semiotics includes sign, signified, signifier
Barthes began to study the subject of semiotics (the study of signification), not as a process, but as an attitude. He believed that the importance of semiology resides in it's functionality. Semiology provided Barthes with an opportunity to denunciate "the self-proclaimed petit-bourgeois myths.This means was semiology - the close analysis of process of meaning by which the bourgeoisie converts its historical class-culture into a universal nature" (Barthes, 1964).
According to modern semiology, the benefit of culture resides in the differences (mores, bases, and attitudes) of groups. Without these differences, choices would be limited. His feeling was that occidentalism was like a set of blinders, providing only one tool for understanding - namely, rhetoric...
Semiotics is the idea that you can get a literal meaning from an object as well as a connotational meaning , for example, a red rose, which is the sign , the literally meaning is just of a rose , however the interpreted meaning is of love and romance and this is because of the culture that we live in today. this theory is not particularly relevant to dog soldiers , however the signs system is used in terms of the silver dagger used at the end of the film , this links to the idea of a silver bullet being the only thing that can kill a werewolf.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Roland Bathes- semiotics
Biography:
Roland Barthes was born on 12 November 1915 in the town of Cherbourg in Normandy. He was the son of naval officer Louis Barthes, who was killed in a battle in the North Sea before his son was one year old. His mother, Henriette Barthes, and his aunt and grandmother raised him in the village of Urt and the city of Bayonne. When Barthes was eleven, his family moved to Paris, though his attachment to his provincial roots would remain strong throughout his life.
Barthes showed great promise as a student and spent the period from 1935 to 1939 at the Sorbonne, where he earnt a license in classical letters. He was plagued by ill health throughout this period, suffering from tuberculosis, which often had to be treated in the isolation of sanatoria. His repeated physical breakdowns disrupted his academic career, affecting his studies and his ability to take qualifying examinations. It also kept him out of military service during World War II and, while being kept out of the major French universities meant that he had to travel a great deal for teaching positions, Barthes later professed an intentional avoidance of major degree-awarding universities, and did so throughout his career.
His life from 1939 to 1948 was largely spent obtaining a license in grammar and philology, publishing his first papers, taking part in a medical study, and continuing to struggle with his health. In 1948, he returned to purely academic work, gaining numerous short-term positions at institutes in France, Romania, and Egypt. During this time, he contributed to the leftist Parisian paper Combat, out of which grew his first full-length work, Writing Degree Zero (1953). In 1952, Barthes settled at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, where he studied lexicology and sociology. During his seven-year period there, he began to write a popular series of bi-monthly essays for the magazine Les Lettres Nouvelles, in which he dismantled myths of popular culture (gathered in the Mythologies collection that was published in 1957).
Barthes spent the early 1960s exploring the fields of semiology and structuralism, chairing various faculty positions around France, and continuing to produce more full-length studies. Many of his works challenged traditional academic views of literary criticism and of renowned figures of literature. His unorthodox thinking led to a conflict with another French thinker, Raymond Picard, who attacked the French New Criticism (a label that he inaccurately applied to Barthes) for its obscurity and lack of respect towards France's literary roots. Barthes' rebuttal in Criticism and Truth (1966) accused the old, bourgeois criticism of a lack of concern with the finer points of language and of selective ignorance towards challenging theories, such as Marxism.
By the late 1960s, Barthes had established a reputation for himself. He travelled to the US and Japan, delivering a presentation at Johns Hopkins University. During this time, he wrote his best-known work, the 1967 essay "The Death of the Author," which, in light of the growing influence of Jacques Derrida's deconstruction, would prove to be a transitional piece in its investigation of the logical ends of structuralist thought. Barthes continued to contribute with Philippe Sollers to the avant-garde literary magazine Tel Quel, which was developing similar kinds of theoretical inquiry to that pursued in Barthes' writings. In 1970, Barthes produced what many consider to be his most prodigious work, the dense, critical reading of Balzac’s Sarrasine entitled S/Z. Throughout the 1970s, Barthes continued to develop his literary criticism; he developed new ideals of textuality and novelistic neutrality. In 1971, he served as visiting professor at the University of Geneva.
