Does the horror genre subvert or conform to stereotypical representations of females?

Does the horror genre subvert or conform to stereotypical representations of females?

In this investigation I will be analysing whether or not contemporary Television texts subvert or conform to the stereotypical representation of women in the horror genre. To help me do this I will be analysing 'The Walking Dead' and American Horror Story' season 3 episode 2 entitled Boy Parts.

Firstly I will investigate if the female protagonists ideologies are forward thinking or belong to a more patriarchal society. By analysing this particular area of representation I will determine if my two chosen texts reflect the society in which they were made.

I will then be investigating if females are objectified by the directors constructed mode of address and how much screen time they have. I will question if females are under represented, especially in roles of role or dominance.  To ensure an in-depth analysis I will conduct primary and secondary research including the application of specific theories such as Laura Mulvey's Male Gaze theory. I will also see if the shows pass the Bechdel test.


The horror genre was introduced in the early 1900's and mainly about vampires and ghosts, 'Traditionally women are represented in horror films as the damsel in distress and are usually being attacked by the killer because they have committed a sinful act.' [3] This representation was carried through most horror films even to this day but now the representation as been adapted to suit audiences. In the two texts I have chosen to analyse the female protagonists are different from characters in other shows, for example American Horror Story the show has a mainly female cast and they are very powerful characters. Also in The Walking Dead has a mixed cast but the women are able to look after themselves, even through they follow Rick as their leader. In the Episode of 'American Horror Story: Body Parts' [1] the teenage girls are stereotypical in the way that they are discussing the perfect boyfriend but Madison is more psychologically disturbed in the way she wants to take the best parts of the chopped up boys to make the best boyfriend 'Zoe, look around this room, what do you see?' 'Tragedy, what?' 'I see potential'[1]. Madison is also stereotypical through the mise en scene, she wears tight clothes to get attention from the men that surround her. But Zoe is covers up and is very nervous around boys partly because what happens when she has sex with them but also because she isn't used to the attention. The other women in this show are powerful, strong and independent. But Fiona is a power hungry women who will do anything to keep her ruin over the house, she is an older women but still wears tight clothing in order to get the male attention.Where as her daughter Cordelia is different, she is stereotypical in the scene that she is married and trying for a baby like most women of her age but she is also portrayed as professional who runs the house, this is shown through the mise en scene of what she wears and how she acts.
The women in 'The Walking Dead: Made to suffer' [2] subvert the stereotypical representation of women found in similar text form the same genre, because they are strong then most and only a small number of them could be argued whether or not they are damsels in distress. For example the women travelling with Sasha at the beginning of this episode, she had to be saved a couple of times and then was bitten by a walker. In this episode Maggie falls victim to the brutality of humans trying to grain power but she remains strong for herself and Glenn. Although the fact that she was shirtless could be seen as her being objectified and used as an object to hurt Glenn she doesn't let it get to her and she helps herself and Glenn out of the mess they are in. Through the mise en scene the audience can see that they are all armed and willing to fight to survive. Carol is an interesting character because as the show progresses she comes more ruthless but at the start of this show she was an abused wife and a mother. Some may say that she was weak because she stayed in an abusive relationship but in Carol's case she was strong to endure the abuse and became stronger later on because of it, it helps define her. Also because she was a mother the represents her in a stereotypical way such as the scene in the prison, she is left behind with the children and she protects them while everyone is gone. But she later twists that protection into something that gets her kicked out of the group. Michonne is loyal to her friend but because she was on her own for so long she very independent and can fight her own battles. This is evident in this episode when Michonne leaves the group to go on her own mission. The scene opens with a long shot of the Governor's room the lighting is low key but could be argued natural lighting because it is night time. Then it cuts to a low angle close up of Michonne by doing this the audience can see her facial expressions, she looks angry and her lip is twitching. Also the close up so that she is sweating and is dirty, this common with a zombie themed horror text. There is also non diegetic music playing to build tension for the audience, they know something is going to happen. Then there is diegetic sound of banging coming from the next room, the audience knows this because it cuts to an over the should shot of the door which Michonne is looking at. This shows that she isn't afraid of the thing that goes bump in the night, she doesn't hide from it. The sequence of this scene that shows Michonne as a character who subverts the stereotypical representation of women is the scene where she is holding Penny in front of her while the Governor id begging her not to hurt his zombie daughter. Michonne is shown in a mid shot and her expression is still annoyed but also there is a little ... because she has the upper hand, she can hurt the Governor. In the mid shot she tenses her face and move the samurai then it cuts to a close up side profile of Penny as the samurai goes right through her head and out her mouth. Michonne when goes on to fight a strong and angry man and she manages to win the fight by stabbing him in the eye with a piece of glass. She then leaves her loyalty for Andrea behind after she choses the Governor over her. Michonne is strong in everyway but the show doesn't let her be the total subversion to the rule, she takes on the motherly role when Penny first walks out 'It's okay I'm not going to hurt you'

