Hustle - Representation of gender
Film Analysis Through Production
The extract uses several techniques to create a representation of gender.
The clip begins in a store. The mise-en-scene suggests that the store is a designerstore, for customers of upper class, a woman is browsing the store, looking for a dress. Her clothing implies that she is middle class. This is also supported by the diegetic sound in the scene. The woman's accent also tells the audience that she is of middle class. When she asks the store owner how much the dress is, she looks stunned when he tells her that it is seven hundred pounds. She leaves the store, and the medium shot pans to the right where another woman is shopping. She is the opposite to the previous woman - confident and elegant. Her clothing signifies her wealth. She is wearing a smart yet fashionable business suit, and she bears a very large ring on her finger. The extract shows the audience the contrast in representation of gender, with how women can be portrayed as either weak, middle class and poor, or powerful, authoratative and wealthy. The woman speaks to the owner of the store about a dress made by a certain designer.
The man defies the stereotypical connotations of gender. He is feminine, and has the role of a typical female character, who works in fashion and clothing. The two characters in this shot also show contrast, where it is usually the man who has command over the woman - however it is the female character who has the power in this situation as she is considered to have a higher social status than the shop owner.
The director cuts to a different scene, involving two men having a conversation at a bar. The representation of gender here is back to normal. The men are taking part in activities that are typical to the stereotypical man's role - such as smoking and drinking. They appear to be in a bar of class - the furniture is made of leather and expensive wood. They are both wearing smart clothing, which signifies their importance and stature. The director cuts to a close up shot of each character as they speak. The non-diegetic sound fades down telling the audience that the spoken dialogue is also important. The older character asks the other man if he would like another drink. The man agrees, and the older male character raises his hand to buy more drinks. This hand movement is important as it shows the male characters' authority as he calls the barman over.
The extract cuts back to the scene involving the wealthy customer and the shop owner. The woman panics, stating that she has lost her ring. She frantically rummages around in her purse, then proceeds to crawl around on the floor. The non-diegetic music fades back in at this point. The music has a quick tempo, played in a jazzy style. This makes the music sound humurous, as there is irony where the high class woman is on her hands and knees as she searches for her ring. A non-diegetic sound of a disc scratch immediately cuts the humorous music as the store owner suggests that he looks for the ring himself whilst the woman heads off to her meeting. Only the dialogue can be heard at this point, meaning that it is a significant part of the scene, and that the scene has reached its climax. The woman agrees, and the music resumes, indicating that the tension has been released. The representation of gender is again reversed as the woman offers the store owner a substantial amount of money if he finds the ring, showing her power once more. He states that he will nto lether down, and she looks at the camera and speaks. This tells the audience that the dialogue is non-diegetic.
The next scene is a close-up shot of a man attempting to fix a device. The extract shows the audience how the male character is performing manual labour to help construct a representation of gender, that is typical to a male role. However, the man is unsuccessful in attempting to repair it, and a diegetic siren sound goes off, implying that the male does not fulfil his stereotypical role.
The director cuts back to the designer store scene, where a new male character has entered.
The clip is intended to create a representation of gender and how it is portrayed here.
The next scene is a close-up shot of a man attempting to fix a device. The extract shows the audience how the male character is performing manual labour to help construct a representation of gender, that is typical to a male role. However, the man is unsuccessful in attempting to repair it, and a diegetic siren sound goes off, implying that the male does not fulfil his stereotypical role.
The director cuts back to the designer store scene, where a new male character has entered.
Primeval – Representation of gender
The clip is intended to create a representation of gender and how it is portrayed here.
The scene begins with a tracking shot, closely following two characters, one male and the other female. The non-diegetic sound used tells the audience a lot about the mood that is trying to be set in the scene. The slow orchestral music, with the use of string instruments in a minor key connote the tension building up between the two characters. The scene is of the two characters, with the female character storming off whilst the male character is running after her. The representation of gender is shown in this scene as the woman seems to have more power over the man. She shouts at the man in an authoritative manner, “This shouldn’t be happening, none of it!” She then proceeds to enter the jeep, and the man decides not to chase her and lets her drive off. This signifies how he is powerless to stop her from driving off.
