Representation

In our opening, we want the main focus to be on one character. We want the audience to connect and feel for our character in a short period of time. We want the representation of the character to be perfect in order to affect the audience in the way we wish, and create that sense of danger, and fear for the character. We want our opening to be believable in order for the audience to full connect with the piece.

I did some research into representation, and watched some stereotypical TV series, in order to analyise how a piece is put together in order to represent a character.
I completed this essay in order to summarise my research into representation and analyise some TV series.


Explain what you understand by the term representation and by reference to particular media texts show how representation is operating in those texts.

Representation refers to the construction in any medium, especially the mass media, of aspects of ‘reality’ such as people, places, objects, cultural identities and other concepts.
The media do not just offer us a transparent ‘window on the world’ but a mediated version of the world. They don’t just present reality, they re-present it.
For example, when asked, ‘did you watch the match last night’, you first instinct is to yes, but technically we should reply, ‘no, I watched a mediated, constructed re-presentation of the match through the medium of live television’. As when watching things ‘live’ we are always, a short time behind the actual live process, so certain things, like swearing or brand names can be blurred and blanked out.
The camera angles of the programme also limit us to what we actually see but being there physically allows us to choose for ourselves exactly what we see, without any mediation. When watching through a television, the things we see are chosen for us with no choice and the characters or contestants for example are re-presented in a particular way and we are lead to believe that is how things really are, how they are happening - the reality of it. When it’s not reality at all, it’s a mediated version of what is ‘chosen’ for us to see.
Even reality TV is not technically the reality. Take Big Brother for example, we are lead to believe everything we see is the whole truth, technically speaking it IS the truth, but on the whole scale of things we only see a small section of the truth. Again, the things we see are chosen for us, certain sections are shown but not others. This is how some of the characters are portrayed and represented as bad and others good.

It is not just the media who represent, every day we represent ourselves in the way we wish to be seen by others, by the clothes we wear, the things we own and the way we act.
Why is that, men wear ties for some occasions but not others? The most obvious answer we all think of, is they do it to look smart, professional and formal, when in more depth, they do it because they want to represent themselves that way, and want others to see them in that light. At most occasions there are people who you do not know, and you would rather them see you looking professional and smart, for a lasting impression, rather than you in a t-shirt and jeans, which leaves a slightly less approvable impression due to how our society has developed with preconceptions and judgements.
But why should pieces of material mean so much? And how has it come to represent a person, their personality and behaviour?
In our society, clothing such as the tie has come to represent formality. The tie is a sign or symbol. In itself it makes no difference but it carries cultural meaning, otherwise known as connotations.
The clothes we wear, use to only be there to keep us warm and dry, but now, due to the change in our society, heavily enhanced by the mass media, they mean so much more. They present an image of us as people and how we want or like to be seen by others. Even the jewellery we choose to wear, the cars we drive and the way our homes are decorated, all present signs and symbols that reinforce your identity.
This works in both reality and in the medium of television. In a TV series, for a character to be believable, he/she must wear the clothes in which you would expect that type of person to wear. For example, you wouldn’t expect, a stereotypical ‘chav’ to be wearing a formal suit or dress, just as you wouldn’t expect a so called ‘drug dealer’ to be dressed in a knitted jumper and jeans, as this wouldn’t represent the character in the way we would expect, they become unbelievable and may as well be wearing an Santa Claus costume. When we look at how a media text represents the world or our society, we are usually concerned with the representation it gives. For example, gender, race, cultural identities, social groups or time periods etc. This all adds up to the verisimilitude, the way the text is constructed to create a plausible, believable world.
However, the term representation, and the understanding, is ever changing. There is a claim that has arisen from an obvious aspect of the effects of digital technology. As it is becoming cheaper, easier and quicker for people to make videos and upload them to the internet, on sites such as youtube for example, for an ‘imagined audience’, then is it the case that the representation of people by the media is increasingly replaced by people representing themselves?
Skins, is one of the best TV series that has representation constantly operating throughout, and not with just one representation, but a wide range, that covers everyday aspects in society to do with teens - a typical teenage group with stereotypical images.

