Representation

Representation: The way in which people, event and ideas are presented to the audience.
To break it down, the media takes something that is already there and re-presents it to us in the way that they choose.

For example the media uses stereotypes to portray certain characters easily to the targeted audience. Media institutions use stereotypes because the audience will instantly understand them. Think of stereotypes as a 'visual shortcut'. They're repeated so often that we assume they are normal or true.

There are two categories of stereotyping.
Archetypes - This is the ultimate stereotype. For example, an Essex girl is she was to be portrayed as an archetypes, she would have tarty clothes, excessive make up, fake tan, bleach blonde hair, low intelligence, bad education,  bad speech - poor enunciation of words, and overall a bimbo.

Countertypes - A representation that challenges tradition stereotypical associations of groups, people or places. For example a countertype of an Essex girl, would be a pretty girl with no or natural make up look, pretty clothes that do not show an inappropriate amount of flesh, good education, goes to school to study and pass grades, natural coloured hair, no fake tan and good enunciation of words.


An example of stereotyping is in the film St Trinians. There is one scene where different groups of people are introduced. The groups introduced are Chavs, Posh Totties, Geeks, Emos, First Years. All of the groups portray archetypes.
The Chavs have poor enunciation of words, messy/altered uniform, quite girly - surrounded by pink colours.
The Post Totties have well styled hair, posh/well made but revealing clothes, clear enunciation and have a well designed bed area - white laces and fluffy pillows.
The Geeks wear no make up and have conservative clothing - long skirt and long sleeves, their hair is scraped back into ponytails or tight buns, they are seen with big computer screens and solving mathematical equations.
The Emos all have black hair, and dark make up , the main colours are black which show depression and red hich shows danger, they are seen performing weird rituals.