Wednesday 28 December 2011
Textual Evidence for Buffy
In the below snapsnot, it is clear that Buffy is fighting with Glory, managing to smash her head against bricks. Unlike The Vampire Diaries and True Blood, this offers a different perspective of women, as here, Buffy is seen to be rather masculine, which insinuates that here the roles of women in the series have been subverted. Although Buffy at times appears to be rather vulnerable emotionally, (when Spike nearly kills Michael), it can be seen that Buffy possesses genuine male characteristics when defending herself.
Textual Evidence for True Blood
In the below snapshot, it is clear that Sookie is being attaced by Russell's men, which again shows that like The Vampire Diaries, True Blood portrays women as vulnerable - who are attacked. However, it is clear that in other parts of the show Sookie actually manages to attack men. For example, when Sookie breaks Eric's nose, which represents her as a women who can to some extent defend herself.
Textual Evidence for Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries
In the below snapsnot selected from Episode 2, it can be seen that the Vampire Damon is attacking Caroline, which shows that Caroline is clearly a victim in this scene. Later on in the series, Damon also continues to use her in order to satisfy his needs for drinking a sufficient amount of blood. This shows that to some extent, the series portrays women as objects who are often used, and attacked. However, later on in the series Caroline turns into a vampire, and attacks Damon, which shows that in some respects, the women in the series are sometimes portrayed as being rather dominant powerful.
In the below snapsnot selected from Episode 2, it can be seen that the Vampire Damon is attacking Caroline, which shows that Caroline is clearly a victim in this scene. Later on in the series, Damon also continues to use her in order to satisfy his needs for drinking a sufficient amount of blood. This shows that to some extent, the series portrays women as objects who are often used, and attacked. However, later on in the series Caroline turns into a vampire, and attacks Damon, which shows that in some respects, the women in the series are sometimes portrayed as being rather dominant powerful.
Saturday 29 October 2011
Camera Shot Of True Blood & An Article By Caitlin Brown
Like Buffy, the main character named Sookie in True Blood is rather powerful, although not as powerful as Buffy, as her only ability is to read people's minds. Sookie manages to save her boyfriend Bill at one point, which portrays her as being a heroine. However, the image below shows Sookie's vulnerability like Elena, as here, Sookie has been hurt:
This shows that unlike Buffy, Sookie is not completely self reliant - she needs to rely on other people to some extent. Sookie can at times be too brave, landing herself in danger.
Feminism and the vampire novel
In this article, Brown states that in True Blood, Sookies becomes "increasingly assertive in achieving the fulfilment" of her "sexual desires", which represents Sookie as being rather sexually confident, although Brown also states that "the fantasy of submission to the vamp lover is fulfilled", meaning that Sookie gives in to her vampire boyfriend in terms of sex. This portrays Sookie as being a sexual object, which has given me another idea for my production, as I could take a shot which includes vulnerablity, and sexuality.
http://www.thefword.org.uk/features/2009/09/feminism_and_th
This shows that unlike Buffy, Sookie is not completely self reliant - she needs to rely on other people to some extent. Sookie can at times be too brave, landing herself in danger.
Feminism and the vampire novel
In this article, Brown states that in True Blood, Sookies becomes "increasingly assertive in achieving the fulfilment" of her "sexual desires", which represents Sookie as being rather sexually confident, although Brown also states that "the fantasy of submission to the vamp lover is fulfilled", meaning that Sookie gives in to her vampire boyfriend in terms of sex. This portrays Sookie as being a sexual object, which has given me another idea for my production, as I could take a shot which includes vulnerablity, and sexuality.
