Introduction to Representation

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

Young women, men.

2) For each group you identify, decide whether the representation is a dominant or alternative portrayal. Explain why you think this.

For the young women they are represented to be dominant from the sterotype that young women are helpless and week as from the trailer we see the young girl getting kidnapped and the mother crying through it all not doing anything about it.

For the man its the same as it is dominant as we see him saving the day going through hell to get his daughter back which shoes and reinforces the stereotype that man are stronger then women and get the job done .
3) What stereotypes can you identify in the trailer? 

One stereotype is that the villeins are always foreign as in this film trailer they are in this case. Another stereotype that is present is the fact that women are weak and vulnerable as throughout the whole trailer the mother was crying and the daughter needs to be saved. Lastly the man is strong and takes command as we see the main protagonist save the girl.
4) Why might the Taken trailer offend or alienate certain groups?

The trailer may offend people who are not american as it makes america look like the main top hero and the foreign people in the trailer paints them in a bad light.

5) Why do mainstream film and television texts such as Taken so often use stereotypes?

They tend to do this because they can then attract the viewers who believe in them stereotypes and get more people watching that film or TV show.