A2 Media Studies Questionnaire

Context:
For my A2 coursework I am creating a 5-minute short film
aimed at the parents of young children. I have chosen to focus
on gender stereotyping and the way that socialisation forces
children down one specific gender path from as early as birth,
through things like clothing, toys and peoples words and
attitudes towards girls and boys.
Proposed synopsis:
My film will show the lives of a female and a male shot through
a point of view perspective so you do not see their faces. The
twist at the end will reveal that it was actually the same person,
presenting the message that it does not matter who you are or
what clothes you wear as long as you are happy in yourself.
Name (optional) __________________________
Age: ______

Gender ______

1. How many children do you have?

____ boy(s), aged ______________________
____ girl(s), aged ______________________
2. Apart from different clothes and toys, what other differences
do you think there are in the way that boys and girls are
treated? (e.g. types of playing/ activities; the way they are
spoken to; expectations about their behaviour etc.) Please offer
particular examples that I could use in my film:
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3. What do you think the main pressures are on girls as they
grow up?
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4. What do you think the main pressures are on boys as they
grow up?

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5. Can you give an example of a time when you followed
gender stereotypes with your own child(ren)?
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6. Can you give an example of a time when you went against
gender stereotypes with your own child(ren)?
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7. From reading the film synopsis on the previous page, what
do you think a good title for my short film would be?
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8. In the main section of the film, would you prefer seeing both
genders on screen at once in a split-screen, or focusing on one
character at a time? Why?
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9. Would you prefer to hear a voiceover discussing the topic, or
hear gender specific dialogue (such as be a brave boy and my
little princess) or a combination of both?
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10. What do you think would be a good way to reveal that the
protagonist is actually both of the genders in the short film?
Why?
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11. Do you think it will be effective to repeat shots including
gender specific items throughout the film? Why?

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12. What activities do you think the male character should be
carrying out in the film?
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13. What activities do you think the female character should be
carrying out in the film?
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Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions