Representation of gender

Essay Question- Representation of Gender

Throughout the clip from cutting it, there is various representations of Gender, we the audience are shown this through the crucial methods of camera work, editing, sound and miss en scene. When these four elements of media are combined we can analyse the interpretations to gain a clearer understanding into the ways Gender is being represented.

Towards the last conversation in the taxi the camera shots are landscape of both the man and women who are shown in individual shots, although they are sitting next to each other. When the shot is of the women she is shown looking up at the man whilst talking to him, and when the man replies the shot is of a higher level and he is shown to be looking down whilst replying. This could represent how women are inferior to men and are constantly looked down upon as if we are weak in comparison and that men are powerful. This could also portray that men are in control of women as the camera focuses on the man looking down and the women looking up perhaps showing how he has control or some sort of authority over her, and how she feels the need to give him eye contact to show her respect.

However when the couple reach their destination, the camera shows them in a still landscape shot with them equally in the centre, this could therefore represent equality as both the man and women are shown equal in the camera as neither one is being shown more than the other.

The slow panning shot of the camera when the lady comes out from the consultant enables the audience to take in the surroundings and makes the lady seem vulnerable in comparison to what  whats happening around her such as the busy traffic and walking bystanders, this is because she shown the lower third of the camera giving the impression she is smaller than everything around her. The camera then stops panning when a bus drives quickly past blocking the view of the lady and the background, this foreshadows the events that are about to happen and alerts the audience that there will be some sort of danger. This could again represent how women are weak and often conceived as the victim or the 'damsel in distress' overall providing a stereotypical outlook on women.

Another vital part of camera work during this clip is when the man is running over to the women lying down of the floor. The camera changes to handheld which creates a shaky effect, the audience is shown from the back of the man running which gives the effect that we are following him. The camera then changes to an eye-line match which links to editing as it gives the impression that we the audience are the man thats running, as we see whats he's doing as the camera angle has changed to his perspective. The camera is unfocused and creates chaos. This could represent how the man is trying to be the 'hero' by running over to her aid. By the camera showing the man running into traffic and risking his own life it gives the representation that males are strong and fearless as well as brave and powerful, which again connotes to a stereotypical view. However it could also represent the male gender in a positive light as it shows he's willing to risk his life to save her's which represents selfless and courage.

Gender is also represented through the use of Mise en scene, the man wears a costume consisted of a shirt, smart trousers and long coat, this gives the impression that he holds a perhaps wealthy status as he is dressed up. The particular use of his outfit also connotates to the stereotypical view of a man and suggests that he is the main provider and earns the majority of money. It also suggests that he has a good job as he is able to afford nice clothes.

The women is shown in a close up shot with beaming light reflecting on the top half of her face, the use of this white light links to the imagery of purity and innocence and makes the women appear fragile and delicate, however it could also make her appear 'god like' and angelic which could perhaps be empowering for women as it portrays the idea she holds great power and is someone you could look up to as if she was a role model.

When the women is at the consultant she is shown to be emotional and crying, this makes the audience sympathise and relate to what the lady is going through. Although it could be another representation of weakness for women as by 'crying' it shows she unable to control her emotions which is often stereotypically associated with women. As women in the media are shown to be more in touch with their emotional side.

Sound plays a vital role in the analysis of gender, we see this from the spoken dialogue directed between the man and women. The women says to her fiancé "no don't come with me" before she is about to see her consulatnat. From the use of this dialogue the audience can see the lady is strong and doesn't the rely on the support from a man. This represents women as independent and strong and shows that women can do things for themeselves and don't neeed to have someone by their side. Overall giving women a positive representation. There is also non-diegetic music playing whilst the lady is crying wich also adds the the sad situation she is in and therefore creates further sympathy for the audience and strengthens the representation of weakness for women. The women also says an important piece of dialogue which helps to represent the role of gender, she says "I'm sorry", this could show her forgiving and feminine  side as she is giving into her husbands unaccepting behaviour and apologising for the way she reacted. Therefore representing that she is perhaps controlled by her husband  and does not feel the need to stand up for herself. However at the end of the clip when the man comes over to be by his fiancé after the terrible tragedy, he struggles to speak from the shock he has experienced and is literally lost for words, although when he does finally speak the sound of his voice is quiet and full of emotion. This could show how men do have an emotional and caring side and although they are usually portrayed as brave and strong, this is just a stereotype and men do have feelings and feel the need to express emotions. Therefore this could portray the male gender in a relatable and positive way as it contrasts to the stereotypes and makes the audience realise that men do have a 'soft side'. 

The use of editing techniques within the clip does conform as well as subvert the stereotypes of gender. During the last seen where the women has been hit by a car, the effect of slow motion is used when the man looks up and sees the lorry go past. The use of this slow motion is used to exaggerate on the events that have just happened, it allows the audience to see things form the mans perspective. The slow motion also makes it more dramatic and hit of sudden realisation of what has just happened.  We also see the mans shocked face which represents his role as horrified and completely in ore of what has just happened.The technique of a fade was also used at the ending of the scene after the women dies. This represents the ending of her life as well as the existing narrative. This is quite a different technique used as the majority of editing is continuity and quick cuts. However from the use of this face it could represent how women are exaggerated and perhaps dramatic. There is also a slow motion effect used over the specific part where the man is looking at the ring, the use of the effect enables the audience to catch the glimpse of light of the ming and time to reflect on marriage and their relationship. The slow motion also gives almost too much time on the ring which makes the audience think something bad is going to happen which basically does foreshadow the next event. The use of the man looking at his ring could represent how the male gender are often portrayed to be romantic which is another stereotype of the male gender which has been produced by the media. The continuity editing used throughout the clip could also represent the normality of the way we view men and women.