LOST
The Representation of Jack & How Gender is represented
Summary
Overall, Jack is represented as a heroic figure and we are introduced to him as the main character in the series, or at least a character of some significance. He is represented as an assertive, strong, intelligent and caring character. We can tell this through his courageous actions and the use of camera shots/angles, sound, editing, and mise-en-scene within the clip that we have seen.
Jack Laying in the Jungle
The music building creates tension in the scene and the dramatic ‘booms’ when Jack opens his eyes adds a certain atmosphere alongside the music.
The episode and scene begins with an extreme close up on Jack’s eye to show the pupil dilating in the sunlight. The next camera shot is from Jack’s eye level which allows us to view his surroundings from his point of view. This adds to the mysteriousness of his intriguing situation.
Engine Blows Up/The Explosion
When the engine blows up, there is an over-the-shoulder mid-shot used to show the background of the scene as well as Jack’s reaction, this allows the audience to see what is happening behind Jack, as well as his facial expressions and body language. Through this mid-shot, we see that he is covering the pregnant woman and holding her in his arms. This shows his compassion and caring nature, as he is putting himself in danger for the sake of others.
After this explosion, we see Jack walking around the wreckage in slow motion and taking in his surroundings. This adds a dramatic feel to the scene and represents Jack’s steady thoughts as he looks around his environment, remaining a relatively calm character. This contrasts to the beginning of the clip where, as an audience, we feel disorientated due to the sharp changes of camera angles and shots.
1st Sight of Plane Wreckage
Screams and the sound of the engine along with Jack’s heavy breathing makes the audience feel uncomfortable.
Editing is used to create quick, short, rough camera shots, making the audience feel disorientated and shows Jack’s thought process.
The camera occasionally cuts to scenes of mayhem, which creates a sense of panic around the plane wreckage.
The camera also pans across the beach whilst following Jack, keeping him as the focal point in the scene, which suggests that he is a significant character in the drama. By the camera tracking Jack, it allows us to see his power and strength when he is running - Besides the fact that he has injured himself badly around the ribs. This adds to our assumption of Jack being a strong character.
Saving Lives
Women's Reactions
When Jack saves the black woman lying on the floor of the beach via the use of CPR, there is a repetitive drumming sound in the background, which creates tension and anticipation as the audience wonder whether the woman will survive. This music is a typical sound that is associated with action and suspense, which is the scene that is created here; Making the audience uneasy and drawn to the action on the screen in front of them.
We also see Jack asserting his authority immediately when he arrives at the wreckage and spots a man trapped under debris. This shows Jack’s dominant characteristics and his intelligence as a leader, which seems to come effortlessly and without thought.
During the clip that we saw, it seemed that the men were the more dominant and sensible characters and that the women were the people that were needed to be saved. As the camera shots are cutting quickly and roughly to short, sharp scenes, we see a woman stood by the plane wreckage screaming repetitively on her own, yet it doesn't look like she is hurt in anyway. This shows us that maybe the women are less capable of looking after themselves than the men are. As well as this, we are not shown any women that are helping and saving others in the way that Jack is. Yet again, this shows us that the women in this situation are playing "The Damsel In Distress" and waiting to be helped rather than helping themselves.We are given many examples of this, one of them being the pregnant woman that is eventually saved by Jack. When the explosion occurs and she is held in Jack's arms and uses his body as protection, this shows the vulnerability of the women on this island and their need for the males strength. As the camera zooms closer to the woman's face it allows us to see her facial expressions after this explosion occurs and we see the fear and upset that she is feeling. This is a contrast to Jack who remains strong and calm, showing the differences between the reactions of the two genders.