Discuss the ways the extract constructs the representation of gender in an extract from ‘Skins’ (series four episode 7)

Female representation
At the beginning of the clip we see Effy as dominant, she controls the conversation with Freddie, folds her arms which makes her seem stern. She is also able to control her mother which shows she controls most of the people in her life. Where as her mother just listens to her daughter and doesn’t argue, she portrays a naïve and shy character. Effy’s mother also seems to be the stereotypical mother and is making snacks and tea whilst in the scene. Freddie attempts to take control by kissing Effy but then Effy regains control by pushing him away. Effy’s costume is layers of clothing, fairly baggy, with limited make up and natural hair which suggests she is not objectified as a woman. On the other hand her mother has her hair done up and her make up is well done also which shows the opposition between daughter and mother. Effy is associated with insanity and madness, she is displayed as confused which is shown through her pills but also her anger. She is either put in the middle of the shot or kept to the left third. Effy seems frantic and panics as she loses her toy, shows she cant let go of her childhood and may be interpreted as her wanting to feel secure and innocent once again. Where as her mother has more control over herself and finds the toy and restores order as Effy’s mother. As her mother she is dominant. The use of the fire symbolises that she is burning her past and attempting to start afresh. However much in control and dominant Effy she still believes she needs John, her psychiatrist, to help her get better and so ultimately she is restrained as a woman. John immediately has a hold over Effy’s life and seems to make her ‘happy’ as soon as she seems John. Then the clip finally has a shot of Effy on the bench where she is isolated but yet she still shows happiness.

Male representation
Freddie is less in control as male but is still argumentative and he is competitive with John for Effy’s attention. He seems hurt from being rejected by Effy it shows him as being inferior almost as though he is weak and Effy controls their relationship. Freddie then kisses Effy to try and take control of the situation but fails to do so and Effy again regains dominance. The males are represented as aggressive this is demonstrated by Freddie storming out of the door. He is also rugged and wears baggy clothes he’s very independent but he still feels he needs Effy in his life to make him feel secure. John seems controlling and sinister in the way he closes the door as though it suggests his intentions are bad, he almost seems vindictive. Cook is associated with smoking and he’s also linked to inappropriate language and use of swearing. Cook seems sincere to an extent attempting to make peace between Freddie and Effy but then gets sidetracked and is blinded by his love for Effy and soon becomes selfish. Cook starts to think about his own needs than Freddie’s and soon loses track of what he is suppose to be doing. His costume has a hood, this suggests that may be he has a dark past and that he isn’t the most trustworthy of people which makes us as the audience see the male race being represented as deceitful.

Mise-en-scene
The opening shot is of a traditional British home with traditional conventions suggesting it to be the home of a British family. The house is very white everything seems clean which may suggest that the mother keeps the house clean and again stereotypes her as a woman. Then there is the mother and Freddie who are wearing the same shade of blue and seem as though they are on one team. The same colours used to dress them demonstrates equality and that women and men are equal and therefore women don’t need to wear pink which is conventionally attached to being a feminine colour. Effy is seen wearing red and very baggy clothes which make her stand out from the other characters in the scene. The red clothing may signify that she has ulterior motives or that she is angry and confused. Effy has very blue eyes which connote innocence and her hair is left as it is which demonstrates that she isn’t a stereotypical woman in wanting to look good and to her appearance isn’t everything unlike her mother. Freddie is very rugged and not clean cut he has stubble and wears almost dirty clothes. Makes him seem like he’s carefree, but yet sensible as a man. They still seem to use white as the main colour to show a contrast between the characters and the location. Effy’s bedroom is white and when she messes up her room the clothes represent how her life is also cluttered and how confused she is about life. John’s door when she enters closes and so both men, John and Freddie are associated with an element of authority because they have the power to close doors which may mean they have power in general. When the door closes the light works in a way so it is exactly on John’s name which emphasises his role and makes him seems even more sinister. The shots of Effy at the park seem more cheerful and upbeat. There is a more variety of a colour palette used to show Effy’s change in mood after seeing her psychiatrist. This idea again enforces that women always need a man to take control of their lives and they are not capable of being independent. In this case Effy is controlled by her psychiatrist, John Foster. The park has birds and leaves which also show colour and Effy’s uplifting mood.

Camera shots
At the beginning Freddie is kept to the right third and Effy’s mother is kept in the center. When Effy enters she dominates the screen, makes her seem more superior. Then there is constant close up shots of Freddie and Effy as they argue. Later there is an extreme close up shot of the word ‘Pills’ which emphasises Effy’s addiction. Everything seems to be above the shoulders as they speak. Then there is a close up side shot of Effy whilst her mum asks her questions, shows that she is confused. Effy is continuously kept on the left third of the screen. Then there is a profile shot of Effy as she consumes her medicines then there is a cute to the medication itself to again highlight Effy’s addiction. Later in the clip when Effy loses her childhood toy, Pato she begins to panic and start to act almost frantic, whilst she panics the camera shots begin to get messy and no longer have any order. Close up of Effy’s mother after she finds Pato where she displays affection and worry for her child. She seems concerned for her daughter, Effy because of Effy’s manic behaviour. Then again there is an extreme close up on the board but this time there is a close up on Freddie’s name. Afterwards there is a close up shot on Effy which then later pans out. There is a long shot of Effy sitting on the bench taken from the back where she sits alone, and as Cook joins her. Cook is now on the left third and Effy is on the right third and so Effy is in control of the screen and is dominating the screen. Again between conversation use of close ups are use, however this time its neck up and only of the characters faces. The last shot in the clip is of the Effy and Cook shaking hands which shows unity but also seems a bit sinister as though they both have ulterior motives.

Sound
Begins with the sound of the door closing when Effy first enters the home. Freddie has more dialogue than Effy during the argument but that may well be because her is more upset about the end of their relationship than Effy. Both the characters come across as loud and argumentative. In opposition to Effy her mother seems more sincere and speaks with a much quieter tone. Whilst Effy is alone there is a eerie drone sound which soon changes and becomes more subtle and has a tinkling sound to it. Then a piano sound is introduced and the music becomes even more subtle. Then the sound picks up the pace again and again becomes more racy this is when she is going to see John this may well suggesting something about John’s character and may represent his character. When John closes his door there is a sinister sound which reflects john’s character and represents males as being very cunning and deceitful. Later there is sounds from children playing in the park and birds which is in contrast off Effy’s feelings and mind. Dialogue in between. Then there is a start to the sound of the next clip which begins before the scenes from the next clip play.

Editing
Quick cuts between Effy’s faces as she attempts to make herself better by thinking about happier thoughts. There is a gradual change between the stages of her changing faces where towards the end she begins to smile. Even thought the jump cuts are quick the clip is fairly slow moving because of the scenes being slow paced to an extent. There isn’t much editing between the shots nor is there any extravagant shoots. This suggests that there is more focus on the plot and the sound than the gimmicks. The clip is kept close to its basics.