In 1977, he was elected to the chair of Sémiologie Littéraire at the Collège de France. In the same year, his mother, Henriette Barthes, to whom he had been devoted, died, aged 85. They had lived together for 60 years. The loss of the woman who had raised and cared for him was a serious blow to Barthes. His last major work, Camera Lucida, is partly an essay about the nature of photography and partly a meditation on photographs of his mother. The book contains many reproductions of photographs, though none of them are of Henriette.
On 25 February 1980, after leaving a lunch party held by François Mitterrand, Barthes was struck by a laundry van while walking home through the streets of Paris. He succumbed to his injuries a month later and died on 25 March at the age of sixty-four.
Theory:
His theory focuses on the cultural influences of mythology and the 'bourgeois' society. Meaning the media, litrature etc. show signs of cultural influences.
The term, which was spelled semeiotics, derives from the Greek σημειωτικός, (sēmeiōtikos), "observant of signs" (from σημεῖον - sēmeion, "a sign, a mark")
For example a $ sign can mean U.S. currency in literal sense; though, it can also represent wealth, or is stereotypical for robbers.
In Dog Soldiers:
The idea of Dog soldiers, literally is Werewolf's Vs Humans. However, it could represent Mythology and how it is becoming a dying pass time, for example many arent told about myths as a child as itis less as a social norm, this film could be trying to revive the idea of Mythology being real.
Roland Barthes was born on 12 November 1915 in the town of Cherbourg in Normandy. He was the son of naval officer Louis Barthes, who was killed in a battle in the North Sea before his son was one year old. His mother, Henriette Barthes, and his aunt and grandmother raised him in the village of Urt and the city of Bayonne. When Barthes was eleven, his family moved to Paris, though his attachment to his provincial roots would remain strong throughout his life.
Barthes showed great promise as a student and spent the period from 1935 to 1939 at the Sorbonne, where he earnt a license in classical letters. He was plagued by ill health throughout this period, suffering from tuberculosis, which often had to be treated in the isolation of sanatoria. His repeated physical breakdowns disrupted his academic career, affecting his studies and his ability to take qualifying examinations. It also kept him out of military service during World War II and, while being kept out of the major French universities meant that he had to travel a great deal for teaching positions, Barthes later professed an intentional avoidance of major degree-awarding universities, and did so throughout his career.
His life from 1939 to 1948 was largely spent obtaining a license in grammar and philology, publishing his first papers, taking part in a medical study, and continuing to struggle with his health. In 1948, he returned to purely academic work, gaining numerous short-term positions at institutes in France, Romania, and Egypt. During this time, he contributed to the leftist Parisian paper Combat, out of which grew his first full-length work, Writing Degree Zero (1953). In 1952, Barthes settled at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, where he studied lexicology and sociology. During his seven-year period there, he began to write a popular series of bi-monthly essays for the magazine Les Lettres Nouvelles, in which he dismantled myths of popular culture (gathered in the Mythologies collection that was published in 1957).
Barthes spent the early 1960s exploring the fields of semiology and structuralism, chairing various faculty positions around France, and continuing to produce more full-length studies. Many of his works challenged traditional academic views of literary criticism and of renowned figures of literature. His unorthodox thinking led to a conflict with another French thinker, Raymond Picard, who attacked the French New Criticism (a label that he inaccurately applied to Barthes) for its obscurity and lack of respect towards France's literary roots. Barthes' rebuttal in Criticism and Truth (1966) accused the old, bourgeois criticism of a lack of concern with the finer points of language and of selective ignorance towards challenging theories, such as Marxism.
By the late 1960s, Barthes had established a reputation for himself. He travelled to the US and Japan, delivering a presentation at Johns Hopkins University. During this time, he wrote his best-known work, the 1967 essay "The Death of the Author," which, in light of the growing influence of Jacques Derrida's deconstruction, would prove to be a transitional piece in its investigation of the logical ends of structuralist thought. Barthes continued to contribute with Philippe Sollers to the avant-garde literary magazine Tel Quel, which was developing similar kinds of theoretical inquiry to that pursued in Barthes' writings. In 1970, Barthes produced what many consider to be his most prodigious work, the dense, critical reading of Balzac’s Sarrasine entitled S/Z. Throughout the 1970s, Barthes continued to develop his literary criticism; he developed new ideals of textuality and novelistic neutrality. In 1971, he served as visiting professor at the University of Geneva.
