Sexuality and disability have only featured once each, making them strong candidates. Gender and race are the most recent ones, so might not come up again; however, they have shown with gender that they're not afraid to repeat themselves if they find the right extract!
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.
Milo sent in these clips late - but they're from great films, to be fair. His comments are below each clip:
To Kill A Mockingbird clip:
This clip shows racism within the judicial courts of America
in the 20th century through the jury refusing a man’s innocents
because he is black, even though his innocents is clear. The clip shows black
people in the deep south as being isolated, alienated and criminalized.
Boyz 'N the Hood clip:
This clip shows the brutal and unfair treatment of black
people by the police in Los Angeles, even by officers who themselves are black
which may subvert stereotypes of black people sticking together and trying to
fight the racist system because a black cop has joined that very racist
structure.
This link is of a site based of the bechdel test, however,
it differentiates itself by using a series of questions based on race to
decipher whether certain films pass the test or not.The main questions asked are whether there
are more than one characters of colour in the film, whether said characters
converse with each other and whether their conversation was about a white
character.
This article is about the little screen time actors of
colour have in the film industry, and suggests interesting ideas about how to
tackle the issues risen, it also brings to attention the typical portrayals of
coloured people found in movies; such as the ‘black thug’, the ‘awkward
desexualised Asian’ etc.
This advert launched in 2007 by intel advertising a new,
faster duo processor has been marked as a racist.Having a white manager standing over six
athletes, whom all happen to be black, bowing in perfect symmetry before him
can be seen as a connotation of slavery.
Nile googled 'racial stereotypes in the media' then sent me this. From his phone.
The clip I chose is from
12 Years A Slave and is called "Run N*igger Run". It shows a white
man exclaiming and commanding a black slave who is running and is in haste
carry out an errand in order to excuse his consequence. This supports the
ideology that black people are inferior to white people. The diegetic sound of
the loud breaths coming from the black man express his fatigue and distress and
make the audience sympathise with the black man. The extreme long shot used
here also separates the black man from the white man as, during that time, the
two races were separated in society due to the apartheid, which was then lifted
following Martin Luther King's fondness and anger towards the racism that black
people faced.
Subverts
the dominant ideology that white males are polite and aren’t criminals
Subverts
the dominant ideology that black males are violent and thieves by showing a
white person robbing the store whilst the Asian shopkeeper is too busy
harassing him for his race.
Reinforces
the dominant ideology that Asian people are less tolerant and more weary of
black people because they follow racial stereotypes.
He also found this:
And said this:
Reinforces
the dominant ideology that black people are trouble makers: Black man seen
shooting, Dwayne Johnson generally seen in the centre of mayhem in most shots.
However
this is also subverted when a cop at the end of the video is seen to be black
and acting more rational than Dwayne and his friend.
Reinforces
the dominant ideology that black people supress white people; at the end of the
movie “You don’t get to say that, right on! Come on brother…” And a fist bump
which shows their unity.
Subverts
the dominant ideology that black people look out for themselves: woman screams
help me in a fire and the main character rescues her.
Efeosa sent me a link with this subject line:
This article talks about Adele and how she casted a black guy in that hello video to address police brutality.