http://www.thefword.org.uk/features/2009/09/feminism_and_th
A Book Written By Brian NcNair Regarding Buffy The Vampire Slayer
In this book, McNair states that the main character Buffy is seen as "strong" and "independant", which evidently is true, as Buffy does not need to rely on other people for her own success - she is a vampire slayer. Also, in Series One, Buffy punches a monster, which proves that Buffy is not seen as a victim, but instead a heroine. Unlike The Vampire Diaries, Buffy is extremely powerful and self reliant.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=JaLEKllB2bEC&pg=PA128&dq=buffy+the+vampire+slayer+portrayal+of+women&hl=en&ei=n_arTprXO8yE8gOfn7mnCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=buffy%20the%20vampire%20slayer%20portrayal%20of%20women&f=false
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=JaLEKllB2bEC&pg=PA128&dq=buffy+the+vampire+slayer+portrayal+of+women&hl=en&ei=n_arTprXO8yE8gOfn7mnCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=buffy%20the%20vampire%20slayer%20portrayal%20of%20women&f=false
A Book Written By Leah Wilson Regarding The Vampire Diaries
A Visitor's Guide to Mystic Falls: Your Favorite Authors on the Vampire Diaries
In the introduction to the book, Wilson offers a little information, particularly focusing on Elena, the main character. Wilson mentions that another main character, (a vampire named Stefan) introduces the series with "This is my story". This evidently shows that although Elena is supposed to be the main character in this series, the men are represented as being more important and dominant, reinforcing the idea of the women being objects. Later on in the book, an author named Sarah Rees Brennan describes Elena as being "fragile", which can be agreed with, as in the series, Elena is often victimised by vampires, and either her boyfriend Stefan or her other love interest Damon ends up having to save her, because she can't defend herself. Elena "is the one most often in danger", according to Brennan, which is evidently true. This shows that women are seen as being some kind of prey to men in The Vampire Diaries. However, although Elena is also described as being "vulnerable", she is also described as "never entirely helpless", which is also true, as to some extent, she can partially defend herself when facing a vampire.
This has given me some ideas for my production, as I could perhaps take some shots showing vulnerability, yet confidence at the same time.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=U6W8gQa1pCQC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=the+vampire+diaries+portrayal+of+women&ots=tgre52ZEXg&sig=C9tLQGHaCvWm6qoWfYT_EjeCh4I#v=onepage&q&f=false
In the introduction to the book, Wilson offers a little information, particularly focusing on Elena, the main character. Wilson mentions that another main character, (a vampire named Stefan) introduces the series with "This is my story". This evidently shows that although Elena is supposed to be the main character in this series, the men are represented as being more important and dominant, reinforcing the idea of the women being objects. Later on in the book, an author named Sarah Rees Brennan describes Elena as being "fragile", which can be agreed with, as in the series, Elena is often victimised by vampires, and either her boyfriend Stefan or her other love interest Damon ends up having to save her, because she can't defend herself. Elena "is the one most often in danger", according to Brennan, which is evidently true. This shows that women are seen as being some kind of prey to men in The Vampire Diaries. However, although Elena is also described as being "vulnerable", she is also described as "never entirely helpless", which is also true, as to some extent, she can partially defend herself when facing a vampire.
This has given me some ideas for my production, as I could perhaps take some shots showing vulnerability, yet confidence at the same time.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=U6W8gQa1pCQC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=the+vampire+diaries+portrayal+of+women&ots=tgre52ZEXg&sig=C9tLQGHaCvWm6qoWfYT_EjeCh4I#v=onepage&q&f=false
Tuesday 18 October 2011
Print Adverts of the Vampire Programmes
Before I watch the programmes, a few main points can be comprehended from analysing the below images.