In 1977, he was elected to the chair of Sémiologie Littéraire at the Collège de France. In the same year, his mother, Henriette Barthes, to whom he had been devoted, died, aged 85. They had lived together for 60 years. The loss of the woman who had raised and cared for him was a serious blow to Barthes. His last major work, Camera Lucida, is partly an essay about the nature of photography and partly a meditation on photographs of his mother. The book contains many reproductions of photographs, though none of them are of Henriette.
On 25 February 1980, after leaving a lunch party held by François Mitterrand, Barthes was struck by a laundry van while walking home through the streets of Paris. He succumbed to his injuries a month later and died on 25 March at the age of sixty-four.
Theory:
His theory focuses on the cultural influences of mythology and the 'bourgeois' society. Meaning the media, litrature etc. show signs of cultural influences.
The term, which was spelled semeiotics, derives from the Greek σημειωτικός, (sēmeiōtikos), "observant of signs" (from σημεῖον - sēmeion, "a sign, a mark")
For example a $ sign can mean U.S. currency in literal sense; though, it can also represent wealth, or is stereotypical for robbers.
In Dog Soldiers:
The idea of Dog soldiers, literally is Werewolf's Vs Humans. However, it could represent Mythology and how it is becoming a dying pass time, for example many arent told about myths as a child as itis less as a social norm, this film could be trying to revive the idea of Mythology being real.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
analysis of dog soldiers
1.The sound in this film sets the tone of this movie. It shows a degree of intensity and drama. It speeds up and gets louder when for example fight scenes occur or the werewolves are shown. the costumes that the actors were wearing indicated that they are soldiers that are use to fighting and being in dangerous situations. this is also indicated through the sound too. the setting in which the actors find themselves in is an abandoned house, where there are dark shadows and dust to indicate the unknown.
2. It shows that it is a Thriller/Horror. Elements that show this are the the tense moments that try and make you jump mixed in with the mise en scene of fake blood and gore. There is a hint of comedy in the script, it seems to lighten the mood and show that the soldiers still have their sense of humour
3.yes
4.the gender is represented through the way that all the soldiers are men, the woman seemed pretty strong and the also a werewolf.
5. as strong guys who are willing to carry out their job at any cost.
2. It shows that it is a Thriller/Horror. Elements that show this are the the tense moments that try and make you jump mixed in with the mise en scene of fake blood and gore. There is a hint of comedy in the script, it seems to lighten the mood and show that the soldiers still have their sense of humour
3.yes
4.the gender is represented through the way that all the soldiers are men, the woman seemed pretty strong and the also a werewolf.
5. as strong guys who are willing to carry out their job at any cost.
Analysis of Dog Soldiers
1. the editing was short and quick segments of footage to increase the violence. The fast paced music added to the intensity of the violence. The camera angles were mostly hand held camera mid shots to show the characters reactions and to make you feel like you were there. Shadows and small clips of the werewolves to help create a tense atmosphere.
2. The short and quick footage along with the fast paced music add to violence which is commonly used in thrillers.
3. Yes
Semiotics - Roland Barthes:
Literal Object - The object itself
Literal Meaning - The object itself with no intentional meaning
Implied Meaning - The object can have no intentional meaning or can be portrayed as something more meaningful
2. The short and quick footage along with the fast paced music add to violence which is commonly used in thrillers.
3. Yes
Semiotics - Roland Barthes:
Literal Object - The object itself
Literal Meaning - The object itself with no intentional meaning
Implied Meaning - The object can have no intentional meaning or can be portrayed as something more meaningful
Aimee / Ryan
1. Editing is quick paced and dramatic. At times the cuts are more longer but overall the editing is stylized to a fast paced environment.The use of mise en scene is heavily stylized creating a military effect this is rebounded by the use of grungy. All characters are featured wearing military/ army uniforms, which indicates the style and genre of the film. The camera work was almost hand-held trying to create a realistic effect.
