Section A : Extracts

AGE           
JAN 09




GENDER    
JUNE 09





SOCIAL CLASS
?



  ETHNICITY           
JAN 10













SEXUALITY








JAN 12


GENDER
JUNE 10




ABILITY/DISABILTY
JUNE 12


Write up essays for the following extracts above

8/05 - homework :

Question 1. What do the camera angles tell us about the characters?

The camera angle used in this extract is a mid-shot; this is used to capture Maude and the other women where Maude is behind the other women holding the dress against the other women to see how she’d look in it also, the way she is holding onto her shoulders and the look she gives as well as the voice-over being played shows that she is affectionate and this suggests to the readers that she has these feelings for her.

Question 2. Whose perspective are we seeing this through and why?

The audience is seeing this in the perspective of Maude as she is talking in the voice-over of Maude whispering and, the look she gives throughout this extract.

Question 3. Why has a dissolve been used here? Is it long or is it short? Why do you think that is? What is the effect?

The dissolve was used only for 2 seconds, this worked very well as it was about the same subject, which was a follow-up from the mid-shot of Maude and the other women and Maude talking about the other women.

Question 4. What can you say about the camera angles used in this scene? What does it tell us about sexuality in this era?

Male gaze theory was put into place in this extract; it was used here as the camera was going down the other women’s body. Also, as Maude is hovering over the other woman’s body whilst the other woman is asleep this suggests that being gay is looking down upon and is shameful that she cant come out and tell the other woman.

Question 5. What camera angles and shots are used here? Choose from the following:

-          Point of view – High camera angle?   – Low camera angle?    – Pan   – Tilt   – Close up

&Question 6. Why have these camera angles been used? What do they tell us about the character? What do they tell us about homosexuality (especially considering the context of the programme)

 In the beginning of this extract there is a close-up shot being used to show the facial expression of Maude whilst she paints, she is concentrated and looks very serious however, she is not drawing the other women as the painting shows the lake and log only.

Also, a high camera angle is being used on the other woman lying on the log, this suggests to the audiences that the other woman is almost seen innocent as the camera looking down on her.

 

Question 7. How does the editing and camera angles/ shots construct meaning in this sequence?

A shot- reverse shot is being used in the beginning of this extract, from Maude to the other women however, the other woman is lying on the ground asleep and the camera shows Maude looking at her breasts, lower area’s and neck this suggests that she has sexual urges towards the other woman.

 

Question 8. What do you think the purpose of the narrator is? How does it make the audience feel?& Question 11. What does the mise-en-scene tell us about the characters?  Think about what happens outside and inside.

The point of the narrator is to get Maude’s point across as she keeping looking back at the other woman. Also, this makes the audience feeling very unconformable as whist she keeps looking back at the other woman, her paint brush drips onto the paper, the colour of the drip is red which suggests to the audience that something bad is going to happen and it symbolises danger.

Question 9. How does media language communicate that heterosexuality is the dominant ideology of the time? Use Tube Chop to illustrate your answer

In this extract, the male tells Maude to ‘shh’ and puts his finger on his mouth to suggest this, this therefore illustrates that the ‘male’ is the dominant gender as she doesn’t talk once he orders her to keep her mouth shut.

 

Question 10. What does the composition tell us about the characters?

As Maude is behind the other woman, her facial expression suggests that she is trapped in her feelings toward the other woman and cannot fully express these feelings because; in that time being a lesbian was looking down upon and wasn’t natural so, here the audience feel that they can sympathise with Maude as she is a very innocent character and we feel sympathetic towards her.

12. Using Tube Chop or screen shots, find examples of how mise-en-scene constructs representations of sexuality in this extract and explain how it constructs representations.

 

 

 

 

 

13. What effect does the sound have on constructing representations?

When Maude is painting the sound track is calm and soothing with suggests that Maude is at peace and there is a positive vibe in the atmosphere however, when the male comes the sound gets louder which then may illustrate that the male may be a threat there also, the sound is dramatic as if the sound depends on the mood Maude is in, this is used efficiently as the audience can empathise with Maude.

 

14. How is heterosexuality constructed through camera angles and editing?

In this extract, a mid-shot is being used and the male is invading the personal space of Maude therefore, the audience have a feel that the ‘male’ is very forward and aggressive. Maude is seen as a very innocent character as she looks up at the male and looks very scared and afraid, which then makes the male look superior and dominant.