Laura Mulvey's Theory
Mulvey’s study on ‘Visual Pleasures and Narrative Cinema’ argues that the predominantly male audience is positioned to identify with the common male protagonist, the audience create a sense of idealization with the protagonist as the audience seeing a perfect visual portrayal of them enforcing the ideologies of a narcissistic audience and society, imposing the idea of scopophilia. In addition this exemplifies patriarchy as the male protagonist drives the narrative concluding the female character as passive.
Moreover, the use of phallic objects by the male characters e.g. guns and swords male dominance, additionally the penis let alone acts as a symbol of power and authority in society. Hence objectifying the passive female due to their sexual depiction as they have no phallic creating penis envy for the very little female audience; creating the audience to recognize them voyeuristically or fethishistically .This therefore makes the male audience unconsciously perceive the female character as castrated enforcing Freud’s theory; imposing the idea of anxiety towards the male audience. Thus, the need for the female characters for a substitute fethisized/phallic objects to reduce the anxiety of the male audience.
How the theory could be useful for my independent study:
The theory enforces the my studies hypothesis as the majority of the female characters in ‘The Sopranos’ is perceived as a fetishists, reflecting on the patriarchy and the narrative cinema to be driven by a male protagonist. In addition, even though, there are depictions of intelligent independent female characters they are nonetheless dependant on male protagonist’s safety and closure therefore subordinate to the male character.
Sunday 16 December 2007
Thursday 13 December 2007
Casino Royale
How does the film address a male/ female audience?
Male
1. The sequel and the character is one of the most nationalistic films made Britain, appealing to the general British audience.
2. The genre of Bond films is another aspect that addresses a male audience, the action adventure film appeals to the male audience, as the storyline conforms to proppian theory as Bond is perceived as the hero saving the damsel in distress and the world from terrorism.
3. Another way the film addresses the male audience, through the progression of technology and stunts, as Bond receives hit-tech gadgets from HQ and stunning and fast cars. Conforming to the ideology of “BOYS AND THEIR TOYS”.
4. Bond girls are another factor that draws in the male audience as women are sexually objectified and there for the male gaze. In addition the Bond Brand is a ‘symbolic annihilation’ of women – Gaye Tuchman.
Female
1. The new and widely acclaimed new Bond, Daniel Craig, appeals to the female audience as he doesn’t conform to the generic Bond representation, tall dark haired, suave broody an actor that exemplifies Pierce Brosnan. Moreover, the scene when Daniel Craig is shot with a long whilst his wet body glimmers on the beach enforces the female gaze and links to Cortese’s theory of males in the film industry needing to have muscular bodies as well as being the provocateur.
2. Bond films can also be depicted as being a hybrid genre, as romance is of the many genres the film undertakes. Women are compelled to the romance of Bond and the ‘Bond girl’.
3. In addition, the film undertakes the presentation of female power, as the Bond’s boss is now a female rather that a typical male; conforming to the zeitgeist, sue to feminism giving women the female gender more equality.
Sunday 2 December 2007
Thursday 29 November 2007
Women in Ads
The clip above is an advertisement of cigerettes in the 1950's, the product is promoted by a female celebrity. This enhances the ideologies of celebrification as society and the target audience are depicted as passive. Moreover the celebrity connotes that some women are independant also the cigerette in her hand portrays her as a sexual object also seen as a mystic femme fatale.
The advert above is from the 21st century it proves that men are also being looked at as well and women, this proves Cortese's theory " todays man has pumped his pecs and shoulders and exhibits well defined abs" also the clip also links to " Baudrillird...[stating] that only women are seducers, but empirical evidence on advertising suggests otherwise. Men, too, are seducers - a male version of the perfect provocateur. This shows that men as well as women are depicted in a provocative way. However the tight revealing clothes and the need of a women to take a drink from the male outline the idea of male dependancy and as a male patriarchal society as they are fed by men.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fKl0IWTWtes
Unfortunately the clip cannot be embeded, the advertisement is about toothpaste, the female character is portrayed as a young sexual object of the male character as she is continuously showing her affection and love, this portrays the sexual objectification of women in the 70's. The Clip also reflects on society as women need to look good as well as thier teeth being taken car of.
The advertisement makes use of celebrifications as well as stereotyping the women's roles in society as Karry Katona undertakes a nurturer role subverting from the feminist independant ideologies of women in contemporary society. According to Gunter's 'Media, Gender and identity' "women were twice as likely to be seen inside the home" undertaking domestic roles enforcing the patriarchal ideologies of women as nurturers and carers whereas males as the breadwinners.
The females in this lynx advertisement are depicted as primative and shown as sexual objects of the male desire. The clothing emphasises the male gaze, as women are on the screen to fulfill male pleasures and portrayed as fetishists. Moreover the advertisement enforces Cortese's theory of women as the "seducer and provocateur".
The clip above is an advertisement of cigerettes in the 1950's, the product is promoted by a female celebrity. This enhances the ideologies of celebrification as society and the target audience are depicted as passive. Moreover the celebrity connotes that some women are independant also the cigerette in her hand portrays her as a sexual object also seen as a mystic femme fatale.
The advert above is from the 21st century it proves that men are also being looked at as well and women, this proves Cortese's theory " todays man has pumped his pecs and shoulders and exhibits well defined abs" also the clip also links to " Baudrillird...[stating] that only women are seducers, but empirical evidence on advertising suggests otherwise. Men, too, are seducers - a male version of the perfect provocateur. This shows that men as well as women are depicted in a provocative way. However the tight revealing clothes and the need of a women to take a drink from the male outline the idea of male dependancy and as a male patriarchal society as they are fed by men.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fKl0IWTWtes
Unfortunately the clip cannot be embeded, the advertisement is about toothpaste, the female character is portrayed as a young sexual object of the male character as she is continuously showing her affection and love, this portrays the sexual objectification of women in the 70's. The Clip also reflects on society as women need to look good as well as thier teeth being taken car of.
The advertisement makes use of celebrifications as well as stereotyping the women's roles in society as Karry Katona undertakes a nurturer role subverting from the feminist independant ideologies of women in contemporary society. According to Gunter's 'Media, Gender and identity' "women were twice as likely to be seen inside the home" undertaking domestic roles enforcing the patriarchal ideologies of women as nurturers and carers whereas males as the breadwinners.
The females in this lynx advertisement are depicted as primative and shown as sexual objects of the male desire. The clothing emphasises the male gaze, as women are on the screen to fulfill male pleasures and portrayed as fetishists. Moreover the advertisement enforces Cortese's theory of women as the "seducer and provocateur".
Sunday 25 November 2007
Gender in Advertising by David Gauntlett
· Friedan’s (1963) critique of women’s magazines runs alongside a similar assessment of advertising; the stereotypes reproduced by the housewife’s journals were the same as those exploited by advertisers.
· Tuchman’s (1978) argument about ‘the symbolic annihilation’ of women is based on an analysis of advertising as well as other media.
· Gunter’s (1995) studies show that women in magazine adverts prior to the 1970’s were rarely shown to be in paid work, when they were the depicted a stereotypical role e.g. a smiling secretary.
· The number of ‘housewife’ images began to decline slowly after the 1950’s but were still common in the 60’s and 70’s.
· Advertisement’s in the 1970’s found evidence of stereotyping of all ads featuring women; three quarters were for kitchen and bathroom products.
· Gunter (1995) studies found strong similarities in gender representation from country to country, and particular sexism in adverts aimed at children.
· Mcdonald (1995) advertisers generally lagged behind women’s magazines in the cultivation of new modes of address, even when the evidence suggested that commercial advantages could be gained from modernising their approach.
· Mcdonald (1995) – believing both that feminism’s battles had been won, and that its ideology was now harmless by virtue of being out of date, advertisers invented ‘postfeminism’ as a utopia where women could do whatever they pleased, provided they had sufficient will and enthusiasm.
· Greer - Thirty years ago it was enough to look beautiful; now a woman has to have a tight, toned body. (ibid).
· Baudrillard states that only women are seducers, but empirical evidence suggests otherwise. Men too are seducers – a male version of the perfect provocateur. The ideal man in ads is young, handsome, clean-cut, perfect and sexually alluring.
· Friedan’s (1963) critique of women’s magazines runs alongside a similar assessment of advertising; the stereotypes reproduced by the housewife’s journals were the same as those exploited by advertisers.
· Tuchman’s (1978) argument about ‘the symbolic annihilation’ of women is based on an analysis of advertising as well as other media.
· Gunter’s (1995) studies show that women in magazine adverts prior to the 1970’s were rarely shown to be in paid work, when they were the depicted a stereotypical role e.g. a smiling secretary.
· The number of ‘housewife’ images began to decline slowly after the 1950’s but were still common in the 60’s and 70’s.
· Advertisement’s in the 1970’s found evidence of stereotyping of all ads featuring women; three quarters were for kitchen and bathroom products.
· Gunter (1995) studies found strong similarities in gender representation from country to country, and particular sexism in adverts aimed at children.
· Mcdonald (1995) advertisers generally lagged behind women’s magazines in the cultivation of new modes of address, even when the evidence suggested that commercial advantages could be gained from modernising their approach.
· Mcdonald (1995) – believing both that feminism’s battles had been won, and that its ideology was now harmless by virtue of being out of date, advertisers invented ‘postfeminism’ as a utopia where women could do whatever they pleased, provided they had sufficient will and enthusiasm.
· Greer - Thirty years ago it was enough to look beautiful; now a woman has to have a tight, toned body. (ibid).
· Baudrillard states that only women are seducers, but empirical evidence suggests otherwise. Men too are seducers – a male version of the perfect provocateur. The ideal man in ads is young, handsome, clean-cut, perfect and sexually alluring.
Keywords
Femininty - Feminsim fight for their rights and are against male dominance and the patriarchal society. The film of my text follows the theme of femininty.
Censorship – the practise exercised by elite groups in authority, of monitoring and controlling the media content by removing, suppressing or classifying elements deemed offensive or subversive for moral, political, religious or in this case social. As in this case The Sopranos has some censored scenes however the show depicts horrific scenes, acts of sexual assaults and death is portrayed.
Post-Feminism - Part of the postmodern perspective that takes the achievements of feminism for granted and views it as ineffective due to current condition of women and identity choices they face.
Biopic – a film/TV show based on the life story or the biography of a real person, this links to The Sopranos as the show is based on real gangsters in New Jersey.
Counter Culture – a subculture that rejects the mainstream values of a society and offers a parallel, alternative way of life. This can be seen in The Sopranos as the gangster families are seen as subculture society that makes its own values and beliefs, gangsters being “Made”.
