Avengers Practice Question 1

How is media language represented in the extract to display gender and sexuality in the 60s?

In the 1960s, society was dominated by the changing stereotypes of genders and sexuality.
In the start of this extract camerawork is used to create a sexualised environment, in the first couple of scenes a close up shot of Mr Steed is used however the camera is angled below him, this could represent his class. Also in the 1960s of you were filming a politician or a person of higher class you would have to film them from their shoulders up which would represent that they are 'better' then other people.

The sexualised environment is created through props and actions such as Mr Steed poking the door bell and then the camera angle pans across to the large eye, this eye has traditional 60s makeup on which shows the stereotypes of beauty in the 60s. Also the sticker on the door bell says 'Mrs Emma Peel' this shows that she is married however she says to Steed that the door is open which is unusual because if she is married why would she leave her door open to random men.

The series of shots that show Steed and Peel having a sword fight present a their sexual chemistry, during the fight when Peel dominates Steed, a medium pan shot is used to show Steed looking at Peel's backside, however she always keeps her eyes on his face which shows that she has respect to him but he's objectifying her.