Primary Film

Under the Skin

The seduction scenes, the use of female body.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abNWXzgiUjU&t=5s&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DabNWXzgiUjU%26t%3D5s&has_verified=1

Research

Tasker, Y. (1993) Spectacular Bodies. New York: Routledge. 

Tasker, Y. (ed.) (2004) The action and adventure cinema. London: Routledge. Page 171 

Page from Yvonne Tasker's book explains the power of the body for women in American Army movie G I Jane. Although I am not studying this film the points that Tasker makes about female body as a selling device. This is incredibly useful considering I am looking at Scarlett Johansson and her appearance is often manipulated and used to sell a movie.

Geena Davies Institue

Gender bias without borders (2016) Available at: http://seejane.org/symposiums-on-gender-in-media/gender-bias-without-borders/ (Accessed: 14 November 2016). 


The completed report by the Geena Davies institute on Gender Bias across all formats in Hollywood. This website is extremely as it culminates everything together, showing the divide not only between male and female actors but directors, producers, camera operators, script writers etc. The article shows in shocking numbers how women are massively over sexualised compared to men. The site also shows crucial information regarding the divide between countries when casting females, but also shows in detail trends that happen when the US is involved in casting a movie. 

Research 7/11/16

Zurko, N. (2013) Gender inequality in film - an Infographic. Available at: https://www.nyfa.edu/film-school-blog/gender-inequality-in-film/ (Accessed: 7 November 2016).


Inequality by numbers, this website link by the New York film academy showed me the misrepresentation of females in Hollywood movies in 2013. The link is incredibly useful as it shows the number of female actors who are in big US movies and what they need to do or how they need to be shown to even get a speaking role. I also found useful the divide between male and female wages they earn per year with also the average age being a decade difference. This article is useful to me because it means I have facts and numbers to back up that women are grossly misrepresented and segregated from the men of US film.

Catalogue.

Primary research.


Film; Captain America The Winter Soldier (2014, The Russo Brothers)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORJAE3pVOMY



Film title; Example- Captain America The Winter Soldier (2013) The Russo Brothers.
Investigation; The sexualised female body in popular film.
Sequence time code; 2.19-2.45

Micro techniques used; Mood soundtrack used to suggest her heartbeat and fast beats suggest high octane makes spectator anticipate action. The fast soundtrack also builds suspense for outcome of sequence. Various camera angle throughout the fight scene which are used to show her fighting style. There is 0.7 cuts in this 26 second sequence which is used to show her fast fighting style. The blend of handheld and static camera immerses and distances the spectator from the action. Handheld camera work is used when following her throughout taking down the first enemy and static camera is used when Johannsson’s character is seen to be winning the fight. The end of the sequence distances the spectator from the action but objectifies Johannsson by the last shot in the sequence being her bum as she leaves the room. The only close up shots in the sequence are of either her bum or her face which could suggest that The Russo Brothers (directors) want the spectator to view Johannsson’s character in a specific way. The multiple camera positions position the spectator so that they can only see her in a powerful way with the only close ups suggesting that the spectator should see her as sexually dominating with the red lipstick and the force she uses to smash her enemies into the floor. The camera portion in the final shot seems to confirm that the spectator is positioned to view Black Widow sexually.

Characterisation; In the short sequence Johannsson’s character Black Widow is seen as a strong woman. The way Black Widow is seen in the sequence is as a strong independent woman whom will do her bit of work for the team, the persistence of Captain America to know where she has done her job also suggests that they rely on her. Black Widow also shows no remorse and is ok with killing and injuring her enemy for the right of her team.

Messages and values; Ambivalence around female identity. Black Widow is a strong female character but she is still objectified throughout the film. Dominating sexualised power



Secondary research.


Book(s);


Thornham, S. (1999) Feminist film theory: A reader. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. 


'Valerie Walkerdine Video Replay: Families, Films and Fantasy', Page 180-181, 1/11/16 


 


Walkerdine's piece on the voyeurism of the film spectator and how the way spectator watches film explains why film makers get a way with the representation of women. This links with the way Johansson's appearance is manipulated into being a crucial character trait. 


 


Websites;


Alexander, J. (2012) Where are all the (good) female Superhero movies? Available at: http://ideas.time.com/2012/08/31/where-are-all-the-good-female-superhero-movies/ (Accessed: 2 November 2016).  



This article from the Time magazine website provides an insight into the new wave of kick ass females and how they differ from the early female's in superhero movies. The article focuses on how actors like Anne Hathaway and Scarlett Johansson have changed the way that female super hero's are viewed in new high budget movies. 


 


Cadwalladr, C. (2014) Scarlett Johansson interview: ‘I would way rather not have middle ground’. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/16/scarlett-johansson-interview-middle-ground-under-the-skin-sodastream (Accessed: 3 November 2016).


