Representation Theory - Lessons

Teacher - Becky Ives

Lesson - Monday 14th September

Ideology/Control In Media

Ideology is a group of attitudes, beliefs and values which have an affect on the media industry. 

Social media is an example of how the media industry can be used to manipulate what we want others to hear and see about our own lives. People are more inclined to show the positive aspects of their lives as this is what is seen as the norm. Society is more liking to conform to the norms and values shown by the media as is what is regarded as "normal". However in recent years the media remains powerful in representing what is seen as "normal and not normal". The media is so influence in changing people's view therefore by showing what is "not normal" through the media industry it allows the audience to create a sense of individual beliefs. An example of this is the BBC TWO comedy sitcom, Boy Meets Girl. This is the first the sitcom to feature transgender issues and a first sitcom to star a transgender actor.

Also socialisation within particular societies is influenced by the media. Through primary socialisation parents use their understanding of ideological view to educate their children. This is also done through secondary socialisation as when a child goes to school they learn about new ideological views. The media has a huge influence on children as they are growing up. The reason for this is because media is used to control people's views particular issues such as religion and politics. The news is an example of the media manipulating/ acting bias in order to change/ influence the audiences views. Sometimes the news doesn't critically evaluate all aspects of a news story to make the story balanced/ fair. 

What Is Representation ?

• Ways in which the media portrays people - ( Past Experiences, Communities, Individuals, Groups of Individuals and Particular Ideological Perspectives ) 
• Signs and symbols are used as a visual shorthand - ( Characteristics and Attributes of Individuals )
• Decoding signs to make assumptions about people - ( Assumptions, Understanding , Stereotyping and Categorising )
• Re.. Presenting and adapting to change - ( Adapting, Representing Individuals via Characteristics/ Mise-En -Scene )

Teacher - Becky Ives

Lesson - Tuesday 15th September

Laura Mulvey
Mulvey is a British feminist film theorist who believed that women were used/viewed as sexual objects via the use of various media texts. This means that women have no meaning except to be desirable for men, hence they have a lack of character. This is then shown through the mise-en-scene and cinematography which aims to highlight a woman's sexual aspects e.g the bum or curves. This is known as the male gaze.

The Male Gaze
The male gaze occurs when the audience is placed into the perspective of a heterosexual man. The woman is used a sexual object and the man is deemed to be the more dominant/powerful character. There are three types of gazes:

1. How men look at women
2. How women look at themselves
3. How women look at other women


How men look at women

• View the sexual features on a woman 
• Camera movements show the curves and other sexual parts of a woman's body
• They become objectified as a sex appeal

How women look at themselves

• Pick faults within their own appearances (low self-esteem)
• Compare to an unrealistic role model
• Don't consider post-production
• Feel negative about their own bodies and seek change

 How women look at other women

• Compare against each other
• Look towards shaping their identity together
• Construct an image which is deemed fit for society (Ideal Woman)