[clip update: blocked, so see http://www.220.ro/emisiuni-tv/Merlin-Season-1-Episode-2-Part-2-Of-5/c35gmxwI7b/ and http://www.220.ro/emisiuni-tv/Merlin-Season-1-Episode-2-Part-1-Of-5/kiGglys0UY/]
You'll be analysing a clip from Season 1 Episode 2 of the BBC series Merlin, which you can find at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdq3SsoumAU (from 09:04) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyFSue4ezMY&feature=related (to approx 4:08) [10:15 to 15:17 on my DVD]
Your Representation focus is: GENDER
You will be tasked with analysing each of the 4 technical areas in turn (sound, editing, camerawork, mise-en-scene), drawing in related points on gender as you go. When you've done this, we will be using the same clip for a mock exam, for which you will not be able to use any notes. We will move on then to consider some examples using sexuality as the focus, and getting further into studying Working Title, and the marketing of films.
Remember, however, that when exploring one area of Representation you will often find it useful to make some points about some of the 6 other possible areas of Representation (eg when discussing a male you can denote as having several stereotypical feminine characteristics, a common cultural stereotype would make many viewers connote that this character is gay, just as a short-haired, physically strong and muscular female will often be viewed as lesbian, applying a common stereotype)
______________________________________________________
Its been a bit of a nightmare, a voyage of discovering what a pain it can be when one multinational conglomerate buys another, but I've eventually been able to upload to the clip in question:
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Monday, 10 May 2010
David Gauntlett resources
DG has written (2 editions of) a great book on gender (Media, Gender, and Identity). Several chunks of it are available free online, eg at http://www.theoryhead.com/gender/discuss.htm
See also http://www.theoryhead.com/gender/more.htm
See also http://www.theoryhead.com/gender/more.htm
Saturday, 31 October 2009
The ongoing issue of men wearing pink...
You may recall class discussions about the concept of 'performativity of gender' put forward by Judith Butler, the idea that gender (as distinct from biological sex) does not exist in nature but is rather a behaviour we learn from a young age, not least from being 'branded' as male/female with pink/blue clothing.
A nice example of this in action in the adult world, and perhaps also an example of the concept of the 'metrosexual' (a heterosexual male comfortable in taking on some stereotypically feminine characteristics, clothing or behaviours) comes from this interview with the Denmark/Arsenal footballer Nicklas Bendtner. Note the undertone of homophobia in the reaction he received; when we consider any one area of representation and stereotyping we often find links to another...

There have been times in his young career, though, when he has polarised support. ... Heck, he even had the nerve to wear pink boots at one stage last season and any footballer who does that has to be a good one.
"People made a big fuss because it is meant to be a girl's colour. They were outraged because they said it shouldn't appear in sport. Well, we are all different. I have my own opinion about what is a man and what is not a man. Yes, every young girl wants pink clothes but sometimes you've got to bring something different to the table."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)