Elite – a small select group in a society which claims leadership privileges as a result of expertise, in terms of knowledge or skill, in a particular field. This relates to the text of my study as the Sopranos crime family are considered or portrayed as the elite in their society as they are feared and empowering.
Folk devil – a descriptive term used by sociologist Stan Cohen to describe groups in society which are targeted or demonised by the media as presenting a moral threat and are therefore the focus of moral panic. The whole idea of gangsters as folk devil in America has been introduced for many a years, The Soprano family are portrayed as folk devil in their community as they enforce death and other criminal activities enforcing fear.
Gangster - gangster movies represent the myth of America, where the conflict between good and evil is played out in the slums of big cities. The aspirational dreams of gangsters relate to lives of poor.
- Concerns about the positive representation of gangsters as ‘folk’ or ‘tragic heroes’ troubled the Hays office, after 1934 studios were forced to insert moral pronouncements condemning the behaviour of gangsters featured in films. However, gangsters remain ‘folk heroes’, particularly within the family saga tradition, e.g. the ‘supportive’ Italian/US extended family of the ‘Goodfather’ trilogy.
Femininty - Feminsim fight for their rights and are against male dominance and the patriarchal society. The film of my text follows the theme of femininty.
Censorship – the practise exercised by elite groups in authority, of monitoring and controlling the media content by removing, suppressing or classifying elements deemed offensive or subversive for moral, political, religious or in this case social. As in this case The Sopranos has some censored scenes however the show depicts horrific scenes, acts of sexual assaults and death is portrayed.
Post-Feminism - Part of the postmodern perspective that takes the achievements of feminism for granted and views it as ineffective due to current condition of women and identity choices they face.
Biopic – a film/TV show based on the life story or the biography of a real person, this links to The Sopranos as the show is based on real gangsters in New Jersey.
Counter Culture – a subculture that rejects the mainstream values of a society and offers a parallel, alternative way of life. This can be seen in The Sopranos as the gangster families are seen as subculture society that makes its own values and beliefs, gangsters being “Made”.
Elite – a small select group in a society which claims leadership privileges as a result of expertise, in terms of knowledge or skill, in a particular field. This relates to the text of my study as the Sopranos crime family are considered or portrayed as the elite in their society as they are feared and empowering.
Folk devil – a descriptive term used by sociologist Stan Cohen to describe groups in society which are targeted or demonised by the media as presenting a moral threat and are therefore the focus of moral panic. The whole idea of gangsters as folk devil in America has been introduced for many a years, The Soprano family are portrayed as folk devil in their community as they enforce death and other criminal activities enforcing fear.
Gangster - gangster movies represent the myth of America, where the conflict between good and evil is played out in the slums of big cities. The aspirational dreams of gangsters relate to lives of poor.
- Concerns about the positive representation of gangsters as ‘folk’ or ‘tragic heroes’ troubled the Hays office, after 1934 studios were forced to insert moral pronouncements condemning the behaviour of gangsters featured in films. However, gangsters remain ‘folk heroes’, particularly within the family saga tradition, e.g. the ‘supportive’ Italian/US extended family of the ‘Goodfather’ trilogy.
Women In “The Sopranos” and Tony’s affairs
http://www.answers.com/carmela%20soprano
“Carmela's own efforts to become financially independent have been less successful”... “Carmela's materialistic nature, however, is never far from the surface”.
http://www.answers.com/topic/tony-soprano
“Tony is frequently unfaithful to his wife. His affairs and one-night stands and his inability to be faithful have been an ongoing source of conflict between Tony and Carmela, leading to a year-long separation. Affairs have included Mercedes saleswoman Gloria Trillo and Russian dancer Irina Peltsin. Tony lets his hedonistic pursuit’s conflict with his business. He had sex with Svetlana Kirilenko, Uncle Junior's nurse and Irina's cousin.” Tony’s numerous affairs symbolise the male backlash in society and the objectification of women.
http://www.answers.com/topic/meadow-soprano
“She attended Columbia University, performed well in her classes after poor first-year performance and volunteered regularly at the South Bronx Law Center. Since her graduation, Meadow has been studying for medical school as she is interested in being a pediatrician, but is having second thoughts and considering a career in the legal profession”. The character role portrays women’s independence, intelligence in society and pursuing a professional career, conflicted the portrayal of women depend on men in “The Sopranos”.
http://www.answers.com/dr%20melfi
“Tony Soprano has been able to confide in Melfi many things that he has told no one else... not his associates and certainly not his wife, Carmela”... “He inwardly fears Melfi prying into his life during their sessions, but he also fears the results from not dealing with the problem”. Dr Melfi is depicted as a saviour or a sort of salvation for Tony Soprano, she is contradicts the stereotypical representation of women in society and in the drama.
Other Websites
http://www.answers.com/topic/the-sopranos?cat=technology
This site displays the main idea of the show, themes and characters. The site has seven other links that will help me with my study.
http://www.ape-connections.org/exorcisingpatriarchy.htm
“The Death Hold of Patriarchy. Women have made a few advances, a few inroads in the system of patriarchy but so far the system has been able to absorb these advances and often turn the women against ourselves. This is almost inevitable since women are in so few positions of power. The patriarchal system has its “tokens” and “queen bees” and it is learning how to utilize the talents of women (not just the labor) to keep other women in check”. The site is useful to my case study as it explains the theory of the patriarchal society and has in depth information of feminism.
http://www.answers.com/topic/masculism
The website focuses on masculinity portrayed in the media as well information of the male backlash theory and the wave of feminism affecting traditional society and values.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_causes_someone_to_become_an_abuser
Abuse is bound to be found in patriarchal, narcissistic, or misogynistic collectives. Many societies exhibit cross sections of these three traits. Thus, most patriarchal groups are also misogynistic, either overtly and ideologically so - or covertly and in denial. The site is an article of sexual violence in the media, this relates to my study as women are sexually assaulted.
http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article443.html
This website also focuses on sexual violence displayed in the media; the article focuses mediums such as pornography and advertisements.
http://www.answers.com/topic/sexual-objectification
“...the sexual objectification of women as one of the main ways in which women are subordinated in a sexist society”. The website focuses on the theory of sexual objectification and effect of it. However the site also focuses on the objectification of men this shows a contrast in contemporary films from the past.
http://www.answers.com/carmela%20soprano
“Carmela's own efforts to become financially independent have been less successful”... “Carmela's materialistic nature, however, is never far from the surface”.
http://www.answers.com/topic/tony-soprano
“Tony is frequently unfaithful to his wife. His affairs and one-night stands and his inability to be faithful have been an ongoing source of conflict between Tony and Carmela, leading to a year-long separation. Affairs have included Mercedes saleswoman Gloria Trillo and Russian dancer Irina Peltsin. Tony lets his hedonistic pursuit’s conflict with his business. He had sex with Svetlana Kirilenko, Uncle Junior's nurse and Irina's cousin.” Tony’s numerous affairs symbolise the male backlash in society and the objectification of women.
http://www.answers.com/topic/meadow-soprano
“She attended Columbia University, performed well in her classes after poor first-year performance and volunteered regularly at the South Bronx Law Center. Since her graduation, Meadow has been studying for medical school as she is interested in being a pediatrician, but is having second thoughts and considering a career in the legal profession”. The character role portrays women’s independence, intelligence in society and pursuing a professional career, conflicted the portrayal of women depend on men in “The Sopranos”.
http://www.answers.com/dr%20melfi
“Tony Soprano has been able to confide in Melfi many things that he has told no one else... not his associates and certainly not his wife, Carmela”... “He inwardly fears Melfi prying into his life during their sessions, but he also fears the results from not dealing with the problem”. Dr Melfi is depicted as a saviour or a sort of salvation for Tony Soprano, she is contradicts the stereotypical representation of women in society and in the drama.
Other Websites
http://www.answers.com/topic/the-sopranos?cat=technology
This site displays the main idea of the show, themes and characters. The site has seven other links that will help me with my study.
http://www.ape-connections.org/exorcisingpatriarchy.htm
“The Death Hold of Patriarchy. Women have made a few advances, a few inroads in the system of patriarchy but so far the system has been able to absorb these advances and often turn the women against ourselves. This is almost inevitable since women are in so few positions of power. The patriarchal system has its “tokens” and “queen bees” and it is learning how to utilize the talents of women (not just the labor) to keep other women in check”. The site is useful to my case study as it explains the theory of the patriarchal society and has in depth information of feminism.
http://www.answers.com/topic/masculism
The website focuses on masculinity portrayed in the media as well information of the male backlash theory and the wave of feminism affecting traditional society and values.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_causes_someone_to_become_an_abuser
Abuse is bound to be found in patriarchal, narcissistic, or misogynistic collectives. Many societies exhibit cross sections of these three traits. Thus, most patriarchal groups are also misogynistic, either overtly and ideologically so - or covertly and in denial. The site is an article of sexual violence in the media, this relates to my study as women are sexually assaulted.
http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article443.html
This website also focuses on sexual violence displayed in the media; the article focuses mediums such as pornography and advertisements.
http://www.answers.com/topic/sexual-objectification
“...the sexual objectification of women as one of the main ways in which women are subordinated in a sexist society”. The website focuses on the theory of sexual objectification and effect of it. However the site also focuses on the objectification of men this shows a contrast in contemporary films from the past.
Thursday 22 November 2007
Blog Bud Meeting
Over this week me and Saz discussed our independent studies and how they relate. we both are focsuing on gender roles in the media and the hollywood/American meda industry. The books that we both found helpful to each others studies were "violence in the media" and "film thoery", focusing on sexual crimes, objectification of women in the media. furthermore. "Film theory" has a section on "the feminist intervention" and includes many thoeries and theorists, Laura Mulvey, Male Gaze and also displays in depth information of marxism and hierarchical gendered social relataions-patrichal society.
Books exchanged and Studied
I have given Saz the "film Theory" book by Robert Stam as it provides a detailed insoght into feminism and male dominance and male backlash. The book we studied together was "violence in the media" as both our texts focus and crimes against women and their portrayal of sexual objects. Pages 114 to 116 and 127. The book i was given by saz was "the monsterous feminine" the book give indformation of the feminism movement and thoery of specific film texts, this will help me as it shows how women were portrayed in past films.
Over this week me and Saz discussed our independent studies and how they relate. we both are focsuing on gender roles in the media and the hollywood/American meda industry. The books that we both found helpful to each others studies were "violence in the media" and "film thoery", focusing on sexual crimes, objectification of women in the media. furthermore. "Film theory" has a section on "the feminist intervention" and includes many thoeries and theorists, Laura Mulvey, Male Gaze and also displays in depth information of marxism and hierarchical gendered social relataions-patrichal society.
