As Reality Reps

8/9/2019 As Reality Reps

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• To explore the BBCs reality output.

• To decide how the BBC’s approach toreality differs from its commercialrivals.

• To complete micro studies of realitysequences.



& Connotation& Connotation

• Junior Apprentice

• Watch the opening sequence.

• What is being represented?

• Where is being represented?

• How is it being represented?

• Why is it represented this way?

• Who is the audience?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00scvl2

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00scvl2



BBC reality shows

• Two more BBC Reality Shows

• Snog, Marry, Avoid

• Bizarre ER

• Watch and apply the same analyticalskills by answering the same questions.

• What, where, how, why, who?



Analysis of representations

• Denotation: the content of the shot – what you can actually see.

• Connotation: ideas and associations the shot suggests to you.

• The next shots all feature a seated group of ‘ordinary people’. In termsof denotation, the images are similar: they show 'real people’ of avariety of different ages and stages onscreen.

• But in terms of connotations , the images suggest very different sets of ideas, and represent different genres of reality shows.

• Talk about the differences you notice in terms of their visual codes,especially:

• posture and body language, facial expression, clothing and styl

• the grouping of participants, and their possible relationship

• cropping and framing of shots; props; background and locations.



The ‘Social Experiment’ Show

The Secret Millionaireand The Choir bothshare a ‘socialexperiment’ format.

How is thisrepresented intheir websitehome pages?

In what ways are

they similar? In what ways are

they different?



What opportunities does the show offer theviewer through the online portal?

How is font of the title used to re-enforcethe genre of the show and itsrepresentation?Is the focus of the show the individual or

the group? How is this shown?



• A study of Representation in reality TV isn’t just about the values andmessages in an individual show. It’s also about looking at the waysthe different broadcasters represent their identity and ‘mission’.

• Look at the two home pages for two rival reality talent shows. Bothdenote the well-known features of the show. Do the connotations of the page differ? Or do they suggest similar ideas? Consider:

• colour codes

• use of images

• navigation

• iconography

• invitations to the audience.

• What does each page suggest about the format and values of theshow?

• What does each page tell you about the broadcasting institution behind the show?

ONLINE REPRESENTATIONS



Stereotypes

• Stereotype: a simplified view of a person or groups of people, in whichone or two characteristics are used to represent the whole person, and

the whole group s/he belongs to.• A classic example: ‘the dumb blonde’ stereotype, based on repeated and

usually inaccurate ideas and media imagery which categorises all young blonde women as being silly, vain and uninformed.

• Can you think of films which support or play on this stereotype and

actresses who are seen as ‘stereotypical’ examples of the ‘dumb blonde’?



Stereotypes

The contestants in reality TV game shows are often edited to representselective or stereotypical behaviour.

The most obvious example is Jade Goody, who built a career, life and

death around versions of – and challenges to – her ................ stereotype.The next two slides explore the ways she has been represented onscreenand in the tabloid press – and the ways she chose to represent herself.

Talk about: the different types of stereotype the images suggest the ways these

ideas have been constructed through the format and editing of BB andCBB

the role played by the tabloid press in supporting or challenging thesestereotypes.



Are there typical, or stereotypical ways in whichreality TV shows represent social groups like: celebritywannabes, older women, black men, certain kinds of

professionals or performers, certain age-groups?Discuss if there are particular stereotypes associated

with the kinds of show listed below. Then decide if thestereotype is positive or negative. If it is negative, doesthat matter?

fashion or beauty make-over showsparenting reality showssocial experiment shows

docu-soaps.

Stereotypes

As Reality Reps

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