The non diegetic music fades into a darker piece, implying that there could be some form of action in the clip. The shot cuts to another dolly shot, moving across a JCB. We then see a close up shot of the driver, where we then understand that it is being driven by a woman. This again presents the idea of gender and how it is represented, where the female character is driving the machine, whereas the man, who we see in the next shot, is doing the manual work on foot in the ditch. This idea is then reversed when the man commands the woman to stop digging as he spots something in the ditch. The man then hears something in the distance. Several editing techniques are used in this scene. The non-diegetic music stops. As the man looks up, diegetic sound plays of an animal roaring in the distance. Panning is used in the sound to show that the animal is on the left somewhere (which is supported by the direction in which the man is facing when he looks up). Quick motion in the camera shots is used to create suspense and excitement. The non diegetic music begins again, as the cameraman uses a tracking shot to follow the CGI sabre tooth. Gender is once again brought up as the woman is rescuing the man in the ditch, as he sits there helpless. The scene reaches it’s climax, where after being chased, the man lays powerless on the floor as the sabre tooth is about to kill him, until the woman shoots at the sabre tooth, seconds before it is about to attack. The audience know this is the climax of the scene as the non diegetic music is built up to it’s loudest point here, and then it fades to silence as the danger is over and the man sits there in relief.
In the next scene the director creates a shot of four of the characters, three men and the woman from the previous scene, walking in a line. We now get a clearer picture of her clothing. She is wearing all black, which often signifies authority and control. This contrasts to the clothing that the man from the previous scene was wearing – a plain light blue T-shirt and beige trousers.
The director focuses our attention to the dialogue in the scene, as he cuts all non-diegetic sound and uses close up shots of all the characters as they speak.
The next scene is of a different man and woman. The female is wearing all white, which connotes royalty and hierarchy. She orders the man to act as a cover up. He refuses to do what she says, then she smiles, acting calm and composed. At this point the woman appears to have control over the man, until he turns around and picks up a shotgun. The man is now in control, as he holds the woman at gunpoint.
Film Analysis Through Production
Here we attempted to recreate certain aspects of the scene, whilst altering other parts to include our own ideas to it.
The entire clip was filmed using a single-camera set-up.
Before the scene begins, I decided to reproduce the official Waterloo Road intro, but added several of our own original shots to it to make it more relative to our own clip.
The scene starts with a medium long shot of Matt. He is speaking, and facing a direction behind the camera. This implies that he is talking to someone else out of sight. He uses commanding dialogue, which shows authority and leadership, as he tries to calm Megan down. The cameraman cuts to a medium close up shot of Megan, holding a baby over the ledge of the staircase. The sight of this creates immediate tension. The baby can be heard crying as Megan shouts at Matt. The effect of multiple sounds and actions occurring simultaneously causes a sense of panic and distress.
The entire clip was filmed using a single-camera set-up.
Before the scene begins, I decided to reproduce the official Waterloo Road intro, but added several of our own original shots to it to make it more relative to our own clip.
The scene starts with a medium long shot of Matt. He is speaking, and facing a direction behind the camera. This implies that he is talking to someone else out of sight. He uses commanding dialogue, which shows authority and leadership, as he tries to calm Megan down. The cameraman cuts to a medium close up shot of Megan, holding a baby over the ledge of the staircase. The sight of this creates immediate tension. The baby can be heard crying as Megan shouts at Matt. The effect of multiple sounds and actions occurring simultaneously causes a sense of panic and distress.
Matt then attempts to calm Megan down, looking above towards Billie. As Matt begins to speak again, soothing music begins to fade in. The tranquil sound of the music sets the mood of the scene, as Billie eventually listens to Mr Mead. The director constantly cuts between the two characters as Matt talks to her, using multiple different distance shots. Close up shots are used when important sections of the dialogue is being said.
Waterloo Road is a television programme intended to show the social issues involved in and around school. The scene was produced in order to represent the issues of a student, who is also a mother. She tackles school life, as well as the pressure of being a mother, which eventually leads to mental health issues such as paranoia. The director aims to give the audience a new opinion on the problems raised in the clip.
As the scene begins, there are several medium long shot of the teachers having a conversation. The shots are cut frequently to increase tension. Mr Mead looks on into the distance behind the camera. He is a the Deputy Head of Waterloo Road, and this is shown by his clothing. It displays his hierarchy within the school, showing that he has authority amongst other staff and pupils. His facial expression and body language tells the audience that something peculiar is going on in front of him. The shot is then cut to scenes of dozens of school children walking towards a flight of stairs. The teachers give each other confused looks, and begin to walk towards the stairs. A baby is heard crying in the distance. The director then cuts immediately to a close up shot of Billie holding her baby. She begins to speak, and the shot zooms out to another medium long shot, overlooking the staircase. This shot illustrates the full extent of the tension built up in the scene, and the atmosphere created by it.