[1] American Horror Story season 3 episode 2 Body parts
[2] The Walking Dead season 3 episode 8 Made to suffer
[3] Word press: http://screampsychohorror.wordpress.com/representation-of-women-in-horror-films/

Does the horror genre subvert or conform to stereotypical representations of females? - work

Are females objectified?Laura Mulvey

Are females under represented? Does it pass the Bechdel test?

What societal role do females play within the narrative?

What effects could this have upon a more passive audience?

 

In the two Television shows I have chosen to analyse 'The walking dead' and 'American horror story' the females in the shows have not been overly objectified, they are shown as strong women.

How the stereotype of women and teenage girls have be altered to suit modren television shows

The stereotype of women can be either of the two things, sexualised to get the male audience or domesticated. But with modern television shows this stereotype of women has been challenged. For example in the American Television show 'Once upon a time' all the women are based on fairy-tale characters (mainly taken from Disney) but this shows changes the damsel in distress to a warrior using any weapon they have at their disposal. For snow white she is strong and is street wise, she knows exactly what will help her and how to get out of trouble, she is not one to relay on the Prince for help. The Evil Queen uses magic to strict fear in her people and later uses it to help the people she loves. Even someone like Belle uses her brain as a weapon. These women are strong and independent, a role model for the shows audience members.

Another show that challenges elements of stereotypes is the American television show 'Pretty Little Liars' The four main girls in the show are a lot like the stereotypical teenage girl but they will do anything to protect each other and the people they care about. This is proven in the latest series were Alison is being attacked by A and Emily steps in to help. They are battling a lot of this by themselves.

Another show that is a big hit in America is 'The walking Dead' for the narrative and some of the characters such as Daryl, Rick and Michonne. But in the shows there are some strong female figures that challenge the stereotypes mainly because the narrative permits them to. These woman are Lori Grimes who after giving birth tells her son to shot her so she wont become a walker, Carol who started out as a weak, abused housewife but as the narrative progresses she becomes a ruthless killing machine and doesn't shy away from killing anyone including friends and children, she even teaches the children how to kill the walkers. Carol's character has come so far that some of the audience members might even hate her because of her ruthlessness. Another point is that Carol become so difficult to control within the group that Rick had to tell her to leave in order to protect the others in the group. The last of the strong women is Michonne who started out on her own and had to learn to survive when you first meet her she has walkers on a lead and she is handy with a samurai. Michonne's first appearance is something out of a Japanese animation show.

It is clear to say that the stereotypes of girls and women have been mapped out for an audience from when we were very little. Little girls are seen as fragile and weak creatures that wear pink dresses and play with dolls. This stereotype is carried out into womanhood, women are seen as weak people who cant do normal things that men can, it is seen as men's work and women's work is cooking, cleaning and looking after the children. It is easy to fall into these stereotypes because they have been fed to us through different forms of media, children's shows to advertisement. But the shows I have picked completely adapt the stereotype to fit the narrative. You could say that they have taken the comfortable stereotype of challenge to make the narrative.

http://k1047.cbslocal.com/2014/03/12/top-10-stereotypes-about-women/



http://www.cliffsnotes.com/sciences/sociology/sex-and-gender/gender-stereotypes

This article explains the stereotypes of women. It states the main stereotype is a domestic one who puts the welfare of others before her own.

just looking at youtube you can fine loads of videos talking and arguing about stereotypes.

