INTRODUCTION: Why? Direct answer to question, why can mediation never be realistic? Reference to Buadrillard's SIMULACRUM theory. Distort truth to appeal to audiences. Perhaps example?
Naturally the media can never portray a true representation of a certain group of people, of even of a particular person. This is especially true of fictionalised texts, such as is incredibly popular in film and television. These characters are written; essentially, synthesised, and therefore can never be a true portrayal of a person, but rather a simulation, mediated to audiences tastes.
Recent film, Saving Mr. Banks (2013), for example, although based on true events and true people, is but a simulacrum. Baudrillard's theory regards simulacra as a mediation of the truth; distorting the content of both the story and the characters to create a derivative, but independent variation of the story; in this case, to appeal to audiences. Tom Hank's portrayal of a playful, over-friendly, un-threatening Walt Disney has been under scrutiny for being a dishonest characterisation of who many agree was both a sexist, racist and fascist man. Disney, reasonably decided to omit these traits in their mediation of Walt, to present him as the likeable man the audience want to see. (Or, rather, what the Disney Studio want the audiences to see).
Bring up the topic of the underrepresented - Gerbner's Cultivation Theory.
The point I mean to bring up with this example is that the media is unable to reveal an untouched truth: writers, reporters, editors, directors, have the power to omit details they feel are best not shown. What is shown to audiences is always a mediation of the truth, and this is especially true in regards to the representations of social groups. Representations of characters of different races, genders, sexualities and social status will always be phased by bias, or stereotype. Gerbner's Cultivation Theory suggests that media is used to reinforce 'conventional beliefs and behaviours' of the audience. Gerbner implies that the media is a tool to maintain the audience's opinions on both society and politics, and perhaps is the reason why some social groups, such as women, people of different nationalities, sexualities and gender identities, and people with disabilities are vastly misrepresented, or underrepresented.
Introduce the Superhero - Brief summary of current hero-hype. Hero is a symbol for the outcast.
However, there is a way the underrepresented have found their way onto our screens and into the public eye, and it has taken the world by storm.
Super is the word on everyone's lips, with the unprecedented success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Avengers (2012)), every film studio is rushing to get a piece of the action, and the past 5 years have seen a burst of superhero films. But the superhero is not only a symbol for justice and the greater-good, but something far more intriguing: The Superhero is a vessel for the unfairly represented groups in society.
FIRST EVER SUPER: (HISTORICAL) Superman (DC) - Immigrant - Representative of Jewish immigrancy. Superman is vessel to tell otherwise untold story.
From the first ever super, Superman, created by Jewish boys, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, the superhero has been a symbol for the outcast. Superman, a refugee from his war-enveloped planet, Krypton, is an alien among men: An immigrant.
Bring up the topic of the underrepresented - Gerbner's Cultivation Theory.
The point I mean to bring up with this example is that the media is unable to reveal an untouched truth: writers, reporters, editors, directors, have the power to omit details they feel are best not shown. What is shown to audiences is always a mediation of the truth, and this is especially true in regards to the representations of social groups. Representations of characters of different races, genders, sexualities and social status will always be phased by bias, or stereotype. Gerbner's Cultivation Theory suggests that media is used to reinforce 'conventional beliefs and behaviours' of the audience. Gerbner implies that the media is a tool to maintain the audience's opinions on both society and politics, and perhaps is the reason why some social groups, such as women, people of different nationalities, sexualities and gender identities, and people with disabilities are vastly misrepresented, or underrepresented.
Introduce the Superhero - Brief summary of current hero-hype. Hero is a symbol for the outcast.
However, there is a way the underrepresented have found their way onto our screens and into the public eye, and it has taken the world by storm.
Super is the word on everyone's lips, with the unprecedented success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Avengers (2012)), every film studio is rushing to get a piece of the action, and the past 5 years have seen a burst of superhero films. But the superhero is not only a symbol for justice and the greater-good, but something far more intriguing: The Superhero is a vessel for the unfairly represented groups in society.
FIRST EVER SUPER: (HISTORICAL) Superman (DC) - Immigrant - Representative of Jewish immigrancy. Superman is vessel to tell otherwise untold story.
From the first ever super, Superman, created by Jewish boys, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, the superhero has been a symbol for the outcast. Superman, a refugee from his war-enveloped planet, Krypton, is an alien among men: An immigrant.
CONTEMPORARY - FOX's XMEN Franchise. "Mutants" representative of those discriminated against due to race/sexual identity/disability.
-
-
-
-
-
-
"Media representations are complex, not simple and straightforward." How far do you agree with the statement in relation to the collective group you have studied?
"Audiences use the media to construct their own identities."Discuss.
This is a very interesting start to an essay and I think you should finish it. It shows a firm control of essay writing style and a good balance between text and theory. But of course you only just begin to discuss your main area of concern and that is what you need to discuss in detail.
ReplyDeleteYou have tried to use your introduction to draw us into an understanding of why you are exploring the 'supers' but I think it is a little long.
I'm wondering now if it might be a good idea to look at The Incredibles along with the texts you have already mentioned.