Primeval - Textual Analysis
Gender is represented in this extract of the series Primeval through the use of camera angles, mise en scene, sound and editing. Women are generally represented in a narrow range of social roles by media, whilst men are shown performing a full range of social and occupational roles. Tunstall (2000) argues that media representations emphasize women’s domestic, sexual, ‘feminine’ and marital activities to the exclusion of all else. A wide shot of a woman named Abbi, driving a yellow digger in a wilderness location, however, counteracts this notion. She seems to be engaged in strenuous work in a stereotypically unconventional place for a woman to be, performing a job which most would consider to be a ‘man’s job’, not feminine at all and not in line with the idea that displays women as weak and incapable of performing such activities.
In the same scene, a mid shot of the woman in the digger gives a clearer image of her costume and appearance which consists of a black leather jacket and short blonde hair. Her attire gives the idea that she is assertive and ‘tomboyish’ representing an atypical female as the dress code for women typically involves blouses and skirts in conjunction with their feminine and soft personalities. This represents women in a more diverse light, showing women who don’t conform to societal expections and as individuals, not cultural dopes.
The camera cuts away to a mid shot of a man named Nick, carrying wood, dressed in a dirty t-shirt in contrast to the clean attire of the woman, conveying the traditional representation of man participating in manual work and the essence of man being in strength and ruggedness. However, when attacked by the sabretooth animal, through fast paced editing and reaction shots of his face, we see that he is scared and helpless, showcasing his vulnerable side, leaving the woman to take charge and attack the animal showcasing her tact and capability.
The tense score playing the background and him being shown from a high angle in the hole he’s fallen in, further accentuates the fear felt by the man and the danger he’s in. This illustrates a reversal of the established gender role of a man being the protector and presents Abbi as the hero rather than the damsel in distress. All these factors counter the stereotype of women being weak and powerless. This could also be presentation of Nick as a metrosexual male as he illustrates qualities that bear both strength and vulnerability.
A shot reverse shot of Abbi attempting to subdue the animal and Nick acting as bait in order to distract it from her, reprises his masculinity and role of the typical hero according to the words of the theorist, Propp. He appears to be more active, strong and deals with the problem head on by running and climbing whereas Abbi remained stationary. The tense incidental music suddenly dies out as Abbi shoots the animal, connoting renewed calmness, saving Nick’s life which reestablishes her as the heroine and the one with the power. The prop in her hands is also an unconventional one for a woman to be a master at in media, which negates the stereotype of women as passive and gentle, nonviolent beings. The back and forth of control over power and importance between man and woman represents verisimilitude as both are capable of being assertive or submissive, the quality isn’t for one or the other. This conveys that gender roles are a social construct rather than a biological determinant as proposed by feminist sociologists such as Ortner (1974).
In the establishing shot an argument between a man and woman is showcased. An over the shoulder shot, shows the man looking down the woman from a high angle. The woman storms off in anger while the close up of the man’s face shows annoyance. This reinforces the stereotype that women are overly emotional and men are the rational bystanders. A pan movement around the main characters in the open area illustrates a predominantly male ensemble which could connote that men are still in a position of authority and power over women.
In binary opposition to the transgressive personalities and portrayal of Abbi and Nick, we see two other characters conversing in a barn. A close up of the woman’s face shows off her prominent makeup and hairstyle. She has also adorned a smart dress and coat, conveying that she is a woman conforming to the ideological patriarchal ideals conditioning women to dress in a certain way and be conscious of their appearance. A shot reverse shot of the pair’s argument shows the woman in a position of power as she blackmails the man. This suggests that women can be tough and independent whilst having a conventionally pretty face.
The situation is suddenly reversed as the man picks up a shot gun and is ready to kill the woman. This transmits the view, as proposed by Easthope (1986), that masculinity is based on aggression and violence. The woman has now also assumed the position of the damsel in distress and subordinate as she is shown lying on the ground while the man is standing. The slow-motion editing and the amplified barking of the dogs connotes the danger she’s in and her helplessness, when she’s ultimately saved by Abbi and the two men.
