representation of characters

1. Representation of
Characters
By Rebecca Osborne

2. Analysis of The Cabin in the
Woods
Sound: There is various screams throughout the trailer all of which come from the two women which
are shown within the teaser trailer, this represents them as weak and the most venerable of the
group as their screams are the only ones which are heard. Dialogue is used at the beginning which is
spoken by the ‘jock’ of the group asking if anyone is ready he is taking the role of the dominant one
here. He is seen as the protagonist here as he is seen as the group leader wanting to protect
throughout and therefore the audience sympathises with him slightly. Sound is used throughout to
create drama and tension, the use of non-diegetic sound is began half way through and is slightly
upbeat and adds to the chaos that is happening, apart from that sound is not particularly used to
represent characters. Although, there is silences when the blonde bimbo is screaming and this could
show her lack of vulnerability.
Editing: sound bridging of male voice as the camera shows the house, this editing of the sound can
show the male dominance of the location in which they are in. Short clips and fast paced editing are
used when the girl is screaming and she is being captured showing her lack of dominance in the
scene and rapidness in which she may be killed. All editing is fast cut as all of the characters are
venerable throughout and therefore need to be represented in this way. The title are used to
represent the genre of the film and cut up the scenes of the characters enforcing the horror genre.

3. Mise en scene:
Placement of characters is seen where the ‘jock’ character wraps his arm around the ‘bimbo’
character as if to protect her representing the idea that females need to be looked after by a
male. This is then followed by the placement of characters where three males are seen to be
standing in front of a female. Male that is near the beginning is seen as having a dirty face and is
older which can possibly show him being wiser, which is justified through his dialogue advising
them to not go there and therefore more valued but across the group he is seen as the most
dominant. The ginger girl looking in the mirror can show that she is all about her appearance and
this is stereotypical of the female gender. ‘Blonde bimbo’ character is wearing short shorts and a
low cut top, this is representing her as only being shown on screen for the male gaze which
follows Maulvey’s theory. Dark lighting throughout this doesn’t really represent characters in a
certain way, all are made to be venerable and there is no clear difference in lighting. Character
placement of the ‘blonde bimbo’ dancing erotically again making her sexualised and being used to
satisfy the male gaze.

4. Camerawork:
Close up of the ‘bimbo’ screaming which shows her as being the most venerable of the
group as her farcical expression is clearly seen by the audience. Mid shot of the older
male at the beginning again showing his dominance in this scene. The POV shot which
is conducted shows that the male character here is slightly still or more in control as
he is controlling the camera and therefore is represented as being slightly more
dominant over the other characters. Low angle shot of the male walking, again this
shows his dominance as he is made to look bigger. Close up of the ginger girl
screaming at the end leaves the audience with the idea that females are the weakest
and the most venerable out of the males.

5. Analysis of The Poltergeist
Camerawork: Wide shot of the mother and the son possibly
presenting the idea that th woman and child are the most
vunrable
Sound: Voice over of woman’s voice, this repersents her as
possibly a strong character as she is the one narrating the film,
possibly a survivor which possibly goes agaisnt typial
stereotypes.
Mise en Scene:
Editing:
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