Books exchanged and Studied
I have given Saz the "film Theory" book by Robert Stam as it provides a detailed insoght into feminism and male dominance and male backlash. The book we studied together was "violence in the media" as both our texts focus and crimes against women and their portrayal of sexual objects. Pages 114 to 116 and 127. The book i was given by saz was "the monsterous feminine" the book give indformation of the feminism movement and thoery of specific film texts, this will help me as it shows how women were portrayed in past films.
Thursday 15 November 2007
Representations of gender today
· During the 1990’s and into the new century, gender roles on television became increasingly equal and non-stereotyped, although the majority of lead characters were still made.
· In 1992- 1993, men took 61 percent of the total number f speaking roles, women have the other 39 percent.
· Studies show that small number of the major characters were female – just 18 percent.
· A significant decrease from the 1970’s; only 3 percent of women were represented as housewives as their main occupation.
· Women were free from family and work place pressures (Elasmar, Hasegawa and Brain, 1999:33).
· Some shows put successful professional women at the forefront, and are focused on their quests for sex, pleasures and romantic love, e.g. sex and the city.
· Buffy the vampire slayer; the character is more powerful and heroic, Buffy is more confident and assertive, depicting women in society.
· Representations of gender on TV have changed considerably within the past decades, today female and male characters are likely to be as intelligent, talented and resourceful, and there is equality.
· Nevertheless, many conventions of masculinity and femininity remain; men continue to dominate certain areas e.g. BBC’s coverage of the 2001 general election was led by authoritative, middle aged white male.
· Maggie Humm – Film... often anxiously envisions women stereotypically as ‘good’ mother or ‘bad’, hysterical careerists, (1997).
· There are many films that depict ‘girl power’ and female heroes, X-Men, The Matrix, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Tomb Raider.
· During the 1990’s and into the new century, gender roles on television became increasingly equal and non-stereotyped, although the majority of lead characters were still made.
· In 1992- 1993, men took 61 percent of the total number f speaking roles, women have the other 39 percent.
· Studies show that small number of the major characters were female – just 18 percent.
· A significant decrease from the 1970’s; only 3 percent of women were represented as housewives as their main occupation.
· Women were free from family and work place pressures (Elasmar, Hasegawa and Brain, 1999:33).
· Some shows put successful professional women at the forefront, and are focused on their quests for sex, pleasures and romantic love, e.g. sex and the city.
· Buffy the vampire slayer; the character is more powerful and heroic, Buffy is more confident and assertive, depicting women in society.
· Representations of gender on TV have changed considerably within the past decades, today female and male characters are likely to be as intelligent, talented and resourceful, and there is equality.
· Nevertheless, many conventions of masculinity and femininity remain; men continue to dominate certain areas e.g. BBC’s coverage of the 2001 general election was led by authoritative, middle aged white male.
· Maggie Humm – Film... often anxiously envisions women stereotypically as ‘good’ mother or ‘bad’, hysterical careerists, (1997).
· There are many films that depict ‘girl power’ and female heroes, X-Men, The Matrix, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Tomb Raider.
Tuesday 13 November 2007
Gender and Identity
Representation Of Gender In The Past – Key points
Men and Women on TV
· In the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, there were only 35 percent of female character roles on TV
· Mid 1980’s there was a substantial increase of women in leading roles; however there were twice as many men on screen.
· In 1975, Miles found out that comedy situations had equal proportions of men and women, although the gender roles and the humour could still be traditional and sexist.
· Furthermore, in 1987 a study found female characters to be most common in comedy programmes (43 percent).
· Despite these statistical parity – whereas in action adventure shows, only 15 percent of the leading character where women.
· A study by McNeil (1975) concluded that women’s movement had been largely ignored by television. With married housewives being the main female role portrayed.
· Further more studies in the 1970’s found that men to be the dominant characters and the decision makers on TV.
· Women were more likely to be passive; men were more likely to be adventurous, active and victorious, whereas women were more frequently portrayed as weak, ineffectual, victimised, supportive and laughable.
Women and Men in Movies
· In the 1950’s films “Angry Men” almost always focused on male heroes, men typically made the decisions which led the story and narrative, they were also assertive and dominant.
· However women had roles that were likely to depict them as frightened, in need of protection and direction.
· In the 70’s the there was a backlash at the typical representation of women as Leia from Star Wars is depicted as a princess, top of the social hierarchy.
· 1990’s – Kathi Maio noted ‘strong, victorious women exist in film, just not often enough, and generally not in movies that get much play’. Susan Faludi went a step further by saying women were being ‘reduced to mute and incidental characters or banished altogether’, with particular reference to Predator (1987) and Lethal Weapon (1987).
Representation Of Gender In The Past – Key points
Men and Women on TV
· In the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, there were only 35 percent of female character roles on TV
· Mid 1980’s there was a substantial increase of women in leading roles; however there were twice as many men on screen.
· In 1975, Miles found out that comedy situations had equal proportions of men and women, although the gender roles and the humour could still be traditional and sexist.
· Furthermore, in 1987 a study found female characters to be most common in comedy programmes (43 percent).
· Despite these statistical parity – whereas in action adventure shows, only 15 percent of the leading character where women.
· A study by McNeil (1975) concluded that women’s movement had been largely ignored by television. With married housewives being the main female role portrayed.
· Further more studies in the 1970’s found that men to be the dominant characters and the decision makers on TV.
· Women were more likely to be passive; men were more likely to be adventurous, active and victorious, whereas women were more frequently portrayed as weak, ineffectual, victimised, supportive and laughable.
Women and Men in Movies
· In the 1950’s films “Angry Men” almost always focused on male heroes, men typically made the decisions which led the story and narrative, they were also assertive and dominant.
· However women had roles that were likely to depict them as frightened, in need of protection and direction.
· In the 70’s the there was a backlash at the typical representation of women as Leia from Star Wars is depicted as a princess, top of the social hierarchy.
· 1990’s – Kathi Maio noted ‘strong, victorious women exist in film, just not often enough, and generally not in movies that get much play’. Susan Faludi went a step further by saying women were being ‘reduced to mute and incidental characters or banished altogether’, with particular reference to Predator (1987) and Lethal Weapon (1987).
Sunday 11 November 2007
Book Bibliography
1) Reading The Sopranos (2007) by David Lavery - This book explores how "The Sopranos" has rewritten the rules of television drama and changed attitudes about television itself. Contributors present fresh perspectives on psychotherapy and dreams; racism and the Italian-American community; Carmela and post-feminism. the book will be useful to my study as there is a section thatfocuses on women representations and thier power.
2) Violence an the Media (2003) by Cynthia Carter, C.Kay Weaver - "Violence and the Media" is a introduction to current issues about media violence and its potential influence on audiences. Carter and Weaver engage with a host of pressing issues around violence in different media contexts - including news, film, television, pornography, advertising and cyberspace. Also it coverskey points such as desensitization and victims of violence such as women.
3) Film Thoery An Introduction (1999) by Robert Stam -It examines issues common to both subjects such as realism, narration, point of view, style, semiotics, Feminism and The Feminist Intervention and multiculturalism. It also includes coverage of theorists common to both, Barthes, Lacan and Bakhtin among others such as Laura Mulvey and thoeries such as the Male Gaze.
4) Feminist Theorists (1983) by by Dale Spender - The book focuses on theory and thoerists around the 80's and even back to the late 1600's E.g. Mary Astell. This will aid my study as this book focuses on the historical side of SHEP.
5) The meaning of wife(2004) by Anne Kingston - Canadian journalist and social commentator Anne Kingston provides a fresh perspective on the role and how it affects the perception of women. This book: Explains the alternating currents of 'wifelash' and 'wifelust' Introduces the concept of the 'wife gap' that emerged in the wake of the twentieth-century women's movement Analyses the married woman's relationship to female power, sexuality and worth. The book will greatly coinside with my study as i will be looking at the representation of houswives such as Carmela as well as fetishists. It will outline the representation of houswives and the social issues.
6) Race and Gender (1985) by Madeleine Arno - The book outlines the representations of women as well as racial issues, additionally it contains theories. The book is the contains indepth on these to key social issues in society; coveing one aspect of SHEP.
7) Media Studies: The Essential Introduction (2001) by Phillip Rayner, Peter Wall and Steohen - Krugar - Explains the media concepts, cultural terms and theoretical perspectives. The book offers deeper insights to representation and gender also it looks in more depth with media theories and debates.
8) The Media Student's Book (2003) by Gill Branston, Roy Stafford - The chapters of the book are supported by case studies which cover every key topic in the area. The book is divided into four parts studying key concepts; media practices; media debates; and provides resources in the final reference section also definitions, references and thoeries. This will help my study as it focuses on representations and stereotypes also it contains many theories and key terms.
9) Media, Gender and Identity: An Introduction (2002) by David Gauntlett - It provides an in depth look into the different ways in which gender and identity and focuses on the media's influence on gender and sexuality. David Gauntlett explores the gender of contemporary media and draws on recent theories of gender and identity. This is one book in particular is relevant to my study as it outlines key theorists and theories and looks into SHEP.
1) Reading The Sopranos (2007) by David Lavery - This book explores how "The Sopranos" has rewritten the rules of television drama and changed attitudes about television itself. Contributors present fresh perspectives on psychotherapy and dreams; racism and the Italian-American community; Carmela and post-feminism. the book will be useful to my study as there is a section thatfocuses on women representations and thier power.
2) Violence an the Media (2003) by Cynthia Carter, C.Kay Weaver - "Violence and the Media" is a introduction to current issues about media violence and its potential influence on audiences. Carter and Weaver engage with a host of pressing issues around violence in different media contexts - including news, film, television, pornography, advertising and cyberspace. Also it coverskey points such as desensitization and victims of violence such as women.
3) Film Thoery An Introduction (1999) by Robert Stam -It examines issues common to both subjects such as realism, narration, point of view, style, semiotics, Feminism and The Feminist Intervention and multiculturalism. It also includes coverage of theorists common to both, Barthes, Lacan and Bakhtin among others such as Laura Mulvey and thoeries such as the Male Gaze.
4) Feminist Theorists (1983) by by Dale Spender - The book focuses on theory and thoerists around the 80's and even back to the late 1600's E.g. Mary Astell. This will aid my study as this book focuses on the historical side of SHEP.
5) The meaning of wife(2004) by Anne Kingston - Canadian journalist and social commentator Anne Kingston provides a fresh perspective on the role and how it affects the perception of women. This book: Explains the alternating currents of 'wifelash' and 'wifelust' Introduces the concept of the 'wife gap' that emerged in the wake of the twentieth-century women's movement Analyses the married woman's relationship to female power, sexuality and worth. The book will greatly coinside with my study as i will be looking at the representation of houswives such as Carmela as well as fetishists. It will outline the representation of houswives and the social issues.
