The document discusses representations in media and how they can be analyzed using Richard Dyer's framework of representation. It focuses on a teaser trailer for the thriller film "Depth". The teaser trailer uses representations like the antagonist's black mask and clothing to suggest danger, drawing on crime stereotypes. Editing techniques like match cuts are used to represent the protagonist as vulnerable, playing on gender stereotypes of women in danger. However, the teaser passes the Bechdel test by including two named women speaking to each other, not about men. These representations aim to engage audiences by establishing characters and anchoring the thriller genre atmosphere, allowing viewers to instantly understand the narrative. The document evaluates how audiences may be

1. Q1 (b) - Representations
Apply the concept of REPRESENTATION:
 Introduce the media product you are focusing on and it's purpose
 Bring in the concept of representation - Give a short definition and then briefly state why it is
useful to consider your work in relation to representation, i.e. different representations may
appeal todifferentaudiences. As your teaser trailer is part of a marketing campaign it is useful
to considerwhataudiencesmightmake of the representations in it as this may influence their
decision to want to watch the film.
 Bring in some theory and apply it - Briefly introduce Dyer’s Typography as a framework for
analysing representation and then work through the four questions in Dyer’s typography,
answering them in relation to your teaser trailer. You should attempt to include some extra
theory here in your discussion for Q2 of Dyer's Typography, e.g. The Bechdel Test, Berger,
Mulvey or other ideas about representation you have researched (it doesn't have to be all of
them, a couple would be good).
 Conclude by evaluating which audiences are most likely to be enticed to watch your film
because of the representations in the trailer and if you have been successful in constructing
representations that appeal to your target audience.
The media product I am going to focus on is my second year second task, a teaser trailer part of the
marketing campaign for the thriller film 'Depth'. The purpose of the teaser trailer was to engage
audiences to watch the film once it is released.
Representationsare howgroups,eventsandplacesare portrayedinthe media.Representations offer a
versionof reality,thisisusefulforthe teasertrailerasthe audience become interestedastheyare quick
to judge the situation and understand the narrative.
RichardDyers workon representationsprovidesafourpoint frame work for analysing representations.
In the depthteasertrailerthere are manyrepresentations that can be seen through the use of mise en
scene,camerawork,editingandsound.Forinstance inthe teasertrailerthe mise en scene costume for
the antagonist character is all black with a black balaclava mask. This suggest that the character is
dangerous due to the use of stereotypes. Males are seen as stronger than females and this mask can
have to connotationsof gangviolence andcrime associatedwithit.The maskisalsoa convention of the
whatkidnappersnormallywearinfilms. For example a well-known thriller scream's antagonist wear a
mask, this convention was used to hide the identity of the kidnapper and creates tension within the
teasertrailer.The purpose of the kidnappers'representation is to anchor the audience so they believe
that the kidnapperisdangerousandsuspicious.Thisreinforcesthe thrillergenre asa coldatmosphere is
continuedwhilethe audience questionwhatthe true identity of the kidnapper is. The audience will be
more engaged as the make the associations between the antagonist and the plot.

2. Another way the audience can use representations to make understand is in the editing. A match on
actionshot isusedto focusinon the protagonisttiedup.The use of mise enscene helpsthe audience to
see the wayin whichthe character has beentied up, this suggests to the audience how vulnerable she
is. This vulnerability is enhanced by the use of stereotypes; compared to men, women are seen as
weakerandtherefore the audience believethatshe hasbeenkidnapped. Therefore this suggest that in
society women are in more danger than men, this will increase suspense for the audience as they
understand the narrative that the female character has been kidnapped. However this teaser trailer
does pass the Bechdel test as there is two named women, that speak to each other not about men.
The audience will be most entice by the way the characters are represented as this will continue the
realismandallowsaudiencestoinstantly understand the narrative and personalities within the teaser
trailer.