Episode 1, season 2.
In this episode we see how people are dealing with main character Tony’s disability. This is shown through people’s reactions, attitudes, preconceptions and opinions.
At the start of the episode, we are led to believe that a funeral is taking place due to the mis en scene, the diegetic organ music and a church setting. This is the first preconception of many throughout the episode, and series in fact, as the setting is actually a dance studio in a converted church. Whereas the organ music leads us to believe it is a working church. As the previous series ended with Tony’s accident, the audience assumes that it could be his funeral. However, this is not the case, as it is revealed it starts with another character, Maxxie and his dance friends, one is female, another is black and then there is Maxxie who is homosexual. In just a few shots, we are shown the versatility of people we have in our society.
The fast cuts, and actions of the dancers and their movements is significantly contrasted as we cut to the next shot of Tony sat in the shadows of his surroundings. He is isolated, staring blankly at the dancers. The low key lighting contrast with the bright light the dancers are performing in. The emphasised isolation from the action, emphasises Tony’s disability. We are shown some mid-shots, where he face is slightly lit, and the slight facial expressions communicates to us that he is not completely out of it, there is some reactions there. When Maxxie then enters the frame, he is lit by a bright light from the stain glass window behind him, which suggests a sense of humanity, hope, kindness and patience towards Tony.
Throughout the sequence we are shown subtle actions by Tony that communicates his disability and how he is struggling with day to day things, he use to be able to achieve without problems, but can no longer do so, and the striking contrast between the emotions can and cannot express with his new disability.
For example, on the bus journey home, a bus passes at high speed and Tony jumps in fright and grabs Maxxie’s hand – the only physical contact we have seen from Tony since the start of the episode. The slightest thing makes Tony react so vividly, however the intense and energetic performance of the dancers attracts no actions or communication from Tony at all.
When we cut to Maxxie’s home, it is decorated with dancing photos, awards and medals, showing he is clearly very talented in this area, however his father still wishes him to be a builder, even though Maxxie has no interest what so ever. We see this relationship, between Maxxie and his father in many ways throughout this episode, as it is clear his father does not want him to be a dancer, and almost wants to blank out the fact Maxxie is homosexual, yet he still sticks up for him when a group of lads are bullying him outside of his home.
When Maxxie’s mother greets Tony, there is a sense of familiarity towards Tony, even though Tony has no recollection of her after his accident. When we cut to Maxxie, His mother and Tony sat having dinner, Maxxie’s Mother reaches over to wipe some food from Tony’s face, he flinches which shows his discomfort. Whereas Maxxie acts very natural and the same as he did before Tony’s accident, by making Tony feeling as comfortable as possible, even when cutting up Tony’s food. Maxxie reveals his understanding towards Tony’s disability by helping, however using casual dialog, ‘there you go mate’, as he would talk to any friend, and how he did before Tony had his accident. This scene represents the two outcomes that have come from Tony’s accident, as makes us as the audience question how we would act around Tony and which is the best way to act?
Throughout the episode we are introduced to other characters, Tony’s friends. Each character represents a believable and relatable ‘stereotype’. Each character reacts differently towards Tony. A scene where Chris and Jal are walking Tony home, trying to disguise the fact they are going to a party that night, contrasts with Maxxie’s character we see throughout. They make out it is for Tony’s best interests, and are doing it to help Tony, when really, all that is being portrayed is that they don’t want to deal with the hassle of Tony going to the party as they believe he won’t be able to cope. Later on, we are shown they were right.
Tony’s family is very protective over Tony after his accident, his cushion him. It is clear that his father is finding it very hard to deal with Tony’s new disability and shows this quite clearly. However his mother is a little more reserved but earlier in the episode we see her, in a low key lighted bathroom, to represent her mood, and harp music is playing to represent her maybe dreaming of the past, and holding onto Tony’s new equipment, and eventually breaks into tears, showing how she maybe struggling to deal with Tony. When sat at the dinner table eating, she are shown more evidence of Tony’s slow thinking and reactions, as when joke is said by his mother, Tony replies by laughing at a joke previously said by one of his friends.

Later on Maxxie shows sympathy and compassion towards Tony as he rings Tony to get him to go to the party. Maxxie is different to the others, and believes he can handle it, and wants Tony there, almost like he is finding it hard to let go of the ‘old’ Tony.
Whilst on the phone a one line is delivered which is very effective, ‘I miss me’. With Tony saying this, it engages the audience incredibly and we are feeling and connecting with Tony, his frustration and also his sensitivity.
When Tony arrives at the party, he is disorientated and frightened by the large crowds, flashing lights, loud music and a casutraphobic atmosphere and begins to panic, how a young child would react.
As the episode continues, we learn that Sid his best friend, who went to visit Tony everyday in hospital, no longer, contacts him and Shell, Tony’s ex girlfriend doesn’t either. They reveal they are scared and miss Tony and no longer know how to handle him.
In this episode family is a strong element, between Maxxie and His Father, and Tony and his family. However the relationship between Tony and his Friends differs extremely, as Maxxie treats him like he use to be treated, and the others either don’t know how to act, or baby him like his family.
Maxxie and Tony share a bond as they are both fighting society, with Maxxie being homosexual and Tony having a disability.
Little lines of dialogue, for example when Tony is asked if he is mental, he casually replies; yes. Which allows us as an audience realize that Tony knows the factors of his disability, but as the episode goes on, he does not know what to do, or how to help himself and gets very frustrated with this.
We are made to think, how would we react to Tony? What is best for him?