Men in advertisement

To what extent do men's toilettes campaigns differ according to the stereotypical representation of men in advertisement dependent on the target audience, specifically focusing on Paco Rabanne and Gillette ProGlider Styler ?

http://advertising.about.com/od/creatingads/a/6-Ways-Advertising-Attracts-Men.htm

Men are attracted to manly things. So in advertising they tend to make the men look manly by surrounding them by beautiful women and dress them up smart in designer clothing (aftershave). This will attract men into the advert.
Paco Rabanne 1 million intense aftershave:

This poster has a specific target audience, the audience will be men in between the age of 18 and 28 because that is the age where men are looking for ladies attentions. The audience will also be higher up the socio- economic scale because of the price of the fragrance. In this poster for the campaign they have used a black and white filter to make the man look sophisticated and look like an old school hollywood star. The only things on the poster in colour is the name of the brand, the fragrance and the woman hugging the back of the man. This suggests to the audience that this fragrance will get you the women and make you a bachelor. This avert suggest to the audience that everything they want they can have with a click of their fingers.





This advert for television also has a specific target audience, the same as the poster. In this video they show the playboy lifestyle that the fragrance can provide for the user. This avert suggest to the audience that everything they want they can have with a click of their fingers. A lot like the other videos in the older campaigns they use the clicking for material items, money, fast cars etc. But in this video it along with the fragrance is more intense, every time he clicks his fingers pieces of the woman's clothing fell off her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unfPPPCjUT0




Gillette ProGlide Styler:
In this campaign there is a lot of material, there are a few posters and a lot more videos. The target audience for this campaign is men in between 25- 45 and I would say they wouldn't be any specific place on the socio economic scale because it is an affordable items that every man can use.























In both these posters the men are wearing smart suits but are worn in a casual cool way which is relatable for the audience. All the men are in the late 30's early 40's. This is another point about men in advertisement, it is more acceptable for men to be older in advertising then women.



http://mediasmarts.ca/gender-representation/men-and-masculinity/masculinity-and-advertising

Exam

Representation of GENDER:
Film: That awkward moment
U&G: entertainment and social integration
PON: similar age, really young, middle age

Music video: Miley Cyrus- Wrecking ball
U&G: entertainment, social integration, personal identity
PON: similar age& fans, really young & higher up the socio- economic scale, middle age

Magazine: January 2014 Cate Blanchett Vogue
U&G: entertainment, personal identity
PON: women between 25-45 & C-A on the socio-economic & fashion fans & Cate Blanchett fans, lower down he socio- economic scale, men also people who like fashion but lower down the socio- economic scale.

Representation of AGE:
TV: Off their rockers (diverts stereotype)
U&G: entertainment
PON: young people and maybe the elderly, higher up the socio-economic scale, middle age and maybe the elderly

Music video: Taylor Swift- 22
U&G: entertainment, social integration, personal identity
PON: fans of Taylor & similar age, elderly & really young, middle age people who know of her music

Newspaper: Birmingham Mail- Stephen Sutton (positive)
U&G: information, social integration, personal identity
PON: Birmingham people & people who have heard of Stephen, people who doesn't live in Birmingham, people who have heard of him


Representation of YOUNG PEOPLE:
TV: Misfits
U&G: entertainment, personal identity
PON: similar age lower socio- economic scale, higher socio- economic scale & young people & elderly, middle age

Case Study: Representation of Age through different media text

Misfits:
In the first episode of Misfits there is different representation of age throughout the show. The 5 youngsters are shown as the stereotypical young people who do stupid acts of crime and get caught but don't care, this is shown through the mise en scene of the orange jumpsuits and their attitudes. The officer that has to supportive them is seen as a stereotypical man, working and wants to get the job done, this is shown through the dialogue '

Stereotypes in the show:
Men:
All the men in the show are completely different.

Firstly you have Nathan who is 'The joker' of the group but no one like him because of  it. He is really confident and doesn't care what he says to people and how they might take it. A similar character to this is Rudy.

