Stereotypes.

REPRESENTATIONS – COMMON STEREOTYPES

Prometheus Trailer 2

Representation In The Media - Stereotypes

Constructing a Stereotype

A Teenage Black Male - North London. Typical stereotype = Criminal/Thug.

1.Camera Angles, Shots and Composition:
Long shots, or mid shots will be used a lot to show the miseenscene, for example if there was a shot of the character walking down a high street, a long shot would be used to show their clothing the surrounding area and anybody around them particularly if part of a gang, this type of shot would also show any passer by reaction to the group. Close ups could reveal certain features, guns, weapons etc. Tracking shots could also be used to show pace and tempo during certain scenes such as a chase scene.

2.Editing:
Short sharp camera shot changes and scene changes.

3.Sound:
Non Diagetic - Typical music that could accompany these types of characters throughout a text could be grime (originated in London) or hip hop records; these types of music contain certain elements, electronic elements, synth, dark guttural base lines, fierce, offensive lyrics and sound. Will be SYNCHRONOUS and fit the mood of the scene.

Diagetic: These characters may be associated with drugs, violence and crime, so sound effects such as gun shots and other effects that pair with violence (think fight scenes, the sound of a punch, baseball bat etc.). Also cars, bikes, mopeds used to get around local area or council estates. Typical sounds - cars passing by, shop door bell, phones etc.

4.Misenscene:
Dark gritty dim areas, council estates, parks, run down high streets etc, cheap fast food restaurants (think Maryland). CLothing could include tracksuits, hoodies, caps, bandanas, trainers etc. Other people may be associated with the characters in the scene, for example if they where part of a gang. Props could include weapons, drugs, money (Camera and editing will pick up on these.) Diagetic lighting street lighting (lamp posts) car lights. Graffiti, Litter.

Through stereotypes the director is trying to convince you what is real, and get across a norm to an audience for that text. However this will not be what is typically normal in everyday life, but what may be normal to that character in a text.

The Male Gaze Continued

We were also asked to study a music video and an advert of choice to apply these theories too, as seen below;

Music Video Clip:

When looking for a video to complete this task about, I found my self searching through many music videos of different genres, finding it difficult to get a video where the model or subject is directing their gaze towards the audience or camera. However I did find than more often than not, rappers, hip hop and grime artists do this more than bands etc, which I why I decided upon Frank Oceans video to his song 'Novacane' as the main subject in the video is himself, with a close up of his face.




He has eye contact with the camera for the majority of the clip, grabbing the attention of the viewer through his gaze; this also shows the relationship of power between Frank and whoever it may be watching the video, as they are watching him, and not the other way around. Woman particularly might find his looks seducing, as he seems to be holding their gaze too. He has a very 'practical' expression, he is frowning, mouth open very little, and concentrating on his 'business' performing his song to his audience. People may also think this look is very seductive, or even catalogue, as too some his expressions might be meaningless, and there fore void of any emotion.

The Male Gaze

The Male Gaze

This week in our Media Studies class we have been looking into the termonology 'The Male Gaze' a film theory first used in the 70's, a feminstic reference to the voyastic way men look at women, and how the 'gaze' represents a pschologlicaly relationship between two or more people, and how the person holding the gaze has more power over the others. Marjorie Ferguson identified four types of gaze defined below;

Chocolate Box;
The 'Chocolate box' is typically made up of a half smile or full smile, lips slightly parted or together with the teeth barely visible. This look is relitively pleasing, warm, and devoids any looks of uniqueness.

Invitational;
The main emphasis of this look is on the eyes, with a hint of a smile or the mouth completely shut. the model or subject will tilt their head too one side also, or look back at the camera. The look is suggestive of mischief or mystery, hinting at contact rather than sexual promise.

Super Smiler;
A full face with a wide, toothy smile, the subjects head thrusted forward or chin thrown back with the hair usually wind blown. This gives of an angressive 'look at me' attitude, showing confidence and demanding attention.

Romantic/Sexual;
This expression features male and female 'two-somes', describing the often dreamy and heavy/ heavy lidded, and the overtly sexual and sensual. This projects the  possibly available, and definitely available.

     






Trevor Millum: 1975

Seductive:
this looks requires the model to have their eyes slightly closed, and small, faint expressions but still enough to portray to viewers, their expressions should also be milder, be still show self-confidence.

Carefree;
Here the model is seen often smiling, to look healthy and vibrant, and are likely to be photographed in an outdoor enviroment (this look is heavily linked to sports or other outdoor activities) subject is also active.

Practical;
The model here should be concentrating, engaged in business with their mouths closed, with their eyes focused towards an object. Sometimes the model might be frowning, typically with short hair or long hair tied back.

Comic;
This expression is deliberatley ridicuolous and obviously staged, exagrrating a lot and acting the fool by pulling faces or through similar actions.

Catalogue;
A neutral, almost artificial, dummy looking expression, which is wax like. Features can be in any position- but are likely to have open eyes and smiling. However, looks remain empty which any personality removed.

Representation- The Man

We were set the simple task this week in Media to construct a representation of the photo seen above. Going on what only I could see from the picture, I took into consideration his clothing firstly, and the fact he is smoking a cigarette partially covering his face with one hand and with his beanie hat pulled down low. I noticed very quickly the patches on his trousers and the plaid shirt he is wearing, something that I personally picture when thinking of the homeless, therefore I was very quick to jump to the conclusion that this man was homeless, and was covering his face in a way to hide himself as he may have been ashamed. Along with his scuffed shoes and the cigarette this backed my presumption that he was in fact homeless. However, I could not be more wrong. 

The man seen is Doug Bihlmaier, one of the very first stylists at Ralph Lauren, and a very important member of there team. When we discussed the photo in more detail with Mr.Ford, he pointed out several reasons as to why we where wrong. Firstly, the trousers; the turn ups are very neat, almost as if they had just been pressed or ironed, and the patches are too neat and precise, clearly deliberate and thought through. Secondly, the plaid shirt. Most importantly it is his size, it fits him, something that a homeless person may not have the luxury to obtain, well fitted clothing. Smoking may just be a habit, and we later learnt the shoes he is wearing cost around $320, so not in any way cheap. 

 This just goes to show how quickly people are to judge and jump to conclusions using various personal experiences and stereotypes when viewing certain forms of media, when they couldn't be any further from the truth.