Discuss the ways in which the extract uses camera shots, editing, sound, mise en scene to construct representations of:

gender, relationships, health, romance

In the Cutting It extract, there are many ways in which, relationships, health and romance are represented through camera shots, editing, sound and mise en scene.

The camerawork in this sequence has helped to portray many representations of relationship and romance. For example, when the framing is at a mid-shot of the couple in the taxi, the female character is leaning against the male’s shoulder, which indicates a close relationship between the two. This indication is then confirmed when he takes her hand and kisses it twice. This gesture suggests that the relationship between the two is romantic/sexual rather than being friendly. To portray their closeness, the director keeps the camera frames at medium close up shots of the two, which puts emphasis on the seriousness between them. As well as relationships/romance, the camerawork also portrays the females health. This is done discreetly, but is noticeable in the sequence. We know that there are health issues when the camera films at a wide-shot of a street. This frame is an establishing shot because it pictures an ambulance moving across the screen from the left and leaving to its right. As it exits, the taxi that the couple was in arrives. Therefore suggesting that they are at the hospital. The relationship between the couple is then disrupted by an alternating close-up shot of the couple. This puts emphasis on the seriousness of the visit.

The editing process has an important role in creating this sequence. It helps to portray that the female character has more authority and is actually the more powerful figure in the sequence. This is presented by the female character being in the frame more than the male figure, suggesting that she is the key to the narrative enigma. Another example, is of when she insists on attending the appointment alone – which then suggests that the audience attention should be focused on her and that she is the more powerful figure in the relationship. This gender difference is important, as they editors have to ensure that we as the audience understand that the female figure is more important the males. Our attention is to focus on her. The editing also creates a tension from the extra-diegetic music track which was playing as the shot contrasted from the indoor and outdoor lighting (dark and light) – this heightened the tension as we were waiting for the results from the mysterious consultation (in which who’s face we don’t get to see).

In this sequence, we hear a lot of naturalistic sounds such as the engine noises made from the cab and the heightened street noise outside the hospital. These diegetic sounds helps to create a sense of realism in the sequence, which makes the hospital trip seem more surreal and it creates tension to what may happen. As the female character enters the hospital, we hear non-diegetic sounds. A low

strain of synthesized music is played, followed by rhythmic percussion with lyrics that were about leaving, being free and remembering (which was added in during the editing process). This gives the audience a sense of tension and mystery.

The mise en scene helps to create the emotions and feelings for the audience to observe. This helps to make the staged actions seem more surreal in its natural surrounding. An example of this, is the contrast between dramatic lighting of the consulting room and the brightness of the outdoor café. It highlights the balance between fear and hope. The mise en scene also helps to portray the relationship between the couple. For example, the rings that they were both wearing which was portrayed when they were both in the taxi – these rings represent their marriage.

It is important to consider everything in terms of camerawork, editing, sound and mise en scene. This is because all these factors help to create a final sequence. If one or another isn’t considered, the sequence may become less surreal and seem more staged in which the audience may not feel engaged in.