Eastenders Student Essay

Discuss the ways in which the extract ‘Eastenders’ constructs the representation of gender by using camera angle/shots/composition, sound elements, mise-en-scene and editing techniques.

In the beginning of the extract we see Sam Mitchell, who is in the cellar of the Queen Vic pub, digging and axing away at something off screen. She is wearing very dirty, grimy clothes which make her look like she is from an action movie. By her attire, we can tell that the representation of females opposes that of the stereotypical female: emotional, vulnerable, weak and trendy. The use of diegetic sound reinforces this. From her grunting and panting we can assume that she is hard at work. She also spits onto her hand and wipes the sweat off her brow. Her messy hair makes her seem deranged, almost mad. Low key lightning is used: we can partially see Sam's face lit up by the sunlight streaming through a small window. By using low key lighting, the audience may think that something sinister is going on and it makes the extract look more dramatic. It could also show that the audience is being hidden away from something, the unknown that could make them feel uncomfortable. In her hands we see an axe which connotes violence and harm.

The scene then cuts in to a park where Sharon and Dennis are getting married. We see a lovely setting with a serene mood, compared to the first scene where it is moody, sinister and dark. Both Sharon and Dennis are wearing wedding outfits showing that they are getting married. However we only see very few people at the wedding. There is no priest present, who is normally found in most weddings. We see Dot, Jim, Chrissie and Pauline all lined up ready to take a picture of the newly married couple. Dot is teaching Jim how he should use the camera. This is rather peculiar as it’s the stereotypical man that knows his tech and how to use them. Dot seems to be slightly intellectual by instructing Jim and her dress sense seems to support this: she is wearing a modern, old woman’s wedding skirt and blouse accompanied by a fancy hat. Dot’s character is contradicting the stereotypical old woman: slow, gossipy and frail. But we see that Dot’s character opposes the common perception of an old woman with her lively, happy, and knowledgeable nature. We then see the three women throw confetti at the couple as the photo is being taken. The camera then quickly tracks in, making the moment significant and important. The quick tracking of the camera exaggerates the happiness in this particular scene. Confetti connotes happiness and joy which is strongly emphasised with high key lighting and the ambient sound of birds twittering and singing in the trees. This diegetic sound also adds to the verisimilitude, giving the extract a more realistic feel.

The scene cuts to the Square where a high angle shot is used to establish the setting. We can see that there is a party being held for Dennis and Sharon, the new married couple. High key lighting is used here as well as the wedding scene with the same effect: happiness and an undisturbed environment. We can also hear music played, possibly by a DJ. By using diegetic sound, the extract is given a sense of realism. All is well until it is disturbed by the sound of police sirens. This diegetic sound suggests that something has gone wrong and adds to the verisimilitude of the extract. The police step out of the car and shout outside the door the Vic: “Miss Mitchel, it’s the police! You need to let us in.” This shows how stereotypical the police are as they are well dressed and seem to have some authority because the people in the Square gather around them. The stereotypical policeman has a sense of authority and walk with their chest sticking out. They also have one hand or both hands near their batons, ready for a fight if necessary. He then takes out his baton and extends it in one brief flick. The scene cuts to where Sam is still digging up the floor of the cellar. This scene is very similar to the first but only has a different angle and shot distance (medium side shot) whereas the first scene showed a medium close-up of Sam. The police barge in to find Sam surrendering herself to them. He then states the reasons for her arrests. He sees a human leg in the hole of the floor and says “There will probably be other charges. You might want to inform a solicitor.” Sam then shakes her head showing her disapproval and says “No, no I don’t trust lawyers.” This represents Sam as being strong, confident and accepting her crimes. Sam’s character strongly opposes the stereotypical young woman as a woman of her age would normally break down into tears. We see that she is very different to other female characters like Sharon, sweet and loving, and Dot, intellectual and knowledgeable. The handcuffs are then clicked onto her wrists and an eye line match is used again as she gives the body in the hole a look of accomplishment and satisfactory.

The scene changes to the Square again, where people are waiting anxiously in bundles. A young woman walks out of the Vic with her hands to her face, indicating that she is crying. She is then comforted by another woman and Pat as they lead her to a seat. All three characters are the typical representations of a woman. Tracy is seen as the emotional, weak and vulnerable character out of the three. Pat and the other women are also stereotypical women as they rush to comfort her. Kat, the forth female in the frame, looks stylish and modern. She looks as Tracy and the woman walk past her. Kat seems to slightly oppose this stereotype as she avoids sympathising with her, unlike the other women. As they walk off screen, Mo starts her usual gossiping. She adheres to the stereotypical old woman who constantly talks and annoys people around her as we can see from the expression on Billy’s face. As Sam walks out, Mo is silenced and Billy walks up to her and addresses her. With his cockney accent he says “Sam what the hell you doin’?” By using dialogue, the audience can see how shocked he is as the officer walks out with his sister. He abides to the stereotypical young man: a person of very casual characteristics, using colloquial terms and phrases.

As Sam is dragged into a police car, Kat approaches the window and the camera cuts into a medium close-up. She threatens Sam into not involving her sister into the situation. By using a medium close-up, the audience may be able to interpret that there is a secret matter being addressed. This could mean that Kat is knows something but Sam retorts, saying that she is going to tell the police everything through her gritted teeth. Here we see a much better, clearer representation of gender in Kat. She seems to come out as a protective but aggressive character which conflicts with a stereotypical woman. Kat is shown as a very strong character and likewise with Sam and the medium close-up emphasises this by showing more of their facial expressions. During this conversation, we see that shot/reverse shot is used. This editing technique is used frequently in conversation so that the audience can see the two sides of the conversation and the facial expressions of the characters.

Throughout the extract, cross cutting is used between three different places: the wedding, the Square and the Vic. By using cross cutting, the audience can understand the narrative well. Throughout the extract, representation of gender is changed depending on the character. The stereotypical characters are Tracy, Pat, Mo, the woman that helps Tracy, Sharon, Chrissie, Billy, Dennis and the policemen. The characters that oppose their stereotypes are Jim, Dot, Sam and Kat. More stereotypes are used in this extract, making it easier for the audience to understand them and relate to them. But by using characters that oppose their stereotypes, gives the audience food for thought: stereotypes are only used to make things easy for us whereas characters that evade doing so, require more effort and understanding.