'The Hour' essay

In the clip of 'the hour' that i watched, gender is represented by use of camera shots, editing transitions, mise-en-scene and sound.

At the start of the clip, The mise-En-Scene shows representation of gender very well. The first character shown in this clip is a female (Bel), and is smoking a cigarette whilst typing on her type writer. It shows that women at the time the clip was set (1957), it was more of the norm and acceptable for women to smoke and also smoke whilst working. Because the woman firstly shown is working in a office, it is a stereotype of the gender that the woman typing away in her office is working for a man who is a higher class and job than herself. Whilst the tilt-up camera shot is occurring to open the programme, before the woman is shown, the diegetic sound of the typewriter has been kept in to scene to inform the audience of whats happening, before the camera shot shows the woman on the type writer. 

More mise-en-scene has been shown with the costumes shown in this clip which could also represent gender. The second character thats introduced in the clip is also a woman, but unlike the first character who was wearing a skirt, she is wearing trousers. This could represent gender as wearing trousers then would be portraying a masculine image. With a masculine image being portrayed it also shows that the second woman is more powerful. Also because she is standing whilst speaking so she is speaking down to the first woman showing even more power. It represents gender as it shows how even though they are both female characters working in a office, one of them seems to have more power than the other, mostly shown by the mise-en-scene.

In this clip there isn't much editing that happens apart from 'cuts'. that appear towards the end of the clip where the new head of news rushes to the set, which has been used to show tension. The way the clips have been cut short and follow on after another represents gender because it builds tension of the male character playing the main part. The sound also plays a effect of the gender. 
The non diegetic jazz music and ticking sound has been added to also create tension as the news reader was running late. The jazz music and ticking sound has been added in during editing, to represent the gender of the male running late, when the stereotype is usually females running late.  This can also be linked with the main camera shots used in this clip.These are mostly pan shots and tracking shots. The tracking shot have mainly been used as the tension of the newsreader was running more and more out of time. With the camera chasing after the female character in a tracking shot, it shows panic and that they are in a rush. More on the sound representing gender occurs at the start of the clip when there is also a ticking noise, but a bell noise has been included to suggest times up on whatever Bel's job was, making her seem a weak character as she has not got hold of Hector. 

Although the main jobs given to the character in this scene are men (the news reporter and the head of news), throughout the clip there are examples of the female characters taking over power. The woman character first shown in the clip who is on her typewriter, seems to take more of a leading role throughout. She is responsible for directing the cameras and sound on the set in the end, directing peoples roles and tidying up their uniform,and is also responsible for showing the head of news around the building. She uses her costume to make herself look more formal and also so she can catch the news reporters attention by putting on her black glasses, which shows intelligence. 

Close up shots and looking down shots have also been put in. The close up shot of who we think is Hector, shows representation of the gender as we cannot see his whole face but can see him smoking and drinking whiskey, again like Bel at the start whilst they are meant to be working. This also creates tension as Hector is meant to be arriving at the studio as we can tell from Bel at the start who is trying to get hold of him, while he instead is sat relaxing. A looking down shot which shows Mr Madden making his way to the studio but in no rush because he stops for autographs. It represents the gender of males because he is being looked down on which shows weakness, but contrasts with this because he has a main job so is seen more powerful than others, and therefore doesn't see the negative side of being needed for the news. 

In conclusion, and in this clip there are many ways of gender being represented from sound, editing, Mise-en-scene and camera shots. They have all been added for the effect and stereotypes that are given to genders, and this clip has done both; blend in, and go against the stereotype. 

Discuss the ways in which the extract uses camera shots, editing, sound, Mise-en-scene to construct representation of different generation

In the clip of ‘Some Girls’, the representation of different generations is presented through camera shots, Mise-en-scene, camera shots, editing and sound.

During the clip, camera shots played a big part in representing the different generations.  In the scene where Viva and her dad and P.E teacher are arguing about her getting a new brother or sister, a over the shoulder shot has been used to give effect of looking at the whole family. The Mise-en-scene shows the different generations of the family, by the way they are standing and how the woman (p.e teacher) gets up of the chair and goes and sits with her partner. Viva also points at the adults and shouts ‘Why?!’ when she finds out about the adults having a baby. Her standing up and shouting whilst they are sitting down shows that Viva is taking over and being the responsible one of the household.

