Representation: notes and example

Representation is one of the crucial key concepts for Assignment 2.

The way people, places and events are represented in the media can have a huge influence on opinions, self-esteem and human behaviour. 

When it comes to analysing representation in the media, there are a few key aspects we need to consider:

What influences representation?

1. The media text itself
2. The opinions of the person making the representation (media producer)
3. The reaction of the audience to the representation (media consumer)
4. The society in which the representation is taking place

Analysing representation in film or TV

When we analyse representation in film or TV, we are usually interested in how certain people or groups are portrayed.

Key word: stereotypes

Stereotype: A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Representation blog task

1) Go back to the film you chose at the start of the unit for your essay. Here's a reminder of the original case study task.

2) Embed the trailer in a new blog post called 'Representation analysis'. 

3) Write a 250 word analysis of the representation of different people or groups in the trailer.

Example of representation analysis

Remember the short clip from Die Hard 3 we analysed in the lesson:

The representation of gender in Die Hard 3 reinforces traditional gender stereotypes. Bruce Willis plays the stereotypical male American action hero. He is aggressive, brave, intelligent and heroic in trying to find the “school bomb” that is discussed in the phone conversation. When the bomb is about to detonate, he refuses to run or throw it away and instead solves the riddle under extreme pressure. These are typical qualities associated with men in action films. Similarly, the lack of female representation in the clip also reinforces stereotypes. This creates the suggestion that dangerous situations such as a terrorist threat are no place for a woman. This is an old fashioned (and quite sexist) representation of women but is typical of Hollywood action cinema. 


If you want help on your particular film, check out our blog post of key questions for analysing representation in each of the case study films.


If you don't finish during the lesson, complete for homework - due next Thursday.