YEAR 11, VCE MEDIA
REPRESENTATION: Outcome One
On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe the construction of specific media
representations and explain how the process of representation reproduces the world differently from direct
experience of it.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on knowledge and related skills outlined in area of study 1.
Key Skills:
This knowledge includes
• representations present in media texts;
• media representation and its relationship to the selection and construction of reality in various media forms;
• the nature of codes and conventions (such as visual, audio, technical and written) evident in media
productions, and the meanings they create;
• different kinds of ‘realism’ in media texts; for example, newspaper reporting, fantasy genres, lifestyle and
documentary programs, radio news reports;
• representations within the context of values such as those related to gender, age, ethnicity and socioeconomic
status;
• influence of institutional practices on the nature of representations, their availability and accessibility;
• representations within the context of media history; for example, the way in which media representations of
social stereotypes, presentation styles or generic conventions have emerged and changed.
Key Skills:
These skills include the ability to
• describe representations in media texts;
• compare the construction of different representations in media texts and across media forms;
• use concepts of representation, selection and construction in the evaluation of media texts;
• discuss how audiences make judgments about how realistic specific media texts are;
• analyse representations within the context of institutional practices, media history and cultural values.
After the second viewing of American Beauty, you are to create 20 boxes capturing the timeline of
the story from start to finish. In these boxes, you are to draw images of the events and you must
add at least three comments. Use arrows to connect each box.
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A noun is an object or name.
A verb is an action word.
An adjective describes a noun.
An adverb describes a verb and usually gives more information about the verb.
Character: Lester Burnham
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Character: Carolyn Burnham
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Character: Jane Burnham
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Character: Angela Hayes
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Character: Ricky Fitts
Noun
Adjective
Adverb
Verb
Character: Col. Frank Fitts
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Character: Barbara Fitts
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Character: Buddy Kane
Noun
Adjective
Adverb
Verb
List the major representations in American Beauty.
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List the main codes and conventions used in American Beauty.
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Which character best represents the following term and why?
Archetype:
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Antagonist:
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Protagonist:
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Hero:
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Femme Fatal:
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Aggressor:
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Dominant:
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Subservient:
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Production elements:
Music:
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Lighting:
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Shots:
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Costumes:
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Sound:
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