True Blood
Already, we see an incredibly sexual portrayal of women in True Blood, as in the first poster, we can see a female vampire licking her lips, which connotates desire and lust. The blood dripping down her mouth emphasises the idea of lust and desire. The light background emphasises the woman's lips more, which evidently shows that sex is a rather major theme in True Blood. Also, in the second poster, the female is wearing a low cut top, with a slightly flirtatious look on her face, which again shows a sexual portrayal of women in the series of True Blood. The blood dripping down the female's neck however could insinuate that as well as being a sexual character, she is also a victim, which represents women in a rather negative light here. The colour of red itself is clearly a connotation of sex, as well as danger.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
The below posters featuring the main charater Buffy, offer a different perspective than the portrayal of women on the True Blood posters, as in these posters, the female is not wearing anything which could be seen as sexual, and rather than being seen as a victim, Buffy appears to be confident, which can be seen from her facial expression. On the first poster, the fact that the name 'Buffy' is presented in large font, and is situated by the centre of the frame implies that Buffy is powerful, rather than powerless. The eery background poses no sexual ideas about the character. Also, the weapon Buffy is holding implies she is some kind of heroine, eliminating the possibility of her being a victim. On the second poster, again Buffy is dressed in non provocative clothing, although she appears to have been majorly air brushed.
In these posters it is clear that the female character has been portrayed in a rather sexual light, as in the first poster, she is wearing a low cut dress, and is positioned with her hand on her hip, and the other hand towards her neck. Also, the female has a suggestive look on her face. Both of the above points portray the female as being rather sexual, and the fact that she ius lying on the ground could suggest that she is a victim, which relates to the True Blood posters. In the second poster, the female is also situated to the centre of the frame, showing two male hands which are stroking her hair, and gripping her neck. This portrays the character as being incredibly appealing towards men, and also portrays her as a victim, although the female does not particularly look frightened.
True Blood
Already, we see an incredibly sexual portrayal of women in True Blood, as in the first poster, we can see a female vampire licking her lips, which connotates desire and lust. The blood dripping down her mouth emphasises the idea of lust and desire. The light background emphasises the woman's lips more, which evidently shows that sex is a rather major theme in True Blood. Also, in the second poster, the female is wearing a low cut top, with a slightly flirtatious look on her face, which again shows a sexual portrayal of women in the series of True Blood. The blood dripping down the female's neck however could insinuate that as well as being a sexual character, she is also a victim, which represents women in a rather negative light here. The colour of red itself is clearly a connotation of sex, as well as danger.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
The below posters featuring the main charater Buffy, offer a different perspective than the portrayal of women on the True Blood posters, as in these posters, the female is not wearing anything which could be seen as sexual, and rather than being seen as a victim, Buffy appears to be confident, which can be seen from her facial expression. On the first poster, the fact that the name 'Buffy' is presented in large font, and is situated by the centre of the frame implies that Buffy is powerful, rather than powerless. The eery background poses no sexual ideas about the character. Also, the weapon Buffy is holding implies she is some kind of heroine, eliminating the possibility of her being a victim. On the second poster, again Buffy is dressed in non provocative clothing, although she appears to have been majorly air brushed.
The Vampire Diaries
Genre-Film Noir
Background Information
'Detour' (1945)
Synopsis:
'The Big Combo' (1955)
'The Big Combo' is a film noir film, directed by Joseph H. Lewis, with cinematography from John Alton.
I am going to be discussing several sequences from the film, and commenting on their visual effects.
Sequence 1:
![]()
In this scene, Mr. Brown is questioning Susan on who Alicia is. He grabs her face agressively, and kisses her roughly. The light is centered on her face, clearly showing her sexual satisfaction from Brown. It may also indicate that Susan feels confined, trapped in her relationship with him, as there is not a great amount of light on his face, which could insinuate that Susan feels alone. The fact that Brown's face is in dark lighting portrays him as the dark villain, representing Susan as incredibly vulnerable.
Sequence 2:
![]()
In this scene, Susan is in hospital after attempted suicide. As you can see, she is in a single spotlight right in the centre, which again could insinuate that she feels alone. The light gradually fades out, creating a sense of claustrophobia. Her neck and the sides of her cheeks are in dark lighting, drawing more attention to her facial expression. It alerts us to the fact that she is clearly worried.
Film Noir is a genre containing a dark subjecting matter, producing a negative portrayal of America. The main period of this kind of genre was from 1944 - 1958. The main differences between noir and pre-war films are that a large amount of films before the 40's showed America in an extremely positive light. These kind of positive films had high budgets, with rich musicals and elaborate sets.
