Collective Identity

British Women in contemporary film

and television

Issues you need to cover in your essay

How are British women as a group
represented

How do these representations impact on

our sense of identity

How are these representations

constructed

How do audiences use these

representations to create/understand
their own sense of identity

By the time you write this essay in your exam you should be confident about writing
in detail regarding 4 contemporary films and 4 television programmes also a
selection of films and TV from an historical perspective

What you need to consider

What impact/effect do representations have on
the audience
Uses and Gratifications Theory
Hypodermic Needle Theory
Audience Reception Theory

How are British women as a group

represented in
contemporary film
and television
There are two main women in Tamara Drewe (2010)
Both constructed to represent the middle classes
Both constructed from a Patriarchal POV
career v domesticated
young v old
independent v dependent
interesting v boring
stereotypical binary opposites
Male gaze

Dominant Ideology
Tamara Drewe supports the Dominant Ideology
Middle Class
Consumer
Educated
Career
Seeks marriage

How does this representation impact on the audience

How does this representation impact on British women as a collective identity

Adhere/Challenge the Dominant

Ideology
Does TD support or challenge the patriarchal
dominant ideology ?
She represents them middle class, white,
heterosexual, educated, career minded,
consumer power
Although she has an affair, she is seeking
marriage
Supports Dominant Ideology

Ideology has very little to do with conscience it is profoundly unconscious

Althusser

Much of media is controlled by the dominant

group in society (white, middle aged, male,
middle class, heterosexual). The viewpoints of
this group become embedded in film and
television through representation of gender,
class, sexuality, race etc
These dominant views unconsciously become
the norm

Contemporary TV
Scott & Bailey are both competent, ambitious women, passionate about getting the job done
effectively. They draw on each others strengths every day to deal with extreme and horrific
crimes.
Suranne Jones (Bailey) developed the idea as she was tired of narratives which represented
women as either wives, sidekicks or mistresses.

Created by a female team where men play minor roles.

Scott & Bailey

How does the representation of the women impact on the audience in regards to collective
identity. Do they support or challenge the dominant ideology. What defines them class,
profession, education etc.

Stella Gibson
Created by a male team is Stella Gibson a reflection of contemporary women ?
Is she a construction of a male fantasy ?

Important questions to ask - ALWAYS

Who or what is being represented ?
How is the representation being created ?
Who has created the representation ?
Why is the representation created in that way ?
What is the intention of creating it in that way ?
What is the effect of the representation ?
Who benefits from the representation ?
Does the representation fit with dominant ideology ?

Tamara Drewe
Who or what is being represented ?

Young middle class heterosexual woman and older middle class housewife

How is the representation being created ?

Tamara is represented as successful, desirable, beautiful, sexy, interesting,

educated, a consumer, stylish, independent, young
Beth is represented as victim old, domesticated, unattractive, dull,
dependent

Who has created the representation ?

Stephen Frears, educated at cambridge, white, middle class, middle aged,

heterosexual

Why is the representation created in that way ?

Supporting the hegemonic values of youth = beauty, consumerism = good

Target audience ABC1 Men and Women - mainstream
U&G
women identify
Men entertained

What is the intention of creating it in that way ?

Supporting the patriarchal dominant ideology of consumerism, middle class

values as being the best, women fixed within the male gaze, POV of
the middle class, white, middle aged heterosexual man

What is the effect of the representation ?

Social implications from the audience youth and beauty are most valued,
consumer power is valued its not what you do but how much you can buy.
Marriage is a goal.

Who benefits from this representation ?

The ruling elite by retaining the power of the ideological agencies; family,
education, media etc..

Construction/Reflection
Any re-presentation is a mixture of;
The think itself
The views and experiences of those creating the
representation
The reaction of the audience (based on their
views and experiences)
The context of the society in which the
representation is taking place

Discussing Representation
In order to be able to discuss representations of
British women in contemporary film and
television you must get to know your texts.
Read essays about your texts google books etc.
Learn a few quotes off by heart to embed them
as part of your essay
Understand the key words and use them

Film
Tamara Drewe (2010)
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)
One Day (2011)
I Give it a Year (2013)
The Wedding Video (2013)

Television
Scott and Bailey (ITV)
New Tricks (BBC)
The Fall (BBC)
Happy Valley (BBC)
Our Girl (BBC)
7.39 (BBC)

Task
Write an in depth essay discussing the representation of British women in contemporary
Television using the points below. You can also use reviews, websites and newspaper
articles to support your evaluation. You will need to watch at least 3 episodes.

Write an in depth essay discussing the representation of British women using just one
text of your choice.
Who or what is being represented ?
How is the representation being created ?
Who has created the representation ?
Why is the representation created in that way ?
What is the intention of creating it in that way ?
What is the effect of the representation ?
Who benefits from the representation ?
Does the representation fit with dominant ideology ?