2. We believe that this film is a mix of genres like Thriller , Comedy and action. Firstly we think that it has some graphic scenes but at the same time they are also comedy. The amount of explosives and fast paced editing followed by gun shooting makes it feel like an action. The military uniforms indicate a strict and serious attitude, which they juxtapose with adding the humour.
3. Due to only seeing the final 20 minutes of the film, it seems we began watching at the dis-equilibrium stage, which lead to the structure of new-equilibrium forming after the climax.
4. From what we saw, the film seems very testosterone fuelled, with mainly men in most seems, and a conflict with the only female we saw. There is a type of 'brotherhood' between the characters. This promotes the male fuelled atmosphere, which imitates the army style lifestyle, where the men have to look out for each other.
5. I think that the film represents the armed forces in an unrealistic and quite minimal way. It takes an almost fantasy approach on what some men in society believe that the army is like. It seems to focus more on the characters relationships, than actual army life, due to the fact that only one of them lives due to someone sacrificing himself.
6. We think the film is aimed at males, between the ages of 16-40. It is very much an action fuelled film, which has the main components suiting to certain groups of men, who are drawn to the guns, blood, explosions etc.
7. We think that the film certificate would be a 15. This is due to the graphic, yet minimal nature in terms of horror detail, which therefore indicates what is happening, without horrifying the viewer.
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Roland Barthes theory is ' Death of the author' through ignoring the author and focusing mainly on the text.
Laura Mulvey - Women are objectified in movies mainly in classic hollywood movies where the audience is constructed to be men. The women within the movie are providing visual pleasure for the men/ Laura Mulvey believes this is wrong and discriminative of women.
David Gauntlet; has many theories including the postive correlation of social linking through the use of modern media. He believes that sites like facebook and you tube are not necissarily morphing society into one collective group but opening doors for positive linking throughout society. Moreover he also speaks about the effect theory and how certain audiences relate to texts within media.
Steve Neaale; ' Genres are not systems ' Steve Neaale belives that genres are the constant process of negotiation and change within society. Genres first developed for literacy have now developed for every type of media transforming the industry. Personally i belive that genres help link different social groups together , on the other hand i can see how this could be viewed as a negative thing.
David Morley - Reception Theory - what sense of people actually make of texts/ roles that audiences play in the scheme of things and not texts themselves.
2. We believe that this film is a mix of genres like Thriller , Comedy and action. Firstly we think that it has some graphic scenes but at the same time they are also comedy. The amount of explosives and fast paced editing followed by gun shooting makes it feel like an action. The military uniforms indicate a strict and serious attitude, which they juxtapose with adding the humour.
3. Due to only seeing the final 20 minutes of the film, it seems we began watching at the dis-equilibrium stage, which lead to the structure of new-equilibrium forming after the climax.
4. From what we saw, the film seems very testosterone fuelled, with mainly men in most seems, and a conflict with the only female we saw. There is a type of 'brotherhood' between the characters. This promotes the male fuelled atmosphere, which imitates the army style lifestyle, where the men have to look out for each other.
5. I think that the film represents the armed forces in an unrealistic and quite minimal way. It takes an almost fantasy approach on what some men in society believe that the army is like. It seems to focus more on the characters relationships, than actual army life, due to the fact that only one of them lives due to someone sacrificing himself.
6. We think the film is aimed at males, between the ages of 16-40. It is very much an action fuelled film, which has the main components suiting to certain groups of men, who are drawn to the guns, blood, explosions etc.
7. We think that the film certificate would be a 15. This is due to the graphic, yet minimal nature in terms of horror detail, which therefore indicates what is happening, without horrifying the viewer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roland Barthes theory is ' Death of the author' through ignoring the author and focusing mainly on the text.
Laura Mulvey - Women are objectified in movies mainly in classic hollywood movies where the audience is constructed to be men. The women within the movie are providing visual pleasure for the men/ Laura Mulvey believes this is wrong and discriminative of women.
David Gauntlet; has many theories including the postive correlation of social linking through the use of modern media. He believes that sites like facebook and you tube are not necissarily morphing society into one collective group but opening doors for positive linking throughout society. Moreover he also speaks about the effect theory and how certain audiences relate to texts within media.