6) Race and Gender (1985) by Madeleine Arno - The book outlines the representations of women as well as racial issues, additionally it contains theories. The book is the contains indepth on these to key social issues in society; coveing one aspect of SHEP.
7) Media Studies: The Essential Introduction (2001) by Phillip Rayner, Peter Wall and Steohen - Krugar - Explains the media concepts, cultural terms and theoretical perspectives. The book offers deeper insights to representation and gender also it looks in more depth with media theories and debates.
8) The Media Student's Book (2003) by Gill Branston, Roy Stafford - The chapters of the book are supported by case studies which cover every key topic in the area. The book is divided into four parts studying key concepts; media practices; media debates; and provides resources in the final reference section also definitions, references and thoeries. This will help my study as it focuses on representations and stereotypes also it contains many theories and key terms.
9) Media, Gender and Identity: An Introduction (2002) by David Gauntlett - It provides an in depth look into the different ways in which gender and identity and focuses on the media's influence on gender and sexuality. David Gauntlett explores the gender of contemporary media and draws on recent theories of gender and identity. This is one book in particular is relevant to my study as it outlines key theorists and theories and looks into SHEP.
Sunday 4 November 2007
Blog Buddy
Vivek's study is on "female representation in football"-www.sportsrep-vivek.blogspot.com
Vivek's and my independent study are both very similar as we both are researching and writing about female reperesentation within the media. Therefore we are likely to talk about similar issues, theories and look at similar ideologies. We both hence are likely to look at similar research and can discuss our findings with eachother.
Vivek's blog incorperates good delicious tags in his blog and useful keywords relating to representation of women in the media, additionally we can both learn more about the way women are represented in the media from each others blogs, thorugh textual analysis.
Saz's study is on the Representation of Women in "Sin City"- http://sincity666.blogspot.com/
Saz's independant study is similar to my study as we are both research on the representation, additionally i think that the character roles of the women in boh of our texts are pretty similar (The Sopranos - strippers and whores wnforcing male gaze and mulvey's theory) (Sin City - Prostitutes and Pimps). Therefore i think we will work good together as we are researching same or silmilar thoerists meaning it will benefit us both if one of us finds some interesting research.
Vivek's study is on "female representation in football"-www.sportsrep-vivek.blogspot.com
Vivek's and my independent study are both very similar as we both are researching and writing about female reperesentation within the media. Therefore we are likely to talk about similar issues, theories and look at similar ideologies. We both hence are likely to look at similar research and can discuss our findings with eachother.
Vivek's blog incorperates good delicious tags in his blog and useful keywords relating to representation of women in the media, additionally we can both learn more about the way women are represented in the media from each others blogs, thorugh textual analysis.
Saz's study is on the Representation of Women in "Sin City"- http://sincity666.blogspot.com/
Saz's independant study is similar to my study as we are both research on the representation, additionally i think that the character roles of the women in boh of our texts are pretty similar (The Sopranos - strippers and whores wnforcing male gaze and mulvey's theory) (Sin City - Prostitutes and Pimps). Therefore i think we will work good together as we are researching same or silmilar thoerists meaning it will benefit us both if one of us finds some interesting research.
An interesting point we both will hope to overcome in our studies are that of the 'Madonna Vs. Whore' debate. Women are not always portrayed to the audience as "eye candy" or "Fetsist", in both our texts there is evidence of both Madonnas and Fetishists which enforce the issues of a patriachal society and the male backlash however some female charatcer roles counter act this debate.
Moreoever Saz has good textual analysis on his blog and also his delicioustags are relevant to my study.
Friday 19 October 2007
Attainment – B, I think I have worked for a b as I have analysed and research for my blog and my h/w is to a good standard.
Effort – 2, work hard on my homework, but could make more contribution in lessons.
Punctuality – 1, I’ve been coming to lesson and haven’t been absent so far.
Submission and quality of homework – 2, always handed my homework on time but could make it more detailed.
Ability to work independently – 2, I work well independently when work set, could do a bit more self directed research.
Quality of writing – 2, I write good and detailed analyse texts well.
Organisation of Media folder – 3, I need to sort that out a bit.
Oral contributions in class – 3, could make more contribution in lessons, when i do contribute its mind altering stuff.
Standard of Module 5 blog – 3, looks sick, have a lot of visual texts, but need to add more posts.
Standard of Module 6 blog – 2, I’ve done a not a lot of research but to a good standard and the research I have found is really good, also lots of visual analysis.
Effort – 2, work hard on my homework, but could make more contribution in lessons.
Punctuality – 1, I’ve been coming to lesson and haven’t been absent so far.
Submission and quality of homework – 2, always handed my homework on time but could make it more detailed.
Ability to work independently – 2, I work well independently when work set, could do a bit more self directed research.
Quality of writing – 2, I write good and detailed analyse texts well.
Organisation of Media folder – 3, I need to sort that out a bit.
Oral contributions in class – 3, could make more contribution in lessons, when i do contribute its mind altering stuff.
Standard of Module 5 blog – 3, looks sick, have a lot of visual texts, but need to add more posts.
Standard of Module 6 blog – 2, I’ve done a not a lot of research but to a good standard and the research I have found is really good, also lots of visual analysis.
Thursday 18 October 2007
Self directed research
delicious tags-
http://www.genderit.org/en/index.shtml?w=a&x=91365
Consistently throughout Asia, women have been portrayed in the media as victims, subservient, nurturing, sacrificing and objectified sexualised beings. This not only inaccurately represents the diversity of women’s lives, roles and experiences within this complex and rich region, women’s contributions to the socio-political and economic development of society are often neglected.
The perpetuation of stereotypes in images and representation solidifies women’s traditional roles and unequal gender relations in multiple ways. Most visibly, women are seen as mourners at tragedies or as victims of violence. The Global Media Monitoring Project mentioned above found that out of the small number of women who were interviewees in news stories (14%), 29% of them were as victims of accidents, crimes or other events .This does not only represent women as helpless subjects without agency, it also fails to emphasise men’s role as perpetrators in instances of violence against women. Further, the dissemination of these messages affects women’s self-confidence, mobility and subsequently access and participation in public spaces (for fear of assault).
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/women_and_girls/women_coverage.cfm
Female athletes are increasingly photographed in what Professor Pat Griffin calls "hyper-sexualized poses." Griffin notes, "When it was once enough to feminize women athletes, now it is necessary to sexualize them for men. Instead of hearing, 'I am woman, hear me roar,' we are hearing 'I am hetero-sexy, watch me strip.'
http://www.medialit.org/focus/ster1_articles.html
We now know that rape is not an act of passion; it is an act of aggression in order to show domination. Are the images and lyrics of women chained, beaten and raped a media expression of a deep cultural need to dominate women, to keep them in their place? Are these images simply the overt expression of the psychological violence against women that we have tolerated for so long?
If so, the problem we face is much deeper than censorship, artistic integrity or our freedom of speech as guaranteed in the Constitution. It is the problem of facing the profound misogyny within our culture, within ourselves and even within religious traditions. We need to realize the ''fun" has never just been fun and begin the arduous task of personal conversion, cultural conversion and institutional conversion. When our cultural values change, so will our media.
http://www.barnard.edu/sfonline/hbo/johnson_01.htm
In a gesture of solidarity with sex workers, the episode encourages the audience to sympathize with Tracee, as we see her humiliated and hurt in a thousand small ways before the scene of her death. She tries to show Tony her braces and is reprimanded by Silvio for fraternizing. She offers a kiss to Ralphie and he turns away, making rude remarks about what she's been doing with her mouth. She says "hi" to Tony with a huge smile, but he waves her away and goes into another room with another stripper. Standing there in her too-tight tomato-red dress, hair swept up in an approximation of classiness and elegance, she has that look of gangly girls in six-inch heels for the first time. With this shot, the stripper is transformed into wallflower. The usual catty attitude among women toward exotic dancers (based on distorted fantasies of the stripper as blonde bombshell, a jealousy that implicitly condones violence against sex workers who are regarded as getting what they deserve) is undermined as the camera lingers on Tracee's disappointed face and awkward retreat. She becomes someone we recognize, someone we can identify with, someone we have perhaps been.
delicious tags-
http://www.genderit.org/en/index.shtml?w=a&x=91365
Consistently throughout Asia, women have been portrayed in the media as victims, subservient, nurturing, sacrificing and objectified sexualised beings. This not only inaccurately represents the diversity of women’s lives, roles and experiences within this complex and rich region, women’s contributions to the socio-political and economic development of society are often neglected.
The perpetuation of stereotypes in images and representation solidifies women’s traditional roles and unequal gender relations in multiple ways. Most visibly, women are seen as mourners at tragedies or as victims of violence. The Global Media Monitoring Project mentioned above found that out of the small number of women who were interviewees in news stories (14%), 29% of them were as victims of accidents, crimes or other events .This does not only represent women as helpless subjects without agency, it also fails to emphasise men’s role as perpetrators in instances of violence against women. Further, the dissemination of these messages affects women’s self-confidence, mobility and subsequently access and participation in public spaces (for fear of assault).
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/women_and_girls/women_coverage.cfm
Female athletes are increasingly photographed in what Professor Pat Griffin calls "hyper-sexualized poses." Griffin notes, "When it was once enough to feminize women athletes, now it is necessary to sexualize them for men. Instead of hearing, 'I am woman, hear me roar,' we are hearing 'I am hetero-sexy, watch me strip.'
http://www.medialit.org/focus/ster1_articles.html
We now know that rape is not an act of passion; it is an act of aggression in order to show domination. Are the images and lyrics of women chained, beaten and raped a media expression of a deep cultural need to dominate women, to keep them in their place? Are these images simply the overt expression of the psychological violence against women that we have tolerated for so long?
If so, the problem we face is much deeper than censorship, artistic integrity or our freedom of speech as guaranteed in the Constitution. It is the problem of facing the profound misogyny within our culture, within ourselves and even within religious traditions. We need to realize the ''fun" has never just been fun and begin the arduous task of personal conversion, cultural conversion and institutional conversion. When our cultural values change, so will our media.
http://www.barnard.edu/sfonline/hbo/johnson_01.htm
In a gesture of solidarity with sex workers, the episode encourages the audience to sympathize with Tracee, as we see her humiliated and hurt in a thousand small ways before the scene of her death. She tries to show Tony her braces and is reprimanded by Silvio for fraternizing. She offers a kiss to Ralphie and he turns away, making rude remarks about what she's been doing with her mouth. She says "hi" to Tony with a huge smile, but he waves her away and goes into another room with another stripper. Standing there in her too-tight tomato-red dress, hair swept up in an approximation of classiness and elegance, she has that look of gangly girls in six-inch heels for the first time. With this shot, the stripper is transformed into wallflower. The usual catty attitude among women toward exotic dancers (based on distorted fantasies of the stripper as blonde bombshell, a jealousy that implicitly condones violence against sex workers who are regarded as getting what they deserve) is undermined as the camera lingers on Tracee's disappointed face and awkward retreat. She becomes someone we recognize, someone we can identify with, someone we have perhaps been.
keywords
Action code - a narrative structure based on a dramatic sequence of events, often leading to a violent resolution. In ‘The Sopranos’ there are many problems that resolved through murders and violence as “Tracee” and other women and men, like Ralph Ciferetto.
