Primeval Analysis on Representations of Women and Men- Rayaan Haji Muhumed

The gender in Primeval is represented through the camera angles, mise en scene, sound and editing. Primeval is a Sci-fi TV drama which represents this genre to be mostly patriarchal. However in Primeval it challenges the stereotypical roles of men and women in society itself. The TV Drama portrays the idea of role reversal. An example of this is of the woman who was driving the tractor; which presents her to be doing a males role. Stereotypically the men are the ones which do the hard labour whereas the women were the ones that done the housework.

This medium shot portrays the non-stereotypical woman. This shot is effective as it presents her looks and her role in this opening sequence. The mise en scene in this shot shows the tractor and the type of surrounding the woman is in. The woman has short white hair. This suggests that she is strong and a fighter based on her looks in this shot.

The medium shot used in this scene shows a barely visible hand inside the muddy wall. The mise en scene creates mystery and curiostiy as the audience wonders why the there is a human hand. Suggests the death of a person in the forest they are situated in. Foretelling the danger which is near.

The mise en scene portrays his surroundings of being in the ditch. The medium close up used conveys his posture and facial expreesion. The camera angle is tilted down to show his emotions. The man faces presents the fear due cowering from saber tooth. His fear goes against his representation of a male; males are meant to be strong and go ainst their fears. In this shot it shows his retreat to protection.

The long shot is effective in this scene as it portrays the woman to be a long distance away from the camera. This suggests the urgerncy of her shot. To save her partner from the beast. This woman challenges the stereotypical fairytales of the men being the heros by saving the ‘damsel’. The diegetic

sounds used in this scene is the firing of the bullet. The bullet connotes the ending of life; the aim of putting the animal down shows her heriocic actions.

The over the shoulder shot used is effective as we are to see a full insight of the second character. The second character in this scene is a stereotypical woman. This is due to her choice in clothing- wears a dress; cleavage is visible. This presents her to be proffesional and convincing. The image of this woman connotes her to be weak and defenceless. The use of dialogue in this shot shows that in this scene

she is in control. Although this woman is represented to be weak, she posses ‘male’ qualities of being in control of situations.

Women are stereotypically viewed to be weak and defenceless. Portraying the idea that they are less superior to men. The woman above given this label shows to have aceepted the self-fulfilling prophecy. Her ideal personalitilty is enforced through the worry she has for her coat than herself. She states ‘this is my best coat’ conveys her to be a person who wants to look perfect rather than her own safety. Primeval contrasts the differences between the ideal woman and non ideal, to show that the stereotypical representations made can be challenged.

The medium shot is effective in this scene as it shows the posture of all three characters. It potrays the roles they have in this situation. The man and the woman with guns are both shown to be equal due to their choice in weapon. The man in front conveys to be the leader due to his willingness to take risks. However the man with the shovel is represented to be weak and vulnerable.

This goes against the representation of men being strong and fearless, as he conveys feminine features of weakness.

Overall the gender representations in Primeveal are contradicted with each othe as both men and women are shown with opposite representations. Primeval contrasts between the posture and looks a stereotypical man would have possed and which wouldn’t. Same with the women, to show the ideal representations in society and film industry can be changed based on those who rebel against their given labels.