Essay work

How is gender portrayed in the extract of Hustle through:

Camera work

Mise-en-scene

Sound

 Editing & theory?

In the extract of Hustle the theories of Mulvey (1975), Mackillon (2002) and Gauntlett (2002) are both supported and distrupted through the media language present in the clip. I will now explore this in more detail with reference to how; camera work, mise-en-scene, sound and editing contributes to constructions of gender representation.

The opening shot is a low angle medium close up, of a middle aged man wearing an expensive suit and jewellery. The angle shot gives him a masculine status, and makes him look powerful as he is above the female walking up the stairs. This could fit into Gaunletts 2002 theory, however by the way he is standing it is not a masculine pose, making him look more feminine. In the background there is a younger, more attractive female in the clothing shop, the positioning of the camera angle, supports the traditional theory of males being more superior, as she is lower down. The opening scene is also supported by non-diegetic sound, which is quite sexualised, this changes when the woman comes into the shot, and is very feminine. This contributes to Mulvey’s 1975 theory. Continuing on, the music also de-masculinises the male character and makes him look more camp, which its into his setting as working in a dress shop. The shots are linked together with a sound bridge, and continuity editing is used to not distract the reader.

When continuing on into the clip, we can see the male overlooking a older woman, who’s covered up this fits into the stereotypical role of women being the traditional house wife. The shot however sexualises the younger attractive woman in the background, showing her curves and her body, this would support Mulvey’s 1975 theory of women being sexualised for the male audience. When the non-diegetic music ends, it is soon accompanied by dialogue. During the dialogue, the shot being used is a one-two shot switching from both characters, this shot makes it look like you’re directly in the characters eye line. An over the shoulder shot is also used during the dialogue scene, as the male character demonizes the older female character, making her look weak and poor. This also supports Gauntlett’s 2002 theory of men being macho and dominate, as it makes the female character look frail.

After the scene between the male, and the older woman, we then see a close up of the younger attractive woman, it pans from her expensive diamond ring, to her face. This represents that the woman is more wealthier, and is more important.