Primeval Analysis

How is gender represented in Primeval?

We are then introduced to counter-type characters, consisting of a male in feminine coloured clothes, followed by a female whose identity is rather masculine which is supported by her labour work with the digger. A wide camera shot is used for a clear description of the characters actions and appearance. A cross cutting editing technique is used to create suspense from one scene to another which creates suspense coincided with the mysterious non-diegectic music. This contrast of gender representation shows equality in this specific scene however, the affect of the countertypes juxtaposes an unfamiliar yet subversive traditional view of the audience.

This Primeval clip represents gender with a variety of different technological codes. This consists of: camera, mise en scene, editing and sound. The Dominant Ideology of gender throughout this clip presents a continual juxtaposition between counter-types and stereotypes.

The opening scene portrays the female character in an emotionally unstable manner; this implies a negative stereotype has been immediately displayed .The contrasts with the angelic and soothing non-diegetic music, emphasis her feelings of the current situation.  This scene arguably presents a counter- type where, the female is in control of the male. She is passive aggressive whereas, the male is calm and collected. He is presented as a stereotypical man who is bewildered over female emotions and therefore is demonstrated as inconsiderate. This is replicated via the zoom shot, as it expresses in more depth his response and feelings more evidently .However, a deeper analysis suggests a patriarchal society is presented. This is reinforced by a shot-reverse-shot editing technique, where the male is more observed by the camera throughout, suggesting the female is of less significance in this scene

Once the encounter of the wild ‘Sabre-toothed tiger’ occurs, both the female and male character responses differ to demonstrate gender representation. Although the male is in vulnerable situation, which is reinforced via a close up camera shot showing his emotion, he is facing the beast openly with no weaponry/protection. On the other hand, the female is behind the wheel of the digger where she is shielded. Despite her efforts of attempting to cause damage to the tiger, it is done with no control and direction suggesting, that this countertype is contradiction to a stereotype; which is that ‘women are not associated with labour construction work’. In contrast the male takes charge of the situation by guiding the animal away. A tracking shot of the man occurs which enables the action to be more uplifting and dramatic. This is presented as deliberate and strategic, intentionally to yet again, show another stereotype of the male being a superior figure who protects the female. During this ‘chase’ a jump cut is used, as the man climbs up the zip-wire starting point. Additionally, once he is on the zip-wire a birds-eye view camera shot is used to accentuate the extreme drop below him. This allows the action to become more intense which is supported by the non-diegetic upbeat music. A foreshadowing event occurs, where the female struggles to cope with responsibility of harming the beast as she misses the ‘gun-shot’, this is emphasised by a slow motion editing technique. The scene is concluded via the ambient silence allowing a smooth transition to the next scene.

The next scene immediately represents other forms of stereotypes of both male and female. The women is clearly characterised as confident; this is replicated by her cleavage and her ‘lady-like’ manner. In contrast, the man is stereotypically presented via his behaviour in which when his status is threatened, violence is used as a form of defence. His emotions are synchronised with the non-dietetic tense music. A close up of the women’s face is used to display her fear. The diegetic dog barking adds to the suspense and emotion within this scene. A slow motion editing technique is used allow this moment to slow down time leading the audience to engage and encounter a connection with the scene. This is short-lived by the silence and saviour of the others, allowing reality to re-occur. The previous counter types reappear in an unusual way. The eccentric styled man uses a shovel while in comparison to the Alfa-males whom have guns. The counter-type of the masculine women contrasts to her previous behaviour as she comforts the other female’s emotional needs.

In conclusion, this primeval clip presents a variety of characters which consistently juxtapose one another.