Another Sexuality Essay

How is the representation of sexuality constructed in this media video?

The clip has used a number of techniques by camera, mise en scene, editing and sound to create a representation of sexuality.

At the beginning of the clip the use of dialogue is interesting when the homosexual man is speaking to the woman. “You make a cosy couple” is suggested by the woman about the homosexual men, although, the homosexual man replies “I don’t think so”. The use of this dialogue is used to represent the contrast in feelings of sexuality between society (represented by the woman), and the homosexual man. The institution (ITV) ideology included the conversation context to show how homosexual men feel anxious and afraid to share their sexuality. However, ITV are suggesting that this is not against the stereotypical ‘norm’ as there is moral support of society comfort and understand.

Similarly, the use of non-diegetic music whilst the homosexual man is in his room is gloomy and sad. It emphasises the frustration and being ashamed of his own sexuality. This is further supported when the homosexual man is chucked out of the room and the non-diegetic music appears once again. It not only reinforces his frustration, but the representation of how homosexual men feel isolated in society.

Another use of sound is non diegetic music that builds up to show tension and the anger of the heterosexual man once been kissed. Again because of the era, the reaction represents the feelings towards homosexuals. It makes us aware of the apparent sexuality issue compared to the modern era where it is now seen by most people as acceptable.

The amount of screen time that the homosexual man receives in the clip actually subverts away from general stereotypes of their sexuality. We would expect the institution to put the homosexual man in a negative spotlight for the audience to feel empathy but this is actually a juxtaposition. It could be the institutional ideology that they fully support the sexuality and to inform viewers they should do as well.

Interestingly the order of narrative actually shows a clear representation of the homosexual sexuality. The fact that the homosexual characters switches between sad, happy and sad scenes connotes that whatever happens, he is always going to feel frustrated and upset with his own actions and thoughts. As an audience we wouldn’t attach these types of connotations around homosexual men which means the institution is informing us that sexuality doesn’t play a part in emotions.

When transitions speed up after the kiss it shows the disruption and the disjointedness of the continuity editing. When characters kiss as an audience we would expect the transitions (as well as pace) to slow down as this is what we are stereotypically associated with seeing. The fact that it does the opposite denotes the representation of some of society that are still against the sexuality and consider it to be a ‘disease’. It therefore brings us awareness of this type of attitude.

A wide angle, medium long shot is established by the director once the homosexual man has been shouted at and kicked out of the man’s room. The fact it shows all the surroundings and then just the homosexual man in the middle of the screen emphasises the feeling of isolation. The institution has incorporated the use of this shot to again feel empathy towards the homosexual man. Although, this could be debated, the fact that he is central of the shot applying the rule of thirds may still connote the importance homosexuals have in society. The fact that we as a society are not all identical brings difference and therefore this shot creates realisation of this.

The institutional ideology in this clip clearly conveys the anger and frustration of homosexual men as it is once again used by a mid-angle close up of the protagonists face. This is once he has gone up to his room and indicates the representation of homosexual male’s attitude towards societies opinions on same sex relationships. The influence this has on the audience is to inform that we should treat homosexual partnerships equally to heterosexual ones.

 The use of costume denotes the ‘smartness’ of the homosexual male character which in fact subverts away from the stereotypes of what homosexual men are typically portrayed to be wearing. As an audience we are used to the representation of what the sexuality to wear to be ‘revealing’ and ‘abstract’. This therefore connotes that how homosexual men are represented in the wrong way and are not dissimilar to the stereotypical ‘norm’ of how heterosexual males dress.

When the protagonist is in his room, the use of low key lighting is used to convey his mood which is clearly upset. The director has used this type of lighting to show the ‘shadow’ he and other homosexual men feel in society. The low key lighting also puts the mood of the audience dramatically down as we continue to feel sympathy for the man which is what the institution wants you to feel like.

Lastly, the props used are significant to the opposing representation of homosexual men. This is because as an audience we are not likely to attach these connotations with the use of the prop. A cigarette in the 50/60’s era was seen as a very ‘manly’ and ‘social’ thing to do, which would not be associated with homosexual use. This therefore brings to the attention that the institutional ideology ITV are trying to create is that homosexual’s representation shouldn’t be different because of their sexuality. Therefore, justifying that as a society we are all equal.