As the scene begins, there are several medium long shot of the teachers having a conversation. The shots are cut frequently to increase tension. Mr Mead looks on into the distance behind the camera. He is a the Deputy Head of Waterloo Road, and this is shown by his clothing. It displays his hierarchy within the school, showing that he has authority amongst other staff and pupils. His facial expression and body language tells the audience that something peculiar is going on in front of him. The shot is then cut to scenes of dozens of school children walking towards a flight of stairs. The teachers give each other confused looks, and begin to walk towards the stairs. A baby is heard crying in the distance. The director then cuts immediately to a close up shot of Billie holding her baby. She begins to speak, and the shot zooms out to another medium long shot, overlooking the staircase. This shot illustrates the full extent of the tension built up in the scene, and the atmosphere created by it.
Miss Lawal is then seen looking above towards Billie, and then she begins to cautiously approach her up the stairs. These movements are intended to show that she is attempting to ensure that the baby is safe. The director then cuts to a high angle shot, placed above Billie, overlooking the staircase and all the teachers and students below. This shot was used to maximise the anxiety, as everyone watches on.
Mr Mead eventually tells the students to remain quiet. As silence falls upon the scene, it builds up tension as Billie and Mr Mead have a conversation. The camera is frequently cut between the two characters, with occasional close up shots of Billie's mother and the other teachers.
Mr Mead then begins to say a large piece of dialogue, as slow 'soothing' music fades in. The almost 'relaxing' music helps illustrate the mood of the scene, as Mr Mead attempts to calm Billie down. He later succeeds in doing so, and persuades Billie to retract her baby from the ledge.
Mr Mead eventually tells the students to remain quiet. As silence falls upon the scene, it builds up tension as Billie and Mr Mead have a conversation. The camera is frequently cut between the two characters, with occasional close up shots of Billie's mother and the other teachers.
Mr Mead then begins to say a large piece of dialogue, as slow 'soothing' music fades in. The almost 'relaxing' music helps illustrate the mood of the scene, as Mr Mead attempts to calm Billie down. He later succeeds in doing so, and persuades Billie to retract her baby from the ledge.
The body language on the main characters shows that the climax of the scene is over as they all breathe sighs of relief.
Doctor Who
Grade:
Explanation/analysis/argument = 11
Use of examples = 12
Use of terminology = 5
The clip begins with the Doctor and Rose inside the Tardis, in the process of time travelling. The director begins the scene with a high angle shot, looking down at the characters. The camera editing involved is shaky, telling the audience that the movement in the Tardis is rough and violent. The director focuses on the hammering of the bell, as it is trying to show that it has importance as to the movement of the Tardis, and how it is controlled by the many mechanisms onboard. The doctor’s screams as he hits the bell implies that a lot of effort is being put into it. Seconds later, a thud is heard reverberating around the Tardis (This also informs the audience that the Tardis is a large place), the camera movement comes to a standstill and the Doctor and Rose collapse on the floor behind them. These elements suggest that the Tardis is now stationary.
The Doctor and Rose begin to roll around in laughter, even though they’ve just fallen over, signifying a friendly environment. The Doctor begins to speak to Rose about 1979 and the events that occurred. They then begin to walk out of the Tardis. As they open the door and leave the door, the Doctor is interrupted mid-sentence by a gun being held to his head. The director then cuts to the scenery and the characters holding them at gunpoint. They are wearing red uniform, whilst riding horses. The colour red connotes power and authority, which immediately informs the audience that they have significance in the scene. The soldiers speak in a Scottish accent, making the audience assume that the scene is in Scotland. It is then confirmed by the soldier and the Doctor, as the Doctor then puts on a ‘pretend’ Scottish accent.
After showing their credentials, an elderly voice is heard coming from the carriage guarded by the uniformed men. The voice is female, and the accent is British It asks the soldier to ‘let them approach’. The manner in which it speaks to the man suggests that she has command over the soldiers. It is a posh accent, which suggests that the woman is of high class or stature. The Doctor and Rose are then escorted to the carriage, where we find that the character is Queen Victoria. When the camera is directed towards her, a piece of music, possibly from the classical or romantic period, begins to play. Orchestral instruments are played, in order to signify royalty. It relates to the time in which Queen Victoria reigned as queen.
