ESSAY- Discuss the ways in which the Extract uses Camera shots, Mise en Scene, Sound and Editing to Represent Gender

                 In this scene from Some girls, we see stereotypical representations of genders. Firstly, men and boys are betrayed as irresponsible. When the main female character walks up to her flat, we see two teenage boys mucking about with a trolley, which is mise-en-scene. This presents boys as not taking things seriously and having a laugh, even if it means being a risk to theirs and others safety. To emphasis the impact of the crash into the lamppost,  the camera follows the trolley (tracking shot) and then the transitional to the next scene is a slide transition. This effect makes the audience follow the trolley and get some idea of the force and speed it is going. The next representation of male characters is her dad. When she arrives in from school, her dad has no food prepared for her and does the opposite of welcoming her home with open arms. This may be because this is usually a feminine thing to do and her dad is being a typical man. Even after she complains that she is hungry, he still says that she should get it herself and this may reflect the fact that he has old fashion views that women belong in the kitchen. Also, later on in this scene, we see her dad and brother hooked to their video games. Again, this is a stereotypical representation. 
                Women also have their own representation. For example, when the PE and her step mum comes out of the shower, we hear music which is soft and classical, which relates to feminine themes. Also the way she dries her hair with the towel is a very stereotypical way which comes across that everything she does is perfect. Men used to think that all women like that were perfect and it is still a stereotype which is used here. Also, within the programme as well, there is a strong theme of friendship seen through the group of girls. We see this in the PE class that they are all close and are fond of gossiping which we here through the dialect. Gossiping is seen as a female activity rather than a male one. 
                 Although all these points are stereotypical, there are also some points which are anti stereotypical. Firstly, we see the dad, who we assume has stayed home all day as he seems very relaxed, and, as we know, his girlfriend has been the one working. Later on in the same scene, she questions 'Are you going to let her talk to me like that?' This shows how she dominates the house and she uses this power over the kids and the dad. As mentioned before, we know the step mum is a PE teacher. Women are not traditionally associated with PE so this may represent the changing times and modern views. When the girl leaves the flat, her stepmother is laying down relaxing reading a magazine. In past generations the woman of the household always had housework to do so again, this may represent modern views.  When the girl finds out about the pregnancy, there is a cross cut between the couple and her, which may be to show all the different reactions. There is also a close up of the girl's reaction. This may be to show more shock, which is an unusual way for a girl to react to a pregnancy as they are expected to be happy rather than mention the idea of an abortion. 
               So in conclusion, the clip from 'Some Girls' shows a mixture of both stereotypical gender and unusual betrayals of gender. This is shown through; sound, mise en scene usually in the form of props, transitions, and camera shots.