Christmas 50-Representations

Media Christmas 50-Representations

Luther Essay- Annotated

Luther clip-Gender representation

During this clip from Luther gender representation is shown in many different ways. Starting with their appearance, gender is presented very strongly through this aspect. The woman from this episode (Alice) is dressed very smartly and looks very sophisticated. She is wearing a black suit to try and portray power and dominance when this really isn’t the case. [EC1] She is also wearing a lot of makeup like bright red lipstick to define her lips and eye liner to define her eyes. [EC2] These two points demonstrate femininity to the extreme. [EC3] 

Moving on to Luther he is wearing a Shirt and tie with a big grey coat on top. This image suggests his professional trait as a detective. He is showing power and dominance through the way he is dressing and is signifying his importance to the drama series. [EC4] 

Moving on to the language used in this clip, for example the way in which Alice speaks to Luther. When she speaks to him her voice is provocative and sounds like she is saying it[EC5]  in a sexual manner. This could suggest all females as being ‘easy’ or ‘sexual’ towards the male sex. [EC6] 

When Luther speaks to Alice he seems to be very matter of fact so he isn’t interested in her and he isn’t falling for her ‘provocative language’ or actions. He looks down on her and stands over her to show his male dominance and possibly trying to make her feel uncomfortable. [EC7] He kind of looks at her differently as he would to the ‘normal stereotype’ of men seeing women in a sexual light.

Overall in this clip there is role reversal shown throughout. This means the normal stereotype of men being dominant over women has been flipped and Alice is trying to maintain power and dominance over Luther. She isn’t being belittled by his power and she is a very strong woman [EC8] who is clearly following the female gaze. [EC9] 

I am disappointed that you didn’t manage to use more technical vocabulary and that you didn’t use many specific examples from the clip – you have to be much more focussed and analytical than this. Remember that you need to explore editing and sound as well as mise en scene and camerawork (and consider how they work together to create representations)

This is a LEVEL 1 response L

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 [EC1]?

 [EC2]Specific impact/connotations?

How does camera work enhance this?

 [EC3]Expand this….

 [EC4]You need to link this to gender

 [EC5]What? Try to use specific examples. Use more technical vocabulary e.g. dialogue

 [EC6]You need to use specific examples/root this in the extract

Try to link to concepts we have studied e.g. the ‘female gaze’

 [EC7]Refer to specific camera shots/angles

 [EC8]Specific evidence needed here

 [EC9]Explain what you mean/justify this comment

Gender

Definition of Gender

Male or Female. Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities and attributes that are given as what society considers appropriate for men and women.

Masculinity:

• Power
• Toughness
• Manly
• Courage

Masculinity is normally shown with muscles being defined and there being s sense of power or dominance with the way the are standing or positioned. 

Femininity:

• Beauty
• Caring
• Sensitive
• Maternity

Femininity is normally shown with provocative behaviour or actions. It is also shown with not much clothing or a lot of makeup, defining the eyes and lips. 

How is gender represented?

In this shot from the TV drama Spooks male dominance/ power is presented. This is shown by the male characters being placed towards the front of the shot and they are stood up to show their power when the two women are sat down or stood towards the back of the room. The character at the computer is also male which is where all the other characters seem to be looking, this could suggest that males have more knowledge and ability to do these things or work it out. 

In this shot from the TV drama Happy valley gender isn't represented that strongly. Both females look equal in this shot and are neither seen as 'more important' or 'dominant'. Femininity is presented as the female on the left looks very sympathetic and caring towards the policewomen. She looks like she could be trying to help her or support her. However the other side of femininity e.g. makeup/little amount of clothing inst shown.