Representation of Gender in TV dramas: Primeval

Representation of Gender in TV dramas: Primeval

In the ITV science fiction series Primeval, many of the characters hold and convey the typical gender stereotypes eg the male characters are more strong and independent whilst female characters are scared and only partake in the easy work, however these stereotypes are also challenged by multiple characters in the show. Gender is represented in four different ways in the extract, camera work and what it shows, the editing of the scene and how it works to show the characteristics of a persons gender on screen in a stylistic way, the sound of the scene and how it works to the characters gender and mood and mise en scene and how the scene and how it looks in comparison to the characters gender.

Camera Work

Throughout the scene the camera work is used in multiple different ways to show the change in atmosphere, to increase or slow down tension and of cause to show the actions, emotions and behaviour of the different genders. The scene starts with a high angle of the male working in a muddy hole whilst the female works above, this suggests that the female is incapable of doing any kind of hard labour while the man is the one most involved in the work. The range of camera work is cleverly used at different points, at the entrance of the tiger the camera is used on a over the shoulder point of view from behind the tiger, this is good as it can also act as a distanced reaction shot of the human male. The female included in the scene isn't seen in this shot, only the tiger and the male, this could suggest that the tiger (at this point) is only after the male because stereotype suggests that males are the more dangerous adversaries whilst females are weak in comparison. 

As the male is luring away the tiger it follows him though the forest and is using a hand held camera, this is mainly used to increase the tension of the scene. This is used in a way that is fast paced way that is portraying the panic of the male character, this could be a counter stereotype as males are seen usually cool and collected in a fight. The camera also leaves the female character behind and only concentrates on the male, as if she isn't able to contribute in any way. The scene ends however with the female character shooting at and missing the tiger yet succeeds in scaring away the animal, she is seen with a weapon capable of killing somebody, meaning she has the higher power in the situation over the male character and uses her initiative to dominate the situation, this is the counter stereotype that female TV drama characters are stupid and only depend on the men.

In the final scene however many negative stereotypes of the female genders is shown including their constant worries about appearances, their behaviour and their "powerlessness" over males. A well dressed, good looking, well spoken female is shown as a birney opposite when contrasted with a male, rough, land worker who's rude and aggressive, both common stereotypes of the two genders. Camera work is used at a point when the man is angry and throws the woman on the floor, a high angle is used once again, this time positioning the audience to show the dominant male character in contrast with the weak, powerless woman on the ground, she later mention how her coat has become dirty after being thrown on the floor, this acts on the stereotype that women are only concerned when it comes down to there appearance.

Sound

Sound is used to represent gender in the extract in few ways and isn't apparent for the most half isn't represented to show any type of gender role, unless a particular female character is involved. Non diegetic sound is used yet only contributes to the representation of gender roles at particular points, the non diegetic sounds always plays at a point of intensity or urgency, this usually has a male involved to show his struggle or power. Intense and fast paced non diegetic sound is used is used when the male is running from the Tiger showing the struggle the male character is feeling and is only used when he is in frame to show he's the protagonist of the series.

Non diegetic sounds are used again in the final scene in a different way as it was when the male is in trouble as said previously, this is in the final scene when there is a confrontation between a male and a female, the intensity rises as she falls to the floor and is in fear of the man involved, the non-diegetic sound is used this time to show the power struggle between the "powerful" male antagonist contrasting with the "weak and powerless" female protagonist.

Even when noticeable at one particular scene it is still noteworthy when mentioning the contrasting diegetic (dialogue) sounds involved in the scene with multiple different characters talking and communicating in different ways. It is only really seen also in the final scene with the female character acting and behaving completely differently to the male character beside her. She comes across and becomes a notable character because of the contrasting way she communicates to the other characters in the show with her coming across as posh and sound like a member of the upper class in contrast with the middle age, rouge working class male who uses slang and harsh phrases as a character. This holds the stereotype that women are more well spoken than men and have a higher standard of speech.

Editing

Editing is used to represent gender in the extract but yet again, to a very minimal amount in an unoriginal way, however in some cases, it is able to spot. In the first scene where the Tiger attacks the male and female character jump cuts are used in the chase that occurs between the animal and the man, these jump cuts are used to show fast-paced action editing, positioning the audience to feel the same emotions as the man, panicked. This is a representation of gender in that as the male character draws the animal away from the woman, he’s showing his independence and power over the situation, a stereotype that men have had over women though history.

After this scene, it cuts to a high angle of the man in a muddy hole with a calmer, slower non-diegetic sound, though this editing we’re able to realise that the panic and action is now over and this is a new scene.

The only editing that is found since then is in the final scene where the female character is attacked, at this point the scene goes into slow motion to position the audience as if they were her. The slow motion is used to represent the woman’s fear and emotion, the myth that in a panicked or near death experience, time mentally slows down. As this character represents many of the female stereotypes when it comes to the way she dresses, to her use of makeup which is like no other female in this scene and the fact that she isn’t doing of the work with the rest of the group, suggesting that she is above them, however when the slow motion action editing happens this could be portraying the stereotype that all women are scared and cannot fight back.

Mise-En-Scene

Gender is represented in the scene though the sets, dialogue and relationships between characters, costumes, make-up and props at multiple points, however, it is at this section where we see most of the representations of stereotypes as well as some counter stereotypes. Firstly a major counter stereotype is the fact that the women in the beginning is controlling a digger, this is a counter stereotype as she is using the machinery that is usually seen on a worksite which is a heavily male orientated profession. As the woman at this point is acting as a counter stereotype the male is doing the opposite as he directs the animal away this is showing how he is the alpha male and how he finds himself having to protect the woman. The female still however acts against the stereotype of the weak “damsel in distress” as she is later seen resolving the struggle between the human and the animal as she is seen with a gun, this mean she hold more power out of both characters.

This is the opposite in the final scene with the woman having less power in in this situation as she represents many stereotypes seen by women today. In the final scene the female characters costume is far more formal than anyone else in the scene, this portrays her overriding power over the group. The same character is later rescued and protected by the “alpha male” and only comments on her “best coat”, this portrays the typical stereotype that women as constantly concerned about their appearances. She isn’t the only as on multiple occasions a male is also seen dressed smart when interacting with other, less formal characters, this is the counter stenotype that men also are concerned on personal appearances.

Conclusion

The extract on multiple occasions represents and concentrates on the traditional male and female roles with blatant uses of highlighting stereotypes, this is challenged at multiple points with more than few counter stereotypes coming into play. These labels are seen mainly though mise-en-scene with costumes, props and settings all either adding to or challenging the stereotypes.