'Detour' (1945)
Synopsis:
An innocent, ordinary piano player named Al, (Tom Neal) is informed by his girlfriend Sue, (Anne Savage) that she will be travelling to Hollywood in an attempt to be a star. Distraught, Al decides to visit her, and later on in the journey hitches a ride from a man travelling to Los Angeles himself. Although he seems a suspicous man, he dies in his sleep while Al has taken over the wheel, after stopping off at a cafe. Al then hides the body, and takes his wallet containing his money and identity info, on the way to visiting his lover.
'The Big Combo' (1955)
'The Big Combo' is a film noir film, directed by Joseph H. Lewis, with cinematography from John Alton.
I am going to be discussing several sequences from the film, and commenting on their visual effects.
Sequence 1:
Sequence 2:
In this scene, Susan is in hospital after attempted suicide. As you can see, she is in a single spotlight right in the centre, which again could insinuate that she feels alone. The light gradually fades out, creating a sense of claustrophobia. Her neck and the sides of her cheeks are in dark lighting, drawing more attention to her facial expression. It alerts us to the fact that she is clearly worried.
MS4: Text, Industry, Audience
BBC3 - Superbrands
BBC'S Misson Statement:
Since 2003 BBC Three has dedicated itself to one brilliantly simple idea - creating the most thought provoking and entertaining programmes possible. We find the best of new British talent, give them room to play, invent and experiment, and then mix in the most important element - You.
We're shamelessly and directly influenced by you. There, we've said it. Your habits shape us, your sense of humour tickles us and we want you involved in what we do. Because of you we've grown beyond regular TV into a channel that can be where you want it, all the time. A channel that's constantly trying new things, taking risks and exploring new places, because just like you we're Never Afraid To Try New Stuff.
BBC'S Misson Statement:
Since 2003 BBC Three has dedicated itself to one brilliantly simple idea - creating the most thought provoking and entertaining programmes possible. We find the best of new British talent, give them room to play, invent and experiment, and then mix in the most important element - You.
We're shamelessly and directly influenced by you. There, we've said it. Your habits shape us, your sense of humour tickles us and we want you involved in what we do. Because of you we've grown beyond regular TV into a channel that can be where you want it, all the time. A channel that's constantly trying new things, taking risks and exploring new places, because just like you we're Never Afraid To Try New Stuff.
Thursday 23 June 2011
Representation Media Theories
Laura Mulvey: 'The Male Gaze'
Laura Mulvey was a feminist theorist, and her theory focuses on the objectification of women. She believes that in the film industry, the camera acts as a man's eye, meaning that the men have the power to choose what women should look like. Men are in control of the media in general, dominating women's appearances in order to increase satisfaction for their audiences. In other words, women are portrayed as sexual objects to increase the amount of viewers who are watching the films. For example, in James Bond there are several long, close up shots of women wearing bikinis, with the camera zooming in on their cleavage and curves. In terms of horror, the phrase 'torture porn' is often used, which means that when women are being victimised, they will be wearing revealing clothing in order to increase their sexual factor, portraying them as helpless, sexual objects.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaze
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/gaze/gaze09.html
Laura Mulvey was a feminist theorist, and her theory focuses on the objectification of women. She believes that in the film industry, the camera acts as a man's eye, meaning that the men have the power to choose what women should look like. Men are in control of the media in general, dominating women's appearances in order to increase satisfaction for their audiences. In other words, women are portrayed as sexual objects to increase the amount of viewers who are watching the films. For example, in James Bond there are several long, close up shots of women wearing bikinis, with the camera zooming in on their cleavage and curves. In terms of horror, the phrase 'torture porn' is often used, which means that when women are being victimised, they will be wearing revealing clothing in order to increase their sexual factor, portraying them as helpless, sexual objects.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaze
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/gaze/gaze09.html
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Independant Research - Reviews & Comments
True Blood
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844441/usercomments?filter=love
'Another Great HBO Series!':
I thought nothing could top "OZ"--HBO's excellent drama series about life in prison. Well--I was wrong! "True Blood" IS better. I'm very into horror movies--maybe that's why I love this so much. This shows a world where vampires exist--and are learning to coexist with humans. There's a drink called "True Blood" which is like real blood and the vampires drink it so they don't have to attack humans. They just want the same rights human beings have (the parallels between gay rights and vampire rights are obvious but amusing). This takes place in Louisiana. There we meet young, attractive and psychic Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin). She falls in love with vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) much to the disgust of her employer Sam (Sam Tramell) and sex addicted brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten). Then we meet friends and family of Sookie and the series just takes off from there. I'm only up to episode 8 of the first season and I LOVE it. It has great scripts, is never dull and has some good actors in it (Paquin and Moyer especially). There's some explicit violence, STRONG language and female AND male nudity--but it is always necessary for the script. Strong and vivid but fascinating. Recommended.
