2. What is representation?What is representation?
By definition, all media texts are re-presentations of reality. ThisBy definition, all media texts are re-presentations of reality. This
means that they are intentionally composed, lit, written, framed,means that they are intentionally composed, lit, written, framed,
cropped, captioned, branded, targeted and censored by theircropped, captioned, branded, targeted and censored by their
producers, and that they are entirely artificial versions of the realityproducers, and that they are entirely artificial versions of the reality
we perceive around us. When studying the media it is vital towe perceive around us. When studying the media it is vital to
remember this - every media form, from a home video to a glossyremember this - every media form, from a home video to a glossy
magazine, is a representation of someone's concept of existence,magazine, is a representation of someone's concept of existence,
codified into a series of signs and symbols which can be read by ancodified into a series of signs and symbols which can be read by an
audience. However, it is important to note that without the media,audience. However, it is important to note that without the media,
our perception of reality would be very limited, and that we, as anour perception of reality would be very limited, and that we, as an
audience, need these artificial texts to mediate our view of theaudience, need these artificial texts to mediate our view of the
world, in other words we need the media to make sense of reality.world, in other words we need the media to make sense of reality.
Therefore representation is a fluid, two-way process: producersTherefore representation is a fluid, two-way process: producers
position a text somewhere in relation to reality and audiencesposition a text somewhere in relation to reality and audiences
assess a text on its relationship to reality.assess a text on its relationship to reality.
3. Representation theoristsRepresentation theorists
Roland Barthes:Roland Barthes: Roland Barthes concentrated someRoland Barthes concentrated some
of his work on a discussion of how myth operates inof his work on a discussion of how myth operates in
society and he discussed this in the context ofsociety and he discussed this in the context of
denotation and connotation. Connotation and denotationdenotation and connotation. Connotation and denotation
are often described in terms of levels of representationare often described in terms of levels of representation
or levels of meaning. Denotation - the literal, 'obvious' oror levels of meaning. Denotation - the literal, 'obvious' or
'commonsense' meaning of an image. Connotation - is'commonsense' meaning of an image. Connotation - is
used to refer to the socio-cultural and 'personal'used to refer to the socio-cultural and 'personal'
associations (ideological, emotional etc.) of the image.associations (ideological, emotional etc.) of the image.
These are typically related to the interpreter's class, age,These are typically related to the interpreter's class, age,
gender, ethnicity and so on. Images are more open togender, ethnicity and so on. Images are more open to
interpretation - in their connotations than theirinterpretation - in their connotations than their
denotations.denotations.
4. Ferdinand de Saussure:Ferdinand de Saussure: Semiotics is the study ofSemiotics is the study of
the social production of meaning from sign systems. Athe social production of meaning from sign systems. A
sign could be made up of something which physicallysign could be made up of something which physically
resembles the object in some way (icon), or has a directresembles the object in some way (icon), or has a direct
link between it and its object, it is somehow connectedlink between it and its object, it is somehow connected
i.e. smoke indicates fire (index) or it can be somethingi.e. smoke indicates fire (index) or it can be something
with no resemblance at all and it communicates onlywith no resemblance at all and it communicates only
because people agree that it shall stand for what it doesbecause people agree that it shall stand for what it does
(symbol).(symbol).
Laura MulveyLaura Mulvey: Male Gaze Influenced by Freud &: Male Gaze Influenced by Freud &
Jacques Lucan, Mulvey sees the representation ofJacques Lucan, Mulvey sees the representation of
woman in film & literature (and therefore society inwoman in film & literature (and therefore society in
general) as being dominated by a male point of view. Hergeneral) as being dominated by a male point of view. Her
belief is that the world is a patriarchy and that men havebelief is that the world is a patriarchy and that men have
the ‘active’ roles and woman ‘passive’ To look is seen asthe ‘active’ roles and woman ‘passive’ To look is seen as
active.active.
5. Representation in horror filmsRepresentation in horror films
Most horror films represent certain peopleMost horror films represent certain people
in stereotypical ways. Usually, the hero ofin stereotypical ways. Usually, the hero of
the film is portrayed by a dominant malethe film is portrayed by a dominant male
character and the females take on thecharacter and the females take on the
submissive roles, often as the victim.submissive roles, often as the victim.
However, this can sometimes beHowever, this can sometimes be
challenged also in some horror films.challenged also in some horror films.
6. Representation in horror filmsRepresentation in horror films
Most horror films represent certain peopleMost horror films represent certain people
in stereotypical ways. Usually, the hero ofin stereotypical ways. Usually, the hero of
the film is portrayed by a dominant malethe film is portrayed by a dominant male
character and the females take on thecharacter and the females take on the
submissive roles, often as the victim.submissive roles, often as the victim.
However, this can sometimes beHowever, this can sometimes be
challenged also in some horror films.challenged also in some horror films.