Steve Neaale; ' Genres are not systems ' Steve Neaale belives that genres are the constant process of negotiation and change within society. Genres first developed for literacy have now developed for every type of media transforming the industry. Personally i belive that genres help link different social groups together , on the other hand i can see how this could be viewed as a negative thing.
David Morley - Reception Theory - what sense of people actually make of texts/ roles that audiences play in the scheme of things and not texts themselves.
Analysis of Dog Soldiers
1. Editing, mise en scene, sound and cinematography in Dog Soldiers.
Editing-fast paced editing in fight and terror scenes and when tension builds. Slow when discussing the plan to combat the enemy.
Mise-en -scene- dark and gloomy in the final fight, making the situation appear dangerous. Lots of shots of the werewolves to show how big they are in comparison to the humans, also lose ups of them to show teeth, claws, to make them seem scary. Humans how basic costume, typical army clothing. The location was typical of a horror film, isolated and old building, lots of mess to symbolise the chaotic situation. Shows blood and gore. e.g when the man gets eaten by the wolf.
Sound- non diagetic sound is frequently used, the music when planning and looking for the were wolves was intended to help build the atmosphere- suspenseful and scary when the wolves attacked.
Diagetic sound- lots of shouting, banging chairs and tables etc and cars starting and the characters talking to each other. Also the sound of the wolves.
Cinematography- Close ups or wolves, together with long shots of them creates scary image. Establishing shots at start and end (the one at the end shows the result as the house is burnt).
2. How do the above technical elements indicate the genre? + other elements.
-Horror as it shows blood and violence.
-Hero character throughout the film survives at the end- typical of horrors
-Music and fast editing often used to built tension in horrors and thrillers.
-lighting plays a big part as well- darkness indicates gloom and a negative outcome for the characters.
3. Are there 3 clear stages?
-equilibrium at start- group of friends, peaceful
-disequilibrium is when they meet wolves for the first time
-new equilibrium is that the hero is alone and the rest are dead
4. Gender representation.
-Males: all of them are there to fight but once they meet the not human enemy the group breaks into different attitudes: to begin with they all have the intention of fighting the wolves and then eventually certain characters want to not fight but just flee and the hero stays constant through out and takes over his sergeant.
Females: only one woman- she is quite fiesty and helps them fight but then it turns out that she is part of the enemy and leads them into a trap. Negative representation on women.
5. Representation of armed forces.
- Planning new methods of killing the enemy
-Shows that they are good at their job,also have empathy, have feelings for those who have died.
6. Target audience?
-Teenagers and young adults
-May appeal more to boys in general
7. Certification?
-12 A or 15 - due to violence and swearing but if parents see fit the children shouldnt watch.
Laura Mulveys theory:
She argued that patriarchy within hollywood film making should be got rid of because the sexualistion of women was too rife and that male dominance would remain until this stereotype was removed. Mulvey held a very feminist view and this is evident with her view.
She has the view that camera work is concentrated on a male gaze (in films women are shown in voyeuristic ways, that men would find more appealing).
When applying Mulvey's view to 'Dog Soldiers' it is important to bear in mind that there is only one woman in the film and that she turns out to be one of the were-wolves anyway. She conforms to the stereotype that women should be beautiful, tall, effeminate. Her costume differs to the costume of the male characters, as she is wearing clothes that show her figure, although not being very 'girly'. Also, her character was revealed to be the enemy, and got the blame for the outcome of the film, which reflects theory that women are typically blamed for everything, for example, in the bible, Eve is blamed for giving in to temptation.
Editing-fast paced editing in fight and terror scenes and when tension builds. Slow when discussing the plan to combat the enemy.
Mise-en -scene- dark and gloomy in the final fight, making the situation appear dangerous. Lots of shots of the werewolves to show how big they are in comparison to the humans, also lose ups of them to show teeth, claws, to make them seem scary. Humans how basic costume, typical army clothing. The location was typical of a horror film, isolated and old building, lots of mess to symbolise the chaotic situation. Shows blood and gore. e.g when the man gets eaten by the wolf.
Sound- non diagetic sound is frequently used, the music when planning and looking for the were wolves was intended to help build the atmosphere- suspenseful and scary when the wolves attacked.
Diagetic sound- lots of shouting, banging chairs and tables etc and cars starting and the characters talking to each other. Also the sound of the wolves.
