Read this and bullet point advice to yourself.
The extract on Sherlock Holmes and the representation of gender was fair and engaged with by
candidates. Overall, candidates addressed the representation of gender well, and the extract
clearly helped differentiate between candidates’ responses. Question 1 demanded that
candidates engage with a variety of gender representations on masculinity and femininity across
three key scenes - providing a plethora of opportunities for textual analysis. A full range of
responses was evident; weaker candidates adopted descriptive approaches while stronger
candidates were able to demonstrate analytical skills as well as the ability to construct an
argument out of the material available to them. The lowest marked candidates produced work
that was basic and on occasion minimal. Where candidates offered description or narrative on
the question set they rarely achieved above a level two for basic work. Those that achieved well
offered detailed and sustained arguments relating to the discussion of gender demonstrated
points made with a range of salient examples across all four technical areas, and offered a
discussion of the constructed hierarchies within the extract – either in relation to masculinity,
femininity or both.
It was noted that discussion of gender stereotypes dominated many responses, but often with
the ubiquitous use of the term stereotype. Further there was a varying degree of success with
this key concept: at times it was used to categorise gender differences as either positive or
negative without demonstrating how a stereotype can also be subverted as well. Weaker
candidates offered simple points around stereotypes and countertypes, often basing their
discussion largely around dialogue and body language. However, most candidates addressed
the issue of gender representation and on the whole candidates dealt with the technical
elements well, though typically the two areas which are traditionally under addressed are those
of sound and editing:Candidates are often reliant on identification of the technical element rather
than demonstrating how perspective was created through the use of sound and editing, and how
this could impact upon the representation of gender. The most common misconception in
candidates’ responses was the use of the term ‘jump cut’. The term was routinely used to
describe a cut to a different scene or sequence. Also, Centre’s need to be reminded that media
theory is not a requirement for this question, and if candidates do use theories of representation
or audience in the response it needs to be applicable and evidenced in relation to technical
analysis.
