media work

1. Representation of Gender
Dr Who (past exam extract 2009)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6b4NqcAWRc&feature=player_embedded
Task 1: Watch the extract from Dr Who and answer the following:
1. Genre
2. What type of representation does the extract construct, in terms of
Gender?
Task 2: Write down at least one example from camera, sound, mise en scene and
editing which support your argument

2. Camera
 Low angle and high angle shots
 Establishing shots
 Medium close ups
 Close ups
 Ariel shots
 Extreme long shots
Sound
 Non- diegetic sound – sound
bridge and sound effects.
 Dialogue between male and
female conversation
 Strong dialogue
 Man raises his voice and talks
with a loud tone to feel more in
power.
 Woman’s voice also raises
which challenges the
stereotypical representation of
females in society as they are
seen as powerless and weak.
Editing
 Flashbacks
 Cross cuts
 Jump cuts
 Over saturated colours
 Shot reverse shot
 Fast paced editing
 Eyeline match
Mise en Scene
 High key lighting
 Man is risen above everyone
else to make him seem like he
has power over everyone in the
room
 Stereotypical representation of
males feeling like they are more
in power and are dominant over
women.
 Wears a suit
 Juxtaposition of representations
with females – one is wearing
black and is covered up, the
other is wearing a low cut red

3. dress.
 Challenges stereotypes- female
hero
 Power shift from male to female
Task 3: Now write a response explaining how the four technical areas work
together to construct representation of gender. Use any of the 3 plans used in
class that you wish. (800 words)
Task 4: In pairs peer mark each other’s work, using CTRL-ALT-M. Remember to
comment upon each area of the mark scheme when you mark the work:
 Explain/argue/analyse 18/ 20
 Use of examples 17/ 20
 Accurate use of terminology 10/10 45/50
The four technical areas work together to construct representations of gender.
The micro aspects of mise en scene, camera, editing and sound all play important
roles in presenting stereotypical representations as well as challenging them. In
this essay I am going to discuss all of the different technical areas in detail and
the importance of each one when concerning gender.
The micro aspect of editing is important when constructing the representations
of gender as it helps us to understand the significance of certain characters when
discussing the gender differentiations. A flashback editing technique is used
within this sequence when the middle aged female character is describing her
experience; this is done so that attention is focussed upon her and her story. This
can be seen as a power shift from the middle aged male character as he originally
was presented as the character which had the most power. During the flashback
the colours which are used are very over saturated to display that the images
shown are in the past. This is done so we understand the meaning and
significance of the images that are being shown on the screen, it also tells us that
it is in the past and is something that she has accomplished. This scene
challenges the general expectation of males over powering females because she
has managed to shift everyone’s focusses to her. Many shot reverse shots are
included within this clip to show the relationship between the male and the
female roles. We are able to understand the reactions and facial expressions
presented on the faces of the characters.

4. Another technical area important to this extract is the mise en scene as it helps
to construct the opinions on representations of gender. The man in this clip helps
to support the stereotypical demonstration of males in society as he is portrayed
as dominant. The costume he appears in is a black suit which again, strengthens
this idea as it makes him look as though he is in power and is of importance. In
contrast to this, the use of the female character participates in challenging the
stereotypical representation of women in society as she is also presented as
powerful and as a hero. She is wearing a black outfit which highlights her as
someone who is in power; this challenges the general expectation of females
because she is presented as a dominant character whereas, usually, they are not.
She is not seen as objectified in this extract, this again challenges the
expectations of women in society as they are usually glamorised and presented
as sex symbols. There is a juxtaposition of representation of females between the
two women characters as the actress situated at the top of the stairs, who acts as
a lover towards the dominant male character, is wearing a low cut red dress. The
colour red symbolises love and evil, this could portray her as a companion of the
male character and is used purely as a tool to make him feel better about himself.
The sound is another micro aspect that is significant to this extract. Diegetic
sound is mainly used in this clip due to the amount of conversation happening
between the male and female characters. They are in rivalry with one another
which empathises their anger towards each other. The male actor uses very
strong dialogue when he raises his voice when talking so people are aware that
he is the one in power. This strengthens the stereotypical views of males in
society as they are seen as dominant and strong. The female character begins to
laugh before stating her point in response to what he had previously said. This is
another way that this extract challenges the stereotypical views of females in
society as they are expected to come across as weak and powerless. A sound
college is then used at the end of this extract to empathise the amount of people
saying the word ‘Doctor’. This again helps to show how powerful women can be
as opposed to the male that has potentially lost the battle.
Lastly, the use of camera is another important technical area which helps to
support the different representations of gender. The first camera technique that
was recognised during the extract was the use of low angle and high angle shots.
A high angle shot is used on the male actor as it presents him as the one that is
the most in power as he is raised above everyone else. A low angle shot is then
used on the female actress to empathise exactly how low down she is in contrast
to him. This shot would help to portray her as weak and powerless because she
is situated extremely down, she is also kneeled down on the floor which further
supports the view that men have the upper hand over females. Medium and close
up shots are included in the extract to show the facial expressions and reactions
of certain characters. This is mostly done when the male and female are having a
conversation with one another as it makes it much clearer to see which of them
feel more in power and dominant.
Overall, the four technical aspects work well together in order to support the
ideas of stereotypical representations of gender as well as challenging them.
Mise en scene, editing, sound and camera are important when presenting the

5. two genders and the way in which they can change within certain situations
involving different strengths of characters.