Studying Representation: Physical ability and disabilityLO: To discuss the idea of ability and disability and comment on how it is represented in the media

What is the connotation of the image?

Disability Representation

The traditional representation is that disabled people have medical problems and that their lives are restricted in some way or they should be cared for by society.

Wheelchairs are often used to represent disability in the media. However, wheelchair users make up only 5% of people with a disability.

Disabled

The dictionary defines the word ‘disabled’ as meaning “made ineffective, unfit or incapable”.

The ‘dis’ prefix is negative – disappoint, discard, discourage, dismay, disruptive, etc…

Definition of disability• Disability is a lack of ability relative to a personal

or group standard or norm. In reality there is often simply a spectrum of ability.

• e.g.: Physically and mentally disabled, Hearing impaired, Visually impaired, Short term and long term disability, cognitive disability…

Disabled People

Can you think of any programmes that include disabled people? How were they represented?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOVoL1-ZaQQ

Pitiable and pathetic; sweet and innocent; a miracle cure

The Elephant Man

Usual Stereotypes:

Victim or an object of violence

Whatever happened to Baby Jane?

Sinister or evil

Dr Strangelove

Atmosphere - curios or exotica in 'freak shows', and in comics, horror movies and science fiction

'Super-crip'/ triumph over tragedy/noble warrior

Daredevil

Laughable or the butt of jokes

Having a chip on their shoulder/ aggressive avenger

A burden/ outcast

Mask

Born on the Fourth of July

Non-sexual or incapable of a worthwhile relationship

Incapable of fully participating in everyday life

The absence of disabled people from everyday situations, and not being shown as integral and productive members of society. When they are shown, the focus is on their impairments

The Undateables

• The Channel 4 series received both positive and negative praise. •Why?

Sam Wollaston – The Guardian

• "I don't think there's anything exploitative about The Undateables. It's sensible, sensitive, kind. Not too kind though, not worthy, not head-on-the-side, sad-face, we feel so sorry for these poor people."

Disability Arts Online

• "Disabled people are portrayed as lonely, desperate and overeager to find that ‘special someone’, often pushed by their mum. I have yet to see another dating show where mums are as ubiquitous as in this one."

Sheldon

• Sheldon is one of the main characters from the extremely popular comedy The Big Bang Theory.• Sheldon is a socially awkward physicist with

Aspergers syndrome. Asperger’s is a type of autism.• This show uses his Autistic traits to make

people laugh. This works because what people find funny is usually things that our outside the social norm

• This entire show is based on Sheldon's social awkwardness which is another serious issue that autistic people have. They see his lack of social understanding as funny because he doesn't realize that people are making rude comments about him or being sarcastic. This makes him look ignorant in the same way a "dumb blonde" stereotype would.

• Although it is unlikely for a character in a show to have a disability, sometimes when they do, the actual actor playing the part does not have a handicap.• This makes it even more difficult for people with

an actual handicap to fulfil their dream of becoming an actor.

Finding Nemo • Variety of characters suffer from

'abnormality‘• Nemo has 'lucky fin‘• Dory has short-term memory loss• Marlin has emotional disability and anxiety.• Gurgle has OCD• Gill has facial deformity • The film presents an accepting view of

disability and abnormalities that differs from most narratives

Disability Studies Online

• "'Finding Nemo' becomes an act of rescue, maturation, and acceptance of self and others for all the characters. Marlin learns to trust Nemo and his self-defined abilities, as prescriptive stereotypes of disability are tested and disproved and the protagonist's triumph is enabled." (2004)

What is the connotation of these images?

Changing Perceptions18-year-old Madeline Stuart just landed two new fashion campaigns -- exciting enough for any young model, but particularly special when you’re one of the world's first professional models with Down syndrome! Madeline, who also goes by Maddy and is from Brisbane, Australia, is modeling for the women's athletic-wear company Manifesta and for the handbag brand everMaya. In the process, she’s also providing a unique role model for girls around the world by “challenging society’s narrow standard of beauty.”

Changing perceptions

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAPPeRg3Nw

Remember…

• This area asks us to consider the representation of ability as well as disability.• Often in these clips, 'normality' could

actually be shown to be cruel whereas the disabled person highlights the moral centre.• But this is not always the case.

To conclude…

• The media is guilty of "other"-ing disabled people and widening the gap between people with impairments and those without.• Although it's evident that attitudes are changing

and high profile media coverage of disabled people without the stereotypes are slowly becoming more frequent.

Studying Representation: Physical ability and disabilityLO: To analyse the representation of ability/disability in the clipTo identify and comment on use/effect of editing, camera shots, mise-en-scene and sound in the clips

“A Touch of Frost”

• Watch the clip which has been annotated for you.• It closely analyses the representation of

ability/disability in the clip.• How are the stereotypes discussed

reinforced/opposed in the clip?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gl8jVX9WWM&list=PLCE549D17B170F6E1&index=3

Disability/ability in “The Street”• Watch the following clip and make notes on how

ability/disability is represented in the following clip:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80K5P1qqQOI

Mise en scene Camera Work

Editing Sound

Analysis Grid

Representation of:

Questions to aid analysis

• Where is it set and how do we know this?• Who are the characters, what are they like and

how do we know this?• What is the mood/atmosphere and how is this

suggested?• Why do you think the sequence starts and ends

on a selective focus/pull focus shot of a barbed wire fence through which we then see the main character?

Now focus on the sequence where Nick is walking through a busy street• How are different shots used and edited together to

suggest how the character is feeling or what the situation is like for him?

• What sounds are used here and what is the effect?• In the last sequence in the office how are camerawork

and lighting used and what is the effect? • How do you feel about the character and his situation?

• Finally, summarise the representation of ability/disability in this clip

“Coming Down The Mountain”• Watch the clip and make notes on how the

following characters are represented in terms of ability/disability.• To what extent are the aforementioned

stereotypes reinforced/opposed in the following clip?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvNr5HknPAQ&feature=bf_next&list=PLCE549D17B170F6E1

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7uFnPBVjM0&list=PLCE549D17B170F6E1&feature=plcp

Analytical Essay• Begin planning using the notes you have

taken in the previous two lessons.

• Answer the following question:• Discuss the representation of

ability/disability depicted in one of the clips we have studied. Refer to the following-• Camera shots, editing, sound and mise-en-

scene.