Cinematography- Close ups or wolves, together with long shots of them creates scary image. Establishing shots at start and end (the one at the end shows the result as the house is burnt).
2. How do the above technical elements indicate the genre? + other elements.
-Horror as it shows blood and violence.
-Hero character throughout the film survives at the end- typical of horrors
-Music and fast editing often used to built tension in horrors and thrillers.
-lighting plays a big part as well- darkness indicates gloom and a negative outcome for the characters.
3. Are there 3 clear stages?
-equilibrium at start- group of friends, peaceful
-disequilibrium is when they meet wolves for the first time
-new equilibrium is that the hero is alone and the rest are dead
4. Gender representation.
-Males: all of them are there to fight but once they meet the not human enemy the group breaks into different attitudes: to begin with they all have the intention of fighting the wolves and then eventually certain characters want to not fight but just flee and the hero stays constant through out and takes over his sergeant.
Females: only one woman- she is quite fiesty and helps them fight but then it turns out that she is part of the enemy and leads them into a trap. Negative representation on women.
5. Representation of armed forces.
- Planning new methods of killing the enemy
-Shows that they are good at their job,also have empathy, have feelings for those who have died.
6. Target audience?
-Teenagers and young adults
-May appeal more to boys in general
7. Certification?
-12 A or 15 - due to violence and swearing but if parents see fit the children shouldnt watch.
Laura Mulveys theory:
She argued that patriarchy within hollywood film making should be got rid of because the sexualistion of women was too rife and that male dominance would remain until this stereotype was removed. Mulvey held a very feminist view and this is evident with her view.
She has the view that camera work is concentrated on a male gaze (in films women are shown in voyeuristic ways, that men would find more appealing).
When applying Mulvey's view to 'Dog Soldiers' it is important to bear in mind that there is only one woman in the film and that she turns out to be one of the were-wolves anyway. She conforms to the stereotype that women should be beautiful, tall, effeminate. Her costume differs to the costume of the male characters, as she is wearing clothes that show her figure, although not being very 'girly'. Also, her character was revealed to be the enemy, and got the blame for the outcome of the film, which reflects theory that women are typically blamed for everything, for example, in the bible, Eve is blamed for giving in to temptation.
Analysis of Dog Soldiers (neil Marshall 2002)
1.) What key features of editing, Mise-en-scene, sound and cinematography can you identify?
In the film ' Dog Soldiers' the editing created a fast paced atmosphere and tone. They did this by making short duration shots, this created a fast pace which matched the genre of the film which is a mixture of Horror and Thriller. The sound effects created suspense and tone to the atmosphere for example the backing music was disturbing and made the audience on edge to whats going to happen next. Furthermore the sound effects of the werewolves was amplified to make the scene seem more gory. The sound effects of the blood splattering was also to amplify the genre of horror. There was also a lot of close ups of the victims of the film, for example before they were going to die there would be a close up of them to create a emotional connection for the audience. There was also a lot of medium long shots of the area of which where the action was happening. This i feel created the stage for the action to happen and set the scene and made it the film more believable due to the fact that the actual film was about fictional characters, werewolves. The cinematography in the film also created suspense and created a tone and atmosphere for the film to be targeted to there target audience, people who like horror and Thriller. Mise-en-scene in this film is also used well, they choose not to show the werewolves at all time at the beginning which created suspense of the unknown.
2.) How do the technical elements you have identified help indicate the genre of the film? What other conventions do you think are evident in 'Dog Soldiers'?
The elements such as the camera shots and the types of shots help to create the genre of the film by creating suspense and to produce a targeted atmosphere. For example when the characters in the film are about to be killed by the supernatural, werewolves, there is a close up which is a controversial choice in shot type due to the fact in most thrillers or horrors, its left to our imagination to see what happens to the victims however in this film we see what happens exactly, which could in turn make the film seem a low budget film. Furthermore the use of showing shadows instead of the actual werewolves helped create a set tone for the film, which is sinister and the thought of being caught of guard. Other conventions that are evident in this film is the use of fake blood. This is used a lot to indicate death of a character, however the colour of this blood looked very fake, and maybe it went over the top, due to how much of it there was. Furthermore the use if high pitched sounds and tones, give a chilling feeling to the atmosphere of the film, before we even see anything on the screen.
