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 scène

In this clip from the BBC show: 'Luther', gender is represented in such a way that women and men are definitely equal yet women do seem to be shown as the stronger, more dominant type which is usually associated with men. The woman in this clip completely dominates the narrative and ends up with all of the power by the end of the scene.
In terms of mise en scene, the men wear expensive looking shirts and suits which help to support the dominant ideology of men being smarter/dominant, more professional and successful. When the woman enters the scene, she is wearing makeup and has her hair styled in a fashionable way as well as wearing fashionable, smart looking clothes. Whilst she comes into the scene with a certain amount of presence and dominance which goes against the female stereotype, she also feels the need to look attractive through the conventional methods of makeup and hair styling. Her clothes also emphasize her figure and make it very clear to us that she is a feminine woman who can also be dominant in the presence of men. This subverts the stereotype of a dominant woman as they are typically stereotyped as being more of a 'tomboy' or an over-sexualised 'dominatrix' kind of character. The criminals clothing is more ragged and less tidy which tells the audience that he is of of a lower, less stable status.
The use of a low angle close/mid shot at the beginning of the clip shows Luther as the bigger, more dominant character as we are looking up at him from the criminals perspective which is shown from a high angle shot to emphasize the difference both in their physicality but in Luther's authority over the criminal. When using a shot/reverse shot editing technique to show the difference in impression of the two opposing characters (Luther and Ian - the criminal) their differences are emphasized yet they both have an equal amount of screen time. This could be because they are both male and therefore still hold a large amount of importance, no matter what their circumstances are, adhering to the dominant ideology of men being 'all-powerful' and dominant. When the woman enters the scene we first see her from a low angle shot which establishes her dominance but then we see her from a mid/long shot so that we can see her as equal to the men as well as her dominant body language when holding the gun and stern facial expression which supports her dominant nature. The continuity editing makes the action flow and seem fast paced and smooth, echoing her efficiency in their circumstances - a trait usually associated with men.
The non-diegetic sound of the music creates a tense, almost sad impression which is linked to the idea of emotional attachment which isn't common with the male stereotype, showing them as more emotional beings like women. Near the end of the clip a song begins to play which speaks of understanding and forgiveness, however it then goes on to talk about madness and violence. The overall tone of the song used is quite upbeat which makes it asynchronous as the action on screen is quite violent and dark, creating a clear contrast. The contrast between the music and the action could also be linked to the 'soft-hearted', 'gentle', 'emotional' stereotype of the woman being overcome by the dominant action of the woman on screen when she shoots a man without a second thought. She succeeded in completing a task that the men could not and eventually one of the men begs her to do it, hinting at a sense of role reversal.

Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of ethnicity using the following: Camera shots, angles, movement and composition, Editing, Sound, and Mise en scene

In this clip ethnicity in terms of minority groups such as Hispanic, Black and Asians are shown to be inferior to White people which adheres to ethnic stereotyping. These minority groups are portrayed as one unit that work and stick together as a family as they are all in a similar position when it comes to avoiding immigration. White people are stereotyped as being cruel and uncaring to those who are of different/stereotypically inferior groups. They adhere to this stereotype in the clip by walking into the hotel unannounced and seemingly don't care that they're running their operation in public where the British people will see what's going on. This could arguably represent the British people as being unjust and superior to those who are not classed as 'British'.
 The diegetic sound of the immigrants talking helps the audience to identify that they are different and it is obvious that they are all of various nationality, creating an umbrella term for the immigrants and placing them all in one inferior group as opposed to individual groups based on ethnicity. Also, the tone set through the non-diegetic, asynchronous sound of the music suggests a sense of normality through its calmness which contrasts to the action going on onscreen as the immigrants are frantically trying to run and hide from the authorities. As the authorities dominate and drive the action in this clip as they are the ones disrupting the hotel's (and the immigrants) environment, the music sounds almost like music that would be used in a spy or detective show. This communicates the fact that what's going on in this scene is driven by the authorities (who are all white) almost like an undercover mission.
the fact that the white people are all wearing suits/smart clothing suggests that they are wealthier/superior perhaps and are definitely of a higher place in the hotel hierarchy. Interestingly, there are a couple of black people who are also wearing suits and seem to have similar jobs to the white people who manage the hotel. However, they are still bossed around by the white people and seem to be incapable of doing the same job as them. This is shown in the part of the clip where the blonde woman who works behind the hotel reception desk asks the black man if he has completed the simple task of delivering some documents to another department in the hotel, he replies that he forgot and she then turns to the white men who represent the authorities and comments on how he has a "brain like a sive", therefore demeaning him and portraying him as dumb. The awkwardness of the black man in the suits behavior connotes that he perhaps doesn't know how to be authoritative which implies that he isn't suited to being in a position of responsibility of leadership and should remain inferior. In terms of setting, the immigrants live below the hotel and their working quarters/environment is very bare and prison-like in contrast to the luxurious, professional setting that the white people work in.
The use of action/continuity shots shows the fast paced, panicked nature of the action that is going on onscreen as the immigrants are trying to hide themselves away from the immigration officers. The fact that they have a set protocol for when this happens infers that they are no strangers to oppression and racism from the immigration officers, thus supporting their inferior status to the white people/immigration services. The parallel cut that jumps between their panic and the unknowing black character (Abraham) as the immigration officers hunt for him and the rest of the immigrants hide and hope for his safety.
A close up shot is used near the beginning of the clip on the white man who gives the orders to the policemen who surround the hotel. By highlighting his concerned, authoritative expression, he is therefore portrayed as a serious man who is not to be messed with. His status is then communicated through the way the camera then zooms out to show his influence over the officers. Finally, near the end of the clip when Jackie (the Asian woman) tries to stand up for Abraham after he has been taken, a mid/close up shot is used along with a shot/reverse shot editing technique to show how she attempts to stand up to the white immigration officer. This is effective as is shows that she is trying to overcome the stereotype of white people being superior and be on the same level as he is, e.g: a mid shot.

Doc Martin essay

'Doc Martin' Essay

Areas of Representation: Vikings

Representation in TV Drama - Vikings

'Gaze' theory

Gender gaze from MrsCmedia

Male gaze:

The male gaze is the way in which men view who and what is presented on screen, often women. It is also how men view themselves due to how men are stereotypically represented in the media. The male gaze is often the dominant ideology, therefore a lot of women look at themselves and other women through a male gaze and judge how they look through a male perspective as they feel that they have to be visually pleasing to men. Women then become objectified.

Female gaze:

Whether or not the female gaze actually exists is arguable as it simply reaffirms the male gaze of male power and dominance. The way most women see men is they way that men want to be seen themselves, eg: strong, muscular, powerful, wealthy, etc. Because of this, the question of the female gaze's existence is questionable as it is more of a male gaze but through a woman's perspective on a man.

My opinion:

I do agree with these theories in that they do exist and are quite prominent in todays society. Whilst these views can be quite objectifying and sexist (especially towards women) they are useful when creating things such as advertisements as they allow you to reach out to your target audience more. For example, by including a half naked or overly sexualised image of a woman in an advert directed at men, you are more likely to gain a male audience (the target audience) as it is what a man typically wants to see. This supports the male gaze as men see women the way they want to and woman see what they then feel is what men want them to be like, therefore they try to aspire to be like the women that are used in the adverts. 

An example of the male gaze is depicted above. In this case, the breasts are the only part of the woman that are on show, simply to draw men towards the advert. This advert objectifies women as it  shows them as sexual objects which are there 'for men'.