When the video starts we can clearly see that the scene has been edited to appear dark, this may represent that the male is over mining the woman. It may also represent that they are dealing with the dark side of people as they are crime investigators. Throughout this particular scene a hand held camera effect is used, This may represent that their relationship is fractious and that the woman has done something wrong and thus there is anger. Also of interest is the fact that the male is then positioned in a way which makes him appear taller/higher than the female, this suggests that he is watching over her this could represent that she is "inferior" to the male in the argument. This fits with the stereotype of women having no power over men. The sound in this clip is what you would expect as it involves mostly them speaking loudly at each other, noteworthy though is the volume level for the background noise, this further concentrates the viewer in the argument. The cross cutting gradually gets faster thus representing how the argument is getting more tense (particularly for the woman as she is starting to be "put in her place", this is linked to the stereotype that women don't do skilled jobs and in this clip they are talking about a death investigation therefore indicating they are detectives. this is relevant as the woman is clearly struggling whereas the man is doing it with relative ease. The characters are wearing formal dress, however this is most interesting for the woman as she is wearing a turtle neck and a grey cote, this could represent an attempt do de-feminize herself in order to be taken seriously by the males. Noteworthy however is the fact that she maintains her feminism from her face upwards as she is wearing earrings, make up and has clearly made an effort with her hair, this could represent the fact that although she wants to appear more masculine she still feels its her duty as a woman to appeal to the males around her, in essence fitting in with the stereotype of how women should behave, and she would also be conforming to the male gaze theory.
We then see that the male is looking at her whilst she is talking to another woman which may be causing her pressure, the male then turns away which further emphasizes the representation of his disapproval of her tiring to take charge, also interesting in this scene is the fact that whilst she is talking to the other woman he is positioned in the middle, thus representing that he is still in charge of the situation. This agrees with the stereotype that the men are always the ones in charge as women as a gender are inferior and thus should take orders from the men.
The woman then turns as the male is walking of and says "I need you're input" this is diegenic sound and represents the fact that she is undermining herself as she "needs" male input, the male continues to walk off thus turning this into a power play.
There is then a crane shot which emphasizes the difference between the male and female character, as the crane gets higher it represents the fact that she is powerless against the male.
The fact the man finds the job easy is further portrayed when we are in his home and he is looking through the pictures instantly recognizing why they are significant to the case and to an extent concluding the case. We see this via a series off close ups and mid shots these make the man out to be cleaver and successful. The male is also represented as clever and in control when he rolls his sleeves up as this shows that he can just get on with the work. also a emphesis on this is how the clips are edited to be jump-cuts giving the viewer the idea that he is progressing rapidly, something that stereotypicaly women can't do. The colour of the walls in his hose further link to the job he does as red is the colour of death and danger, red is also a dominant colour thus representing how he is superior to other genders. There are two more interesting items in his house, the first of these is a plant which represents that he has a nurturing side as patience and care is needed to grow a plant, this would coincide with the stereotype that men have little weaknesses and can dominate most tasks, the second item is a butterfly, it is not clear wether is is a print or an actual butterfly that has been pinned but either way it represents the fact he is methodical and scientific, also coinciding with the above stereotype. The sound in this scene is non-diagenic, which gives the viewer a sense that they are walking trough his thought path which is sad as is the music.
In the next scene the video cuts to the woman's house herewe can clearly see she is struggling to cope as the house is messy, which portrays her home life as chaotic and uncontrollable, this is portraying that women need men to rely on while they care for the kids. Another interesting element to this scene is the way the house is painted similar colours to the males house, this could represent that she is trying to achieve masculinity, this could be down to the fact that she feels that there needs to be some kind of male influence in the household. A further interesting fact is that her son (Ben) is dressed in red, which cold indicate that he is surrounded by her job, as we already said that the colour red could represent the job, another aspect to Ben is that he is in a corner thus representing that she is neglecting him and that he comes second to her job, this sis then backed up by the fact we hear diagetic sound when she is trying to find a babysitter last minute, this also shows her lack of organisation. This references to an extent the fact that women need men to help them in everyday situations To an extent this is then reversed when she asks the man to care for Ben as she has taken on the stereotypical role of the man.
The roles are switched back when we are presented with a close up of the man and Ben, there is fast music to represent fun, this is further clarified when ben suggests that the man is more fun than his mother and that she has to work long days in order to keep the house maintained.
Furthermore, the stereotype that men are powerful and strong swell as being successful is further presented to us when we see a silver Mercedes S-Class (luxury car) enter the shot. a man gets out thus representing his success in life. He then enters an abandoned house and can control everybody in it.
The sound of the voices of the homeless people echo somewhat, representing the emptiness of their lives, this is strange as they are men and in the video men are generally always represented to be superior. It does however link in to class and status and shows that whatever gender you are, if you don't have the status you will not over power anyone. These men are represented to have equal power to the women in the video. The homeless me are further portrayed as powerless when we get a good look at the set of where they are, this is dirty and generally run down. this is designed to represent how their lives are.