3.) Are there three clear stages to the film's narrative? Does it have an equilibrium, dis-equilibrium and a new equilibrium structure?
The three clear stages of narrative are, the soldiers being found and helped, the soldiers being defeated and then becoming the defeaters. ?????
4.) How do you think the gender is represented in the film?
The gender in this film is clear. It is a male orientated cast of actors that seem to be rescued by the female heroin. But later on she was a false heroin, and was in fact there on purpose. Due to a male character being on top at the end, being the only one alive, it makes gender represented all the more, to be the stronger gender. Also due to the male actors/characters dialogue, for example them saying there going to have to stay and fight, it makes them seem stronger and a group.
5.) How does Dog Soldiers represent the armed forces?
Firstly the physical appearance of the characters such as the Camouflage costumes and the shaven heads also the names of their ranks in the army. They also had a range of guns which represented them being a part of the army. They also appeared to be a close unit relying on each other especially their sergeant. The scene towards the end where the sergeant "Martyrdom" represented himself being a true leader in the army.
6.) Who do you think the film is aimed at?
I think if the film where to be a Thriller / Horror it wasn't exactly aimed at the adult audience where a horror film can be really scary as the main evil characters where CGI werewolves means it can be attracting the young sci-fi audience.
7.) What certificate do you think the film would get and why?
I believe the film aimed itself at a youngish target market. As the Horror wasn't that gory and disturbing and had certain sound ans special affects that made it fine for a 15 certificate rating as i don't think it is eligible for a 12A as it is too much horrific suspense that may scare a young child.
Laura Mulvey
'What counts is what the heroine provokes, or rather what she represents. She is the one, or rather the love or fear she inspires in the hero, or else the concern he feels for her, who makes him act the way he does. In herself the woman has not the slightest importance.'
Laura's point is that in many films created by Hollywood that the female role in films is of little significance, even though the role of a woman in the film is to be a 'Damsel in De-stress' if the female actor wasn't in it, it wouldn't make a huge change. Films like 'Spider man' and 'Batman' this is a subplot to the actual plot, which proves her point. Its very uncommon to find a female heroin.
She also then goes on to say that women are just 'Eye Candy' for the male viewers, and that women are the main key to erotic scenes. She states "In their traditional exhibitionist role women are simultaneously looked at and displayed, with their appearance coded for strong visual and erotic impact so that they can be said to connote to-be-looked-at-ness,"
Laura identifies three perspectives, the first is the perspective of the male character on screen and how he perceives the female character, and this is shown by the way he acts towards her. The second is the perspective of the spectator as they see the female character on screen. The third "look" joins the first two looks together: it is the male audience member's perspective of the male character in the film. This third perspective allows the male audience to take the female character as his own personal sex object because he can relate himself, through looking, to the male character in the film. Mulvey also states that things need to change, and the voyeurism between a the male spectator and the female character.
In 'Dog Soldiers' Laura Mulvey's theory applies. The woman in the film at the beginning is quite controversial due to the fact that she saved the army men, which is usually found the other way around, the male saving the female character. However Laura's theory applies due to the woman wearing little clothing, and not actually having a major part to the plot. She as Laura says is just 'To-be-looked-at-ness'. This shows that what Laura is saying is true to this particular film. However the ending is also quite controversial again, due to the woman ending the film on a twist, and actually being part of the werewolves team. This shows that not all of what Laura Mulvey is saying applies at every point during the film, because with out this twist the film may become just another horror/thriller movie.
In the film ' Dog Soldiers' the editing created a fast paced atmosphere and tone. They did this by making short duration shots, this created a fast pace which matched the genre of the film which is a mixture of Horror and Thriller. The sound effects created suspense and tone to the atmosphere for example the backing music was disturbing and made the audience on edge to whats going to happen next. Furthermore the sound effects of the werewolves was amplified to make the scene seem more gory. The sound effects of the blood splattering was also to amplify the genre of horror. There was also a lot of close ups of the victims of the film, for example before they were going to die there would be a close up of them to create a emotional connection for the audience. There was also a lot of medium long shots of the area of which where the action was happening. This i feel created the stage for the action to happen and set the scene and made it the film more believable due to the fact that the actual film was about fictional characters, werewolves. The cinematography in the film also created suspense and created a tone and atmosphere for the film to be targeted to there target audience, people who like horror and Thriller. Mise-en-scene in this film is also used well, they choose not to show the werewolves at all time at the beginning which created suspense of the unknown.