Anti-hero – the protagonist in a narrative who lacks the qualities of an archetypal hero but nevertheless attracts the sympathy and support of the audience or reader. In the sopranos Tony Soprano is the anti-hero as when Tracee is killed he takes up the responsibility of confronting Ralph and beating him, his own foot soldier.
Big close up – a close up camera shot, particularly of an actor’s face, showing prominent detail and facial expression as a means of creating intimacy and audience engagement with the thoughts and the emotions of the character. Big close ups are often used in the sopranos as it depicts the angry emotions of characters such as Ralph or Tony Soprano, when at the psychiatrist or beating his gumar.
Connotation – a meaning attributable to an image beyond the obvious denotation level. Such meanings may be metaphorical, symbolical or culturally generated and will vary in line with the cultural background and attitudes, beliefs and values of the individual viewing the material. There are many connotations in the sopranos of the mise en scene such aspects as props and costumes.
Construction – the process by the creation of all media texts. All texts are the product of decisions relating to selection and are constrained and defined by the criteria used for that purpose, the choice available, and the order in which the elements are combined. The text is constructed in certain ways to connote meanings to the audience for example Carmela cut off the scene when having oral sex, connoting patriarchal dominance.
Channel 4 – independent commercial television channel established in 1982 under the independent broadcasting authority. Channel 4 developed a reputation for cutting edge and challenging programming, often drawing criticism from television watchdog groups such as mediawatch. Additionally channel 4 is funded by advertising companies, so they can broadcast shows and dramas such as the sopranos. The channel is known for broadcasting documentaries and American dramas.
Denotation – the first and the simplest level of meaning of an image, e.g. the mise en scene in the scene when Tracee is beaten to death there is trash connoting white trailer park trash, or wearing a revealing dress.
Feminism – political movement to advance the status of women by challenging values, social constructions and socioeconomic practices which disadvantage women and favour men. The movement emerged from the liberation culture of the 1960’s, although individual feminists argued for women’s rights from a much earlier time. Characters such as Carmela and DR. Melfi are enforcing the ideologies of strong and independent.
Marxist feminism – a feminist perspective which sees capitalism as the principal source of gender inequalities. In a capitalist class hierarchy, women are seen as being subordinate to men and serving the male workforce in terms of low-paid, low status employment and unpaid domestic labour. Domestic violence against women is seen to be the result of powerless male workforce exercising its frustration on the female sex rather than directing it at the class system. In the sopranos the housewives have no work so are not paid and the strippers are at the bottom of the social hierarchy due to their job.
Action code - a narrative structure based on a dramatic sequence of events, often leading to a violent resolution. In ‘The Sopranos’ there are many problems that resolved through murders and violence as “Tracee” and other women and men, like Ralph Ciferetto.
Anti-hero – the protagonist in a narrative who lacks the qualities of an archetypal hero but nevertheless attracts the sympathy and support of the audience or reader. In the sopranos Tony Soprano is the anti-hero as when Tracee is killed he takes up the responsibility of confronting Ralph and beating him, his own foot soldier.
Big close up – a close up camera shot, particularly of an actor’s face, showing prominent detail and facial expression as a means of creating intimacy and audience engagement with the thoughts and the emotions of the character. Big close ups are often used in the sopranos as it depicts the angry emotions of characters such as Ralph or Tony Soprano, when at the psychiatrist or beating his gumar.
Connotation – a meaning attributable to an image beyond the obvious denotation level. Such meanings may be metaphorical, symbolical or culturally generated and will vary in line with the cultural background and attitudes, beliefs and values of the individual viewing the material. There are many connotations in the sopranos of the mise en scene such aspects as props and costumes.
Construction – the process by the creation of all media texts. All texts are the product of decisions relating to selection and are constrained and defined by the criteria used for that purpose, the choice available, and the order in which the elements are combined. The text is constructed in certain ways to connote meanings to the audience for example Carmela cut off the scene when having oral sex, connoting patriarchal dominance.
Channel 4 – independent commercial television channel established in 1982 under the independent broadcasting authority. Channel 4 developed a reputation for cutting edge and challenging programming, often drawing criticism from television watchdog groups such as mediawatch. Additionally channel 4 is funded by advertising companies, so they can broadcast shows and dramas such as the sopranos. The channel is known for broadcasting documentaries and American dramas.
Denotation – the first and the simplest level of meaning of an image, e.g. the mise en scene in the scene when Tracee is beaten to death there is trash connoting white trailer park trash, or wearing a revealing dress.
Feminism – political movement to advance the status of women by challenging values, social constructions and socioeconomic practices which disadvantage women and favour men. The movement emerged from the liberation culture of the 1960’s, although individual feminists argued for women’s rights from a much earlier time. Characters such as Carmela and DR. Melfi are enforcing the ideologies of strong and independent.
Marxist feminism – a feminist perspective which sees capitalism as the principal source of gender inequalities. In a capitalist class hierarchy, women are seen as being subordinate to men and serving the male workforce in terms of low-paid, low status employment and unpaid domestic labour. Domestic violence against women is seen to be the result of powerless male workforce exercising its frustration on the female sex rather than directing it at the class system. In the sopranos the housewives have no work so are not paid and the strippers are at the bottom of the social hierarchy due to their job.
Sunday 14 October 2007
Task 6
The scene above begins with a stripper asking to work in the V.I.P. section, she immediately sexually objectified by a man as she has to pay to work in room that will earn her more money additionally the she has to give a “blowjob”. The man acts as a “gate keeper” and it his choice to lets her in the room or not, this exemplifies the inferiority of the women in “The Bada Bing”. The dancer at the door is subjected to undertake a role that does not push or make a difference to the storyline and make no effect to the narrative structure.
Moreover in the scene Tracee is dressed in a tight, revealing dress, the red dress connotes women as impure and reinforces the ideologies of “white trash”. The mise en scene used in the scene imposes Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze as the archetype stripper characters the male audience’s sexual fantasies and desires. Additionally the non diegetic sound parallels the scene to the audience and creates male dominant atmosphere.
Furthermore the strip club “The Bada Bing” is a symbol of male backlash as the place is made for men to fulfil their sexual desires, the club acts as place for anti-feminists as women are treated and portrayed as sex objects. The club shapes the patriarchal order in society and acts as microcosm of male dominance in the macrocosm world.
“Don’t kiss me, how many cocks you suck tonight”, Tracee is treated like a sex object and is seen as a woman whose only reason in life is to fulfil male pleasure. This implies that the phallic is a symbol of male dominance over women and are treated as sexual object only in the drama for the male gaze and pleasure and not to drive the narrative. Additionally Ralph slaps her back side; this enforces the ideologies of women as possessions and reinforcing the views of patriarchal order. The character of Tracee is dehumanised as she is treated as a sexual object.
Furthermore outside the club there is a confrontation between Ralph and Tracee, Ralph beats up Tracee “does it make you feel like a man”, the quote exemplifies issues in society as women are beaten up to make the male gender feel powerful and dominant also the use of the phallic in the programme enforces patriarchal order in society.
Furthermore the scene uses close ups on the Ralph when Tracee is beaten up to death to exemplify his facial expressions. There are fewer shots of Tracee facial expressions, she is cut off the screen, and the scene is constructed to only depict Ralph’s emotions. This implicates to the audience that she is inferior, is of no importance and does not drive the narrative cycle. Moreover the scene incorporates low angle shots to portray male dominance in the scene, Tracee is depicted as vulnerable and weak sue to the high angle shots towards her. Tracee's status representation of whore seems to make her vulnerable to attack and is less deserving of safety and sexual freedom because she’s a stripper. Additionally the low key lighting connote danger and vulnerable atmosphere, the low key lighting sets the aerie atmosphere and fulfil the expectations of the audience.
There are no traditional narrative roles in the scene as Propps theory defied, Ralph undertakes the role of the villain however every mob member takes the role of an anti-hero or a villain, however Tracee cannot relate to a specific role as she is depicted as a whore by the audience and her character is mediated in this way buy the director. The audience is only left to sympathise for Tracee’s.
The director is a male, meaning the show is mediated in a male’s perspective, reinforces Mulvey’s theory of the media reflected and shaped patriarchal order, which can also be because of the director.
Moreover Tracee is beaten to death on outside next to bin bags and trash and is left dead next to, the trash connotes the representation women as Tracee is compared to “white trash” in society and is worthless and demeaning to men. The long shot portrays her life as meaningless as the mise en scene depicts her class in society.
The scene above begins with a stripper asking to work in the V.I.P. section, she immediately sexually objectified by a man as she has to pay to work in room that will earn her more money additionally the she has to give a “blowjob”. The man acts as a “gate keeper” and it his choice to lets her in the room or not, this exemplifies the inferiority of the women in “The Bada Bing”. The dancer at the door is subjected to undertake a role that does not push or make a difference to the storyline and make no effect to the narrative structure.
Moreover in the scene Tracee is dressed in a tight, revealing dress, the red dress connotes women as impure and reinforces the ideologies of “white trash”. The mise en scene used in the scene imposes Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze as the archetype stripper characters the male audience’s sexual fantasies and desires. Additionally the non diegetic sound parallels the scene to the audience and creates male dominant atmosphere.
Furthermore the strip club “The Bada Bing” is a symbol of male backlash as the place is made for men to fulfil their sexual desires, the club acts as place for anti-feminists as women are treated and portrayed as sex objects. The club shapes the patriarchal order in society and acts as microcosm of male dominance in the macrocosm world.
“Don’t kiss me, how many cocks you suck tonight”, Tracee is treated like a sex object and is seen as a woman whose only reason in life is to fulfil male pleasure. This implies that the phallic is a symbol of male dominance over women and are treated as sexual object only in the drama for the male gaze and pleasure and not to drive the narrative. Additionally Ralph slaps her back side; this enforces the ideologies of women as possessions and reinforcing the views of patriarchal order. The character of Tracee is dehumanised as she is treated as a sexual object.
