Critical Investigation Proposal

(Include separate historical paragraph 20/year olds vs contemporary: 5years- comparing films)
E.g 'Bridesmaids' 'The Wrestler' '500days of summer'
(separate paragraph on pop culture / impact it has on audience / does not have to link to film. 'Everyday sexist' (website)

Working title
'To what extent do the female characters in The Dark Knight Rises and SALT challenge the traditional female stereotypes?

-Primary Text : Salt
-Secondary Text; The Dark Knight Rises

Angle
The angle will be focusing on different Feminist perspectives and what impact does the representation have on the female audience. Notable, I am considering to compare films over the years to now and explore if the films have subverted or reinforcing this the female stereotypes.
(Contrast to males stereotypes in the film - one paragraph)

Hypothesis
The female characters from both of the films are very different to one another in terms of their representation however there are similarities between them. In a greater extent the female characters do challenge the traditional female stereotypes; however, some critics may argue that the films still reinforces this dominant stereotypes.


Linked production piece
Anita, Gagan and I will be creating a music video which would have similarities to a film. For instance we would include codes and conventions of a film and as all of our questions focuses on representation we will clearly highlight the representation of genders.
E.G - Haims - Wire

MIGRAIN (Key Concepts)

Audience

• Primary audience could be individuals between the age demographic of 15- 30 year old due to the fast pace actions.
• Secondary audience could be those who have been following the trilogy . One the other hand, the film does attract a large audience as the film has been around for a long time. Notably, the film include a range of different actors and actresses, therefore this is another reason why the film may also attract a large audience.
• Using Katz and Blulmer Uses and Gratification theory the audience are likely to watch the film for diversion which allows them to escape from their everyday life and keep them entertained, and possible personal relationships as some of the audience may form a social interaction about the film.
• Using Young and Rubicam marketing model the psycho graphic group which may be associated with The Dark Knight Rises could be mainstreamer as the film is a popular block buster.
• Using Mulvey male gaze theory the male audience may view the female characters, especially Anne Hathaway, sexually when she wears a tight fitted leather cat women suit. This is because even though she is represented in being powerful she is also portrayed as being seductive. The theory suggest that the audience are forced to view the text from a white heterosexual male perspective, therefore in this case Hathaway is is presented to be gazed by men.

Representation

• Positive representation of female characters as they subvert the stereotype which highlights that they may represent female empowerment. 
• Reinforcing the dominate stereotypes of women based on their tight and revealing clothing which would appeal to the male audience
• In SALT there is a switch in gender roles - Jolie has more control over her job where as her male colleges follow her. Out of all of the SALT cast she is the only female actress which could suggest that she is suitable in taking on a masculine role and therefore this may impact the female audience positively in showing that they should not be afraid of going against their female domain.

Genre

• The genre of Salt is a Thriller/Action film which may appeal to both genders.
• The genre of the Dark Knight Rises is also a thriller/action and therefore both of the films us enigma and action codes to keep the audience intrigued with the narrative.
• This shows that both of the films are hybrid as it includes elements of action, thriller and drama.
• Using generic codes of enigma codes are effective in keeping the audience hooked on the narrative there are generic action codes used as well such as cars been blown up, guns, fighting and violence.

Narrative

• The Dark Knight Rises follows theorist Todorov structure of narrative of a equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium.
• Exposition of enigma codes (Barthes) are used to keep the audience intrigued to the narrative.
• The Dark Knight Rises/SALT include flashbacks in certain scenes and therefore it includes a non-linear narrative as well.
• Narrative themes are included in both of the films such as binary oppositions (Levis-Strauss)
• In The Dark Knight Rises narrative roles which is associated with Propps character type theories.

Institutions 
The Dark Knight Rises:

• Director: Christian Nolan
• Distributed: Warner Bros.
• "The official website launched in May 2011 introduced an viral marketing campaign similar to the one used to promote The Dark Knight Rises. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_(2010_film)

SALT

• Director: Phillip Noyce
• Distributed: Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures
• The production of the film is Hollywood
• SALT made £294 at the world box office, but also received mixed reviews about the film
• At first there were discussion about who would play the character of Salt which was suppose to be Tom Cruise; however, Noyce changed his mind as he believe Jolie would be perfect for the role.
• The budget for the film was $110 million

Media Language 

The Dark Knight Rises

• Mis-en-scene is used effectively in the film to highlight to the audience the genre of the film. For instance, the technical code such as the fast editing clearly conveys to the audience that the film is action and therefore it makes the audience intrigued with the chaotic elements. 
• In some scenes of the film  include Batman, low key lighting is used to reinforce that he is a mysterious figure as know one in Gothic city knows who the real Batman is. 
• The different cinematography (camera shots) are significant in the film to keep the audience engaged with the fast pace action and to keep intrigued throughout the narrative. For example, the low angle shot is used for the villan Bane which is effective in reinforcing his power. Notably, close up shots of the actors facial expression are also used in some scenes to make the audience sympathise or feel contempt for their behaviour.
• Diegectic and Non Diegtic are used throughout the film; however, the parallel sound is effective in creating the mood and atmosphere for the audience.

SALT

• Technical Code: Fast pace editing is effective in engaging the audience with the action.
• Iconography of guns, car blowing up, bombs etc all highlight the genre of the film to the audience.
• Cinematography is effective in the film such as the variety of camera shots to keep the audience intrigued in the narrative.
• The tracking shot is effective in keeping the audience engaged and intrigued with Jolie actions.

