Week 12

IT’S DONE OH MY GOD

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I never thought I would see this day.

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Look at the layers on that video essay cake! And the final graphic at the end just TICKLES me with its adorable perfection.

“…our perceptions of gender are shifting…”

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” …and that can only make our world much more super.”

BOOM. Zoom on the ‘S’. Credits. I am so proud of myself.

Headless Women of Hollywood

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headless women_0

 

How crap must your movie be if you think a cleavage would sell it better?

This delightful, awful brilliance is everything that is wrong with the media industry. Look at it DRIPPING with male gaze and female objectification! There are a wide range of styles and genres, many of them commodifying the female body to sell their disturbing/adult/raunchy work. Some of these films are even massive releases like Matrix Reloaded and GI Joe – such is their acceptability and proven chances of marketing success. God forbid they even realise that women might have a face, personality, and life beyond their boobs + legs selling point, right?

 

Workshop 12: Video Essay Rough cut feedback

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Feedback and suggestions from Brian:

  • cut the Bobbi Morse sequence from in between Black Widow and fetishisation quote sequences to make the ideas more linked

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  • add something referring to/exploring aspects of male objectification and female gaze to increase nuance in arguments

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  • refer to Bechdel test in some way so the viewer can have some familiar lamp post to lean on when it comes to discussing gaze and female representation
  • improve the sound mixing at the beginning – make the voice over louder against Man’s World
  • increase the voice over’s audio gain during Sara Kern quote about being aggressive and independent – needs to be clearer against the isolated sound clips from action sequences

I will also have to create and add the conclusion as well, of course.

Overall I think Brian approved of the style, texture, and visuals of the video which is something to be thankful for because whilst it’s great that the “potpourri” reference from the “Video Essay video essay” really stuck, it was also a point of great stress and effort. For the better, of course!

~

Ideas for implementing our feedback:

  1. ON BOBBI AND CONTINUITY: I understand why Bobbi needs to go. The concept of fetishisation being discussed at that point was quite interesting and slightly left of centre so it’s important to pace it right for maximum audience grasp. Good lesson to keep in mind when thinking about rhythm and engagement in the future.
  2. ON FEMALE GAZE: Add a small section referring to the eroticism vs athleticism reading from the “Females and feminism reclaim the mainstream” academic reading. Some options on the placing of this section could be right after the male gaze section (although that section feels long and full as it is) or right before the heteronormativity section (will have to word it in a way that could smoothly be inserted there).
  3. ON BECHDEL: I did avoid mentioning the Bechdel-Wallace test because it felt like such a cheap pop standard but I understand how it can only enhance the viewer’s grasp on the idea. I don’t think I need to explain its premise because of its popularity and Brian seemed to agree. Will hopefully find a way to approach this topic without it appearing a little Beginner Feminism.

The Kardashians and Narrative

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPQK6cLObUc

The Kardashians are a constructed familiar narrative of upwards mobility and female consumerism that resonate with audiences. There is a fine line between envy and emulation that the Kardashians are successfully able to play with. Drawing from the video above, the viewer is amused by Kylie’s problems, possibly even yearning to have similar luxurious worries. There is a familiar American Dream narrative at work that has led to their popularity: the immigrant Armenian family who have worked their way up. The traditional narratives of meritocratic upward mobility for men and rags to riches Cinderella transformation for women are also VERY familiar and comfortable narratives to an audience. It’s also worth noting that the publicity around Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ wedding mirrored that of Kate and William.

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The Kardashians also have also been called “petite celebrities” who revere the “real” celebrities’ status and lifestyle, attempting to use economic capital rather than talent for access into the field. In a way, this mirrors the viewers’ aspiration for upward mobility, fame even, which could make them more relatable.

The show also emphasises neoliberal politics (celebrating free market, wealth accumulation, and entrepreneurialism) as well as the postfeminist culture of girl power, self-cultivation, sexual freedom, consuming of feminized goods. The Kardashians appeal to the strong consumer demographic of young women who wants to buy things to improve themselves while viewing the Kardashians as some sort of leaders e.g. Kylie’s lip kit.