Gender representations in the media

Media Text one:




This example is the film trailer for Star Wars Rogue One and is an example of a countertype (where a representation challenges the traditional stereotype of a certain group of people). This is a countertype because it depicts the protagonist of the film as being a female when most people stereotype that it should be a man in the lead role of an action sci-fi movie. This is a positive representation as it shows that woman are able to do whatever they want and shows Star Wars is for females swell as the stereotypically male orientated audience.


Media Text two:

The second example of a gender representation is in the ESPN magazine which is an example of a stereotype (the conception associated with a certain group of people that everyone assumes to be the truth). It is a sports magazine that depicts the stereotypical bulky male who plays American football on the cover of it. This is a stereotype because people believe you have to be large and muscly and male to play American football and they are not covering any of the smaller maybe more skilful and also they are not covering the female aspect of the sport. This is a negative representation as it is not giving equal coverage to both genders it is very male dominated.





Media Text three:

My third example of gender representation is from an old advertising campaign which is an example of an archetype (which is the ultimate stereotype). It portrays the message "the chef does everything but cook, thats what wives are for" this is highly stereotypical and very derogatory towards woman. This is an archetype because it suggests that a females purpose is only to cook and men should be waited on after they "get in from work", this is very diminishing of woman because it is suggesting that are not of the same capabilities as men. This is a highly negative representation of genders in the media as it clearly suggests that males are by far superior.

Media Summer Work

Media Summer Work

Media Summer Work

Media Transition work

 The director has used a variety of techniques in order to present the film to a wide target audience. Firstly the use of colour is used to portray and emphasise the fact that Princess Diana as the protagonist of the film. The director has achieved this buy using low level in the background and areas surrounding wonder woman. This is shown towards the end of the trailer when the director uses a wide shot with a dull blurry background with all the focus on wonder woman who is depicted in her gleaming outfit. This will appeal to the superhero audience as they see her as being able to conquer all the dull bad times the enemies may throw at her.

The director also uses sustained periods of loud music woven in with periods of silence, this creates a build-up in tension within the audience. This portrays to the audience that the film will have a sustained build up to a large climatic battle at the end of the film. This helps the film appeal to the action and adventure target audience who enjoy fast paced battles.   

The trailer starts with the focus on Princess Diana as a young child which adds another dimension to the plot line. By focusing on her background it appeals to another side of the audience who are interested in the morals behind the action. Therefore by using this the director has ensured the audience know there is a balance between action and understanding of the storyline.

Another point to add is that the male’s use of dialogue in the trailer helps the audience to understand the strong presence that wonder woman has. The use of the stutter he has when explaining her characteristics show how powerful she is. This coupled with the simultaneous slow motion presentation of wonder woman causing havoc portrays to the audience how exciting the film will be which will make the audience want to go and see it. 

Media Institutions

1.     The ‘big six’ are the 6 media companies who own 90% of the media in America with the total value of $430 billion.

Ø National Amusement (including- CBS, comedy central and paramount). In January 2017 National Amusement announced a multi-year agreement with Coca-Cola to be its soft drink partner in all of its U.S theatres.

Ø Disney (including- pictures, studio, parks and television, ABC and pixar). On 17^th March 2017 Disney released Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens. It had a budget of $160 million and mad $1.246 billion at the box office.

Ø TimeWarner (including- Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, TCM, WarnerBros and HBO). On 15^th May 2017 WarnerBros released the film WonderWoman starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine. It had a budget of $149 million and made $807 million at the box office.

Ø Comcast (including- CNBC, DreamWorks, Focus features, Bravo and illumination). On 1^st April 2017 DreamWorks released the animated film The Boss Baby starring Alec Balding and directed by Tom McGrath. It had a budget of $125 million and made $498.8 million at the box office.

Ø NewsCorp (including- FOX, 20^th Century Fox, National Geographic, itv and FOX sports).  On 1^st March 2017 20^th Century Fox released the film Logan starring Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart and directed by James Mangold. It had a budget of $97 million and made $616.2 million at the box office.

Ø SONY (including- 2waytraffic, ANIMAX, crackle, movies4men, scuzz, flava and TRUE channels)