Ideology

• Both of the films challenge the dominant ideologies of females as being inferior and passive, instead the female characters represent female empowerment.
• Both of the films also promote a matriarchy ideology as the female characters go against the stereotype by behaving acting and not passive.
• Positive values promoted by encouraging females to not be afraid by going against their female domain.

Theories

• Audience theories - link to Katz & Blulmer uses and gratification theory./ effects theory
• Post-modernism and Critiques (knowing how females are represented) Postmodern texts do not follow traditional narrative or genre expectations, challenge the relationship between text and audience. Post-feminism which a postmodern perspective of feminism achievement and explain the current condition of women.
• Gender & Ethnicity
• Liberal (individual choice and freedom to equal rights) Pluralism (freedom, a range of politic views i democratic societies) . They see the mass media as having a beneficial role in contempory society.
• Genre Theories - consider the relationship between the audience and the media text, including how films appeal to a specific audience. E,g Richard Dyer argues that genres are pleasurable because they allow audience to escape into fictional words 

Issues and Debates

• Representation & Stereotype: In both of the films stereotype are presented as the female characters are portrayed as being seductive by their tight revealing clothes which is a negative representation. However, positive representation are presented as well as the female characters represent female empowerment.

• Media Effects (how does news impact/influence) : link to the hegemonic perspective on gender as there is evidence that females are going against their stereotype. 

• Media technology and the digital revolution (New and Digital Media) changing technologies in the 21st century: In my research I can include new articles about Feminism such as the 'no more page 3' which has been driven by blogs, Twitter and online campagine. (User-generate content)

• Regulation and censorship : There have been issues in the news which focuses on page3 girls in The Sun newspaper  being removed. 

Shep

(Social, historical, economical, political)

Social - This refers to society and therefore Feminists such as Liberal Feminists have started varies of campaigns in order to stop the change of patriarchy. For example, the Sex Discrimination Act and The Equal Pay Act has made a difference in reducing gender inequality in the work place; however, some women are still facing gender inequalities in still in contemporary society. Relating to my critical question this would have a social impact on women in becoming ambitious and not being dependent on women.
Historical - Focuses on First Wave Feminism, Second Wave Feminism and Third Wave Feminism.
Political - First female prime minister was Margaret Thatcher but after there was no other female after her position. Liberal Feminism fight for equality through political and legal reform in order to create equality in social institutions such as the work place.
Economical - Feminist economists try to overcome patriarchy but focuses on the relevance of women in terms of thier occupation and segrating them from certain work fields. 
Post Feminism - we dont need feminism anymore due to equality?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_economics

Media Texts (Main Focus)
SALT - Primary Text

The Dark Knight Rises - Secondary Text

Other Media Texts

500 Days of Summer: This film clearly highlights a switch in gender roles as the male character is represented in being madly in love with a girl and being emotional; whereas, the female character is represented in being not interested in the guy.

The Wrestler - The Film clearly portrays a reverse in gender roles as the female protagonist is taking on a sport which was part of the male domain, thus conveying that she is going against the female stereotype.

Mr and Mrs Smith

Miss Congeniality

Colombiana

TV Documentaries/ Youtube Clibs/ Programmes

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14157709 (Documentary about the film 'Miss Representation')

The Apprentice - In the BBC hit programme 'The Apprentice' clearly portrays the females as ambitious and strong minded individuals which shows that they are going against their female stereotype by not being dependent on men. Notably, this conveys that the concept of gender cannot prevent a women from achieving high and therefore allowing them to break the glass ceiling and become successful.

Books

• 'The Equality Illusion - The Truth about Men and Women Today. (Kat Banyard)
• Media Magazine December 2008 Issue 26: Film : Brangelina
• Media Magazine April 2013 Issue 44:Ideas - The Dark Knight Rises
• Media Magazine December 2010 Issue 34: The change scene
• Media Magazine December Issue 26: Post-Feminism in contempory Film

Internet Links

University websites/academic papers online:

http://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/onlinessays/JC29folder/WomenRepnGaines.html    1983

http://www.asu.edu/courses/fms504/total-readings/mulvey-visualpleasure.pdf

http://78.133.124.150/digitalversion/Table_of_Contents_133052.pdf  1984

Milkshakes,Lady Lumps and Growing Up to Want Boobies: How the Sexualisation of Popular Culture Limits Girls’ Horizons - PDF documents

Media Guardian:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/04/twitter-boycott-gesture-online-misogyny

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/our-generation-needs-to-reclaim-feminism-2373962.html

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/mar/06/charlotte-raven-feminism-madonna-
price&sa=U&ei=YXJBUqPeLIiN7QbNroG4Aw&ved=0CAoQFjABOBQ&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNHwPv1Lopb1QoqVG-aHqhJFM5mw2Q

http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2010/mar/15/girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/21/alfred-hitchcock-women-psycho-the-birds-bidisha

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/9611934/Hanna-Rosin-interview-Can-it-really-be-the-end-of-men.html (important)

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/oct/03/end-of-men-hanna-rosin-review (important)

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/02/not-the-end-of-men

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/technology/jackrivlin/100010138/warning-if-you-upset-todays-ferocious-online-feminists-prepare-for-a-flood-of-abuse/

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-womens-blog-with-jane-martinson/2013/aug/23/online-activism-page-3-campaign