The Cinematic Element of Suture in the Dick Van Dyke Show episode - Essay Example

Here Discovering a Big Important Present: Analyzing the Cinematic Element of Suture in the Dick Van Dyke Show Episode of the Bank Book #6565696 In the world of film and television, story lines and plot developments are not just conveyed to audiences through dialogue alone. With the proper use of filming and cinematic techniques, directors and producers can enhance the ways in which audiences view and interpret movies and episodes. According to Kaja Silverman in The Subject of Semiotics, suture is a filming technique that is intended to shoot footage in such a way that the viewer forgets that the camera is even there. In support of this concept, Silverman also discusses that for suture to have success, there are three tools that must accompany its use. These tools are shot relationships, narrative progressions and the sexual difference portrayed through the shots taken. By comparing the aspects of sexual difference with the often desexualized nature of the characters in the Dick Van Dyke show, the purpose of this essay is to determine how sexual difference or lack thereof affected the suture used in the episode entitled “Bank Book #6565696.” In order to complete this analysis, this essay will first establish the principles of sexual difference within suture, give a background on the Dick Van Dyke show as well as an episode summary and then analyze how these cinematic organization tools are seen throughout the chosen episode itself. Upon the completion of these steps, this essay strives to demonstrate how suture and sexual difference influences a viewer’s impression of the Dick Van Dyke Show episode of the Bank Book. Defining Suture As mentioned in the essay’s introduction, Silverman defines the concept of suture as a cinematic technique that when used properly helps viewers forget that the camera is the source of what they are seeing (Silverman). In addition to the overall definition of suture, Silverman also discusses the three supporting tools that can bolster the efforts of this film tool. The first of these tools is the notion of shot relationship. This aspect of suture is comprised of the shot/reverse formation. The basis of shot/reverse formation includes two or more shots that are edited together to simulate what happens when a character looks around or when multiple characters exchange glances (Silverman). The second tool is narrative progression which Silverman defines as a film technique that leads the audience through the story by providing them film shots which literally tell the story. Because of this notion, narrative progression essentially follows its name as the story line is told through the way the film shots are compiled. The final tool to be used with suture is that of sexual difference. The main crux of the concept of sexual difference is that the footage is based on either the excess of the female body in film footage or the lack thereof (Silverman). By determining the level of female involvement is featured in filming, one can decipher the intent of how the suture is being used. In regard to the Dick Van Dyke Show episode of the “Bank Book,” the tool of sexual difference is the most appropriate to use to develop the argument of how the filming of the characters of Rob and Laura demonstrates the major variations of presence on film between the male and female characters. Evidence Background As the basis for this essay’s argument, the evidence for this analysis is an episode of the Dick Van Dyke Show. Before discussing the episode in detail and how it can be linked to the sexual difference aspect of suture, it is essential to first provide some background information on the show itself. According to the Museum of Broadcast Communications, the immensely popular and iconic Dick Van Dyke Show ran from 1961 to 1966 on CBS. During its five year tenure, the Dick Van Dyke Show helped to bridge the gap between the more vaudeville-style television shows of the 1950’s to the socially-driven comedies of the 1970’s (Museum of Broadcast Communications). In addition to serving as a connection between these two chapters in entertainment history, the Dick Van Dyke Show also portrayed the sentiment that was dominating American society. By emulating the Camelot feel that was ushered in when John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected the President of the United States in 1961. With the characters of Rob and Laura Petrie, played by Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore, the Dick Van Dyke Show introduced two fresh-faced, clean cut characters into the living rooms of America. Through the set of their modern, suburban home, Rob and Laura’s characters personified the typical gender roles of the period of the hard working male figure who comes home every day to his dutiful wife, who is a stay at home mother and housewife. Along with the gender roles, the Museum of Broadcast Communications also notes how the presentation of each character stayed to the stereotypes of Camelot with the example of Laura’s character wearing perfectly pressed capri pants paired with expensive designer shirts and a strand of pearls (Museum of Broadcast Communications). In the context of the episode of the “Bank Book #6565696,” the plot follows the storyline where Rob discovers that Laura has a hidden bank account where she has stored $378.61. Aside from the fact that she