'Not Twilight but not True Blood'
In this day and age it's the time of the Vampires. You have Twilight and True blood and Vampire Diaries but don't let them keep you from watching. While many tend to compare it with the two, it's actually very different. Vampire Diaries, based off a series written 15 years before Twilight,is about a girl Elena who just lost her parents when a new guy, Stefan Salvatore, comes to town but with Stefan also comes trouble, his brother Damon Salvatore. This show is definitely the middle of Twi and True Blood. It has a romance like Twilight and the intensity of True Blood. What this show has is a lot of twists and turns that you don't expect.
- chattygirl247, IMDB, 14 November, 2009
'Definitely worth a watch!':
Okay, so there's been an overload of vampires. 1st, Twilight, then Jennifer's Body and blah blah blah.. but Vampire Diaries is different, and definitely here to stay.
For starters, it follows the basic rules that apply to vampires, unlike Twilight where Edward Cullen just goes into Bella's house without any invitation, etc.
What's also gripping is the fact that it has other characters from the magical world, like Witches and all. It also sticks to its plot, so what we are seeing is actually a story which has vampires as a part of it, not the other way around.
Definitely worth a try, and one of the best shows of Fall '09.
- Anwesh Mishra, IMDB, 10 November 2009
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844441/usercomments?filter=love
'Another Great HBO Series!':
I thought nothing could top "OZ"--HBO's excellent drama series about life in prison. Well--I was wrong! "True Blood" IS better. I'm very into horror movies--maybe that's why I love this so much. This shows a world where vampires exist--and are learning to coexist with humans. There's a drink called "True Blood" which is like real blood and the vampires drink it so they don't have to attack humans. They just want the same rights human beings have (the parallels between gay rights and vampire rights are obvious but amusing). This takes place in Louisiana. There we meet young, attractive and psychic Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin). She falls in love with vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) much to the disgust of her employer Sam (Sam Tramell) and sex addicted brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten). Then we meet friends and family of Sookie and the series just takes off from there. I'm only up to episode 8 of the first season and I LOVE it. It has great scripts, is never dull and has some good actors in it (Paquin and Moyer especially). There's some explicit violence, STRONG language and female AND male nudity--but it is always necessary for the script. Strong and vivid but fascinating. Recommended.
'Not Twilight but not True Blood'
In this day and age it's the time of the Vampires. You have Twilight and True blood and Vampire Diaries but don't let them keep you from watching. While many tend to compare it with the two, it's actually very different. Vampire Diaries, based off a series written 15 years before Twilight,is about a girl Elena who just lost her parents when a new guy, Stefan Salvatore, comes to town but with Stefan also comes trouble, his brother Damon Salvatore. This show is definitely the middle of Twi and True Blood. It has a romance like Twilight and the intensity of True Blood. What this show has is a lot of twists and turns that you don't expect.
- chattygirl247, IMDB, 14 November, 2009
'Definitely worth a watch!':
Okay, so there's been an overload of vampires. 1st, Twilight, then Jennifer's Body and blah blah blah.. but Vampire Diaries is different, and definitely here to stay.
