This document analyzes the use of gender stereotypes in the filmmaker's short film. It notes that casting a female actor as the nurse role uses the stereotype of nursing being a female profession. It also points out that 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 of these decisions could also be due to the story being told from Summer's perspective. Overall, the document provides a detailed examination of both the intentional and unintentional use of common gender stereotypes in the film's characters, shots, and storyline.

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.
 However, this 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 they both suffer from a mental illness.
 However- Summer is presented as being
more emotional because we do not see that
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.

6.  The fact that Summer is the only character
who screams 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.

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.