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Representation Theory Essay

A Horror Film is normally a representation of the society. Theorist such as Sarah Dobbs, Laura Mulvey and Charles Derry, tell us about the representation of the different aspects in horror films that is a representation or reflection of the society,during the time period the film was made.

Laura Mulvey came up with theory of the Male Gaze. She speaks about the representation of women in film. She found that the cinema was mainly dominated by, Men and women were controlled by "The Male Gaze".The trailer my group and I created is called "Never Sleep again". I would say the concept of The Male Gaze is sometimes shown through the trailer, as the protagonist in my trailer is a female, who is tied up, in this case she is inferior, it is shown through the use of camera work. As there is a high angle shot, which minimizes her, connoting that she is weak and powerless. However recently the media have began objectifying men, which is know as 'The Female Gaze'. Connoting that gender roles are becoming more equal in the modern day society.

Clover uses the Theory of 'The Final Girl'. This role is normally found in slasher films. The character tends to be a virgin, with dark hair and a unisex name. The character is normally the last one alive and the person who tells the story. Clover claims that in order for a film to be successful the main character must be a female, as it would be harder for the audience to relate and emphasize with a final male. My horror trailer doesn't include a final Girl character mainly because it is not within the sub genre of Slasher.

Horror Films within the Supernatural sub genre, play on the idea of the fear of the unknown, evil spirits and demons and superstition. For example Exorcist, Insidious and Sinister. Derry believes that these films show a representation of religion,gender and sexuality. Sinister shows the possession of a innocent child by a demon/Evil spirit. he believes that the main reason behind this is the fight between Good and Evil. My horror trailer doesn't convey this theory as the protagonist has not been possessed she has been captured, It also doesn't show an representation of religion. However it shows the representation of gender, as women are inferior to men in society, and it shows this through the protagonist being a blonde female who has been captured. Connoting she is powerless as she has been captured and tied up.

Gramsci's theory The Hegemony theory, shows the representation of how the media have dominance over the world, As it reinforces the ideologies, that can be seen as true. When looking at Zombie Horror movies, it shows the dominance that social media has on society.


Comments

  1. "A Horror Film is normally a representation of the society. Theorist such as Sarah Dobbs, Laura Mulvey and Charles Derry, tell us about the representation of the different aspects in horror films that is a representation or reflection of the society,during the time period the film was made." - (P) HOW does this relate t your Horror - is it misogynistic or post feminist? WHAt does your Monster represent? - see essay plan.

    "However recently the media have began objectifying men, which is know as 'The Female Gaze'. Connoting that gender roles are becoming more equal in the modern day society." IS this in your trailer? - If not it is irrelevant. (E) WHERE have you used CLOSE UPS to objectify her body? WAS this the intention? (A) IS your film sexist? Why/why not?

    "My horror trailer doesn't include a final Girl character mainly because it is not within the sub genre of Slasher." (A) WHAT does this suggest about your Film then - WHY is it not feminist? (P) Are there any strong female representation in there? (E) WHAT would you do to denote that a woman is empowered?

    "My horror trailer doesn't convey this theory as the protagonist has not been possessed she has been captured, It also doesn't show an representation of religion. However it shows the representation of gender, as women are inferior to men in society, and it shows this through the protagonist being a blonde female who has been captured. Connoting she is powerless as she has been captured and tied up." (P) SO WHAT is the subtext of your film? (E) WHAT MES is onscreen that demonstrates this? (A) WHAT meaning does your Monster have - what social commentary is it making?

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