has a bank account of her own, Rob spends the entirety of the episode attempting to determine why his doting wife would keep such a secret from him. Upon the realization that the next day is his birthday, Rob is certain that Laura must have been hiding the money in order to purchase him the new video projector he is so desperately wanting. When his birthday present is a cashmere sweater instead of a projector, Rob then confronts Laura about the secret bank account. After much verbal cajoling and asking, Laura finally admits that she was saving the money to eventually buy Rob the sports car of his dreams for a future birthday. Upon this revelation, Rob then obviously feels terrible and makes amends with Laura for the miscommunication over the bank book. Analysis With the definition of suture established as well as the background on the chosen episode given, the paper can now progress to analyzing the influence of sexual difference on the suture used within the episode. The first area of analysis is with how each character is represented on the basis of their gender. Throughout the episode, Rob is portrayed as a hard-working yet scatterbrained man. With his nervous nature at the thought of his wife opening her own bank account as well as her keeping it a secret from him is visible on screen as Rob is jittery and provides a high element of comedic relief for viewers to chuckle at throughout the episode. While Rob is often frazzled and worried as he attempts to figure out the mystery of the bank book, Laura’s character epitomizes grace, style and the all-knowing nature of a good housewife. During her scenes on film, Laura is presented to always be having the utmost control of the situation. For example, the episode opens with Laura watching her husband attempting to fix their toaster. As Rob fumbles with the small appliance, Laura looks on in the short of manner that a mother watches a young child attempt to put on their own shoes. Once Rob makes an obvious error of forgetting to plug in the toaster before using it, Laura gently yet humorously corrects him and then goes about her day. The way this scene is shot begins the episode with Laura possessing a greater sense of control and adult-like nature than that of her seemingly childish husband. Despite Laura apparently being more collected than her often aloof husband, the sexual difference between them is lacking in the opening shots of the show. By establishing sexual difference through the way Rob and Laura stand face on in this shot, the episode begins by demonstrating that the husband and wife are equals. Transitioning through the episode, the sexual difference shifts in Laura’s favor when Rob comes home from work and is frantically looking for the birthday present he is sure Laura purchased him – a new video projector. While Laura is dutifully making dinner and setting the table for that evening’s meal, she continually comes out into the living room and catches her husband sneakily searching for the projector. Upon questioning him about his actions, the camera shot uses sexual difference to demonstrate Laura having the upper hand in this situation. As Rob has hoisted himself up in the closet searching the highest shelf for the projector, Laura comes up behind him and asks him if he is looking for his birthday present. He has to then lower himself down to wear his wife is standing and admit that he is looking for the projector. When it becomes apparent that his assumption was wrong, Rob must deal with the internal strife that comes with not understanding why his wife is keeping her secret bank book from him. At this portion of the episode, Laura clearly has the upper hand in regard to sexual power and control. While Laura has dominance in the middle of the episode, control shifts back to rob once he finally confronts his wife about her secret bank book. Upon the news that her hidden account has been discovered, Laura loses all composure and breaks down in front of her spouse. This scene is shot with Rob standing over Laura as she sits and cries in her bed. As Rob thinks he has caught his wife in some sort of deceptive secret, she then tearfully admits that her real purpose for saving the money is to eventually buy him a sports car he wants as a “big important present.” Upon this realization, the shot shifts back to having Rob and Laura both standing to represent that they have come through their differences and are once again both equal partners. Through an analysis of the sexual difference that is a component of the suture technique in the Dick Van Dyke Show episode of the “Bank Book #6565696,” it is clear that the directors used this cinematic organization tool to help tell this story about a part of Rob and Laura’s life. By using sexual difference, viewers can see how control shifts between Rob and Laura throughout the episode. The importance of this fact is that the couple starts the episode on an equal footing, has power shifts throughout their argument and once a resolution is reached, they regain their equal part in the relationship. Through the use of the suture technique and the sexual difference tool, audiences get further insight into what is going on between the couple and it adds to the quality of the show. References Kaja Silverman, “Suture” (Excerpts). Web. 17 Feb. 2012. The Dick Van Dyke Show. The Museum of Broadcast Communications, 2012. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. Read More