The document analyzes the use of gender stereotypes in a student film. It notes that having a female nurse character reinforces the stereotype of nursing as women's work. It also says the main character Summer is portrayed as more emotional than the male character Tom, playing into stereotypes of women being more openly emotional. However, it acknowledges some elements subvert stereotypes, like both female characters having equal status in a scene. The document examines how various shots and character choices either reinforce or subvert common stereotypes about gender and genre.

1. By Ellisha Summer Clapham

3.  The fact that we chose to have a female actor
play the part of the nurse uses a stereotype
since a nurse is typically considered to be a
women's profession, whilst men are usually
considered to be doctors. We also chose to dress
her in a typical nurses costume- despite the fact
this is not what a real nurse would actually
wear- only so that the audience would clearly be
aware of the fact Emma was supposed to be a
nurse.
 However, the fact we had a female nurse is
merely a result of the fact that our group was
made up of females- therefore, it was difficult
to find another male actor.

4.  Females are presented as being equal to men as
male & female both suffer from a mental illness.
For example, tom jumps off a bridge which could
have been caused by depression and summer
suffers with schizophrenia.
 However- Summer is presented as being more
emotional because we do not see an emotional
or personal side of Tom. This uses the stereotype
that women are considered to be more frantic
and open towards their feelings than men are.
 On the other hand, this could just be a result of
the fact that the film is told from Summers point
of view (aka a first person narrative).

5.  The ‘over the shoulder shots’ in the therapists
office are on an equal level which is interesting
as they are both females. This shows females
have an equal status in the film.
 Also, the shot of Summer sleeping presents
females as being more vulnerable than men
since you are unaware to the world around you
and are vulnerable to your surroundings whilst
sleeping. The fact that she wakes up alone
reinforces this as she has no one there to protect
her-not just while sleeping- but also from the
fact that her mental illness is slowly devouring
her and taking over her life.

6.  The fact that Summer is the only character
who screams in the film uses the typical
stereotype of women being more vulnerable
than men and in need of a hero in thriller
films.
 Women are typically the characters who are
being chased by the antagonist or monster in
thriller films. Therefore, we have used this
typical stereotype as Summer is the one in
need of saving.

8.  During Summers flashback she has of Tom
and her in the park, there is a low angle shot
in which the camera is looking up at Tom’s
face. This uses the stereotype than men are
more powerful than women as this shot
conveys a sense of authority about Tom’s
character as he appears to look down at
Summer.

9.  The fact that Tom is dressed in white in the
flashback scene in the park contrasts with
Summer’s black clothes.
 White conveys purity and carries angelic
connotations which is ironic as his character
commits suicide. However on the other hand,
the white colour could signify how he has
initially come back to life or come down
from heaven in the film like a ghost since we
have previously seen him commit suicide
earlier in the film.

10.  The fact that Tom never speaks during the
film subverts the stereotype that men are
the character with the most authority in the
thriller genre.
 Our film presents females as having more of
a voice than men as they are the only
characters that speak which is unusual for a
the thriller genre as women are usually the
characters getting chased by the monster or
in need of rescuing by the protagonist.

11.  We use the stereotype that women are more
vulnerable than men as Summer develops a
mental illness as a result of Tom’s death. This
suggests that women are dependent on men
and without them they cannot cope.
 We use the stereotype of men being more
violent that women due to the fact that
Tom’s character commits suicide, however
Summer seems to stay and struggle with her
mental illness. The fact he jumped off of a
bridge connotes aggression.

13.  Our film uses the typical stereotype of young
people being reckless, dramatic and
experiencing ‘young love’. This gives the
audience everything they expect by watching
a film based on teenagers lives.
 The fact that all of the actors in our film are
around the age of 16 appeals to our target
audience of a rated 15 because they are the
same age as the characters and therefore
can build empathy and a relationship with
the characters as they have things in
common.

14.  The fact that there are no parents in the film
and therefore no authority, represents the
fact that summer has no control over the
fact that her mental illness is slowly
devouring her and taking over her life;
there’s no stopping it.
 However this is only a result of the fact we
found it easier to choose characters within
the group rather than using family due to
filming schedules and finding time that we
were all free. Parents/ family were usually
busy working during the week when we did
the majority of our filming.