Cutting It Extract
The scene begins with a shot of both characters in a taxi. The polished interior suggests that the taxi is a black cab. This signifies that the characters are most likely in the city, and that they could be wealthy people. The audience has a view of the surroundings in the rear window, also showing the viewer that they are in an urban area. The shot also shows the man and woman sitting close together, implying that they have some sort of relationship. The close up of the wedding ring tells us that they are married, most likely to each other. The medium close ups of each character as they speak builds tension, as the dialogue is of high importance in relation to the scene. The dialogue is then followed by an establishing shot from outside the hospital, informing the viewer about where the action is to occur.
The next scene shows the audience that the woman is talking to her consultant whilst the man is sitting in the cafe. Cross cutting is used in this scene to show that both shots are happening simultaneously. The low lighting used in the office is intended to create a tense atmosphere. The scene is accompanied by music, which metaphorically speaks for the scene, without the need for dialogue, as the texture and vocals in the track describe what is happening in the scene.
There is also a close up of the man looking at his wedding ring, which again reminds the reader of the relationship between the two characters.
The scene represents family relationship and values, as well as how gender is signified.
In the first shot of the clip, two of the characters are walking into the room together. The camera uses a long shot to capture the characters along with their surroundings. Throughout the clip we realise that these two characters are very often in the same shot together. This could signify a family relationship. We then see an over-the-shoulder shot as a third character enters the scene holding a gun. During the clip, the scene frequently cuts between the characters, intended to add tension to the scene.
The steadicam technique used in the scene produces a sense of interaction and involvement between the audience and characters.
Close up shots were used to show the characters’ expressions and specific details important to the scene. An example of this is when a close up shot was used to show the audience he was bleeding and the amount of pain he was going through.
There is no sound along with this clip. This would add emphasis on the atmosphere created in the scene as several characters are being held at gunpoint. The silence will therefore produce a dramatic effect. It could almost be seen as a production technique by the director to deliberately create tension.
When Graysom leaves the house, he enters the wooded area. He slowly comes to a stop when he sees a policeman with a dog running towards him. The director uses a still point-of-view shot focusing on the polliceman running towards him. This is done so that the audience can understand what Graysom sees from his point of view. The way that the policeman is running towards the camera builds up anxiety. Graysom then decides to turn around and attempt to escape.
When Graysom leaves the house, he enters the wooded area. He slowly comes to a stop when he sees a policeman with a dog running towards him. The director uses a still point-of-view shot focusing on the polliceman running towards him. This is done so that the audience can understand what Graysom sees from his point of view. The way that the policeman is running towards the camera builds up anxiety. Graysom then decides to turn around and attempt to escape.
TV Drama Screenshot Analysis
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| TV Drama Screenshot Analysis: Eastenders (Danielle's Death) |
Hotel Babylon Essay
The scene was designed in order to represent a different group of people and to understand values from their point of view. This will give the audience a new opinion on the group shown in the clip.
As the scene begins, the camera largely focuses on the head immigration officer and the receptionist in order to show their importance later on. This is achieved by zooming on them frequently, making them the main subject of the shot. By doing this, it makes the audience focus solely on the main characters. When the immigrants realise that immigration are nearby, they begin to run and panic. The camera helps show a sense of danger by the movement of the camera. Whilst the characters are running, the camera appears to be hand-held, to make it seem as if the audience are running with the characters. Quick movement and zoomed in shots in this scene put emphasis on the action and adrenaline filled scene.
The same camera work is also used when the cleaner is running away from the immigration officers.
The editing involved in the clip help the audience understand the emotions experienced by the characters. A straight cut between each scene gives the clip an urgency, to explain to the audience that there are multiple things going on simultaneously.
The sound in the clip is non-diegetic. The music uses orchestral instruments such as strings to build up a dramatic atmosphere. At the beginning of the clip, the music is quiet in comparison to later on in the clip. This is because there is not much happening in the scene. The music then becomes quicker when the immigrants run to their hideout.
After the cleaner has been arrested and they clean out his locker, a slower piece has been used to show emotion and make the audience feel sympathetic towards the immigrants
