'Skyfall'

How is gender represented positively and stereotypically in the sequence of Skyfall?

Gender is represented both positively and negatively in the opening sequence of Skyfall. Mise-en-scene is used in the film to represent this. In this film, costume is used to show gender stereotypes through the way James Bond is dressed. Bond is dressed very smart, wearing a suit and tie, this establishes his class as people in higher classes are profoundly known to dress smart. This gender-stereotypes men in suits. ‘M’ is also dressed up very smart, but as a counter-stereotype, this is because ‘M’ is dressed very smartly in dark colours. ‘M’ has to dress this way as she is working in a predominantly male environment, and in order to be in charge she has to dress very masculine. Gender stereotypes are also shown in the scene where money penny is driving a big jeep and picks up Bond from a building entrance. For starters, we see that money penny is the one who is picking up Bond, and driving him; this is immediately telling us that Bond is in control. We later see how money penny smashes both of her wing mirrors due to reckless driving , this action reinforces gender stereotypes that women are bad drivers. After this we see a chase where money penny, even though she is driving, is still being told what to do and being given instructions by Bond. However, the role of gender stereotyping is disregarded with ‘M’ as she is presented to be in power; For example, the wide shot of the office shows the room, showing she has the power and thats she’s the most important in the room. These are some ways that mise-en-scene represents gender stereotypes.

In the film, we see how sound makes Bond to be the hero. For example, the non-diegetic music in the background, that Bond’t is unaware of, is sped up when he starts the chase along the busy streets. These non-diegetic sounds speed up with the synchronous of the motor bike engine, this establishes that Bond has the role of the male hero. Another point that should be made is that the non-diegetic music that is used highlights and indicates to us that this scene is set in a foreign, exotic location as the music becomes more ethnic. There is also an indicator that something may happen as when the sound and editing work alongside each other and get faster, we know something is about to happen.

In the film, the camera helps present gender stereotypes. This is because the camera follows behind Bond, this gives a sense that he is where we should be focusing on, and we as the audience, are following the male dominate lead. The use of the tracking shots and close up shots show that Bond is the hero of the film and show he is the alpha male character. When ‘M’is in her office, the camera uses a wide-shot showing her power as she is behind the desk looking out into her office, of where she in charge. In once particular scene ‘M’ tells Bond to find a certain list which the plot of the film and the previous two are based around. The camera is giving ‘M’ the medium close-up, as this demonstrates her power in the film as she can’t afford to loose this list.

Throughout this film, the use of editing creates a sense of gender types, For example the technique of cross cutting shows the different perspective of two things happening in the same location. Through this we can see how Bond, the leading male, is representing a typical male character of bing in the field and fighting, whereas ‘M’ being a women is dressed smartly and not doing any of the dirty work. Also, the use of eye-line match shows how Bond takes control over money penny and the scene as he takes the wheel insinuating women don't know how to drive. The use of quick cuts enforces the principal that Bond is a hero as he is overcoming the danger.

To conclude, we can see a variety of ways that mise-en-scene, and the use of camera, editing and sound can represent gender in a positive or negative way in ‘Skyfall'. Gender stereotypes are reinforced by each character subtly for example, the principal of men always being the dominant character, portrayed by Bond.