Analysis of Gender in TV Dramas

1. Analysis of Gender in
TV Drama
Shannon Clarke

2. The female character shown in the screen shot is
represented as stressed and panicky. In a few seconds the
woman runs away as if scared. This is signified to the
audience as her voice ‘shakes’ when she is speaking to
the male character. We, as the audience, feel curious as to
what “shouldn’t be happening”. This is a stereotypical
perception of women; they’re seen as emotional and weak.
Sound

3. The music, up until the point with the hand buried in the mud, sounded
like a heartbeat. The music suddenly changes when we see the hand - it
develops to a harsh ‘whoosh’ sound. The male character is being
represented as strong and brave in the sense that he’s taking charge
and alerting his team members to stop. Perceiving men as strong and
brave is stereotypical in TV dramas, and the audience would identify
with the character’s power and controlled therefore be curious and
suspicious as to what’s happening.
Sound

4. The framing in this screenshot deviates from the stereotypical
portrayal of males in TV dramas. The camera is above the male
character so he is seen as as vulnerable, not dominant. The use of
the high angle makes the viewer think the male character is in
danger. The audience would identify with the character’s
vulnerability and want to help him.
Cinematography

5. The female character shown in this screenshot is represented as brave
and powerful and this is shown to the audience through the use of the
framing - the female character dominates the clip. This deviates from the
stereotypical image of women being weak and vulnerable. She is shown
as strong and courageous. The audience would identify with the
character’s power and control and therefore want her to succeed. Also,
the fact that a woman is saving the male character deviates from the
normality within stereotypical TV dramas.
Cinematography

6. Editing in this screenshot is used to
create a prehistoric saber-tooth cat. The
use of this editing allows the male
character the cat is chasing to be
represented as brave but also vulnerable
as he could be killed at any moment.
Bravery is a common stereotype of the
male gender, but vulnerability is not.
Vulnerability, stereotypically, makes the
male gender look weak and fragile (which
are stereotypically female traits). The
audience would identify with the
vulnerability and sympathise with the
male character.
Editing

7. In this screenshot, the technical area
of editing is used for a jump cut - this
makes the scene seem jumpy and
unnatural. This makes the male
character seem uneasy and jolty, like
he is panicky and pressured; like he is
making rash decisions quickly. This
challenges the stereotypical image of
men being brave and in control. The
audience would identify with the
character’s vulnerability and therefore
be curious as to whether the character
will survive this encounter with the
prehistoric animal.
Editing

8. The male character is being represented
as resourceful as he uses his own belt to
travel down the zip-wire away from the
saber-tooth cat. He’s also represented as
calm as he is not screaming for help, he’s
using his own initiative and saving
himself. The calmness is portrayed
through the mis-en-scene of his blue tee-
shirt. The colour blue connotes a sense
of calm, which deviates from the
stereotypical image of men being rational
and aggressive. The audience would
have a connection with the male
character and they themselves would feel
independent and want the male
character to succeed in escaping.
Mise-en-scene

9. The male character on the left is
represented as strong, professional
and dominant - this is shown
through the use of his clothing. The
black suit and tie makes the man
look powerful and professional. This
is stereotypical for the male gender
and the audience would identify with
the character’s power and therefore
maybe feel intimidated by him.
Mise-en-scene