Critical investigation task 4

Historical text analysis and research 

My historical text is 'The Wizard of Oz (1939).
The protagonist in the movie is the character of Dorothy who was played by actress Judy Garland. At this period of time women's rights and equality were at the stage of being a major issue. In society the issue became more known and individuals then looked forward to watching The Wizard of Oz as the female was represented in a way that would not be expected in the 1930's. Judy Garland became an idol for young women which is why the film was such a great success.

The Wizard of Oz is quite similar to The Hunger Games as at the beginning of each film the settings are alike. Both protagonists being female live in a dismal area. The idea of teamwork is essential in both films as Dorothy finds companions to join her on her journey along the way and Katniss has allies in the arena showing teamwork with Peeta and other district competitors.
In both films the power of the protagonists is shown when Dorothy confronts 'Oz' and Katniss shows her strength to the Capitol's president.

Critical investigation task 3

Essay Plan

To what extent do films such as The Hunger Games reflect the recent growth in female protagonists in Hollywood films? 

Introduction-
Lay out the argument
The Hunger Games series has made over $2 billion, making it one of the highest grossing films ever made and carries a major franchise. Jennifer Lawrence is now one of the most popular actresses of this time.

Quotes- 

• 'In the top 100 domestic US grossing films, females comprised 15% of protagonists, 29% of major characters and 30% of speaking characters'  http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/11/mans-celluloid-world-study-finds-women-under-represented-film 
• Katniss Everdeen's triumphs extend beyond the Quarter Quell and the global box office: she has guaranteed the future of the female action hero. http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/dec/12/female-action-heroes-katniss-role-models-women  

Theories-

• Media effects- modernism 
• Representation 

Section 1- Primary Text
Talk about the Hunger Games and Hollywood
Perception of female protagonist in the film, talk about how much money the film made, why its a blockbuster.
Use textual analysis.

 Quotes- 

• 'Hunger Games have access to a spectrum of ‘ways of being’ and any restrictions on their behaviour come solely from the particular rules of the dystopian society,rather than expectations based on gender' -Media Magazine 44 
• The protagonists of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon andKill Bill brought welcome spin to their genre.  http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/dec/12/female-action-heroes-katniss-role-models-women  

Section 2- Historical text and how the issue has developed
The Wizard of Oz and Marilyn Monroe- Discuss how they were so popular and idols to females.

• 
  

Section 3- Secondary text
Gravity, bringing it back to modern times and how this movie was also a hit.

Section 4- Theories and debates
Talk about feminism in film and in society in general (social, political)
Wider context of feminism around the world.

Section 5- Future of feminism and Hollywood, how it might change due to films like the Hunger Games.
The rise of female protagonists

Conclusion- Sum up the argument

Tutorial

Task 1 looking OK but perhaps will need a bit more depth/detail when you write your essay draft.

Bibliography coming along nicely BUT only 13 entries as yet. Need to add all the books, journals and every web source you’ve used.

Try and get hold of this book - Action Chicks: New Images of Tough Women in Popular Culture Paperback – 30 Jul 2004 by Sherrie A. Inness. You might need to go back to the BFI or look at local libraries.

  

Critical investigation task 2

Bibliography

Billson, A. (2011, March Thursday 3rd). Not another terrorised film female. Retrieved September 2014, from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/mar/03/horror-films-women-protagonists-the-resident

Cardwell, S. (n.d.). Film Protagonists. Retrieved September 2014 , from Screen Online BFI: http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/824016/

Carroll, R. (2014, March Tuesday 11th). It's a man's celluloid world: study finds women under-represented in film. Retrieved September 2014, from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/11/mans-celluloid-world-study-finds-women-under-represented-film

Clothier, M. (2011, March Tuesday 8th). Where are all the daring women's heroines? Retrieved September 2014, from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2011/mar/08/daring-women-s-heroines

Cochrane, K. (2007, April Friday 27th). The girl can help it. Retrieved September 2014, from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/apr/27/2

Cox, D. (2013, December Thursday 12th). Film Blog- Are female action heroes good role models for young women? Retrieved September 2014, from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/dec/12/female-action-heroes-katniss-role-models-women

Emery, D. (2014, 11). Strong Female Characters Still Underrepresented in Hollywood, New Study Shows. Retrieved January 2015, from The Hollywood reporter: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-underrpresents-strong-female-characters-687392

Ettus, S. (2011, October 10th). 25 Alarm Bells for Women: Sounds from Miss Representation. Retrieved September 2014, from Forbes : http://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthaettus/2011/10/21/25-alarm-bells-for-women-sounds-from-miss-representation/

Film Facts . (n.d.). Retrieved September 2014, from Women Make Movies: http://www.wmm.com/resources/film_facts.shtml

Hess, A. (2014, March 27th). Women Buy Half of All Movie Tickets. That Won't Mean More Female Characters. Retrieved September 2014, from XX Factor: http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/03/27/mpaa_2013_numbers_women_buy_half_of_all_movie_tickets_but_that_won_t_mean.html

Kistler, A. (2013, April Monday 15th). FILMAKER GUEVARA-FLANAGAN DOCUMENTS WONDER WOMAN'S IMPORTANCE IN "WONDER WOMEN!". Retrieved September 2014, from Comic Book Resources: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=44913

Lacey, N. (2010). Engendering change, what's happened to representations of women. Media Magazine 34, Pages 65-67.

Lauzen, D. M. (2014). It’s a Man’s (Celluloid). Retrieved September 2014, from Women in TV film: http://womenintvfilm.sdsu.edu/files/2013_It's_a_Man's_World_Report.pdf

Littleton, C. (2014, Marc h 11th). Study: Female Characters Under-Represented in Movies. Retrieved September 2014, from Variety: http://variety.com/2014/film/news/study-female-characters-under-represented-in-movies-1201129236/

Stingfellow, S. (2013). Gender politics of survival in the Walking Dead and the Hunger Games. Media Magazine 44, pg 63.

Vincent, A. (2014, August 11th). Women in film: no improvement since the 1950s. Retrieved September 2014, from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/11026415/Women-in-film-no-improvement-since-the-1950s.html

Critical investigation task 1

Textual Analysis

In the first clip Peeta is shown to be the most vulnerable character as he falls of his rope while climbing it as he is training and all the other characters are shown to be fierce. He is given the feminine like role as this is what viewers would expect from the women sidekicks in films. Therefore this stereotype has been crushed as demonstrated in the Hunger Games. Katniss then warns Peeta to act tougher and show the other contenders his skills, whereas here again the female is telling the male what to do which would normally be the other way around. Therefore this shows authority and strength in women, the representation of Katniss is unexpected according to the gender theory of the male normally being the 'Hero'.

The second clip of The Hunger Games is when they first enter the Cornucopia which is the death arena. Many close up shots are used to emphasise the fear and panic on the characters faces. However Katniss Everdeen the female protagonist seems to be less worried than Peeta her sidekick, he is shown shaking his head in disappointment whilst Katniss is on stance ready to battle. This creates a strong representation of women and an opposing stereotype normally shown in films which is the female being the weaker character.  The sound is parallel to the scene and gets more tense as the countdown is coming to an end and the editing speeds up as there are many jump cuts to show how everyone is preparing themselves at the time of the countdown, this makes the viewer more anxious and intrigues them to see what is going to happen next. Peeta is shown running into the forest to hide as soon as and as fast as he could which left Katniss to be brave and try and fight her way through to get the supplies she needed, showing she is a fighter, survivor and a stronger character than Peeta.