7/23/2019 Essay 4 - Luther

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/essay-4-luther 1/2

 Jay Franks

Luther - Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of gender using the following: Camera shots, angles, movement and composition,

Editing, Sound and Mise en scene

 The extract “Luther” uses various techniques that involve constructing the

representation of gender using Camera Work !diting "ound and #ise en scene$ Throughusing these di%erent techniques it gives o% various connotations a&out gender 'ithin theextract 'hich ( 'ill &e explaining in further detail$

Firstly the extract &egins 'ith a close up of a male )(an* having tears in his eyes$ This is

a countertype for a male as stereotypically they are supposed to &e emotionally strong

as they usually don+t express their feelings as then it makes them seem 'eak and no

male 'ants that as it 'ill make others &elieve they can 'alk all over you$ ,s the

conversation unfolds there is multiple shot reverse shots used to follo' it as 'ell as fast

paced editing to keep the -o' of the conversation quick and engaging for the audience

as it adds to the tension in the argument$ Through using this camera shot it portrays the

idea that &ecause 'hen it goes onto Luther and then &ack to (an it goes from a lo' angle

shot to a high angle shot implying that Luther is clearly taller than (an and that connotes

to Luther having more physical po'er than (an$ Luther then pulls a shotgun out on (an+s

head and a close up sho's his facial expression and through his heavy &reathing it

indicates that he is nervous in the situation &ut still carries on to act strong in the

dialogue &et'een the characters 'hich implies that (an is mentally strong rather than

physical 'hich is the countertype for a male$ Through the use of pulling out a shotgun

and pointing it at (an+s head you 'ould think that 'ould sho' he is po'erful and that

people shouldn+t cross him$ .ut through thro'ing it on the -oor and deciding to use his

physical strength to hurt (an instead of actually using the 'eapon to kill (an 'hen he is

clearly tormenting Luther through past experiences 'ith his 'ife could indicate that

Luther is actually a co'ard and can+t and doesn+t have it in him to get the /o& done$

Which for a male that is physically strong and tall is surprising &ecause you 'ould thinkthey 'ould &e ruthless$

#oreover after a lot of 0ghting and shouting ,lice 'alks in and shouts “(an” in a

provocative 'ay 'hich makes (an spin around and then the camera angle sho's ,lice

'alking in slo'ly emphasising the synchronous sound of her footsteps 'hich eco in the

environment they are in and then all the loud noise stops and the po'er shift goes from

the males to ,lice &eing a female$ This is a very unstereotypical event to occur as

normally if t'o men 'ere 0ghting and having an argument if a 'oman said to stop

0ghting the men 'ould /ust carry on &ecause the 'omen have no physical control over

them$ 1o'ever this isn+t the case and they do stop 0ghting &ut a countertype to that is

that she is carrying a shotgun over her head 'hich for 'oman is unstereotypical asusually they 'ouldn+t &e involved in violence as that is a stereotypical mans action$

1o'ever she does apply to the stereotypical actions of a 'oman in trying to look

attractive and fashiona&le$ ,s the long shot as she 'alked in sho'n her 'earing high

heels and a fashiona&le coat and then a close up reveals to the audience that she is

'earing lipstick and make up$ This is stereotypical for a 'oman as they try to look

attractive and seductive for men 'hich could &e the case here as then she might feel

she 'ill have some po'er over the men in this situation$

Furthermore a non2diegetic calm soundtrack is added to the situation 'hen ,lice is

speaking 'hich indicates that she 'ants to settle the situation do'n 'hich is a

stereotypical act from a 'oman as they are typically caring and don+t 'ant con-ict to

cut$ 1o'ever it is ironic that she is carrying a shotgun 'hich implies she might kill (an

'hich connotes to her &eing evil and isn+t scared of the situation and 'ill do 'hat she

7/23/2019 Essay 4 - Luther

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/essay-4-luther 2/2

 Jay Franks

pleases to end the situation$ The soundtrack added is almost a dou&le &lu% in that it can

connote t'o di%erent meanings 'hich is clever form the producers as it keeps the

audience guessing if ,lice applies to the common stereotype or counters it$ "hot reverse

shots are used in the conversation &et'een ,lice and (an and it sho's that ,lice is

speaking do'n to (an slightly as the camera is on a slightly high angle 'hen talking to

(an and (an is on a lo' angle$ This is a countertype in height &ecause men are usuallytaller than 'omen &ut this angle and the di%erence in 3oom appears ,lice to &e taller

making her to seem more po'erful in the situation$ This is unstereotypical for a 'oman

to act like this for saying this man she is talking to has /ust sta&&ed Luther and he isn+t

fa3ed &y it and 'ill stand her o'n$

,s the extract continues there is a side'ays pan com&ined 'ith a long shot sho'ing

,lice killing (an and it portrays the image that 'hoever is on the same side as ,lice is

po'erful$ This is implied through height connotations as the longshot sho's Luther and

(an &oth on the ground and ,lice and her friend to &e still standing up meaning that

people don+t 'ant to come across ,lice as she is evil$ This is unstereotypical for a 'oman

to &e like this and to &e a&le to manipulate men not even in a sexual 'ay$ Furthermore a

shot reverse shot is used form Luther looking do'n at (an and then &ack at Luther$ This is

also a sallo' focus shot highlighting Luther and hiding ,lice and her friend &ehind him

implying that Luther requires &ack up to &e a&le to 0nish his /o& he connotes to him

&eing psychically 'eak 'hich is unstereotypical for a male$ The emotion non diegetic

soundtrack added also sho's that the reason ore 'hy he couldn+t kill (an is &ecause he is

a kind person deep do'n even thought actions he pursues in his /o& doesn+t suggest that

and that ,lice is evil$ This is a s'ap in stereotypical gender codes as males are usually

not caring a&out stu% and 'oman are$

 To conclude the extract produced many stereotypical and unstereotypical connotationsthrough the use of Camera shots angles movement and composition !diting "ound

and #ise en scene 'hich gave the vie'er a clear indication of the personality types ofthe characters involved in the extract and if they follo'ed the typical codes andconventions for someone of their gender type$