Dr Who: Representation of Gender

Editing:-

There is an extreme short take of the man that lasts less than a second, within which, he tries to get to Martha, but is restrained. This connotes his lack of importance to the scene, showing that Martha is the protagonist at this moment. This supports the non-stereotypical, emergent ideology that women can show a larger importance in the world than men.

Tzvetan Todorov

'Hotel Babylon' Representation of Ethnicity

Mise-En-Scene:-

- The dark, low key lighting in the 'staff only' room where the immigrants hide suggests a common ideology about this minority ethnicity. The choice of this lighting may imply a sense of negativity around the group and there emotions, presenting them as 'evil' characters. This is quite a stereotypical viewpoint, as people generally fear things that they do not understand, and ethnic minorities (such as the immigrants in this clip), are quite a misunderstood group. (1:40)
- Secondly, we can note that the white women working on the from desk is wearing white. White typically connotes perfection, purity and innocence, presenting the woman as seemingly angelic. This contrasts with the dark clothing of the immigrants, which may suggest that she is more pure and good than them, which is a stereotypical, racist view. (0:15)
-  The English speaking women who organizes the immigrants wears a dark red colour similar to them, but has a far smarter outfit (blazer, shirt, etc.). This connotes authority, as although she is still noticably lower than the white women (who appears to be dressed far smarter still), she looks more presentable than the other immigrants, as if she is more likely to be seen. This is extremely stereotypical, as not only does the clear-English speaking character have higher authority than the other immigrants, she has lower authority than the white woman. (1:08)

Camera Work:-

- One of the first shots in the clip is an over the shoulder medium shot of the detective character. This shot includes three white character, and although from their outfits and speech we understand that the detective has higher power than the policemen, this is not shown in the camera angle. This shows all characters in the shot to have equal authority. I believe this may be used to emphasize when the the camera angles are not showing equal power later in the clip. (0:10)

- When 'Jackie' is alerted of the raid, we then follow her journey through the building collecting the immigrants. When she moves through the chef's kitchen, a handheld, left to right crab movement is used, following her movements. This connotes disorganization and chaos, and takes away any calm feelings. This makes the immigrants seems irrational and illogical in their movements, which supports the stereotypical thought that they are not as intelligent. (1:15)

- When the immigrants are hid in the 'staff only' room, a handheld, panning shot is used. Whilst the unsupported, handheld element of the shot continues the theme of panic, the panning of the camera seems to show just how cramped and uncomfortable the room is. This could support the stereotypical view that immigrants can be treated like animals. (1:55)

Sound:-

- When the detective enters the hotel, there is limited dialectic sound, and constant, consistent non-dialectic sound. This ensures that all attention of the audience is on the detective, connoting importance and power. This is a stereotypical view, because, although there are other ethnicities shown in scene (reading paper, etc.), all focus is on the white, British man. (0:20-0:33)

- Once confronted with the detective, we see that the white women speaks in quite a posh ideolect. By saying "Not a problem" instead of something like "That's fine" we can establish that she is well educated and proper. This is a common stereotype of white British people. (0:41)

- When they are in the 'staff only' room, one of the women has an issue with her diabetes and a previous doctor assists her, stereotypically, although the man is black, we would expect him to have a British accent to go with his high skills, but he does not. This is an emergent view that other ethnic minorities can be so successful. (2:10)

Discuss Representations of Age

How the editing in the below extract of 'Monarch of the Glen' shows representations of different age groups...

Teens:-
The eyeline match between teen and adult at (2:31) emphasizes the physical height difference between the pair. This physical height difference can easily be seen to connote the authoritative difference between them, showing the man to have a high amount of authority over the girl. This is definitely a stereotypical view; as all adults are seem to a high degree of control other any of the younger population.

Middle Age:-
There is a long take starting at (1:50) depicting the two middle age men entering a room. This shot lasts fourteen seconds in total. This connotes the tranquillity in this scene and emphasizes the shot composition - which gives each character equal ownership of the frame, signifying equality between the characters. This is a stereotypical viewpoint, as it is sometimes seen that middle aged people are only civil to their own aged group.

Elderly:-
Another use of a long shot is when the elderly woman enters Amy's room at (3:57). The whole scene is just one shot, entirely focused on the woman. I believe this shows her loneliness, which is something that is evident generally in the scene. This is a stereotype that is regularly pinned to this group.

'Primeval' Representation of Gender

Camera Work:

The first noticeable element of camera work that shows a clear representation of gender in this piece is the high angle, over the shoulder shot at 0:02 seconds into the clip. This shot shows the female character over the shoulder of the taller, male character. This shows the female being literally smaller than the male, making her seem weaker. This is a stereotypical view of women - the weaker sex.
The second element of camera work I have chosen to focus on is the camera movement at 0:20-0:26. This is a crab movement right to left, following the movement of Abby, the strong, female character, operating the JCB. The camera follows her movement and bypasses the action of the male character that crosses in front of her. This contrasts with the first example, as this shows the female character being more important than the male, which is a non-stereotypical, emergent view of women.
Finally, between 2:10 and 2:30, the handheld technique is used when following the male character down the zipline, and showing his point of view on his journey. This connotes a sense of panic, which makes the character seem weak and fearful. This is non-stereotypical, as men are usually represented as brave and fearless.

Mise-En-Scene:
Firstly, we notice that Abby is wearing a leather jacket (see 0:33). This item of clothing could signify strength and harshness, and usually associated with intimidating men (bikers). This is non-stereotypical, as it shows strength and power, which are aspects of character usually associated with men. This idea is supported by her hairstyle, my second chosen element of mise en scene. She sports a short, cropped haircut with very choppy layers, which can be seen to signify confidence and feminism in a character, which is also an emergent ideology.
Lastly, there is an extremely interesting shot at 4:53. This shot, due to two elements of mise en scene, is both stereotypical and non-stereotypical, when concerning the male characters. Firstly, the framing and positioning within this shot is a key element here. The taller, 'attractive' male is positioned in the centre of the frame, in front of the other two character (thus, stereotypically making him look more important than the girl behind him). However, the other male character (the weaker, geeky character within the show), is placed level will the female character, giving them equal power and importance in the frame. The is emphasized by the second element - the props. Whilst the female and the strong male wield handguns, the geeky male holds a spade as a weapon, making both of the other characters seem stronger than him. For the strong male, this is stereotypical. It is not stereotypical, however, for the woman, who is usually represented as unequal and less powerful.

Key Words

Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Disability Representation

Analyzing whether or not modern TV dramas fit Paul Hunts views on disability


Mis en scene - rule of thirds, boy is in last third. big bed in contrast to small boy: makes him look small and vulnerable/not capable

Camera work (movement) - camera follows the girls actions as the boy removes still under her touch. Signifies her cautiousness around him which links back to the stereotype that disabled people are vulnerable/delicate/fragile. Crab tracking following movement of her hand. 

Mis en scene - Room is represented through the colours of red and pink and bright colours which connote love and passion (linking into her prostitution) whilst the boys clothing is neutral and dark which perhaps connotes that he doesn't have a character, he is almost plain and void of life. (e.g represented through black t-shirt). 

Camera work - camera angle P.O.V of each character. She is always looking down on him and he is always looking up at her. Challenges stereotype because the woman is more dominant and has more power. Connotes his weakness and emphasises her power in this situation.