A wide shot of the group shows two different types of men. One is adorning a dress shirt while the other is wearing a pink t-shirt, marking him as the more feminine one, with pink connoting femininity. Difference in their props, the one clad in pink holding a shovel and the one in the dress shirt holding a gun, suggests that the one more masculine has greater power and in more control of the situation. However, they are all shot at eye level, conveying that they are all essentially equal. The clip both contradicts and supports stereotypical views on gender through camera angles, mise en scene, editing and sound.
In the same scene, a mid shot of the woman in the digger gives a clearer image of her costume and appearance which consists of a black leather jacket and short blonde hair. Her attire gives the idea that she is assertive and ‘tomboyish’ representing an atypical female as the dress code for women typically involves blouses and skirts in conjunction with their feminine and soft personalities. This represents women in a more diverse light, showing women who don’t conform to societal expections and as individuals, not cultural dopes.
The camera cuts away to a mid shot of a man named Nick, carrying wood, dressed in a dirty t-shirt in contrast to the clean attire of the woman, conveying the traditional representation of man participating in manual work and the essence of man being in strength and ruggedness. However, when attacked by the sabretooth animal, through fast paced editing and reaction shots of his face, we see that he is scared and helpless, showcasing his vulnerable side, leaving the woman to take charge and attack the animal showcasing her tact and capability.
The tense score playing the background and him being shown from a high angle in the hole he’s fallen in, further accentuates the fear felt by the man and the danger he’s in. This illustrates a reversal of the established gender role of a man being the protector and presents Abbi as the hero rather than the damsel in distress. All these factors counter the stereotype of women being weak and powerless. This could also be presentation of Nick as a metrosexual male as he illustrates qualities that bear both strength and vulnerability.
A shot reverse shot of Abbi attempting to subdue the animal and Nick acting as bait in order to distract it from her, reprises his masculinity and role of the typical hero according to the words of the theorist, Propp. He appears to be more active, strong and deals with the problem head on by running and climbing whereas Abbi remained stationary. The tense incidental music suddenly dies out as Abbi shoots the animal, connoting renewed calmness, saving Nick’s life which reestablishes her as the heroine and the one with the power. The prop in her hands is also an unconventional one for a woman to be a master at in media, which negates the stereotype of women as passive and gentle, nonviolent beings. The back and forth of control over power and importance between man and woman represents verisimilitude as both are capable of being assertive or submissive, the quality isn’t for one or the other. This conveys that gender roles are a social construct rather than a biological determinant as proposed by feminist sociologists such as Ortner (1974).
In the establishing shot an argument between a man and woman is showcased. An over the shoulder shot, shows the man looking down the woman from a high angle. The woman storms off in anger while the close up of the man’s face shows annoyance. This reinforces the stereotype that women are overly emotional and men are the rational bystanders. A pan movement around the main characters in the open area illustrates a predominantly male ensemble which could connote that men are still in a position of authority and power over women.
In binary opposition to the transgressive personalities and portrayal of Abbi and Nick, we see two other characters conversing in a barn. A close up of the woman’s face shows off her prominent makeup and hairstyle. She has also adorned a smart dress and coat, conveying that she is a woman conforming to the ideological patriarchal ideals conditioning women to dress in a certain way and be conscious of their appearance. A shot reverse shot of the pair’s argument shows the woman in a position of power as she blackmails the man. This suggests that women can be tough and independent whilst having a conventionally pretty face.
The situation is suddenly reversed as the man picks up a shot gun and is ready to kill the woman. This transmits the view, as proposed by Easthope (1986), that masculinity is based on aggression and violence. The woman has now also assumed the position of the damsel in distress and subordinate as she is shown lying on the ground while the man is standing. The slow-motion editing and the amplified barking of the dogs connotes the danger she’s in and her helplessness, when she’s ultimately saved by Abbi and the two men.
A wide shot of the group shows two different types of men. One is adorning a dress shirt while the other is wearing a pink t-shirt, marking him as the more feminine one, with pink connoting femininity. Difference in their props, the one clad in pink holding a shovel and the one in the dress shirt holding a gun, suggests that the one more masculine has greater power and in more control of the situation. However, they are all shot at eye level, conveying that they are all essentially equal. The clip both contradicts and supports stereotypical views on gender through camera angles, mise en scene, editing and sound.
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