Furthermore outside the club there is a confrontation between Ralph and Tracee, Ralph beats up Tracee “does it make you feel like a man”, the quote exemplifies issues in society as women are beaten up to make the male gender feel powerful and dominant also the use of the phallic in the programme enforces patriarchal order in society.
Furthermore the scene uses close ups on the Ralph when Tracee is beaten up to death to exemplify his facial expressions. There are fewer shots of Tracee facial expressions, she is cut off the screen, and the scene is constructed to only depict Ralph’s emotions. This implicates to the audience that she is inferior, is of no importance and does not drive the narrative cycle. Moreover the scene incorporates low angle shots to portray male dominance in the scene, Tracee is depicted as vulnerable and weak sue to the high angle shots towards her. Tracee's status representation of whore seems to make her vulnerable to attack and is less deserving of safety and sexual freedom because she’s a stripper. Additionally the low key lighting connote danger and vulnerable atmosphere, the low key lighting sets the aerie atmosphere and fulfil the expectations of the audience.
There are no traditional narrative roles in the scene as Propps theory defied, Ralph undertakes the role of the villain however every mob member takes the role of an anti-hero or a villain, however Tracee cannot relate to a specific role as she is depicted as a whore by the audience and her character is mediated in this way buy the director. The audience is only left to sympathise for Tracee’s.
The director is a male, meaning the show is mediated in a male’s perspective, reinforces Mulvey’s theory of the media reflected and shaped patriarchal order, which can also be because of the director.
Moreover Tracee is beaten to death on outside next to bin bags and trash and is left dead next to, the trash connotes the representation women as Tracee is compared to “white trash” in society and is worthless and demeaning to men. The long shot portrays her life as meaningless as the mise en scene depicts her class in society.
Thursday 11 October 2007
Much has been made of the ‘new’ postmodern breed of magazines, from lads’ mags to celebrity glossies with their tongue-in-cheek versions of the conventional gender roles; but how far do our current lifestyle mags really challenge the well-worn stereotypes they claim to undermine?
The new breed of magazines presents women in a stereotypical manner as magazine editors believe that sex sells. Magazines such as Loaded and Nuts portray women in a demeaning way; these magazines enforce the ideologies of sex sells and the male gaze. In addition men’s lifestyle magazines have also accepted the fact that sexually objectified women sell more magazines.
“Loaded has become increasingly more pornographic in its content; as such it has increased the use of female stereotypes, namely as sex objects”. Women on the front cover are depicted nude and with their bodily assets on display. Additionally they are positioned in with long shots and mostly high angle shots and highlighted in vibrant high key colours on magazines. This to portray them as sexual objects and inferior to men and make the women stand out on front covers and inside the magazine, suggesting they are only put on the magazine to be looked emphasising Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze.
Moreover, Nuts have also stylised their magazine similarly to Loaded and other competitors such as Zoo magazine and FHM around sexually objectified women in order to attract the male target audience. In addition the women are also positioned in a sexually demeaning manner; also the price of the magazine can vary from only 60p to 0ver a £1. This connotes that women are meaningless and emphasises the patriarchal order in society. The women are dehumanised as only parts of their bodily features are mostly shown to the audience, and enforcing the idea of that women are to be looked at and have no physical or emotional feelings. Furthermore, the ways the women are depicted in Nuts magazine are stereotyped as sex objects, fulfilling the audience’s chauvinistic dream, women depicted with good looks and no brains. Additionally the use of red in the magazine is highly emphasised as women are wearing red tops or make-up and also the mast head being red. The red connotes the sexual connotations and the impurity of women, making the male audience treating women as fetishist.
Both Loaded and Nuts magazine impose the stereotypical views of women, the magazines both portray the ideologies of a patriarchal order as women are depicted as sexually demeaning and dehumanized. The magazine implements the male gaze and Mulvey’s theory as she viewed the practice of the camera lingering on women's bodies as evidence that women were being viewed as sex subjects for the gratification of men.
The new breed of magazines presents women in a stereotypical manner as magazine editors believe that sex sells. Magazines such as Loaded and Nuts portray women in a demeaning way; these magazines enforce the ideologies of sex sells and the male gaze. In addition men’s lifestyle magazines have also accepted the fact that sexually objectified women sell more magazines.
“Loaded has become increasingly more pornographic in its content; as such it has increased the use of female stereotypes, namely as sex objects”. Women on the front cover are depicted nude and with their bodily assets on display. Additionally they are positioned in with long shots and mostly high angle shots and highlighted in vibrant high key colours on magazines. This to portray them as sexual objects and inferior to men and make the women stand out on front covers and inside the magazine, suggesting they are only put on the magazine to be looked emphasising Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze.
Moreover, Nuts have also stylised their magazine similarly to Loaded and other competitors such as Zoo magazine and FHM around sexually objectified women in order to attract the male target audience. In addition the women are also positioned in a sexually demeaning manner; also the price of the magazine can vary from only 60p to 0ver a £1. This connotes that women are meaningless and emphasises the patriarchal order in society. The women are dehumanised as only parts of their bodily features are mostly shown to the audience, and enforcing the idea of that women are to be looked at and have no physical or emotional feelings. Furthermore, the ways the women are depicted in Nuts magazine are stereotyped as sex objects, fulfilling the audience’s chauvinistic dream, women depicted with good looks and no brains. Additionally the use of red in the magazine is highly emphasised as women are wearing red tops or make-up and also the mast head being red. The red connotes the sexual connotations and the impurity of women, making the male audience treating women as fetishist.
Both Loaded and Nuts magazine impose the stereotypical views of women, the magazines both portray the ideologies of a patriarchal order as women are depicted as sexually demeaning and dehumanized. The magazine implements the male gaze and Mulvey’s theory as she viewed the practice of the camera lingering on women's bodies as evidence that women were being viewed as sex subjects for the gratification of men.
Wednesday 10 October 2007
Keywords
Archetype- An often repeated character type or representation which is instantly recognisable to an audience.
Cliff Hanger- A television or radio soap opera episode which ends with an unresolved dilemma or crisis in order to encourage the viewer or listener to tune in to the next episode.
Continuity editing- An editing tyle that aims to present the txt in a linear and chronological manner toemphasise the real-time movement to the narrative and to create a sense of realism for the viewer by giving the impression of continuous filming.
Disequilibrium- The disruption of narrative by persons or events presenting a challenge to the equilibrium often found at the beginning of a media text.
Dominant ideology- The beleif system that serves the interests of the dominant ruling elite within a society, generally accepted as common sense by the majority and reproduced in mainstream media texts.
False consciousness- Marxist term for the effect of dominant ideology on the awareness of workers with regard to their real economic and social circumstances. Marxists argue that workers are manipulated by institutions, such as the education system, organised religion or work/class system.
Male gaze- Term used by Laura Mulvey in her essay 'visual pleasures and narrative cinema' (1975) to describe what she saw as the male point of view adopted by the camera for the benefit of an assumed audience.
Mulvey viewed the practice of the camera lingering on women's bodies as evidence that women were being viewed as sex subjects for the gratification of men. She argued that the central active characters in films are maleand that the male audience indentifies with them in their viewing of the passive females. Women in the audience are also positioned by the narrative to identify with the male gaze and see the world throught male eyes.
Patriachy- Male domination of the political, cultural and socioeconomic system. Under patriachy, male perspectives and male achievements are valued and rewarded at the expense of the female. female contributions to society are ignored and women are culturally and economically invisible, being defined solely by their relation to men.
Sexist- Representations that discriminate on the basis of sex, especially against women, which is seen to derive from and sustain patriachy. Some feminists would see any media represenatation of women that confirmed a stereotype as sexist, for example, the display of women'sbodies as sex objects in 'lads mags' or other media texts, this is for the entertainment of men.
Stock character- A stereotypical, predictable minor charcter for example strippers in "the bada bing".
Archetype- An often repeated character type or representation which is instantly recognisable to an audience.
Cliff Hanger- A television or radio soap opera episode which ends with an unresolved dilemma or crisis in order to encourage the viewer or listener to tune in to the next episode.
Continuity editing- An editing tyle that aims to present the txt in a linear and chronological manner toemphasise the real-time movement to the narrative and to create a sense of realism for the viewer by giving the impression of continuous filming.
Disequilibrium- The disruption of narrative by persons or events presenting a challenge to the equilibrium often found at the beginning of a media text.
Dominant ideology- The beleif system that serves the interests of the dominant ruling elite within a society, generally accepted as common sense by the majority and reproduced in mainstream media texts.
False consciousness- Marxist term for the effect of dominant ideology on the awareness of workers with regard to their real economic and social circumstances. Marxists argue that workers are manipulated by institutions, such as the education system, organised religion or work/class system.
Male gaze- Term used by Laura Mulvey in her essay 'visual pleasures and narrative cinema' (1975) to describe what she saw as the male point of view adopted by the camera for the benefit of an assumed audience.
Mulvey viewed the practice of the camera lingering on women's bodies as evidence that women were being viewed as sex subjects for the gratification of men. She argued that the central active characters in films are maleand that the male audience indentifies with them in their viewing of the passive females. Women in the audience are also positioned by the narrative to identify with the male gaze and see the world throught male eyes.
Patriachy- Male domination of the political, cultural and socioeconomic system. Under patriachy, male perspectives and male achievements are valued and rewarded at the expense of the female. female contributions to society are ignored and women are culturally and economically invisible, being defined solely by their relation to men.
Sexist- Representations that discriminate on the basis of sex, especially against women, which is seen to derive from and sustain patriachy. Some feminists would see any media represenatation of women that confirmed a stereotype as sexist, for example, the display of women'sbodies as sex objects in 'lads mags' or other media texts, this is for the entertainment of men.
Stock character- A stereotypical, predictable minor charcter for example strippers in "the bada bing".
del.ici.ous tags
http://www1.medialiteracy.com/representation.jsp
the site focuses on gender race and representation.
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Modules/MC30820/represent.html
http://www.genderads.com/
Roles addresses some of the common social roles that are attributed to women in the world of advertising. Strippers is a category that was suggested by a viewer and it considers the representations of women in a specific role, that of the stripper or dancer.
Bodies Only is an analysis of the ways in which the advertising world shows women as being connected to their bodies, not their minds.
