shot Angle• Camera Movement

Lighting• Where is the light

coming from?• Intensity of lighing• Colour of the light

(Consider hospital scences)

• High key, Low key, Backlit etc

Technical Codes (Cont..)Sound• Music• Sound Effects• Ambient sounds• Diegetic / Non Diegetic sounds

Mise en scene • Where the setting or scene is• Significance of props, actors etc• Visual compositions

Symbolic and cultural codesSymbolic codes are the ones that exist outside of the media text and within a society as a whole. • Facial Expression• Gaze• Posture• Body Contact• Clothes and Appearance• Colour

Visual codes

Conventions / Stereotypes / TropesConventions are the way a particular media type is put together, it is the blueprint for the way we expect them to be. Genres are generally a good way to explore conventions

Stereotypes are common and simplified representations of a specific group held by a culture or society. Often used in the media as a shortcut to understanding.

Tropes are common story elements or pattern that are used.

What’s on the written SAC?• A range of short and medium response

questions that ask you demonstrate your understanding of all of the concepts covered throughout our study of Representation.

• You will need to be prepared to provide detailed examples from selected media texts. The texts you should be familiar with are;

- The Breakfast Club (examples of technical and symbolic codes, stereotypes etc)

- Mean Girls (examples of technical and symbolic codes, stereotypes etc)

- Film Posters (Gender)- Advertisements (Gender)-Tourism Commercials