Throughout the clip, it shows that the generations are in conflict with each other, which is like the stereotypical teenager and parent relationship.  The dialogue that constructs the representation of different generation shows the stereotype clearly. Viva is being responsible by saying “your ganna have to get rid of it!” when she hears the news about the new baby. It shows the role of a parents being shown by a teenager, which constructs representation different to the normal stereotypical teenager that isn’t really bothered.  Whilst the conversation about the baby is occurring, the camera shots when Viva is talking are close ups on her face. This has been done so her facial expressions are shown and are effective, especially when she was speaking. It also gives the impression to the audience that nothing else in the Mise-en-scene background is important and that only Viva is talking.

After the scene of the baby talk, and when Viva storms out the room, the diegetic sound of upbeat high-pitched music has been added to create effect and shows representation of the evil step mums mood; happy that she’s moving out. When Viva is packing her bag to go to her friends, the things she grabs to put in her bag have been emphasized with a close up shot. Editing has been used to only show the important shots. A ‘cut’ has been used whilst Viva was packing her bags; one shot has instantly been replaced by another, this constructs representation of how Viva is feeling which is not thinking straight, and that her emotions are being replaced and are changing all the time. It could also imply that Viva’s dad is replacing Viva with his new partner quickly, just like the editing shots. 

The Mise-en-scene represents different generations again in the scene in Viva’s home. At first when she comes home, her dad is sitting on the sofa playing a game on his phone whilst she goes to get food from the kitchen. Throughout the conversation in the kitchen, her dad continues to play on his phone just like a stereotypical teenager and the daughter looks down to her dad and complains. The dialogue used from her dad “you know where the kitchen is”, is showing the male character as lazy and represents the different generations as child dominated, which is not usually a typical household.

The ‘evil step mother’ character; Anna, her camera shot has been edited for effect. When she comes out of the bathroom in her dressing gown, and waves her hair around, a slight slow motion effect has been put on to emphasize her looks in front of her boyfriend and trying to copy the stereotypical models on TV. She shows parts of the ‘evil step mother’ character towards Viva, with the Mise-en-scene, when Viva leaves the house and Anna does a sly wave that only Viva can see, leaving her dad and brother Jamie to continue their video game.

In conclusion, the main way in which the clip ‘Some girls’ constructs representation of different generations is with the Mise-en-scene. The position that the characters are situated in the scene, such as the parents lounging around the sofa whilst Viva is in the kitchen. It is the main technique because it’s where the different generations are and shows the relationship between them all.  The camera shot is the next main technique because the shots emphasize what the audience should mainly focus on. Sound and editing lso construct representation of the different generations in the clip, but the Mise-en-scene constructs the representation the most. 

questions 2.4 and 2.5

Analyze camerawork in a film-

1) Watch an action sequence from a film

2) Identify the different camera shots used, using the list

3) How is the importance of the setting and action emphasized by the camera movement?

4) What is the effect of the choice of the camera shots?

I have chosen to pick an action scene from Bruce Almightly. Before the action scene, a midshot has been used to mainly focus on the main subject (Bruce) but also to show his location. The importance of the setting in this screenshot is emphasized as not very important because of how simple the setting behind Bruce is.

This shot is between a wide
shot and very wide shot. This camera movement is emphasizing there is more going on in the scene so more needs to be seen by the camera. The effect of it is that we see a wider shot with more detail and can understand what is happening. 

This close up of the man is effective because it focus’ on his facial expression. If you hadn’t seen the clip it would leave you wondering why he is pulling that expression. The camera movement emphasizes the action and setting because you can see the setting, and from the clip the setting creates the ‘enclosed’ effect with only 1 way out.

2.5- analyzing camerawork in television documentary-

1) Watch a 5-minute sequence of a recent documentary

2) Identify the different camera shots, which are used, using the glossary given early

3) Does the camera work add the authenticity of the documentary?

4) Does the documentary draw your attention to the presence of the camera operator or does it attempt to conceal it?

