Representation of Gender

Dr Who (past exam extract 2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6b4NqcAWRc&feature=player_embedded

Task 1: Watch the extract from Dr Who and answer the following:

1. Genre

2. What type of representation does the extract construct, in terms of

Gender?

Task 2: Write down at least one example from camera, sound, mise en scene and

editing which support your argument

Camera

Low angle and high angle shots

Establishing shots

Medium close ups

Close ups

Ariel shots

Extreme long shots

Sound

Non- diegetic sound – sound

bridge and sound effects.

Dialogue between male and

female conversation

Strong dialogue

Man raises his voice and talks

with a loud tone to feel more in

power.

Woman’s voice also raises

which challenges the

stereotypical representation of

females in society as they are

seen as powerless and weak.

Editing

Flashbacks

Cross cuts

Jump cuts

Over saturated colours

Shot reverse shot

Fast paced editing

Eyeline match

Mise en Scene

High key lighting

Man is risen above everyone

else to make him seem like he

has power over everyone in the

room

Stereotypical representation of

males feeling like they are more

in power and are dominant over

women.

Wears a suit

Juxtaposition of representations

with females – one is wearing

black and is covered up, the

other is wearing a low cut red

dress.

Challenges stereotypes- female

hero

Power shift from male to female

Task 3: Now write a response explaining how the four technical areas work together to construct representation of gender. Use any of the 3 plans used in class that you wish. (800 words)

Task 4: In pairs peer mark each other’s work, using CTRL-ALT-M. Remember to comment upon each area of the mark scheme when you mark the work:

Explain/argue/analyse 18/ 20 Use of examples 17/ 20 Accurate use of terminology 10/10 45/50

The four technical areas work together to construct representations of gender. The micro aspects of mise en scene, camera, editing and sound all play important roles in presenting stereotypical representations as well as challenging them. In this essay I am going to discuss all of the different technical areas in detail and the importance of each one when concerning gender.

The micro aspect of editing is important when constructing the representations of gender as it helps us to understand the significance of certain characters when discussing the gender differentiations. A flashback editing technique is used within this sequence when the middle aged female character is describing her experience; this is done so that attention is focussed upon her and her story. This can be seen as a power shift from the middle aged male character as he originally was presented as the character which had the most power. During the flashback the colours which are used are very over saturated to display that the images shown are in the past. This is done so we understand the meaning and significance of the images that are being shown on the screen, it also tells us that it is in the past and is something that she has accomplished. This scene challenges the general expectation of males over powering females because she has managed to shift everyone’s focusses to her. Many shot reverse shots are included within this clip to show the relationship between the male and the female roles. We are able to understand the reactions and facial expressions presented on the faces of the characters.

Another technical area important to this extract is the mise en scene as it helps to construct the opinions on representations of gender. The man in this clip helps to support the stereotypical demonstration of males in society as he is portrayed as dominant. The costume he appears in is a black suit which again, strengthens this idea as it makes him look as though he is in power and is of importance. In contrast to this, the use of the female character participates in challenging the stereotypical representation of women in society as she is also presented as powerful and as a hero. She is wearing a black outfit which highlights her as someone who is in power; this challenges the general expectation of females because she is presented as a dominant character whereas, usually, they are not. She is not seen as objectified in this extract, this again challenges the expectations of women in society as they are usually glamorised and presented as sex symbols. There is a juxtaposition of representation of females between the two women characters as the actress situated at the top of the stairs, who acts as a lover towards the dominant male character, is wearing a low cut red dress. The colour red symbolises love and evil, this could portray her as a companion of the male character and is used purely as a tool to make him feel better about himself.

The sound is another micro aspect that is significant to this extract. Diegetic sound is mainly used in this clip due to the amount of conversation happening between the male and female characters. They are in rivalry with one another which empathises their anger towards each other. The male actor uses very strong dialogue when he raises his voice when talking so people are aware that he is the one in power. This strengthens the stereotypical views of males in society as they are seen as dominant and strong. The female character begins to laugh before stating her point in response to what he had previously said. This is another way that this extract challenges the stereotypical views of females in society as they are expected to come across as weak and powerless. A sound college is then used at the end of this extract to empathise the amount of people saying the word ‘Doctor’. This again helps to show how powerful women can be as opposed to the male that has potentially lost the battle.

Lastly, the use of camera is another important technical area which helps to support the different representations of gender. The first camera technique that was recognised during the extract was the use of low angle and high angle shots. A high angle shot is used on the male actor as it presents him as the one that is the most in power as he is raised above everyone else. A low angle shot is then used on the female actress to empathise exactly how low down she is in contrast to him. This shot would help to portray her as weak and powerless because she is situated extremely down, she is also kneeled down on the floor which further supports the view that men have the upper hand over females. Medium and close up shots are included in the extract to show the facial expressions and reactions of certain characters. This is mostly done when the male and female are having a conversation with one another as it makes it much clearer to see which of them feel more in power and dominant.

Overall, the four technical aspects work well together in order to support the ideas of stereotypical representations of gender as well as challenging them. Mise en scene, editing, sound and camera are important when presenting the

two genders and the way in which they can change within certain situations involving different strengths of characters.