Representation of Gender- Cutting It

INITIAL THOUGHTS

My initial thoughts on representations of Gender in the Cutting it clip are that there is no obvious masculine and feminine figure within the two characters however the female character appears to be portrayed as more masculine than feminine with elements such as her paying for the cab, having control over what the couple are doing making the the male character unaware of where they are going. This is challenging the stereotype of masculine as it would usually be portrayed through a male character rather than a female character in this case. The male character is portraying masculinity to avoid important and sensitive conversation as he tells the female character 'no' when she wants to talk about their relationship.

CAMERA SHOTS

At the very start of the clip there is a medium shot which shows the man kisses the women's hand as a sign of respect but also being affectionate. Being respectful to a lady would be seen as masculine however being affectionate would be classed a feminine stereotype which is challenging the stereotype of masculinity.



There is an medium long shot which shows the women paying for the cab. This is representing gender in a way in which is not stereotypical as the masculine figure(man) would usually pay for the cab. This also links to the fact that the women appears to be in control throughout most of the clip which is
stereo-typically a masculine trait.

There is a close up of the women which shows the audience that she is crying which is portraying feminine to be weak and emotional. However you can see that she is trying to stay strong by holding her head up high which is also portraying feminine as strong minded and may not necessarily want to show there feeling and appear weak. This is further shown in a long shot of the women walking out of the consultants wiping her eyes before her husband can see that she was upset.

There is an long shot which shows the man confused in where they are going which is portraying masculine to not always be in control in a relationship.

There is a long shot which shows the man running over to the women who had just been hit by a bus which is portraying masculine to almost be heroic and strong.

Right at the end of the clip the man is leaning over women when she helplessly on the floor which is portraying masculine as stronger and have more power as he is leaning over her and also is portraying feminine to be helpless and weak.


SOUND

At the start of the clip there is the synchronous sound of the women saying 'im sorry' to her husband which is portraying feminine to be easy to give in and the one who is picking up the pieces in a relationship. Then by the man saying 'forget it, its gone' shows masculine to be forgiving.

When the women says 'i want to go in on my own' this is portraying feminine to be strong on there own and that they don't always need a masculine figure to help them get through hard times.


MISE-EN-SCENE

The fact that the women is wearing make-up although it is only minimal is portraying feminine to care about there appearance and want to look presentable where ever they are going like in this case to see an consultant.

The women keeps talking to her husband however he is avoiding the conversation as if he does want to talk about what she is going to bring up. This is portraying masculine to not be interested in relationship conversation and that it is better not spoke about which more of a rough approach.

Both of the characters are wearing smart clothing which is portraying both masculine and feminine to want to look well presented and have self respect when it comes to clothing.

EDITING

There is a reverse shot/reverse when showing the conversation between the man and the women. Within this there is an eye line match which shows the women looking up at the man and man looking down on the women. Therefore this is portraying masculine to more powerful and have more authority over feminine.