Sex Object is a page that features the common representation of the woman as a purse sex object, there for the gaze and musings of the viewer. Dehumanized depicts contexts in which women are dehumanized, often seen as animals in ads. The Literal Object trope emphasizes ads in which woman are literally depicted as objects, from ice cream to tools.
http://www.kidulthoodlife.blogspot.com/
Laura Mulvey focuses on the portrayal/use of women within cinema and on screen; Mulvey argues that women are viewed as mere sex objects, purley for the male gaze on screen, and segregates women into the category of both the 'madonnas', and 'whores'. This visual conception of the role of women onscreen, Mulveys argues, consequently allows males to indulge in their voyerustic pleasures. Mulvey's work also refers to the physchoanalysis of Sigmeund Freuds work, due to her strong Feminist viewpoint. Reference is paid to the patriachial society in which we live, and debates wether any representation of women will ever be free from male enforced values/ideologies. Mulvey also argues that lead roles are predominantly male, and as the viewer we are encouraged to identify with the male protagonist; Therefore as women are useually presented in films as objects of the male gaze/sex objects we as the audience are alos positioned in a masculine role,and therefore influenced to think from a male perspective.
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/gaze/gaze09.html
in detail of laura mulvey's theory
http://www.allisonmedia.net/downloads/Year_12/Representation.pdf
http://www.clipland.com/Search?What=the+sopranos
this site shows clips of the sopranos shows, i can analyse in detail.
http://mediaknowall.com/gender.html
http://www1.medialiteracy.com/representation.jsp
the site focuses on gender race and representation.
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Modules/MC30820/represent.html
http://www.genderads.com/
Roles addresses some of the common social roles that are attributed to women in the world of advertising. Strippers is a category that was suggested by a viewer and it considers the representations of women in a specific role, that of the stripper or dancer.
Bodies Only is an analysis of the ways in which the advertising world shows women as being connected to their bodies, not their minds.
Sex Object is a page that features the common representation of the woman as a purse sex object, there for the gaze and musings of the viewer. Dehumanized depicts contexts in which women are dehumanized, often seen as animals in ads. The Literal Object trope emphasizes ads in which woman are literally depicted as objects, from ice cream to tools.
http://www.kidulthoodlife.blogspot.com/
Laura Mulvey focuses on the portrayal/use of women within cinema and on screen; Mulvey argues that women are viewed as mere sex objects, purley for the male gaze on screen, and segregates women into the category of both the 'madonnas', and 'whores'. This visual conception of the role of women onscreen, Mulveys argues, consequently allows males to indulge in their voyerustic pleasures. Mulvey's work also refers to the physchoanalysis of Sigmeund Freuds work, due to her strong Feminist viewpoint. Reference is paid to the patriachial society in which we live, and debates wether any representation of women will ever be free from male enforced values/ideologies. Mulvey also argues that lead roles are predominantly male, and as the viewer we are encouraged to identify with the male protagonist; Therefore as women are useually presented in films as objects of the male gaze/sex objects we as the audience are alos positioned in a masculine role,and therefore influenced to think from a male perspective.
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/gaze/gaze09.html
in detail of laura mulvey's theory
http://www.allisonmedia.net/downloads/Year_12/Representation.pdf
http://www.clipland.com/Search?What=the+sopranos
this site shows clips of the sopranos shows, i can analyse in detail.
http://mediaknowall.com/gender.html
Sunday 30 September 2007
Cut off
In this scene Carmela Tony's wife is edited/cut off the screen, this subverts from the theory of the male gaze, however as she is not on the screen but is giving Tony oral sex, it suggests that she is represented and portrayed as a inferior character/women as she is pleasuring the phallic the symbol power and male dominance. Morover as she is cut off the screen it is implicated to the ausience that she is inferior, is of no importance and does notdrive the narrative.
In this scene Carmela Tony's wife is edited/cut off the screen, this subverts from the theory of the male gaze, however as she is not on the screen but is giving Tony oral sex, it suggests that she is represented and portrayed as a inferior character/women as she is pleasuring the phallic the symbol power and male dominance. Morover as she is cut off the screen it is implicated to the ausience that she is inferior, is of no importance and does notdrive the narrative.
Media Representations
In “The Sopranos” men and women are being represented however not as equals but males as dominant and females as inferior beings subjected to the ideologies of “white trailer park trash” and whores. In a Sopranos scene a stripper “Tracee” is represented and treated in a derogative manor as she wants love and affection but is not taken seriously by her boyfriend as she’s wearing a tight dress and is asked “how many cocks you sucked tonight”. This implies that the phallic is a symbol of male dominance over women and are treated as sexual object only in the drama for the male gaze and pleasure and not to drive the narrative. I think that the representation of women is inaccurate as women who are strippers are stereotyped as sex objects and whores and not taken as professional exotic dancers.
Media Languages and Forms
Tracee is wearing a tight revealing red dress in one scene, the dress connotes that impure as she’s not a virgin, easy girl, a prostitute and inferior to men as she’s not fully clothed or appropriately clothed. Additionally Tracee asks Ralphie her boyfriend if he wants a drink and gets slapped on her behind. This connotes that she’s treated in a derogative manor and is idealised as Ralphie’s object or possession. Moreover, when Tracee is outside “the Bing” she gets beaten up by Ralphie, the high angle shot on the stripper portrays her as vulnerable and inferior to the male gender. The theme of inferiority lies beneath these connotations and representations of the Tracee and the other stripper. Additionally the scene is set in “The Bada Bing” a “strip joint” this let alone as the setting amplifies the theme of women as sexual objects.
Narrative
The women strippers and housewives in “The Sopranos” are represented as sexual objects inferior to Tony Sopranos and his Capo’s, they are there to provide them with their sexual desires and promote the male gaze. The women do not drive or push the narrative but only to fulfil the male audience’s fantasies. The Tony Sopranos and his men push the narrative cycle to a conclusion or a cliff hanger; they are the ones that make the decisions. Women’s heads are edited or cut out of scenes and focus only on the men.
Genre
“The Sopranos is a gangster/drama hybrid, not only focusing on crimes and killing but also family life. The generic conventions that is displays are male superiority, the men as the breadwinners; “bringing home the bacon” by committing crimes and felonies. Additionally men are carrying guns also seen as a phallic symbol portraying their male dominance. The Actor James Gondalfini has become infamous for gangster roles and working within this certain genre, which displays his/Tony’s male dominance and his love for sex with women.
Media Institutions
HBO has produced “The Sopranos”, most of the institutions shows are rated TV-MA, and often feature suggestive themes and high amounts of profanity, something that would be much more difficult to get on other network channels.
Media Audiences
The media text is addressed to mostly males from a c1’c2 socio economic group. The show attracts males from the middle class for its intricate and interesting storyline and issues within the family, and men from the working class because of its action killing and sexual scenes which to them enforces most of the working class men’s ideologies of male superiority. The show is scheduled at 10:00 on E4 this implicates that it will contain sex and nudity as it is broadcasted after watershed, attracted mostly males aged within 18-45 or more. I evaluate the text as not only as show that excites the male’s fantasies and action but also for its interesting storylines and dilemmas and issues of everyday life. Yet I acknowledge the fact that half the storyline enforces the male gaze, this is why I think teens my age watch the show.
In “The Sopranos” men and women are being represented however not as equals but males as dominant and females as inferior beings subjected to the ideologies of “white trailer park trash” and whores. In a Sopranos scene a stripper “Tracee” is represented and treated in a derogative manor as she wants love and affection but is not taken seriously by her boyfriend as she’s wearing a tight dress and is asked “how many cocks you sucked tonight”. This implies that the phallic is a symbol of male dominance over women and are treated as sexual object only in the drama for the male gaze and pleasure and not to drive the narrative. I think that the representation of women is inaccurate as women who are strippers are stereotyped as sex objects and whores and not taken as professional exotic dancers.
Media Languages and Forms
Tracee is wearing a tight revealing red dress in one scene, the dress connotes that impure as she’s not a virgin, easy girl, a prostitute and inferior to men as she’s not fully clothed or appropriately clothed. Additionally Tracee asks Ralphie her boyfriend if he wants a drink and gets slapped on her behind. This connotes that she’s treated in a derogative manor and is idealised as Ralphie’s object or possession. Moreover, when Tracee is outside “the Bing” she gets beaten up by Ralphie, the high angle shot on the stripper portrays her as vulnerable and inferior to the male gender. The theme of inferiority lies beneath these connotations and representations of the Tracee and the other stripper. Additionally the scene is set in “The Bada Bing” a “strip joint” this let alone as the setting amplifies the theme of women as sexual objects.
Narrative
The women strippers and housewives in “The Sopranos” are represented as sexual objects inferior to Tony Sopranos and his Capo’s, they are there to provide them with their sexual desires and promote the male gaze. The women do not drive or push the narrative but only to fulfil the male audience’s fantasies. The Tony Sopranos and his men push the narrative cycle to a conclusion or a cliff hanger; they are the ones that make the decisions. Women’s heads are edited or cut out of scenes and focus only on the men.
Genre
“The Sopranos is a gangster/drama hybrid, not only focusing on crimes and killing but also family life. The generic conventions that is displays are male superiority, the men as the breadwinners; “bringing home the bacon” by committing crimes and felonies. Additionally men are carrying guns also seen as a phallic symbol portraying their male dominance. The Actor James Gondalfini has become infamous for gangster roles and working within this certain genre, which displays his/Tony’s male dominance and his love for sex with women.
Media Institutions
HBO has produced “The Sopranos”, most of the institutions shows are rated TV-MA, and often feature suggestive themes and high amounts of profanity, something that would be much more difficult to get on other network channels.
Media Audiences
The media text is addressed to mostly males from a c1’c2 socio economic group. The show attracts males from the middle class for its intricate and interesting storyline and issues within the family, and men from the working class because of its action killing and sexual scenes which to them enforces most of the working class men’s ideologies of male superiority. The show is scheduled at 10:00 on E4 this implicates that it will contain sex and nudity as it is broadcasted after watershed, attracted mostly males aged within 18-45 or more. I evaluate the text as not only as show that excites the male’s fantasies and action but also for its interesting storylines and dilemmas and issues of everyday life. Yet I acknowledge the fact that half the storyline enforces the male gaze, this is why I think teens my age watch the show.
The blogs i commented on that relate to my comment are
tanya's https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2011388675289093128&postID=2636301860188828971
kabir's https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6908837553612179474&postID=6112581836904863859
naziya's https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4862720983698072372&postID=1988306743696121442
saz's https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3744817234900190432&postID=7030152179953998602
dip'shttps://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7017445002521195616&postID=8217961470735921244
tanya's https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2011388675289093128&postID=2636301860188828971
kabir's https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6908837553612179474&postID=6112581836904863859
naziya's https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4862720983698072372&postID=1988306743696121442
saz's https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3744817234900190432&postID=7030152179953998602
dip'shttps://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7017445002521195616&postID=8217961470735921244
Sunday 23 September 2007
The Clips
If you dont know what "The Sopranos"is about you should be ashamed of yourself but watch this brief outline of all the 6 seasons.