For starters, it follows the basic rules that apply to vampires, unlike Twilight where Edward Cullen just goes into Bella's house without any invitation, etc.
What's also gripping is the fact that it has other characters from the magical world, like Witches and all. It also sticks to its plot, so what we are seeing is actually a story which has vampires as a part of it, not the other way around.
Definitely worth a try, and one of the best shows of Fall '09.
- Anwesh Mishra, IMDB, 10 November 2009
Independant Research - Newspaper Articles
True Blood
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/may/21/your-next-boxset-true-blood
'Your Next Boxset':
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/may/21/your-next-boxset-true-blood
'Your Next Boxset':
Based on Charlaine Harris's novels, and developed by Six Feet Under's Alan Ball, True Blood is a breathtaking ride. From the opening credits – a brilliant, atmospheric montage dripping with swampy hellfire and Southern brimstone – to the witty choice of outro music (Beck's Timebomb as a Christian terrorist walks into a vampire lair), it's never less than totally entertaining. Initially, it's all about Bill and Sookie's steamy human-vampire romance; but pretty soon you'll be just as consumed by the adventures of her dim hunk of a brother Jason; her best friend Tara's encounters with backwoods voodoo; or bar cook Lafayette and his put-downs ("Who ordered the hamburger with Aids?"). It's got to be one of the only shows where a serial killer is one of the least exciting storylines. The episodes fly by, with each hour screeching to a halt – and then picking up exactly where we left it in the next. It's the perfect, "just-one-more" box set if you've got a weekend or two spare.
- The Guardian,
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/13/AR2011031303058.html
'The Best Of High School TV Series':
Are we watching too much TV? Maybe so. Rarely have I received as many e-mails as when I sought help picking the five best high school television series of all time.
- The Guardian,
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/13/AR2011031303058.html
'The Best Of High School TV Series':
Are we watching too much TV? Maybe so. Rarely have I received as many e-mails as when I sought help picking the five best high school television series of all time.
Some of the suggestions were what I expected. Other choices surprised me. Katya2, a commenter on my blog, was among many who urged the selection of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." The choice made sense, Katya2 said, because the monsters infesting the show were "often just an exaggerated or disguised version of ordinary high school problems - dating, social competition, parental pressure, etc."
"Buffy" was a clever horror show metaphor for high school life.
- The Washington Post, Monday, March 14, 2011
The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is a mishmash of ideas we've seen before (a ring allowing a vampire to withstand daylight? Hello Buffy), brooding bad boys and clunking bad-emo-band dialogue about souls. Though its teen target audience might not necessarily cross over with True Blood, it still suffers by comparison.
-The Guardian, Tuesday, 2 February, 2010
"Buffy" was a clever horror show metaphor for high school life.
- The Washington Post, Monday, March 14, 2011
The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is a mishmash of ideas we've seen before (a ring allowing a vampire to withstand daylight? Hello Buffy), brooding bad boys and clunking bad-emo-band dialogue about souls. Though its teen target audience might not necessarily cross over with True Blood, it still suffers by comparison.
-The Guardian, Tuesday, 2 February, 2010
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Trailers
Below are the following three trailers for the horror tv programmes I have decided to study.
True Blood (2008) Trailer
True Blood (2008) Trailer
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997) Trailer
The Vampire Diaries (2009) Trailer
Wednesday 15 June 2011
MS3 Research Investigation Process - Introduction
For this assignment we have been asked to research an area within the media that we have a particular interest in. For my individual project, I have decided to explore the portrayal of female roles in vampire tv programmes, and whether their roles have been subverted or not.
I will be researching 'True Blood', (2008), 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer', (1997), and 'Vampire Diaries', (2009), in order to prepare for my production, which will consist of a print advertisement for a new vampire tv series, providing a picture of a woman on the front to show a representation of women characters in vampire tv programmes. I will be providing trailers, reviews, newspaper articles, images of several posters, and providing evidence that the roles are either subverted, or conforming.
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