Introduction to representation

Representation: Blog task

Watch the trailer for Taken and complete the following tasks:

Create a new blogpost called 'Introduction to Representation' and embed the Taken trailer in the post.

1) List the different people/groups represented in the trailer (men/women/Americans etc.)
White Woman

White Man

Unknown figures (Kidnappers) 2) For each group you identify, decide whether the representation is a dominant or alternative portrayal. Explain why you think this.
For the White teenaged woman, it portrays a dominant representation as she is white, she may be vulnerable to many actions caused by males. Usually, in the media we do not see a black/White man getting kidnapped by females meaning its a dominant stereotype. 

For the white man it is also a dominant stereotype as a white man always saves the day or attempts to. Yet again, nowadays we see black people in a negative light even where there are end racism campaigns etc

The kidnappers are also dominant as they are masked up in a group targeting vulnerable young girls 3) What stereotypes can you identify in the trailer? 

A stereotype that can be identified in this trailer is the mans status. He is portrayed as a middle class white man living in a nice house which also represents vulnerability. Also the daughter had to ask the father for help as he is a male which the stereotypes represented are smart, brave and intelligent.

4) Why might the Taken trailer offend or alienate certain groups?
It may offend females as the females are being victimised and the male is there to save the day. The females are shown as weak and vulnerable and the todays century, movements like #MeToo could affect the movie 5) Why do mainstream film and television texts such as Taken so often use stereotypes?

Mainstream film and television use stereotypes for the viewers to easily connect with the characters. This therefore leads to a more engaged audience so higher revenue for the film. It is an effective method to sell the movie.