Gender Analysis Of Primeval :

Gender Analysis : 

“Discuss the representation of gender in the TV Drama Primeval. Please refer to specific examples from: camera shot angles, movement and composition sound and editing, this should be 1000 words.”

   Primeval is a British Science Fiction drama television programme produced by ITV, created by Adrian Hodges and Tim Haines. In this particular extract we are represented firstly with a short scene revolving around a couple arguing, to represent this a disagreement, non-diegetic music is represented which consist a strong use of violins to present a theatrically discomforting mood, this music also suggests the woman in an extremely positive and independent aspect towards the audience, in the idea that she is walking away from the man in order to represent that she is making her own choices and disobeying the man, this is also shown through the use of wide and middle camera shots which represent the naturalistic surroundings as well as the vehicle which she drives off in .

    This scene then short cuts towards the scene, presenting a man who is stereotyped to look like a scientist hence the costume choices of glasses as well as being shown exploring environmental aspects in there forest surroundings, we are then presented with another stereotype of one of the men being suggested to look extremely feminine, hence the flamboyant pink shirt as well as being accessorized with garments such as a hat, waist coat and bracelets, as well as this we are then introduced with the character Abby, who is suggested in society as countertype , in the idea that she is dressed in a leather jacket and cargo pants in the following earthy colors grey, black and moss green, as well having the hairstyle choice of a cropped pixie cut.

   This presentation of Abby’s appearance immediately drives the audience towards a strong sense of masculinity, another example to prove this during this scene Abby is driving a digger type vehicle, this could then be argued that driving this dangerous vehicle is supposedly driven by a man which is intriguing towards an audience perspective as it gives off the impression that Abby is equally as ambitious and ruthless as a man, an example to define this reason is when the scientist is being chased by a tiger, the camera shots are presented on Abby from a low camera shot in order to represent authority and importance , to create the impression that inevitably has to save the scientist as well during the crucial moment where the tiger is presented as offering to finally end the life of the scientist , a wide camera shot is presented on Abby in order to present a clear contrast between her brutal and heroic aspects , to which she is then surrounded by the peaceful and simplistic forest, as concept of Abby saving the scientist is a countertype, in the idea that as society we are so used to the revolving story based on the man rescuing the woman, which immediately presents a more powerful image towards women, this is shown in the following scene to which we are represented with a middle camera shot presenting Abby walking with three other men, this gives the audience the immediate impression that by placing Abby with the other men shows she has equal authority, this is also shown with the use of diegetic sound of Abby walking through the grass with the idea that she is stating her ground by conquering her way through the simplistic surroundings, as well it suggests that Abby prefers working with the opposite sex in the idea that she feels she is more intellectually challenged when working with men .

    Throughout the next scene we are brought to the conclusion that the characters are presented having discussion, to which we are introduced with the stereotype of the classic business man, this man is presented in a very sophisticated manner in a crisp cut business suit, this immedialty gives the audience the impression even before the man vocalizes, that he is extremely intellectual, organized and demanding, as well he the camera angles are represented from a long shot in order to present a sense of higher authority .

     The next woman we are introduced to is presented as an extremely common stereotype of a woman, dressed in extremely feminine clothes of a cream coat with lace trimmings around the collar, as well as being extremely neat and sophisticated hair, scraped back into a bun, this creates a strong sense of sophistication as well as organization, the woman is presented at the beginning as being extremely demanding in order to get answers from a certain man to which she is then stunned to find that she is threatened with a viscous weapon of a gun to which is presented in a sarcastic tone in order to cover up her sense of fear .

   In conclusion this Primeval sequence represents a variety of genders in order to present stereotypes which audiences are aware off as well as condensing character types , which intrigue the audience to explore there personality and character in more depth.