Primeval - Textual Analysis

In this extract, gender is represented with the presentations of femininity and masculinity. Femininity is shown through both female characters and less 'manly' males, who are stereotyped as weaker, scared and acting as 'damsels in distress', whilst masculinity is shown through the male characters and a less feminine female (Abby), who are stereotyped as strong, independent and heroes.

The camera is utilised during the clip to show the representation. During the Sabre Tooth Tiger attack, a high angled shot of Nick Cutter is used, with his character positioned in the bottom half of the frame. This shot is used to create a countertype to masculinity, with the angle and framing showing his weakness in the situation, which is unlike the stereotype of the male characters, showing the power of the tiger. Another aspect of the camerawork, later on, helped emphasise the gender divided, with panning shots being used on male characters whilst theyre talking, like the white-collar worker and Connor, however, not with the female character of Abby. This camera bias shows the stereotype of women being the second class sex, as it mimics the bias of society. Later on, a shot is used with Stephen in the foreground in the center of the frame, with the more feminine characters of Abby and Connor on either side of him, positioned in the background in the left or right third of the frame. The positioning of the characters in this shot emphasises the stereotype of the more masculine characters being the heroes and have the authority, whilst more femine characters are weaker.

Sound is also utilised for the representation, mostly in the scene between Jenny and Farmer West. Initially Jenny talks calmly despite being threatened, which shows a countertype for the feminine character, with her being level-headed and strong rather than the stereotyped weakness and fearing. When Jenny does get attacked, all the diagetic sounds are slowed down and amplified, which is done to exaggurate the danger she is in. This is done to show the stereotype of women's 'damsels in distress' role, by showing the danger she is in. After this, intense background music is played, which is used to both further exaggurate the danger again, to show the female 'damsel' role, as well as show how a man attacking a woman is wrong, by making West out to be villainous, as attacking woman is very bad for the stereotyped male.

Editing is briefly used for the representation, with it slowing down during the attack on Jenny. This is done to emphasise the distress and danger she is in, showing her in a stereotypical female role of 'damsel in distress'. 

Mise-en-Scene also helps present the representation. Jenny's costume also has elements stereotypical for female characters, with her white coat showing stereotypical purity and innocence, and her heavy red make-up, showing her seductivity and care for her image. The stronger female, more masculine, character Abby's costume shows a countertype to femininty, by being more akin to the male stereotype. Abby's costume is made up of a leather jacket and trousers, two clothing items stereotyped to males, showing how she's stronger than the typical female, adopting stereotypically male traits, as well as costume items. She also has shorter hair and less make-up, which is more masculine, further emphasising her countertype. Connor's costume is also a countertype, showing him to be weaker than the other males by showing him to be more feminine. The costume is mostly made up of pink and red, two colours typically associated with femininity, further showing his weakness in relation to other males. He also wears a hat and scarf, two items of clothing that are more feminine. Other than the costume, the way that Connor can't handle a gun, choosing to weild a spade instead, also shows his femininity as he cannot handle himself.