Representation

Mimesis - like holding up a mirror to something, any meaning would be inherent in t he object itself.
Is this true?
If so how can meaning change?

We, as a population are represented in the culture and society in which we live, we are depicted in representational productions that aim to show us and our surroundings. As we evolve, meanings can change, as we saw with the symbolism in Picasso's Guernica.

Social Construction - we as people construct and attach meaning to image and object.
As evidenced is Valentines Goods
Red Roses
Red Hearts

Blood and Danger are also represented as Red.

The challenge for image makers & film makers is that if we are to clearly communicate a character (for an example a gay man) to our viewer, how do we do that without making him stereo typical/camp.
How do we make that character heard by an audience that may not agree with those sexual preferences - make him less manly? Less able to threaten a typical heterosexual man?

There is an ongoing battle between the stereo type and the suspension of disbelief, and as viewing figures (in TV terms) dictates wether a series has been a success, image makers are  torn between making the content they want, and the content which is watched and accepted by the wider majority.

How am I portrayed on TV?

Fiery red head (as described by others)!
I am a busy working mother.
At work I am a qualified professional in a male dominated industry - who has a senior management role.
I am self sufficient.
I am creative and am at University to expand my creative outlook.
I have friends ranging from 18 to 67.
I am from the North West.
I like make up & jewellery but also like driving cars - fast! And can strip down an engine.

Who re-inforces my own values and beliefs and reflects my norms?

Why do we accept the stereo types of different sections of the community when no-one represents ourselves (and I would be classed as a majority??)

Image makers can digress, women image makers often portray woman as strong or bold, maybe to counter act the glamour culture or 'women as object'.

Geographical Stereo types are often re-inforced, often for comedic value.

Jingoism

the extreme belief that your own country is always best, which is often shown in enthusiastic support for a war against another country

Patriotism can turn into jingoism and intolerance very quickly.

(Definition of jingoism noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

If things are reported and written in a different way, it stands to reason that images are taken/displayed/constructed in a different way dependant on your view point and the message you wish to portray.

Jingoism is a form of expression or motif based on buzzwords. The word is derived from 'jingo', an expression used in a particularly banal form of patriotic song during the 19th century. Jingoistic songs and expressions persisted into the 20th century during the wars. Modern usage has expanded the meaning to refer to a form of acceptable platitude. This is seen as a shallow, trivial, insincere, or merely facile form of expression or behavior, political or ideological. The term is always negative, and dismissive of the content of the subject matter. Examples of Jingoism: The Horst Wessel Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingoism Image Example of Jingoism: 'Ten thousand miles from tip to tip', an 1898 political cartoon depicting the extension of the united states dominion. American war-dog, a 1916 political cartoon by oscar cesare, with the dog named 'Jingo'.

The following terms have all been used by the British press to report on the war in the Persian Gulf:

They have A war machine Censorship Propaganda They Destroy Destroy Attack Kill Kill Cower in their foxholes They launch Sneak missile attacks Without provocation Their men are Troops Hordes They are Brainwashed Paper tigers Cowardly Desperate Cornered Cannon fodder Bastards of Baghdad Blindly obedient Mad dogs Ruthless Fanatical Their boys are motivated by Fear of Saddam Their boys Cower in concrete bunkers

We have Army, Navy and Air Force Reporting guidelines Press briefings We Take out Suppress Eliminate Neutralize Decapitate Dig in We launch First strikes Pre-emptively Our men are Boys Lads Our boys are Professional Lionhearted Cautious Confident Heroes Dare devils Young knights of the skies Loyal Desert rats Resolute Brave Our boys are motivated by Old-fashioned sense of duty Our boys Fly into the jaws of hell