Stuart Hall: Representation Theory

This post shows what I have learnt about Stuart Hall's representation theory during this week's lesson

Making this has made me remember Stuart Hall's theory along with his name as well because I had to remake it multiple times, with that, I also have a better understanding on how I can portray different cultures or subjects in my work. For example I could portray the car community with a welcoming and positive light, however I will use what I have learnt in this lesson to try and portray them in a good light but as realistic, truthful and neutral as possible as to not mislead my readers but while also possibly welcoming them as well.

1. Representation Theory

Representation Theory was a theory presented by Stuart Hall, where he proposed that in the real world nothing has any fixed meaning. This implies that nothing is directly good or bad, better or worse, instead Hall argued that media is the one that makes the meaning & creates the ideas that come from the media's portrayal of the thing, as his quote states "Media does not reflect meaning. Media creates meaning." 

A part of the representation theory are stereotypes, a stereotype is an oversimplification and generalization of a portrayed group or individual of a certain age, gender, race, ethnicity, social class, religion, disability and sexuality, these oversimplifications can create a negative or positive portrayal however stereotypes are always bad as they portray a specific demographic as only a non complex generalization of what they are in reality.  

A countertype is the opposite of a stereotype, whereas stereotypes display conformities to an overgeneralized public picture and opinion, countertype does the opposite and subverts most of the oversimplifications. Countertypes are not always negative as they can bring more nuance to a character as the character is not limited to what the public thinks they should be based on their characteristics.

2. Stereotypes in Indonesian media

Positively Portrayed: Koreans

source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CxsBoqcRHjU/  (27/09/23)

How they're represented: 

Sound            : non diegetic soft emotional music, softer tone of voice, no loud sounds

Edit                : not a lot of quick cuts, slower paced

Mise en scene: worried facial expression cleaner shaven, properly worn glasses 

Camera angle: high angle shots, medium shot composition

What are the reasons for how they used:

Sound             : To show how the Koreans are soft and kind as the song sets the tone of how the scene                             should feel, which is filled with compassion and worry.

Edit                 : The edit makes the scene feel more flowed and emphasizes the character's emotions

Mise en scene : Worried face further shows compassion of the Koreans, the glasses and facial hair are                              also relatively cleaner to show more neater and civilized people.

Camera angle : The low angle is generally used in order to make the characters look better.