Avengers Practise Question

03/12/19

How is media language used in the extract to portray gender and sexuality in 1960's?

Write About:

• Camera work
• Mise-en-scene
• Sound
• Editing

Media language is used in this extract to portray the dominance of men and changing sexual attitudes in the 60's. Firstly, the scene opens on a cut away close up shot of the doorbell which reveals she is married, which is then followed the non-diegetic erotic music playing softly which alludes to the idea of an affair scene. The diegetic ambient sound of the door bell sets the scene immediately. Steed then pokes the door bell with his umbrella which connotes to Steed being a confident male character however is also portrays Steed as disrespectful. The camera angle then tilts up to reveal the eye; this reveals the sexual attitude in the 60's as it's an eye with a lot of makeup - which was seen to be very attractive. As the eye opens, the music tempo changes which shows sexual attraction between the two characters. The diegetic dialogue 'good morning Mrs Peel' is followed by Mrs Peels dialogue which says 'the doors open', this would be surprising as its not typical for a woman to let in men, the impact is bigger since she is married and he is her boss - it is inappropriate. This dialogue here shows her attitude towards the opposite gender. The action match of Steed 'going through the door' is used so the viewer doesn't feel disrupted, the camera angle is then low as it faces Steed. This camera angle makes it look as if Steed is towering the audience which shows how the 60's portray gender, as he appears more dominance and it shows his status. They then open Peel to a high angle which again shows her lack of importance and reveals male dominance.

The dialogue 'not a lot of flexibility in the wrist' alludes to the sexual attitudes in the 60's and the boardly humour.