Representation- Gender

Gender

In the media, stereotypes play a large role in representation.  Producers and directors often use stereotypes to make it clear to the audience just what kind of character is being represented, making it easier for them to understand and follow the plot of the production. Stereotypes can either be positively or they can be subverted, meaning they do the opposite to reinforcing said stereotype.

Gender plays a huge role in representation when it comes to media. Women are much more likely to be represented in an objectifying manner in comparison to men. This can range from wearing revealing outfits to performing acts that can be deemed as sexual or sexually orientated. An example of this is the use of female dancers, predominantly (but not limited to) seen in pop or hip-hop videos. Female back-up dancers and background "displays" are often wearing very revealing clothing, if any at all. The lack of clothing and the seductive nature of their dancing makes them seem more like a part of the background or "wallpaper" as opposed to a contributing factor of the song itself.

The media also holds a stereotype over men, too. Medial influences convey men as being unlikely to share their own emotional problems or opinions and are, instead, portrayed more like robots due to their inability to display any emotions. Due to this, men are usually made out to be tough and independent.

In 1999, Children Now, a California-based organisation that examines the impact of media on children and youth, released a report entitled Boys to Men: Media Messages About Masculinity. The report argues that the media's portrayal of men tends to reinforce men's social dominance.

The report observes that:

-the majority of male characters in media are heterosexual

-male characters are more often associated with the public sphere of work, rather than the private sphere of the home, and issues and problems related to work are significantly more important than personal issues

-non-white male characters are more likely to experience personal problems and are more likely to use physical          aggression or violence to solve those problems.

Camera angles and editing

Match on action


Match on action is a reference to film editing techniques where the editor of the film cuts from one shot to another shot while remaining in the same action as the first shot. Although there could be many hours between each of the shots, the way that they're edited and put together make it seem like one, continuous take. With the same action occurring over the two shots, the audience are less likely to notice editing mistakes or even a change in the scene at all.

Mistakes can be made, however. Sometimes, due to the long periods of time between each shot to make up one scene, there can be slight changes to the action in comparison to the first and second shot. Examples of this would be slight changes to positioning of props or the way actors are standing.

There's an example of this in the film, "The Matrix".



Shot reverse shot

A shot reverse shot (or shot/counter-shot) is a filming technique where one character is shown looking at another character, usually off screen, and then the other character is shown looking back in the opposite direction. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other.

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POV shot/Over the shoulder shot

A point of view shot, A.K.A POV shot or a subjective camera, is a scene that shows what a character is looking at (represented through the camera). It is usually established by being positioned between a shot of a character looking at something, and a shot showing the character's reaction. The technique of POV is one of the foundations of film editing.

A POV shot need not be the strict point-of-view of an actual single character in a film. Sometimes the point-of-view shot is taken over the shoulder of the character (third person), who remains visible on the screen. Sometimes a POV shot can be for more than one person.



Camera Angles

Medium Close Up (MCU)- 

A medium close up is used when trying to convey the emotion on a certain character's face, as is the same with any other close up shot. 

High Angle Shot-

A high angle shot is used to not only capture the emotion on a character's face, but also to make the audience use their own interpretation of why it was used. One way high angle shots are used is to make the character(s) involved seem smaller and thus, inferior. These slight inferences can help shape the time of the film. 

Long Shot (LS)- 

Th long shot is mainly used at the beginning of scenes, especially at the start of a film. The long shot helps set the scene and make the first impression on the mind of the audience. From here, characters inside of the long shot can be zoomed in on and introduced to the audience in some way. 

Over the shoulder shot-

The over the shoulder shot is used for multiple

Different reasons. One reason that an over the shoulder could be used is to show that the characters are engaging in a conversation win each other, making it easier for you to keep track of the dialogue. One other way could be that the director wants the audience to feel some sense of relatability as you can see from the characters point of view. Seeing the film from this angle makes the audience feel immersed in the film, as if they are, only Briefly, a part of it. 

Genre conventions - Mise En Scene - Horror

HORROR

Horror films tend to follow the same, eery and dark approach when filming. The lighting effects are usually very saturated and dark in order to uphold the mysterious and sinister tone of the film. 

The soundtracks that are featured in horror films usually have a steady build up involved, gradually getting more intense until it finally reaches a climax in which a character may be caught by the antagonist on screen. The music and sounds displayed in horror films usually mirror what's going on, on screen and can also set the pace of the scene for the actors involved in it. 

Props that are featured in horror films vary depending on the specific tone of the film. Some films are more classic on their approach to entertain the audience with more subtle props, like a kitchen knife as a deadly weapon, where as others go for a more brutal and gorey outlook in using intricate props, such as booby traps, as featured in the renowned horror film, "SAW".

The make up that is used by the costume designers in horror films is also variable in style. Some films require a more artificial look, i.e.- the mask from "Scream", or a more natural, bloodthirsty look, i.e.- these up design for the girl in "The Exorcist".

Genre Conventions - Mise En Scene - COMEDY

COMEDY

In a comedy film, the soundtrack would be more upbeat and positive as opposed to the sinister tracks that are used more often in action films or thrillers. The lighting in a comedy film would also be potentially brighter as to reflect the mood and tone of the film; the brighter, the happier.

The make-up that's shown in comedy films is also usually more clean and colourful as opposed to the gritty, darker coloured make-up. This make-up technique is also used to set the tone of the film, making it seem more light -hearted and positive.

The costume designs in comedy films can vary. Although the films don't necessarily require certain shades of colours in order for them to be a success, some comedy films do use bright colours with lots of vibrancy in order to portray a sense of spontaneity. A great example of this would be the clothing and make-up used on Jim Carrey in the film, "The Mask".

Props in comedy films can vary in accordance to the tone of the film. Although, the most common kind of props are usually whacky or wild-seeming as to add to the "crazy" theme that may be involved with the film.

Genre Conventions - Mise En Scene - ACTION AND THRILLER

ACTION THRILLER

Mise en scene is French for "Setting the scene". Setting the scene consists of many different factors, including costumes, make-up, props, the location, lighting, stance of actors and the use of colour and sound.


In an action film, the make up featured would be rather rugged and macho, possibly including the vintage, "HARD-MAN" shaven head. The setting for such a film might be an open warzone, such as a re-creation of France's No-Man's-Land, or a cityscape, such as New York.
Props that may be featured in an action film, rather prominently, would be weapons. Things such as assault rifles and pistols may be a heavily re-used prop as to keep up the high octane pace of the action film.


The costumes that are presented in such films are usually more rugged and aggressive. The clothing that character's wear come across as dirty or damaged due to the high level of aggression demonstrated throughout the production. An example of this would be the costume that Bruce Willis is wearing in the film, "Die Hard"



An action film is known to contain loud gunshot noises and explosions. Fires and smoke, be it from a gun or flames, are no stranger in an action film. The lighting would be potentially dark due to smoke from the flames featured in the setting.

Development

Analysing the first two minutes of four productions from different genres.

I'm a year 12 media student; This is my blog.