The Wolf of Wall Street

Analysing mis en scene through a moving image

Setting and props

Firstly there are empty bottles of alcohol on the window sill and table, this representing their lifestyle within the family which is stereotypical of a lower class family. Furthermore, the un-plastered walls symbolises the simplicity of their lives and how they don't care for fancy decorations; possibly because they can't afford them or because they simply just don't care. In addition, the un-matching table and chairs in their kitchen may indicate that they are unorganised and may also represent their social class, as they may have got the table and chairs cheaper through individual buying. In addition, the house is cluttered to suggest they have little rules within the house, again often stereotypical of a lower class family.

However, the man who turns up in the suit had documents and a tie to suggest that he is of a higher class and more intelligent than the lower class family due to his more formal attire. Finally, also outside, there is unwanted furniture which symbolised they're cluttered and don't care about their image along with its impact on the environment.

Mis en scene

- A French term meaning what is put into a scene or frame. It is the visual information in front of the camera, and communicates essential information to the audience.


Consists of 8 areas:

• Colour
• Costume
• Lighting
• Body language/ posture
• Framing
• Hair and makeup
• Setting and props
• Facial expressions

Gender in TV Drama

Gender is presented in TV dramas in completely different ways, depending on whether they are female or male. For example, women are often represented as being part of a context like family, friends or colleagues in order to think and work as part of a team. However, in TV dramas they tend to take the role of a helper; as a passive character rather than an active character. This therefore portrays them as an object through the eyes of the male gaze. This can often be shown through a number of camera angles such as the over the shoulder shot. When shot over the shoulder of a woman, it represents that the man is the main character as the camera is focused solely on him with the woman being a passive character with the role of supporting the male lead. Furthermore, the clothes that women wear are often deliberately provocative in an attempt to lure viewers in through the view of the male gaze and therefore the women actors also being part of the selling point, objectifying them further.

On the other hand, male characters are usually represented as isolated, as not needing to rely on others, portraying them as the lone hero. Male characters will most likely be shot in the low angle shot to give them an appearance of a more dominant figure

Beyonce - 1+1 male gaze analysis

Mis en scene 
The provocative clothing that Beyoncé wears in her 1+1 music video indicates that she wants to lure men in with her body and good looks in order to feel safer around them. This backs up Laura Mulvey’s theory that women feel they have to be admired for their appearance in order to satisfy the male audience, eventually objectifying them. Furthermore, Beyoncé appears to be covered in sweat, and with the lyrics ‘make love to me’, this would really appeal to the male eye and therefore fit into the theory of the male gaze. Finally, the dark atmosphere to the set gives it a dark and mysterious atmosphere to Beyoncé herself, which also appeals to the male gaze.


Camera angles 
An extreme close up is used in Beyoncé’s 1+1 video. This gives us a good close up view on her heavy eye make up. This represents the effort that Beyoncé went through in order to impress men through the male gaze. Also the over the shoulder shot of Beyoncé from over the male holding her is used. Combined with the lyrics ‘make love to me’ this represents her as being a secondary object, used to show how she makes the man feel.

Music
The music used in 1+1 is slow, melow music used to create a slow, sexually intense atmosphere. This suggests that Beyoncé purposely intended this in hope of attracting male attention.

Editing 
The transitions between each clip of Beyoncé is dragged out in order to allow Beyoncé’s eyes to linger on you, making the audience feel that she is directly looking at you, making it more personal and also indicates that Beyoncé is trying to sell herself to males for attention.

The Gaze: Female and Male

The gaze from Sarah Ghost

Paul Lazarsfeld - Limited Effects Theory

Paul Lazarsfeld limited effects theory from Sarah Ghost