Saturday, 9 November 2013

The Million Mask March - Our Horror Trailer Idea



Russell Brand discuss his opinion of the British Government. The feelings of Brand are those shared by millions of individuals from around the globe. This shared feeling is what created the global mass movement  'Anonymous' organisation to create the million mask march. 
We believe that the idea of civilians not being truly happy with what those in power is a good idea for a horror trailer. 

Anonymous




Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Horror Trailer: My Team



From looking at the skills each individual of my team has it is clear that together we have everything needed to make a successful horror trailer in terms of advertisement of our trailer, the filming of our trailer and editing our trailer. In addition to this we have Saima who can act and Zahra and myself who can create make up looks to make our trailer look more professional. Moreover, Gavin will be extremely helpful in researching other trailers to ensure ours is on the same level as those you see on TV.

Horror: Killer Research

Monday, 21 October 2013

The Male Gaze: Laura Mulvey

The media concept 'The Male Gaze' was created by Laura Mulvey in 1975 as she believes that audiences are forced to see through the eyes of a heterosexual male. This idea implies that directors sexualise women for the enjoyment of the male audience. This is due to the fact that camera shots linger  on the female body for the pleasure of men. This objectifies women as females are made to be seen as if they are there simply to arouse males which in turn decreases a women's sense of equality as she begins to feel subordinate to men.

Laura Mulvey
Examples of The Male Gaze








Feminists view The Male Gaze Theory in one of three ways:

1. How men look at women
2. How women look at themselves
3. How other women look at women

However, after viewing the two videos above it could be argued that it is unfair to criticise men for staring at women's bodies because the camera purposefully lingers over  body parts and make them become sexualised. Although, because the bodies of these women are being admired by the men in the videos is could make ordinary women who are viewing the videos feel as if they are not good enough because they do not have the same body. This makes us question whether it is in fact a 'male' gaze. 

Moreover, it is important to questioned the idea that some women enjoy being looked at which would in turn be a criticism of the theory, for example women in beauty pageants.


It could also be argued that it is acceptable to look at women but gazing is inappropriate. This is because gazing signifies a relationship of psychological power and the individual gazing could be viewed as being superior to the 'object' of the gaze.

Furthermore, we must question whether gender roles have been created by the media as the 'Male Gaze' is implemented in everyday life, in terms of perfume ads and music videos.






Proving the 'Male Gaze' theory in Horror trailers:

Carrie Trailer (2013)
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 Jennifer's Body (2009)



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Men and Women: Categorising Facial Expressions

    Marjorie Ferguson (1980) identified four types of facial expressions on the cover photos of British women’s magazines:
Chocolate Box
                                    
Chocolate Box: half or full-smile, lips together or slightly parted, teeth barely visible, full or three-quarter face to camera.
Projected mood: blandly pleasing, warm bath warmth, where uniformity of features in their smooth perfection is devoid of uniqueness or of individuality.


Invitational

Invitational: emphasis on the eyes, mouth shut or with only a hint of a smile, head to one side or looking back to camera. 
Projected mood: suggestive of mischief or mystery, the hint of contact potential rather than sexual promise, the cover equivalent of advertising’s soft sell.

    Super-smiler: full face, wide open toothy smile, head thrust forward or chin thrown back, hair often wind-blown.
    Projected mood: aggressive, ‘look-at-me’ demanding, the hard sell, ‘big come-on’ approach.

                                       
    Romantic or Sexual: a fourth and more general classification devised to include male and female ‘two-somes’; or the dreamy, heavy-lidded, unsmiling big-heads, or the overtly sensual or sexual. 
    Projected moods: possible ‘available’ and definitely ‘available’.

    Studying women's facial expressions has made it clear to me the different categories that particular facial expressions can fall into and also how a facial expression can change the entire meaning of an image. For example, if the model on the cover of the magazine showing a Super-Smiler was not smiling so boldly, it would take away the fun from the magazine and make it seem as if the magazine was more serious which could make some people question whether they want to purchase the magazine or not. This is important as when I create the poster for my horror film I want to get the meaning of the image to come across in a way that makes an audience want to look at it longer because its interesting.



    In a study of advertisements in women’s magazines, Trevor Millum came up with various other categories for women's facial expressions:

    1. Soft/introverted: eyes often shut or half-closed, the mouth slightly open/pouting, rarely smiling; an inward-looking trance-like reverie, removed from earthly things.
    2. Cool/level: indifferent, self-sufficient, arrogant, slightly insolent, haughty, aloof, confident, reserved; wide eyes, full lips straight or slightly parted, and obtrusive hair, often blonde. The eyes usually look the reader in the eye, as perhaps the woman regards herself in the mirror.
    3. Seductive: similar to the cool/level look in many respects - the eyes are less wide, perhaps shaded, the expression is less reserved but still self-sufficient and confident; milder versions may include a slight smile.
    4. Narcissistic: similarities to the cool/level and soft/introverted looks, rather closer to the latter: a satisfied smile, closed or half-closed eyes, self-enclosed, oblivious, content - ‘activity directed inward’.
    5. Carefree: nymphlike, active, healthy, gay, vibrant, outdoor girl; long unrestrained outward-flowing hair, more outward-going than the above, often smiling or grinning.
    6. Kittenlike: coy, naïve (perhaps in a deliberate, studied way), a friendlier and more girlish version of the cool/level look, sometimes almost twee.
    7. Maternal: motherly, matronly, mature, wise, experienced and kind, carrying a sort of authority; shorter hair, slight smile and gentle eyes - mouth may sometimes be stern, but eyes twinkle.
    8. Practical: concentrating, engaged on the business in hand, mouth closed, eyes object-directed, sometimes a slight frown; hair often short or tied back.
    9. Comic: deliberately ridiculous, exaggerated, acting the fool, pulling faces for the benefit of a real or imaginary audience, sometimes close to a sort of archness.
    10. Catalogue: a neutral look as of a dummy, artificial, waxlike; features may be in any position, but most likely to be with eyes open wide and a smile, but the look remains vacant and empty; personality has been removed. 

    In addition to this Trevor Millum also came up with 5 facial expressions for men which could be viewed as being very similar to his facial categories for women:

    'Catalouge', in the catalouge look the model will always look artificial and wax like. The features can be any position when using this look be more or less all the time the model will have eyes open wide and a smile. The looks remain vacant and empty with personality removed.




    'Comic' The comic look is always deliberately ridiculous, the model will be pulling silly faces/ acting the fool. and the image is always exaggerated.






    'Practical' the model will have a concentrating look on her face. Engaged in business, the majority of the time the mouth of the model will be closed. Eyes object directed, sometimes a slight frown is used. And hair often tied back or in a short style.





    'Seductive' The seductive look is also similar to the cool/level look in many respects - the eyes are less wide, perhaps shaded, the expression is less reserved but still self-sufficient and confident; milder versions may include a slight smile.




    'Carefree'  Is normally active, healthy, vibrant, outdoorsy, often smiling or grinning.


    Studying male facial expressions has given me the same insight as studying females facial expressions. However, I think unless it is seductive, practical or catalogue the picture must be chosen carefully otherwise it could look comical.