Primeval Essay

Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of gender using the following: Camera shots, angles, movement and composition, Editing, Sound and mise- en- scene.

In the opening of the extract we see some contradicting representations of gender. Firstly, we see a woman leaving the camp, this implies her fear and weakness as she’s seen to be running away. Furthermore non diegetic sound of sad music adds a melancholy atmosphere giving her absence emphasis because it means there is now only one woman left in the camp. On the other hand, the next thing we see is a high angle camera shot of a man wearing a pink t-shirt and a scarf. The colour pink connotes femininity, and the scarf is an item often associated with women. The high angle shot also portrays his weakness conveying this character atypically and feminine.

This atypical representation continues in the clip because a low angle shot of a woman sat, and controlling a JCB is used. The low angle and that fact that these diggers are big, bulky and angular and are often associated with masculinity make her character look strong. In addition the sound of the digger is loud, mechanical and robotic which also conveys masculinity. Furthermore a shot reverse shot is used to show her reaction when we hear the roar of the sabre tooth. Her facial expression isn’t scared which contrasts with the shot reverse shot used to show the man’s facial expression when finding the hand. His facial expression denotes fear which means that so far the characters are not living up to their stereotypes. When the sabre tooth arrives, the man jumps into the hole for protection, meaning he is shot from a high angle, this highlights the portrayal of a weak and inferior character which is atypical when looking at representations of gender.

This is reinforced as the clip carries on, although the man distracts the sabre tooth to save the girl, which is one of the stereotypes of a male role in a narrative, making him appear more masculine. He continues to be represented with fear and vulnerability because he is running away. He is marginalised in the frame when attracting the sabre tooth which makes him look smaller as well as implying his character is not very important. This representation of fear continues through a series of fast cuts when the man attaches himself to the zip wire because it conveys the speed at which he is trying to run away. A point of view shot and the diegetic sound of his feet on the trees reinforces this sense of rush and fear. Therefore, this represents his character atypically. Similarly, the man is again shot from a high angle due to the fact he falls on the floor making him seem vulnerable. This means that the sabre tooth is shot from a low angle to make it look bigger and stronger. As cats are often associated with femininity, this adds to the atypical representation of gender in the extract. Furthermore, the woman then comes and shoots the sabre tooth, rescuing the man. She doesn’t fall back when doing this which adds low verisimilitude to the extract as you would expect to see her fall. Therefore, it could be argued that this is a feminist text which tries to prove women can be a strong gender.

As the extract continues more traditional ideas of gender are created. The female character is marginalised within the frame as well as being marginalised due to the fact she is the only woman. However, the camera contradicts this because all four characters are shot at eye level giving them equal status. On the other hand, men continue to dominate the scene through the editing because the female character has limited screen time over the males. Mise-en-scene can be brought into this because, we see that the woman has to present herself atypically and more manly to make her look stronger. This is done through dark coloured clothes, combat trousers and short hair which are all symbolic of masculinity.

The extract ends with more traditional stereotyping of gender during the scene in the barn. Although at the start both the male and female characters are shot at eye level conveying equality, the woman then finds herself in a position of weakness and she is shot from a high angle representing this portrayal of vulnerability. The momentary use of slow motion presenting the man and dogs highlights his masculinity. In addition the diegetic sound of the gun shot and the dogs barking reinforces the strong stereotype of the man’s character and the power he gains from holding a gun. The woman is then saved by another male character which connotes more stereotypical representations of gender.