(6) Representation Study

Representation

Definition: representation is the way in which meaning is given to the things which are depicted that stand in for something. The word suggests something was there already and has been represented by the media.

Representation can change overtime as many people believe that media is powerful, so it changes people’s attitudes and beliefs.

The seven areas of representation are;

-          Regional identify

-          Age (a separation of people by which generation they come from)

-          Sexuality

-          Gender

-          Physical ability/ disability

-          Ethnicity

-          Class and status

Semiotics and content analysis are the main types of analysis for representation in films. (quoted from the web)  A common and unfair representation in films and film openings is the way women are portrayed. Most females in films have been objectified or been portrayed as inferior to men. I think this is because of patriarchy it’s harder for women to obtain more independent roles and therefore used in roles to how society sees them at the same time.

-          “Patriarchy is a social system in which: males hold primary power; males predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property; and, in the domain of the family, fathers or father-figures hold authority over women and children.”     (quoted off the internet)

Disney has a very stereotypical view of genders and relationships which is inaccurate and portrays a bad message. The common theme for men attracting women is to be rich, charming, good looking and have a form of promise to make towards them. This leads to the impression that all girls need to be good looking to get out of bad living conditions and find a wealthy man, which then reduces their political status to being married and not work. Usually in Disney cartoons the man will rescue the women, however this is usually portrayed in the way that not because she is hard working, but because of her looks. I believe that children films usually portray messages to older life which are unrealistic. This is because it attracts their views and keeps them watching as they are drawn into the fantasy world of wealth, royalty and good looks, however, this is reality for very very little.

The character in my film is portrayed as a very normal character that has a normal family, life and world. This is because my opening and overall film is the contrast between a normal life with abnormal paranormal events/activity.

I display the normality by introducing parents, a steady family and the way my character dresses. My character wears jeans, a t shirt and some trainers, very average normal clothes. 
Representation of horror is important in my film opening and therefore I need to consider these factors. I need to consider the representation of lighting and what the lighting shows. I will use a slightly blue CC (colour correction) as this will show the dark side of my scenes and represents the genre. I will of course film in bright lighting as this wont effect the outcome when I change the grin, offset and gamma of the film scenes.