Representation In Media

Introduction

Some time ago before winter break, we learned about representation in media, and how it effects our daily perspectives and our outlook on life. Some media we feel close to because of how we perceive it, and how it might closely relate to us and how we feel as person in whole. For example, if your a kid just transitioning to high school, then a movie or show about coming of age and getting use to your surroundings might peak your interest, and how you might even closely relate to it. This is just one example on how the media plays a big role in today's world.

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A Series Of Unfortunate Events (2004)

I picked A Series Of Unfortunate Events (ASOUE) because, the way the Baudelaire's had to quickly become mature at a very young age after their parents tragic death. I relate to them because, when I was younger my mother always went to work while my father spent most of his time alone, this meant I had to learn how to cook, to do some things without asking for help, and generally learn how to look out for myself. Just like me, the Baudelaire's had to look out for themselves and get out unfortunate situations by using their thinking skills. Ultimately learning how to take care of themselves because nobody believed them about Count Olaf's intentions.

I felt like it represented me because I've been in many situations where I had to rely on myself instead of going to ask for help, or with no one looking out for me. I think the author of the book and the show would relate to me because, the show he created gives representation on kids who had to mature from a young age, similar to me.

I couldn't find much information of his childhood, but from his storytelling, I would think he was like me because in the book he wrote, the countless situations the kids were in, and the siblings having to rely on themselves using critical thinking as they made important decisions, came from someone who lived a less exaggerated version of it.

Ugly Betty (2006)

I picked Ugly Betty because, in the show Betty never stopped being who she was.. she dressed up how she wanted, spoke how she wanted, and she even stuck to her morals even though people called her lame. Working in a fashion publishing company, she had everyone's eyes judging her. Her style was true to her, and always stood up for people in the same position as her. I relate to her because just like in fashion, school has the same amount of judgmental eyes. This show represents how most society feel in this modern age, trying to achieve perfection and beauty while never even reaching it because of the high expectations in society.

Us as teenagers have to look out on what we wear, our weight, and how we present our selves because our brains are still developing, we are sensitive to criticism even if we are the ones giving them. I felt as if it represented me because I'm a teenager and also because I'm not afraid to be who I am. I can relate to the creator (Silvio Horta) because just like me, he was born and raised in Miami.

I would think he was similar to me because, he might have felt like he wasn't pretty enough or handsome enough, and in situation's like that you would want to change yourself and hide away, but like in ugly betty she stuck to who she truly was, maybe a reflection of Silvio's own life in high school back then.

Inside Out 2 (2024)

I picked Inside Out 2 because, in the movie Riley is now grown up, and made new friends. Soon she's going to highschool when summer ends but she finds out her friend's can't come with her. So she spends the next few weeks at hockey camp with her friends, spending as much time with them as her inner turmoil begins to spiral. The movie represents people like me who are new to 9th grade, bringing light to the inner troubles a new teenager feels as they transition to a new life style, and having to leave your friends behind. During the summer camp she struggles to join one of the coolest hockey team's she's ever seen, to the point she begins to change herself in order to make new friends. This represents the high school life because one of the most important things to do is make new connections, but as you change yourself to make them, you find yourself forgetting who you are.

Kelsey Mann, the director of Inside Out 2, once was a teenager. Even if he was in a completely different generation, he went to school, felt how it felt to transition to different schools, and generally know how much of an impact it does to a teen. A movie like this can be relatable to anyone of any age, it talks about puberty and how it is to mature and learn from your mistakes. For example he even talks about his childhood, how he was just a 5 year old than turned into a self conscious teenager. So that's how I think Inside Out 2 relates and represents Kelsey Mann.

I relate to Kelsey Mann because just like me, he was a Teenager. He was born in the US and raised here, like me he went to a normal high school and experienced how it felt. All the mood swings, the constant self doubt, and the disliked attention.