Then there is Simon who is 'The Geek' and he is awkward in every situation and is the verbal punching ball for Nathan. Simon doesn't really fit in, he keeps his head down and get on with it.

Next you have Curtis he is a small mixture of 'The Jock' and 'The Big Shot' because before he got caught for handling drugs he had a successful running career, he had the most to lose. Also he is the most popular in the group.

Finally is the probation officer who is more 'The Big Shot' he is trying to get the teenagers motivated to do the work so they can get it down and move on. He is in a role of authority but this show makes him out as the bad guy.

Women:
Firstly you have Kelly who is more of the stereotype of a chav, she wears a lot of jewellery and talks in a certain way, she is afraid to defend herself either. She sexualises herself through the clothes that she wears, low cut vest that show off her bra.

Then you have Alisha who is the most sexualised of the group, this is shown through the mise en scene of what she wears and how she acts, also through the dialogue she talks a lot about partying and having sex.

Audience:
Uses and Gratifications:
The audience for this show would be people between the ages of 16-25 and between C-E on the socio-economic scale. They would watch this show for mainly entertainment reasons, relax, filling time, getting intrinsic cultural or aesthetic enjoyment and maybe sexual arousal. But they might watch it for social integration, finding a basis for conversation and social interaction. Also maybe personal identity, finding models of behaviour (this is me, I would like to be like Nathan and not care about people think of me and what I say).

Reception theory:
The preferred reading would be by someone of a similar age so they can relate to the narrative of the characters and their developing relationships.

The oppositional reading would be by someone who be older and of a high status on the socio- economic scale and would think that their behaviour is stupid and unnecessary. Or really young children who wouldn't understand the narrative.

The Negotiated reading would be by someone who is a little old and understands the narrative and able one character but doesn't really relate to it that well.

Taylor Swift- 22:
In this video the representation of twenty year old women is a positive one. Through the mise en scene she overly sexualised because most of the video she is wearing black shorts and a long top. She has something written on the top 'Not a lot going on at the moment' which could suggest that young people can really have the responsibilities that older people would have and they can be free to do what they want. But she is wearing red stick which is associated with people with low morals and could be classed as her trying to sexualise herself, drawing attention to her lips.

This song is about having fun with your friends and forgetting about everything that is getting you down 'Yeah,
We're happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time
It's miserable and magical.
Oh, yeah
Tonight's the night when we forget about the deadlines
It's time'
so this video captures all of this through different parts of the narrative of the video, they have a party in a house with food and friends, they dress up and have fun in the garden, they head to the beach and play around then they head to a party, none of this is like the other song about being young, she isn't singing about drugs or alcohol just simply being with friends.



Audience:
Uses and Gratifications:
The audience for this video might watch it for entertainment reasons and maybe personal identity and social integration because they relate to what is going on and what she is saying

Reception theory:
The audience who would take a preferred reading would be a fan of Taylor or someone of a similar act so they can relate to what she is singing about. I would say it could be anyone on the socio-economic scale because every young person acts the same.

The audience who would take an oppositional reading would be someone who is elderly and doesn't really listen to her music or someone who is really young

The audience who would take the negotiated reading would be someone older who might have heard her music and can relate to her music because they felt the same when they were in their twenties.

 

ITV, Prey:

Uses and Gratifications:

The audience for this show what watch this for entertainment reasons. They would watch it for escapism and to relax. This could also be a time filler at a monday night.  I personally watched this show because of entertainment reasons and also for social integration, enabling me to connect with my family. 

Reception theory:

The preferred reading which be someone who has a similar profession and of a similar age. They might be married and have children. Also fans of John Simm because he has been in 'life on mars' and 'mad dogs' and a lot more. 

The oppositional reading would be someone who is really young and wouldn't understand it so wouldn't enjoy it. 

The negotiated reading would be someone of about my ages, who understands what is going on in the show but of other shows that are similar but can not relate to the protagonist. 

Cultivation theory:

There is a lot of violent and the audience just accepts it has past of the story. 

Mode of address:

I would say that it is informal because the relationship between the protagonist and the audience is close and they know as much as him as the story goes along. Although you learn a little about the other characters.