In this post I will discuss the ways in which gender can be represented by camera shots, angle, movement and composition, editing, sound and mise-en-scene. In the video different aspects portray both the male and female characters to have certain characteristics based on their gender.
Firstly in the post I will discuss the effect that camera shots, angles and movement have on how we look at the characters gender. The first shot is a close up of the blond lady, this shot is showing her reaction and facial expression and is showing her to be sly and deceitful by her pout. The next shot of interest is when it is an over the shoulder shot over the man's shoulder looks down upon the elderly lady. This is suggesting that men are of higher importance that woman. The next shot is of the whole room, this is establishes the location that the characters are in and emphasises that this man is working in an upper class lady's shop. it is also showing status as the man is higher than both women and the blond woman is higher than the elder woman. This is also backing up my poking about men being higher as it's a high end shop. This shot is also showing the action in the room. The camera again close ups on the woman's face showing her sly untrustworthy face.
The next shot shows the elder woman looking up to the man showing how she is looking up to him as he knocks her down when she can't afford the dress once again showing social standing between the characters. The next shot shows a close up of the ladies hand. In the shot we see her jewellery and her red nails this is suggesting that women are only interested in material items and the father nails are red could possibly showing class and power as red is a very strong colour. The camera shows the shop man as he does a feminine run out of the room. The fact that he ran in this way and works in a women's clothing shop can also affect our view on gender as he appears to be quite a feminine character despite still being portrayed as higher that the women. The next shot is a pan shot from the blond woman's feet up to her head this shot shows the woman to look sexy and sophisticated which is a contrast to how the elder lady was portrayed.
In the next scene the is just two shots, one if from the other side of the bar showing the two men as they conversation but is more on one man's side. This matches the content of clip as at this point he seems to be the more successful one of the two. In the second should it stays behind the bar but is on the side of the second man, this could be because at this point the other man appears to assert his authority and take an interest in what he has just been told. the fact there is only two very simple shot in this scene can be said to be representing how men are uncomplicated unlike the woman in the next scene.The next shot is of the blond woman's hand showing that she has no ring. Next the cameras held very unsteady and follows the lady as she frantically searches for the ring. This is suggesting that women are so attached to their material items that they will be unstable if they loose them. The males reaction is backing up this point as this seems to be shown on his face.
Lastly in this scene the woman looks at the camera and makes eye contact with the audience, this implies that women get what they want.
In the next scene it is in line with the man as he searches for the ring, the fact that this man is on the floor shows how women can control males, suggesting that men will obey women. Next the camera pans up the new male character showing his smart appearance. As it does this this camera angle shows the status of these two characters. The shop worker who has more feminine aspects to his character is lower than the new character who appears very cool, sophisticated and regains his manly hood throughout the clip. The camera then does over the shoulder shots showing get confrontation between the men. Lastly the cameras watches the man leave the shot as he makes eye contact with her camera.
Next I will look at how the different types of sound represent gender in this clip. The non - diegetic background music is quite Suave and sophisticated at first and sort of gives the audience the feeling of being in a shop like this.
The blond ladies voice is very low and husky, this is giving the audience the impression that she is quite sexy but also deviant as she is really using this to get what she wants. This sound is diegetic and synchronous and goes with what's seen on the screen.
The shop man has a camp, feminine aspect to his voice which go's well with the way he is presented in the rest of the clip.
When the scene changes to the men in the pub the background changes to have more of a jazz feel to it. It is unclear at this point if the sound is A-synchronous and diegetic or whether it is still non-diegetic background music. The music portrays these men to be high class as jazz is playing in their men's club. Non-diegetic sounds in the clip include low hummer of chatter, classes clinking and laughter, this all sets the scene for the audience and creates a sense of realism.
The elder man at the bar has an American accent suggesting that he is Suave and important.
The background music played at the lady searches for her ring has a sort of comical tone to it and the tempo appears to speed up a bit. This is giving the audience the impression that this lady is hysterical and supposed to be a figure of comedy at this point. This makes us wonder if in the media women are seen as an object of entertainment rather than as an individual. As the new character walks in the music goes back to being steadier and jolly, but also keeps a slight jokey aspect to it. Lastly there is the use of exaggerated sound when the man drops the ring into his hand, this is exaggerating the action as this is the point where the audience (if not already) understand what this clip is about. This is showing the man to be secretive, smooth and very deceitful.
Mise-en-scene in the clip can be interpreted to represent gender. The first lady who cannot afford the dress is grey haired, short and clothed in fairly regular clothes. This is suggesting that she is not that well off or high class. The aim of this character is to get sympathy rather than for the audience to find her attractive like the other woman character. This is showing how women are portrayed to be weak and powerless and it is a man who is putting her down in this scene. The blond lady walks in in a grey and suit representing power and status. With the fact that she is blond comes with some stereotypes such as being a bit of an air head and ditsy, the reason for this could be that she wants to come across as this in order to get what she wants showing how women can manipulate men. She tries on the long back dress covered in diamonds, this dress is supposed to make her look sexy, sophisticated and high class. This is the way that the media try to portray women in order to appeal to men. Women appear to want to please men and go crazy if they do something that would jeopardise there relationship with there man. The shop worker is wearing a suit and he is working in a high end women's clothes shop, this has then lead to him having the stereotype of being camp and has some feminine aspects such as the way he walks and his pink tie. The men are in a bar, this implies that they are relaxed and calm and in no hurry to do work. they are both dressed in black and look fairly smart which is the same as every man in the clip suggesting all men are high class and smart. They are drinking whisky and smoking in what appears to be a men's club showing a high amount of sophistication. Everything in the clothes shop appears to be blacks, whites and blues which are all quite powerful colours but are also a little bland which could be implying that women are like this too. 
In the clip this clip it doesn't always do a strait cut to another scene, it uses an editing effect in order to represent gender. One section slides to another as the shop man walks away, this shows how the man walks quite smoothly away, showing how he has an air of sophistication. The next time when it cuts to the men in the bar it uses a different effect, this time it makes me think of speed, which matches the stereotype of men liking cars, and speed etc.
Overall this video and the media give two representations of women, firstly there is strong, powerful women who get what they want through there clothes and actions. This is shown by the main blond woman in the clip. The other representation is that women are weak and below men, shown by the very first woman in the clip. This clip also gives two representation if men. Firstly there is powerful men who get what they want represented by the con man in the clip. Lastly there is men who are similar to women who are lower than the other men and have more feminine characteristics such as the way they walk shown by the shop keeper.
No comments:
Post a Comment