Thriller Mind-Map

Action Chicks

Kill Bill
-In this film, women are seen as feisty, powerful, strong and capable of defending themselves
-The female characters in this film challenge their suggested stereotype; they've dared to step out of the domestic role and adapt masculine qualities.
-Although the characters themselves don't want to be seen as sexual objects, they're usually dressed in costume that focuses on their bodies (for example, Uma Thurman's character in Kill Bill is dressed in leather). She wears a semi-tight black and yellow jumpsuit, both physically and metaphorically "wearing the trousers". Throughout the film her costume gets dirty, suggesting she's been doing some hard/manual labour - further challenging the female stereotype.

-The Asian lady is wearing a traditional gown, walks with elegance and has her hair tied up. In physical appearance, she's conforming to the female stereotype but her characteristics and knowledge of violence suggest otherwise. There's a scene in the film where she is leading a group of people; she is center of the camera, dressed in white and everyone behind her is blurred/dressed in black - showing she's dominant and the most important out of the people in that shot.

 

-Sharp camera shots are used to fully engage the audience in the pace of the film. Tilt camera angles are used to show the power status of the character. When there is a low angle and the camera is looking up, there is an implication that the characters are superior. If the camera is looking down, there is an implication that the character is inferior

-Throughout the film there are numerous fight scenes where the women are acting violently. the sideways and crab shots follow the movements of the characters to keep the pace of the scene which infers they have "strong personalities". There's a suggestion of phallic imagery with the swords; women having swords could be a symbolism that they've taken on masculine qualities and genitals.
-The sounds of weaponry and fighting are used heavily in this film. Short sentences are spoken by the characters to create intensity in the atmosphere

Exploring how the role and representation of women has changed from 1970 until today

"Live and Let Die" (1973) - Bond meets Solitaire
-The woman is dressed in all white and a "flowing" outfit. This could possibly be symbol of purity and innocence. She has long hair, a dainty way of walking and a gentle voice. Her character in this film conforms to the female stereotype; fragile, attractive and uses melodramatic gestures. When she enters the room she is standing in a very sensual stance, intended to be seen that way by the male audience.

-She is submissive, barely stands up for herself and is oblivious to the man's intentions - causing the audience to believe she's naive and only used for her body. Emphasizing the theory of the Male Gaze that women are vulnerable and sensual objects.

Mr and Mrs Smith
-The character "Mrs Smith" is dressed in a provocative outfit, openly allowing herself to be seen as a sexual object. She's using her body to get what she wants in the situation she's in. The camera focuses primarily on her body and outfit
-Reversing the role; being a typical feminine object, using the male gaze, then suddenly being violent to show that not all women are weak - taking on masculine features

Thriller Mood Board

Dexter re-make

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4SYb6pQM5Y&feature=youtu.be

Class notes - Thursday 12th September

Challenging Stereotypes

1) What do you notice about gender stereotypes?
2) Does this reinforce or challenge stereotypes?
3) Why is this being shown?

"Mad Men - Women in the Workplace" clip analysis
-The women in the video clip are being discriminated against; the narrator of the video clip infers that women are simple-minded and unfit to be in the work place. In this extract, women are portrayed as sexual objects who are there to be "looked at" by the men - this enforces the female stereotype and the idea of the Male Gaze. Almost all the women in this extract fit the female stereotype of being simple-minded, exposed, available to be looked at and in the mind-set of servitude.

-Due to the fashion choices, colours, camera quality and location suggests that this video clip is set in the 1950s era where women had very few rights and were seen as lesser than men. They appear to be subjected to the position of servitude which was the social norm at the time. The women in this clip are represented as intellectually inferior. However, the men shown in this extract are presented as powerful, concealed, in control, in position of hard-work/management and there to look at the women.

Four Steps in analyzing gender in Media Studies
Step 1: Look for significance of gender (masculine/feminine) in character roles, their behavior and they story/situation
Step 2: Relationship of power (who is subordinate? who is dominant? How does this tie in with gender?
Step 3: Difference - how are they represented as opposites?
Step 4: Is this re-inforcing or challenging stereotypes? Are they acting how we would expect this group to act?