The stereotype that men need to be strong and powerful is further backed up when the man that enters the abandoned house slams someones head against a wall. We get shown this via a closeup which shows that the man has all of the pose in that scene and thus represents gender superiority.
Once the video cuts back into the house with the man and Ben in we hear the fast music which automatically causes the viewer to feel positive, this feeling is backed up by a sort of long shot with the man and Ben in making some popcorn. they are making a mess which generally fits in with the stereotype that men are more careless and "messy" than the equivalent woman.
To conclude, gender in the video is represented in a variety of ways, this includes various stereotypes towards both men and women. Also included is the relation to class and status with the homeless men. The overall stereotype it creates for men is that men have to be strong and powerful as as all as being successful and still being funny and entertaining. The stereotype towards women is there are times where women can have power but they are quickly put back into their place. and struggle to manage with the home and work.
Read More
We then see that the male is looking at her whilst she is talking to another woman which may be causing her pressure, the male then turns away which further emphasizes the representation of his disapproval of her tiring to take charge, also interesting in this scene is the fact that whilst she is talking to the other woman he is positioned in the middle, thus representing that he is still in charge of the situation. This agrees with the stereotype that the men are always the ones in charge as women as a gender are inferior and thus should take orders from the men.
The woman then turns as the male is walking of and says "I need you're input" this is diegenic sound and represents the fact that she is undermining herself as she "needs" male input, the male continues to walk off thus turning this into a power play.
There is then a crane shot which emphasizes the difference between the male and female character, as the crane gets higher it represents the fact that she is powerless against the male.
The fact the man finds the job easy is further portrayed when we are in his home and he is looking through the pictures instantly recognizing why they are significant to the case and to an extent concluding the case. We see this via a series off close ups and mid shots these make the man out to be cleaver and successful. The male is also represented as clever and in control when he rolls his sleeves up as this shows that he can just get on with the work. also a emphesis on this is how the clips are edited to be jump-cuts giving the viewer the idea that he is progressing rapidly, something that stereotypicaly women can't do. The colour of the walls in his hose further link to the job he does as red is the colour of death and danger, red is also a dominant colour thus representing how he is superior to other genders. There are two more interesting items in his house, the first of these is a plant which represents that he has a nurturing side as patience and care is needed to grow a plant, this would coincide with the stereotype that men have little weaknesses and can dominate most tasks, the second item is a butterfly, it is not clear wether is is a print or an actual butterfly that has been pinned but either way it represents the fact he is methodical and scientific, also coinciding with the above stereotype. The sound in this scene is non-diagenic, which gives the viewer a sense that they are walking trough his thought path which is sad as is the music.
In the next scene the video cuts to the woman's house herewe can clearly see she is struggling to cope as the house is messy, which portrays her home life as chaotic and uncontrollable, this is portraying that women need men to rely on while they care for the kids. Another interesting element to this scene is the way the house is painted similar colours to the males house, this could represent that she is trying to achieve masculinity, this could be down to the fact that she feels that there needs to be some kind of male influence in the household. A further interesting fact is that her son (Ben) is dressed in red, which cold indicate that he is surrounded by her job, as we already said that the colour red could represent the job, another aspect to Ben is that he is in a corner thus representing that she is neglecting him and that he comes second to her job, this sis then backed up by the fact we hear diagetic sound when she is trying to find a babysitter last minute, this also shows her lack of organisation. This references to an extent the fact that women need men to help them in everyday situations To an extent this is then reversed when she asks the man to care for Ben as she has taken on the stereotypical role of the man.
The roles are switched back when we are presented with a close up of the man and Ben, there is fast music to represent fun, this is further clarified when ben suggests that the man is more fun than his mother and that she has to work long days in order to keep the house maintained.
Furthermore, the stereotype that men are powerful and strong swell as being successful is further presented to us when we see a silver Mercedes S-Class (luxury car) enter the shot. a man gets out thus representing his success in life. He then enters an abandoned house and can control everybody in it.
The sound of the voices of the homeless people echo somewhat, representing the emptiness of their lives, this is strange as they are men and in the video men are generally always represented to be superior. It does however link in to class and status and shows that whatever gender you are, if you don't have the status you will not over power anyone. These men are represented to have equal power to the women in the video. The homeless me are further portrayed as powerless when we get a good look at the set of where they are, this is dirty and generally run down. this is designed to represent how their lives are.
The stereotype that men need to be strong and powerful is further backed up when the man that enters the abandoned house slams someones head against a wall. We get shown this via a closeup which shows that the man has all of the pose in that scene and thus represents gender superiority.
Once the video cuts back into the house with the man and Ben in we hear the fast music which automatically causes the viewer to feel positive, this feeling is backed up by a sort of long shot with the man and Ben in making some popcorn. they are making a mess which generally fits in with the stereotype that men are more careless and "messy" than the equivalent woman.
To conclude, gender in the video is represented in a variety of ways, this includes various stereotypes towards both men and women. Also included is the relation to class and status with the homeless men. The overall stereotype it creates for men is that men have to be strong and powerful as as all as being successful and still being funny and entertaining. The stereotype towards women is there are times where women can have power but they are quickly put back into their place. and struggle to manage with the home and work.
