The document discusses representation theory, focusing on the work of Roland Barthes and Laura Mulvey. It explains that Barthes' theory examines how media presents mythic or fairytale-like portrayals of people and places that may not accurately represent reality. It then discusses Laura Mulvey's concept of the "male gaze," where women are often depicted as objects of desire from a male point of view in films, and her proposal of adopting a "female gaze" to challenge this. Students are prompted to consider if they have represented people or places in an unrealistic way or constructed characters simply to appeal to the opposite sex in their own coursework.

1. CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES SECTION 1b) REPRESENTATION

2. REPRESENTATION The way people, places, events are shown through media texts Can be done through mise-en-scene, camera or dialogue Can be negative or positive Can be real or inaccurate Can promote or challenge dominant ideologies Can be stereotypical

3. REPRESENTATION THEORY These are the theories we will be focusing upon when looking at representation: Roland Barthes – Mythologies Laura Mulvey —The Male and Female Gaze

4. REPRESENTATION THEORY Roland Barthes – Mythologies Barthes representation theory looks at myths— usually about people and place. Basically, his theory suggests how the media offers mythic representations, or a fairytale-like portrayal of a particular place of person. Think about it… is London really the friendly, bustling community it is wonderfully presented as in the opening sequence of Notting Hill? Or is it much more urban, gritty and erm… real life? And what about the area’s ethnic population—did they just forget to represent them in the film? HAVE YOU REPRESENTED A PERSON, SOCIAL GROUP OR PLACE IN A “FAIRY TALE” LIKE WAY IN YOUR COURSEWORK?

6. REPRESENTATION THEORY Laura Mulvey —The Male and Female Gaze Laura Mulvey is a contemporary media theorist, who came up with the idea of how film producers make films from a male point of view. It’s called the male gaze, where the woman on screen is the object of desire. Film audiences have always been encouraged to identify with the protagonist of the film, who in most cases is a bloke. Women on the hand are, according to Mulvey, coded with "to-be-looked-at-ness." She wanted a new feminist approach to filmmaking, to get rid of the “patriarchal” system that was in place. And that was achieved by a role reversal or the female gaze , where instead of the woman being the object of desire it now becomes the man. THINK ABOUT YOUR PRODUCT – HAVE YOU CONSTRUCTED A CHARACTER OR ARTIST/BAND MEMBER TO SIMPLY APPEAL TO THE OPPOSITE SEX?