This document discusses representations in media and how individuals and groups are represented in certain ways that construct reality rather than reflect it. It notes that media representations are selective and can portray people or groups in stereotypical ways to serve the purposes and values of the media producer. Repeated representations can become ingrained stereotypes that oversimplify and make generalizations. The document prompts analyzing who created a media text, when it was made, what it was made for, and who benefits from or is not considered by the representation.

1. RepresentationsYear 12 Media - 2011

2. This is not a pipe

3. This is not Miss Webber

4. Huh?These are not the actual thing or person – they are a representation of the thing.Representation means to re-present (i.e. show again)Individuals and groups of people are represented in the media as being a certain way. This is a construct of reality and NOT reality itself.

5. Let’s take Snooki

8. How we are representedRemember when we watched the Charlie Brooker video – they were able to manipulate what was happening onscreen in order to tell the story they wanted to tell. Media does this all the time.I could represent this class as diligent and hard workingOr I could represent them as off-task and disengaged.

9. We can show the police as caring and helpful

11. The media selects (mediates) the way it shows people to serve its own purposes.The way in which a media producer (the person who made the media product – ad, film, tv show) represents a person or group is affected by their own experiences and values and society’s dominant values.

12. How representations workThey are repeatedWe are asked to identify with or recognise the representationThey make generalisations about people – grouping them together – mothers, business, teenagersRepresentations both SHOW and SHAPE our world

13. RepresentationsWe’re creating representations all the time – if you’ve got a Facebook page you’ve definitely created a representation of yourself.Think about what you choose to put on there, and what you choose not to put on there.D Sharon Pruitt

14. StereotypesThe idea of representation in media is really key, because if you see the same representation again and again, you start to believe it is true.These repeated representations can become stereotypes.Stereotypes are useful for media producers as they are like a ‘short cut’ that media consumers can recognise and decode immediately – someone with glasses is smart, blondes are ditzy

15. Stereotypes are often highly judgmental and over-simplified. They are an extreme form of stereotyping that become ‘natural’ through repetition. Stereotyping often involves minority groups and prejudice, and come about due to a power imbalance between groups in society.

16. Brainstorm – how are teenagers represented in the media? Think about where you see them. What you see them doing? Think tv, ads, news stories.

17. When viewing/reading any media text you should ask these questionsWho made it?When was it made?What was it made for?Who benefits from this representation or whose point of view does it support?Who does not benefit from this representation or whose point of view is not considered?Who or what is not shown?

18. For this standard you will learn about:features that create the representationthe difference between the representation and realitythe stereotypes/messages/values that are created by the representationthe selection and/or omission of materialwho created the representation.

19. Merithow the representation has been created by the featuresreasons for the difference between the representation and realityhow the stereotypes/messages/values are created by the representationreasons why the selection and/or omission of material reinforce stereotypes/ messages/or valuesthe connection between the representation and the world view/ideology of the creator(s) of the representation.

20. Excellencethe effectiveness of the features in creating the representationimplications of the difference(s) between the representation and realitythe implications and/or effectiveness of the stereotypes/messages/values that are created by the representation the implications and issues associated with the selection and/or omission of materialthe effect of the connection between the representation and the world view/ideology of the creator(s) of the representation.