Post 6- Representation Theory

Representation: What it means

The term 'representation' refers to the construction of something, which is largley used through the mass media.  Representations can be made from people, places, events, cultural identities and other concepts.  Representations can be constructed to the observer through speech, language and moving images.  David Chandler outlines how it is important to understand that not only are representations constructed within the text, but also how they are constructed through production and also the recognision of those people acknowledging the representations who are also marked differently in relation to the above demographic factors.  The diagram below shows this:

Semiotics

Ferdinand Saussure identified the concept of semiotics.  He said that objects stand as 'signifers' and we as the consumer associate these particular objects with the 'signified', what we unpick the objects to mean.  For example, a Farrari car acts as the signifies, and money, sexy and exciting acts as the signified.  Genre employs paragmatic sets for action and adventure, a hand gun, machine gun, vest top and boots all stand as signs that are easily read by the audience and recognised.

Roland Barthes identified the five action codes which were images or sequences which work in order to form a visual shorthand, creating more complex ideas much more recognisable, conisidently, continuing the story.  He identified the five action codes as:

Hermeneutic: is an element of the narrative which is not explained (engimas).  These unanswered questions make the audience think and begin to question, and thus keeping them actively involved and engaged as viewers.

Proairetic: This is the sections which build tension and indicated something which is about to happen (use of foreshaddowing) again engages the audience as questions want to be answered.

Semantic: the connotations which have extended meanings.

Symbolic: The symbolism used within the media text.

Cultural: Certain aspects included which allows the consumer to associate with as they believe they are within their culture. E.g. weather conditions.

Analysing representation

Following the viewing of short film 'Pop Art', I have tried to link Roland Barthes action codes to the film in order to recieve a greater understanding of how representation is used in media texts to gain a greater viewing audience.

1. Hermeneutic: How did the boys mother die? The audience also attempt to understand why the boy is a blow up boy.
2. Proairetic: When the blow up boy sits on the pin in the class room, the audience is positioned to question whether he will die.
3. Semantic: The blow up boy connotes difference.
4. Symbolic: The paper bird which is created can stand as symbolic as friendship.  It also connotes the meaning of not being afraid to be different in comparison to peers.
5. Cultural: The relationship between the son and father reflects child deprivation.  Also friendship is a cultural code which audiences can relate to.

After analysing many short films, I have commented on their use of representation in regard to the theories proposed above.

Upon analysing the short film 'Whore', director and writer Fyzal Boulifa uses representation through mise-en-scene of costume, hair and make-up as well as lighting.  The audience  becomes aware of the characters through these micro elements  which openly introduces the female central protagonist through the opening shot of a medium close up.  As the handheld camera tracks backwards, the audience is introduced to the girls school uniform which is a low cut blouse and short skirt.  Through these micro elements, the audience is able to create larger meaning and values which then construct representations. Althusser and his concept of interpellation suggests that females are either constructed as mothers or sex objects and in reference to 'Whore' the representations constructed position the female to be regarded as a sex object, this representation is made upon the revealing costume used.

The locations used such as a school are very run down and portrays a working class area.  Through draining colour from the camera, the area is represented as a depressing place which constructs the idea that people from a working class background lead an unhappy life of 'doom and gloom'.  The negative actions the female character takes alongside her revealing dress constructs the representation that all working class females are 'slutty'. The short film includes very little speech from the female protagonist which leaves the audience unable to make alternative interpretations on her character rather than simply through her mise-en-scene. This suggests that she is only able to make impressions on people through the way she looks, rather than her personality.  This contructs a negative representation of teenage school students.