Sample Exam Question 1

 Question 1

        The extract from Agent Carter gives the ideology of women power and mistreatment/ inequality. several elements of the film further emphasizes this.

        In the opening of the extract, close ups of Carter reveals her tearful frowning face. This implements the loss of Steve, who we can understand to be someone special to her and most likely treated her equally. This makes the audience feel pity and sorrow. the general color of blue, seen in the lights and picture frame of Steve, further sets the mood of sorrow and loss, not just for Steve's death but also for the mistreatment Carter receives at her job.

        The fade-out transition is given, setting the scene of Steve's death to black. the shift to black signifies death and leaves the viewers to their thoughts. The black also symbolizes negativity, foreshadowing negative atmosphere our protagonist is in. This transition is also used to make a shift in time, as it says it has been a year later. Yet we can still see that the events of the first scene still impacts our protagonist. This is given through an insert of her holding that picture of Steve.

        The alarm blaring is a sound motif that is introduced early in the extract. It alarms the viewers and is meant to inform us that a new mission is ready to be given.

        The general part of the extract takes place at an office. We can see the suits worn by the actors and props like the file report. This gives us the idea that this is an important government program. This is a male dominated field in which our protagonist (a women) is working. The audience can be given the ideology of her being out of place. When the men left to go drink, a wide shot was made to show them leaving and Carter being left alone. The audience can feel bad for her and it is meant to represent her being an outcast as she is the only women.

        In the office scenes, there is dialogue between her and a superior. These conversations show how she is being mistreated and isn't seen as an equal. One example being how he told her to do work while they went drinking. This shows how they don't see her as an equal. There's also one where he says "we'll handle the rough stuff". This shows how he thinks she cannot handle herself or anything dangerous. This makes the viewers feel pity for Carter. When the superior assigned agents and when talking to her, there are close-up shots being made. these close-ups shots show the disappointment in our protagonist's face as she isn't properly treated and seen as an equal member. 

        The extract had low-key lighting. This is meant to show seriousness. This further exaggerates the message of mistreatment, as it is no joking matter.

        Overall, the representation of women power and their inequal mistreatment was displayed. The director used technical elements to portray women as not being equal.