2.) How do the technical elements you have identified help indicate the genre of the film? What other conventions do you think are evident in 'Dog Soldiers'?
The elements such as the camera shots and the types of shots help to create the genre of the film by creating suspense and to produce a targeted atmosphere. For example when the characters in the film are about to be killed by the supernatural, werewolves, there is a close up which is a controversial choice in shot type due to the fact in most thrillers or horrors, its left to our imagination to see what happens to the victims however in this film we see what happens exactly, which could in turn make the film seem a low budget film. Furthermore the use of showing shadows instead of the actual werewolves helped create a set tone for the film, which is sinister and the thought of being caught of guard. Other conventions that are evident in this film is the use of fake blood. This is used a lot to indicate death of a character, however the colour of this blood looked very fake, and maybe it went over the top, due to how much of it there was. Furthermore the use if high pitched sounds and tones, give a chilling feeling to the atmosphere of the film, before we even see anything on the screen.
3.) Are there three clear stages to the film's narrative? Does it have an equilibrium, dis-equilibrium and a new equilibrium structure?
The three clear stages of narrative are, the soldiers being found and helped, the soldiers being defeated and then becoming the defeaters. ?????
4.) How do you think the gender is represented in the film?
The gender in this film is clear. It is a male orientated cast of actors that seem to be rescued by the female heroin. But later on she was a false heroin, and was in fact there on purpose. Due to a male character being on top at the end, being the only one alive, it makes gender represented all the more, to be the stronger gender. Also due to the male actors/characters dialogue, for example them saying there going to have to stay and fight, it makes them seem stronger and a group.
5.) How does Dog Soldiers represent the armed forces?
Firstly the physical appearance of the characters such as the Camouflage costumes and the shaven heads also the names of their ranks in the army. They also had a range of guns which represented them being a part of the army. They also appeared to be a close unit relying on each other especially their sergeant. The scene towards the end where the sergeant "Martyrdom" represented himself being a true leader in the army.
6.) Who do you think the film is aimed at?
I think if the film where to be a Thriller / Horror it wasn't exactly aimed at the adult audience where a horror film can be really scary as the main evil characters where CGI werewolves means it can be attracting the young sci-fi audience.
7.) What certificate do you think the film would get and why?
I believe the film aimed itself at a youngish target market. As the Horror wasn't that gory and disturbing and had certain sound ans special affects that made it fine for a 15 certificate rating as i don't think it is eligible for a 12A as it is too much horrific suspense that may scare a young child.
Laura Mulvey
'What counts is what the heroine provokes, or rather what she represents. She is the one, or rather the love or fear she inspires in the hero, or else the concern he feels for her, who makes him act the way he does. In herself the woman has not the slightest importance.'
Laura's point is that in many films created by Hollywood that the female role in films is of little significance, even though the role of a woman in the film is to be a 'Damsel in De-stress' if the female actor wasn't in it, it wouldn't make a huge change. Films like 'Spider man' and 'Batman' this is a subplot to the actual plot, which proves her point. Its very uncommon to find a female heroin.
She also then goes on to say that women are just 'Eye Candy' for the male viewers, and that women are the main key to erotic scenes. She states "In their traditional exhibitionist role women are simultaneously looked at and displayed, with their appearance coded for strong visual and erotic impact so that they can be said to connote to-be-looked-at-ness,"
Laura identifies three perspectives, the first is the perspective of the male character on screen and how he perceives the female character, and this is shown by the way he acts towards her. The second is the perspective of the spectator as they see the female character on screen. The third "look" joins the first two looks together: it is the male audience member's perspective of the male character in the film. This third perspective allows the male audience to take the female character as his own personal sex object because he can relate himself, through looking, to the male character in the film. Mulvey also states that things need to change, and the voyeurism between a the male spectator and the female character.
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