The women that work in the club are stereotypically represented as whores and the men see them as worthless whores who are expendable. The Sopranos portrays the women as either whores the fulfil the gang members sexual needs as well as the male audiences fantasy/sexual pleasures.
Laura Mulveys theory towards both women and men is relevant to my independent study on “The Sopranos”, I am focusing whether or not the media industry has subverted from the stereotypical sexual representation of women. Luara Mulvey refers to the male gaze, in which women are viewed as mere sexual objects fulfilling the males’ sexual desires and fantasies. This applies to the media text I am studying as there are many scenes such as when Ralph Cifaretto beats his “gumar” outside “the bing”. The girl is beaten to the ground; the high angle shot on the female highlights the dominant representation of men, and enforces patriarchal views/society. Moreover women in The Sopranos are referenced as “whores/gumar” words such as just etcs emphasise the nothingness and worthlessness of women.
If you dont know what "The Sopranos"is about you should be ashamed of yourself but watch this brief outline of all the 6 seasons.
The women that work in the club are stereotypically represented as whores and the men see them as worthless whores who are expendable. The Sopranos portrays the women as either whores the fulfil the gang members sexual needs as well as the male audiences fantasy/sexual pleasures.
Laura Mulveys theory towards both women and men is relevant to my independent study on “The Sopranos”, I am focusing whether or not the media industry has subverted from the stereotypical sexual representation of women. Luara Mulvey refers to the male gaze, in which women are viewed as mere sexual objects fulfilling the males’ sexual desires and fantasies. This applies to the media text I am studying as there are many scenes such as when Ralph Cifaretto beats his “gumar” outside “the bing”. The girl is beaten to the ground; the high angle shot on the female highlights the dominant representation of men, and enforces patriarchal views/society. Moreover women in The Sopranos are referenced as “whores/gumar” words such as just etcs emphasise the nothingness and worthlessness of women.
The Sopranos season 6 review
Mother of mercy, is this the end of Tony? Or Christopher? Or Bobby ''Bacala'' or Phil Leotardo or — shocking thought — Carmela? Dunno. What we do know is that this is the end of The Sopranos. So somebody's end is probably near (I'm guessing more than one somebody) in the next nine weeks of the final season of one of modern television's greatest achievements in dramatic storytelling. And yet for now, of course...we wait. Show creator David Chase wouldn't have it any other way. Convulsions of exhilarating, violent, plot-powering action — otherwise known as whackings — have been the moments that have made headlines over the years. But really, at its sad, wise heart, The Sopranos illuminates the millions of moments of no action that make up the kind of life millions more of us know. It's Tony's dreams, free associations, and gut-gnawing existential agita that give the series its emotional greatness, while Adriana or Big Pussy gets the buzz. And it's because we can feel the weight of Tony's unwhackable anxieties, even when he's just slumped in a lawn chair staring at water as ducks go by (ducks! Like doves of peace, they quack in the end as they did in the beginning!), that we're so enthralled when something less regularly suburban does go down.
There's a fair amount of sitting around in the first episode — and yet every minute is alive, loaded with middle-aged melancholy (Tony's) and dread (ours). Offering a tableau of almost hilarious mellowness and serenity — Tony and Carmela, Janice and Bobby, sharing a pastoral family weekend of food, drink, and rule-bending Monopoly-playing at a woodsy, lakeside vacation house to celebrate T's 47th birthday — Chase and his writers turn the fantasy of country living on its head. They manage to hint at enough distrust, disappointments, and simmering resentments for a reasonable viewer to break out in a sweat of worry about the fate of everyone at the table. And even those not present. Just a word, a phrase, vibrates with import: ''I'm old, Carm,'' from Tony, or ''What did I say?'' from Janice to her annoyed sister-in-law, spoken in the exact same tones of sadistic innocence once heard from her mother.
In an opening scene, the early-morning sound of someone — feds? cops? disgruntled business associates? — pounding at the front door awakens Carmela, who bolts up in the Soprano marriage bed and asks her sleeping husband, ''Is this it?'' She means the punishment, the endgame, the losing roll of the dice she always knew came with Mr. S. This is not it, yet, but it's coming. The wait is agonizing, and worth it.
by www.ew.com
Mother of mercy, is this the end of Tony? Or Christopher? Or Bobby ''Bacala'' or Phil Leotardo or — shocking thought — Carmela? Dunno. What we do know is that this is the end of The Sopranos. So somebody's end is probably near (I'm guessing more than one somebody) in the next nine weeks of the final season of one of modern television's greatest achievements in dramatic storytelling. And yet for now, of course...we wait. Show creator David Chase wouldn't have it any other way. Convulsions of exhilarating, violent, plot-powering action — otherwise known as whackings — have been the moments that have made headlines over the years. But really, at its sad, wise heart, The Sopranos illuminates the millions of moments of no action that make up the kind of life millions more of us know. It's Tony's dreams, free associations, and gut-gnawing existential agita that give the series its emotional greatness, while Adriana or Big Pussy gets the buzz. And it's because we can feel the weight of Tony's unwhackable anxieties, even when he's just slumped in a lawn chair staring at water as ducks go by (ducks! Like doves of peace, they quack in the end as they did in the beginning!), that we're so enthralled when something less regularly suburban does go down.
There's a fair amount of sitting around in the first episode — and yet every minute is alive, loaded with middle-aged melancholy (Tony's) and dread (ours). Offering a tableau of almost hilarious mellowness and serenity — Tony and Carmela, Janice and Bobby, sharing a pastoral family weekend of food, drink, and rule-bending Monopoly-playing at a woodsy, lakeside vacation house to celebrate T's 47th birthday — Chase and his writers turn the fantasy of country living on its head. They manage to hint at enough distrust, disappointments, and simmering resentments for a reasonable viewer to break out in a sweat of worry about the fate of everyone at the table. And even those not present. Just a word, a phrase, vibrates with import: ''I'm old, Carm,'' from Tony, or ''What did I say?'' from Janice to her annoyed sister-in-law, spoken in the exact same tones of sadistic innocence once heard from her mother.
In an opening scene, the early-morning sound of someone — feds? cops? disgruntled business associates? — pounding at the front door awakens Carmela, who bolts up in the Soprano marriage bed and asks her sleeping husband, ''Is this it?'' She means the punishment, the endgame, the losing roll of the dice she always knew came with Mr. S. This is not it, yet, but it's coming. The wait is agonizing, and worth it.
by www.ew.com
Research Proposal
· Title-Has the media industry subverted from the stereotypical sexual representation of women, with particular reference to “The Sopranos” by David Chase (2006)?
Hypothesis-Women undertake the sexually objectified character role, reinforcing the representations of women as “eye candy”.
Migrain
· Mise en Scene-This is mob life, there are strippers, the “bada bing”, women ar either treated like whores or glamorous houswives. Females are perceived as passive characters as they are only seen by the audience in the “bada bing” dancing, committing sexual orientations or at home cooking food and carrying out the nurture role.
· Ideologies-Alters the views of women in America and women dependant on men, they are idealised as sexually motivated.
· Genre-Gangster drama, portrayal not of gangsters as such but their way of life and how their actions affect other people.
· Representations- Females are represented as sexual objects that can be bought off by jewellery and other material goods.
· Audience-Targeted at mostly males I would say however the family side that is depicted in the show would attract female audiences. The Sopranos would appeal to audiences from a c1/c2 socio economic group.
· Narrative-Follow Todorov’s theory the opening begins with a normal routine day, then a disruption occurs and is sorted it out however some storylines are finished with unresolved issues and ended with cliff-hangers to create enigma.
Wider Context
· The women in “The Sopranos” are all beautiful however are portrayed as either housewives or “gumars” the show depicts societies deceit and unfaithfulness.
· The Sopranos is presented to the audience as a patriarchal society as women either seen at home, shopping or working in the club and men such as Tony Soprano are seen as the breadwinners.
· Women are treated as possessions and are seen as something for men’s pleasures.
Theorists
· Laura Mulvey-Suggests that there were two distinct modes of the male gaze of this era: “voyeuristic” (i.e. seeing women as ‘Madonna’s’) and “fetishist” (i.e. seeing women as ‘whores’). Mulvey believed that classical Hollywood cinema reflected and shaped the “patriarchal order”, the perspective of her writing actually remained within that very heterosexual order.
Other Texts-
The Sopranos (all seasons) by David Chase (1999-2007)
Goodfellas by Martin Scorsese (1990)
· Title-Has the media industry subverted from the stereotypical sexual representation of women, with particular reference to “The Sopranos” by David Chase (2006)?
Hypothesis-Women undertake the sexually objectified character role, reinforcing the representations of women as “eye candy”.
Migrain
· Mise en Scene-This is mob life, there are strippers, the “bada bing”, women ar either treated like whores or glamorous houswives. Females are perceived as passive characters as they are only seen by the audience in the “bada bing” dancing, committing sexual orientations or at home cooking food and carrying out the nurture role.
· Ideologies-Alters the views of women in America and women dependant on men, they are idealised as sexually motivated.
· Genre-Gangster drama, portrayal not of gangsters as such but their way of life and how their actions affect other people.
· Representations- Females are represented as sexual objects that can be bought off by jewellery and other material goods.
· Audience-Targeted at mostly males I would say however the family side that is depicted in the show would attract female audiences. The Sopranos would appeal to audiences from a c1/c2 socio economic group.
· Narrative-Follow Todorov’s theory the opening begins with a normal routine day, then a disruption occurs and is sorted it out however some storylines are finished with unresolved issues and ended with cliff-hangers to create enigma.
Wider Context
· The women in “The Sopranos” are all beautiful however are portrayed as either housewives or “gumars” the show depicts societies deceit and unfaithfulness.
· The Sopranos is presented to the audience as a patriarchal society as women either seen at home, shopping or working in the club and men such as Tony Soprano are seen as the breadwinners.
· Women are treated as possessions and are seen as something for men’s pleasures.
Theorists
· Laura Mulvey-Suggests that there were two distinct modes of the male gaze of this era: “voyeuristic” (i.e. seeing women as ‘Madonna’s’) and “fetishist” (i.e. seeing women as ‘whores’). Mulvey believed that classical Hollywood cinema reflected and shaped the “patriarchal order”, the perspective of her writing actually remained within that very heterosexual order.
Other Texts-
The Sopranos (all seasons) by David Chase (1999-2007)
Goodfellas by Martin Scorsese (1990)
New Blog, Basically i was happy with my question but not with the media text i was using so i changed it from American Pie to an episode from the sopranos. I think this drama works better with my question and i know the text better and basically i go bored of the film and wanted to study a media text I'm truly interested in.
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