Representation is the way that media creators choose to portray reality or its aspects. In the 2000s show Gilmore Girls, diverse characters and techniques allow for discussion of representation. The show is constructed mostly of medium, two, and long shots. The decisions showcase full movement and action, such as when the main characters move around town, going from one location to another and offering the ability to use gestures to aid communication. This allows the viewer to see some background and provides more opportunities for expression, establishing relationships, and interactions between the characters. For instance, most of the characters, including the two main characters of the show, Rory Gilmore and Lorelai Gilmore, are usually shown within these shot types, emphasizing their mother-and-daughter relationship throughout the narrative, as well as showing their humanity, naturalness, and simplicity, with which the audience can identify and feel included in the conversations and overall storyline.
The editing and movement techniques are minimalistic, employing only simple and short focus pulls, panning and tilting movements, and tracking shots. These choices create a calm and serene atmosphere throughout the story, which directly reflects the main tone of the film, enabling diverse situations to be easily understood by the audience. Sounds are usually synchronized with what is viewed as well as diegetic, which enhances the realism of the plot and the normality of the characters. However, there is a sound motif of a musical melody along the different episodes, which is utilized mostly to represent the resolution of the main conflict of each episode, usually found at the end of each episode in which Rory and Lorelai have a conversation or concluding scene about what was previously shown throughout the episode. As well as a reconciliation among the characters, creating a sense of relief and satisfaction within the audience. The show’s main targeted audience is the American people, who are very similar to the main and overall characters presented, which the audience can relate to.
The selection and stereotypes included in the show can be analyzed and presented in how different ethnicities, races, religions, and traditions are represented. For instance, most of the characters, including the main characters Rory and Lorelai, in the film are white American people who are shown as people who love junk food, television, and movies. Asian people are often depicted as nerds, intelligent, conservative, and very religious and overprotective, mostly adults. French characters are represented as rude, fashionable, and skeptical.
One of the main characters, Lorelai Gilmore, is an unmarried young mom, and throughout the film there can be seen numerous stereotypes about these women and how society perceives them. For instance, they are portrayed as “easy,” unable to save for their kid’s college, irresponsible, and selfish. However, as the film advances, the audience can notice that, in some way, the representation of this character is not completely true to the harmful stereotypes created, showing that there is much more depth to her life than what stereotypes make people believe. Lastly, the other main character, Rory Gilmore (Lorelai’s daughter), is a Yale student, and she is depicted throughout as a curious, intelligent student. Throughout the film, there is a majority rule impact since the show was one of the first of the decade to show historically underrepresented groups such as women (especially single and unmarried), people with a range of body sizes, social ideologies such as feminism, and topics like teen pregnancy and family issues. Make the contraposition that a woman can be independent and successful regardless of the negative ideologies upon them.
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