Documentary- ‘In my shoes’

In this documentary, there is a range of camera shots used. Because it is filmed in China, when the camera is showing a lot of the place, a extreme wide shot is used. This is done so the audience can see as much of the subject as possible.

Also because it was filmed in China, the camera work is shooting mostly extreme wide shots, either looking down onto the landscape or looking up and around to show the view. The documentary draws my attention to the presence of the camera operator.

This camera shot is a mid-shot because its been used to emphasize the subject (people), their facial expressions and what they are doing. It adds authenticity to the documentary because it proves that we can rely on the clip that is it real documentary about China, and not unauthenticated.

Discuss the ways in which the extract uses camera shots, editing, sound, Mise-en-scene to construct representation of relationships

The clip ‘cutting it’ can be used to construct representation of relationships using features like camera shots, editing, Mise-en-scene and sound.

At the start of the clip, the relationship between the man and woman is represented in quite a secretive but close way. They are in the taxi together, and the camera angles show they are a close couple because of the close up camera shot used. The closeness of the couple is again shown by the camera shot in the taxi when an extreme close up is used to show them holding hands, and this is effective because the main subject in the shot is their hands. This is what shows the audience and makes it official that they are a couple.

The sound in the clip also represents the closeness of their relationship. Whilst the female character is in the hospital seeing the doctor, the dialogue is stopped and slow music is played over it. This gives the effect that there is something secretive going on which is why we cannot hear the dialogue because the non-diegetic sound that has been added in editing, hides it from the audience. This builds up tension because as well as the couple being secretive from each other; they are also being secretive towards us. The closeness of the couple is also represented in their relationship at the end of the clip. When the woman walks out of the hospital and ‘gets hit by the lorry’, she is left lying on the floor in pain, the man runs across the road and as he does this, the non- diegetic sound is stopped and a heartbeat sound effect is used instead. This sound is effective as it could imply the hearts are beating together in pain, showing that they both are in one body. The camera angle looking below onto the Mise-en-scene is them both lying on the ground, side by side, with Gavin looking like he was in the accident too. This constructs representation of a close relationship as it could be shown looking down from heaven onto them both, as they have both ‘died inside’ because of the car accident.

As close as their relationship seems, it is also represented as complex. You can tell this by the dialogue between the couple at the start. When they are in the taxi and Allie says, “I know about Melissa”, this implies that although they are married, there are more secrets and complexity that the audience doesn’t fully understand. It also shows that as well as a secret to us, it was a secret that the female character didn’t confess she knew until now. TA close up shot is used of the male character fiddling with his wedding ring and this shows insecurity. Its been zoomed in as a close up shot to give the effect that there not just happiness in this relationship and that maybe the feelings are making him second think. Another bit of dialogue that is used to construct a complex relationship is the dialogue again said by Allie when she says, “I’d want you to move on to love someone else” . This shows complexity in her relationship because its also being secretive as to why she’s said it. Later on in the clip she goes to the hospital, and even when the audience doesn’t know why. This links in with why she said the dialogue. Secrecy is again used when it makes the audience wonder why she is at the hospital, the fact she didn’t even tell Gavin that’s where they were going in the taxi, makes you maybe question how strong their love is.

The camera angles used during the clip use effect, which shows different aspects of their relationship. When the couple get out of the taxi before Allie goes into the hospital, the camera is only facing her when she kisses him goodbye, this could symbolise that only she means the kiss, whilst Gavin is still a bit unsure. After, whilst Allie is in the hospital, Gavin is waiting outside, for the first time in the clip they are both two separate people. The looking down shot is used whilst Allie is speaking to the doctor, and the close up is used on Gavin to show his facial emotions. When Allie get hit by the lorry, the producer has used ‘a cut’ edit of the close up of Gavin, to make it an extreme close up. This has been done to show emphasize the facial expression Gavin gets when he see’s his loved one on the floor lying in pain.

In conclusion, the main way in which the extract ‘cutting it’ constructs representation of relationships is the camera shots used. This is the main technique because it shows the audience the separate feelings of the characters and this is important because it shows how the relationship between them really is. Camera shots and angles gives effect by how much is in the shot. If there was a lot going on in a wide shot, it would be described as complicated, and confusing, compared to a close up which only lets the audience see a small part of the main subject.