Analyse How Women Are Represented In The Clip

Analyse how women are represented in the clip in reference to camera, editing and mise-en-scene

By Annette Christian 12CS2

CAMERA

A three shot has been used which establishes the three main characters in the scene. The two women in the shot appear to be powerful, which subverts to connotations of women, whilst the man also subverts to male representations. The woman on the right is stood, leaning against the wall with her arms folded. She appears tough which is not a connation of women, rather men, as women are viewed as the weaker sex. The fact that she is stood and the man is sat down, makes her seem in control of the situation. She is also looking down on the man, which adds to the fact she is in control and seems strong. The colour of her hair is blonde, which is considered feminine, however it is short which seems more masculine as well as the costume codes used. She is dressed in a black leather jacket; the colour of her jacket represents authority and power whilst the actual jacket is considered manly. She is also in a pair of denim jeans, her clothes are all men’s style but she also wears black heels. The colour black again represent power and authority in the shot but heels are considered sexy and feminine, as she is after all a woman. The woman on the right is seen slamming down on the table with her hands. This action appears aggressive and subverts from female representations as women aren’t stereotypically seen as violent as men would be.

An over the shoulder shot has been used which shows both characters interacting face to face. Over the shoulder shots are used so the audience focus on one actor at a time in a conversation, rather than both. The man is sat down, whilst the woman stands, talking down on him which shows he is not in control in the situation and appears weaker to the woman. His facial expressions and body language also show that he seems defensive. Being defensive is seen as standing up for yourself and being protective. This does not subvert from male representations. The man in the shot is wearing a purple shirt and the colour purple is a mixture of red (feminine) and blue (masculine). This could symbolise that the man has feminine characteristics of appearing weaker by not having power in the situation but also subverting but he also conforms to male representation, by fighting back.

This woman from previous shots, was wearing a black suit. The colour black symbolises control and authority, and a suit is also considered more men’s style, so both their dress codes subvert to normal representations of women. A close up shot of this woman has been used and from it, the audience can distinguish her and also read her facial expressions. She is also blonde and long haired. This shows that even though she is considered a strong and powerful woman, she too has feminine attributes. The colour of her lips are a dark pink, light red, which represents femininity and her sexuality. From her facial expressions, the audience can tell she seems angry. This could also represent she is an aggressive character, which subverts to representations of women as men are seen as aggressive and women, calmer.

EDITING

The editing technique known as an Arc shot has been used. This shot makes it seem that the woman is circling the man, which makes her appear intimidating. This again shows her to be powerful and in control of the situation which subverts to female representations.

Another editing technique used was a zoom in. This may have been used to emphasise what the audience should be focusing on in the shot, which is her facial expression. Her facial expressions change, which is emphasised and made more effective by the zoom in. From her facial expression, she appears surprised. She is still looking down, to show she is still in power in the situation and has control.

MISE-EN-SCENE

An establishing shot is used to establish the setting of the scene and establishes where the action will take place. ‘MI5 Safe House, SE16’ appears on the screen for a few seconds which reveals to the audience that what appears to be an unkempt, abandoned building (from paint peeling) is a safe house in South East London. A point of view shot is used at the beginning so the audience see the scene through their own eyes, rather than the characters in the scene so they are more engaged and drawn. An editing technique, known as a dolly shot, is used. This makes it seem audience is walking through so they feel like they’re actually there. Low key lighting is apparent in this shot. The uses of shadows and pools of light create an atmosphere which is evident in the genre crime.

In this shot we see one of the women in the foreground and the other woman and a man in the background. The audience are able to see a close up of the woman in the foregrounds face, to distinguish the character and read her facial expression. She is leaning in, with a look of wonder for information. However the woman in the background has her arms folded and a straight face. Her arms being folded could represent her being closed person (not giving out her own information) and a straight face, shows she is serious (attitude wise). Moreover there is another man in the background who may be working alongside or for the women. He’s dressed in black, this could symbolise mystery as the audience are unsure of who he is as the camera does not concentrate on this character. He appears to be doing what looks like administrative work, rather than the women. This subverts to male and female representations, as stereotypically, women are seen as secretaries and would be the one to be doing administrative work. Men who be in the position of power and have control to interiorise man. The room that the scene is shot in is also dark and bleak so seems secretive and mysterious, which fits in with crime genre.