Misfits is another TV series similar to skins in the way young teens are being portrayed from our modern day society. Misfits represents, oh a whole, ‘youth offenders’ but with a twist. Each youth offender is given a super power when a large storm strikes. However the representation of each character provides us a relatable and modern image, in which our society has become to recognise, acknowledge and understand. Without these being portrayed, the fact of them having super powers would be too unbelievable and the programme wouldn’t work.
Throughout the series we learn who each character is, there background and how they came to become where they are, as youth offenders.
A black teenager, called Curtis was a rising sports star whose goal was to compete in the 2012 Olympics. But his career is left in tatters after he’s caught with an illegal substance and is publicly shamed as he’s made an example under the eyes of the law.
Curtis is forced to trade his tracksuit for a jumpsuit and take part in Community Payback. Although he’s desperate to toe the line, Curtis hates being lumbered with a bunch of losers who can’t even paint a bench without getting into a fight.
After the storm, Curtis gets the gift of turning back time when he regrets something. With the heavy weight of regret on his shoulders he goes back in time to change those mistakes. Each time he comes back to the present day, things becomes worse. We see Curtis’s sensitive side, wanting to do what is best for everyone around him. Not the typical behaviour we think of today, when thinking of a youth offender.

A white, British girl called Kelly is, what your first impression of might be that she is your common or garden chav who wouldn’t look out of place on Jeremy Kyle. Kelly wades in fist first. Her attitude is her suit of armour, accessorised with enough gold jewellery to really do some harm, and acrilycs that could have your eyes out. Behind that veneer though, Kelly’s got a heart of gold and is fiercely loyal. Her appearance is what sells it to us immediately, her heavy eye make-up and big gold jewellery, is what everyone would class as a common ‘chav’.
When the supernatural storm hits, Kelly gets landed with a super power she could really work with; she can hear what people are thinking. And what they think of her. Stereotypical first impressions aside, Kelly also has to deal with hearing people’s thoughts in the most intimate of moments. As well as the secrets those around her would rather keep hidden. We see a side to Kelly which is compassionate and sensitive towards others, when hearing their thoughts. She does not shout their secrets out for all to hear, but uses them to help people for the good of things. This links in with Curtis, just doing what is believed to be best.
A mixed raced, teenage girl called Alisha is what you expect to be an attention, always wants to be the centre of everybodie’s world type of girl. All she cares about is being the girl all the guys want to be with, like she has been previously.
The ‘superficia’l and sassy stunner now stuck with the worst come down of all and not only is Alisha cut off from her mates, forced to associate with who she considers to be losers all day and has a curfew; she’s also got a power that could seriously damage her social life. Because when people touch Alisha’s skin, they’re going to be so filled with lust, they can’t think straight.
Alisha soon discovers it’s much more of a curse than a blessing as she has to adapt to life with her new power, forcing her to reassess her relationships with the opposite sex.
She realizes, being who she was is not all it cracked up to be and wants to change.
Simon is a very relatable and believable character, due to the stories we hear from the media. Despite a sharp, calculating mind, shy, unassuming Simon is a social outcast who looks more like a computer games addict than someone who would actually break the law. Nervous to speak up, but desperate to make friends, Simon tries his hardest to be heard and accepted by the others, which helps to fuel everyone else’s suspicion he’s a little odd. His offers to help fall on deaf ears, or are ridiculed by Nathan. Which is a shame, because what Simon would like more than anything is to feel noticed and valued by actual people, as opposed to just the subscribers of his YouTube channel.
Reeling from the storm, Simon discovers that when he’s ignored, he becomes invisible. For one of life’s voyeurs, things get very interesting, and he shows behaviour that should get him caught by the law, not like what got him there in the first place. Unlike the others, after the storm, his super power does not change him for the better, in fact, he becomes a lot worse.

Nathan is an Irish lad with an answer for everything, sarcastic wit (commonly what we associate with the Irish), and a fondness for pushing things too far; your first impression of Nathan could be that he's massively irritating, which is something he seems to revel in, So when Nathan’s lumbered with this bunch of extremities, he’s got so much to play with.

The thing is, Nathan may realise having actual friends when you’re out on your ear is a good thing. Because underneath the cocky quips and sarcasm, Nathan isn’t as unemotionally untouchable as he makes out, which Kelly soon discovers
Despite being caught in the storm with the rest of the gang, and much to his annoyance, Nathan doesn’t seem to have a super power, well not one that is as obvious as the rest. But it is soon revealed in later episodes. Throughout the series we see how Nathan begins to change, and like most of the others, for good.
The powerful group of the Law is represented by their Probation Officer, who initially is how we would expect. Has power over the youth offenders and would do all she can to benefit her society, but when she is lead to believe that they killed her husband, her attitude changes. She breaks the law herself, she invade their privacy, has an affair with Simon to gather information and the police force is represented in a completely different light as well as her individual character.
We are almost given a message throughout this series, that ‘we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover’. We are lead to judge the characters, by their costume, how they speak and their backgrounds, before actually getting to know their inner thoughts and personalities. We learn that no all youth offenders are as bad as we think. They have their own hopes a dream, whether it is to make friends or win gold in the Olympics.

The characters are a mix of Black, white, mixed race, British, Irish, but all are similar in many ways, and come together as a group as show us, that everyone is equal and we should not judge from exterior images.
The extreme representation throughout the series is extremely effective, as we can relate and believe each character enough to believe that they are living in a plausible and believe world.