 


I found this link to an article in the Guardian interesting because of the way she is portrayed by the writer, not in the film but as an alien because of the way Johansson seems as a person.
I found the article particularly interesting because it is written by woman and some of the ways the writer Carole Cadwalladr speaks of Johansson. Saying Johansson has ' been installed in a fancy suite' as if she is some sort of exhibit and how she 'is groomed and coiffed with eyelashes like a camel's and a river of shining blond hair that flows around her shoulders'  making Johansson all about her appearance and how she is controlled. In particular I found it unusual how Cadwalladr mentions how 'She looks neither ordinary nor normal' further implying that Johansson is distant from human and that the writer is either jealous or terrified of the actor. 


 


Child, B. (2016) Black widow movie gets firm commitment from marvel boss. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/09/black-widow-movie-gets-firm-commitment-from-marvel-boss (Accessed: 2 November 2016). 


 


This is an article I have read many times as it always gives me a sense of relief. The Guardians article explains how after nearly a decade, Black Widow is getting a solo movie. Considering Disney has paid Johansson at most $20 million dollars per movie for her portrayal of Black Widow as a fan I can say it's needed. Despite my own personal happiness when reading the article it does point out how Johansson has been in the longest audition for her own movie ever. The large sum's she has been paid each movie also could be used to suggest that Johansson has been used as a marketing tool. 


 


Gender bias without borders (2016) Available at: http://seejane.org/symposiums-on-gender-in-media/gender-bias-without-borders/ (Accessed: 14 November 2016).


 


The completed report by the Geena Davies institute on Gender Bias across all formats in Hollywood. This website is extremely as it culminates everything together, showing the divide not only between male and female actors but directors, producers, camera operators, script writers etc. The article shows in shocking numbers how women are massively over sexualised compared to men. The site also shows crucial information regarding the divide between countries when casting females, but also shows in detail trends that happen when the US is involved in casting a movie. 


 


 


Gordon, J. (2013) Scarlett Johansson talks to Jane Gordon about her ego. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2521467/Scarlett-Johansson-Of-course-Ive-got-big-ego--I-actor-actors-think-theyre-one.html (Accessed: 3 November 2016).


 


This article  intrigued  me because of the headline which is a quote from Johansson herself  'Of course I've got a big ego - I am an actor and all actors think they're The one', the ironic thing about this quote is that out of context it makes Johansson seem big headed and self absorbed. Although when reading the full article this is far from what she's saying, the full quote is 'Because I am an actor and all actors think that they are The One. It's part of our huge egos and makes us so successful in some areas of our live and not in others'. Firstly the way the title has slanted what Johansson actually said seems like a specific device to make her seem big headed but also when readers find the quote in the article they'll see how this article has purposely changed things about the quote to seem a specific way. This article is a perfect example of how the media shape performers. 



Both of the articles are good examples my point with the first highlighting over sexualisation and making Johansson seem more lavish and alienated to the rest of us and the second making the actor seem big headed and self-absorbed. 


 


Hawkes, R. (2016) ‘Less Rey, more Kylo Ren’: Star Wars toymakers told to avoid female character. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens/toys-wheresrey-monopoly-hasbro/ (Accessed: 2 November 2016). 


 


This article by the Telegraph paired with the article below shows how both female leads from Star Wars The Force Awakens and Avengers Age of Ultron. To me this showed me how producers of toys don't believe that lead female characters will sell toys to their target audience.


 


Romano, A. (2015) Marvel’s toy line just erased black widow from her own scene in ‘age of Ultron’. Available at: http://www.dailydot.com/parsec/black-widow-toy-ultron-motorcycle-replaced-captain-america/ (Accessed: 2 November 2016). 



This website has written a piece about the removal Black Widow from Marvels Avengers; Age of Ultron toy line. Paired with the article above by The Telegraph.  


 


Slide Share (2013) Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/christimothy12/laura-mulvey-the-male-gaze-26381318 (Accessed: 17 November 2016).


 


This website has a basic slide representation of Laura Mulvey’s theory of ‘The Male Gaze’. This is incredibly useful when speaking about Scarlett Johansson and the way her body is used by directors and the way that she uses her body.


 


Stanley, T. (2016) The name’s not Jane Bond: Why 007 can never be a woman. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/05/25/the-names-not-jane-bond-why-007-can-never-be-a-woman/ (Accessed: 2 November 2016). 



I found this article by the Telegraph eye opening. It mentions in strong wording why a woman can never play James Bond, the piece is littered with sexiest wording on why it would be wrong to have a female Bond. I also found the article eye opening because of the way it describes that there is no ideal female Bond. This was important to me as I believe that it highlights how the appearance of women is still judged over their acting ability.  


 

Tasker, Y. (ed.) (2004) The action and adventure cinema. London: Routledge. Page 171 

Page from Yvonne Tasker's book explains the power of the body for women in American Army movie G I Jane. Although I am not studying this film the points that Tasker makes about female body as a selling device. This is incredibly useful considering I am looking at Scarlett Johansson and her appearance is often manipulated and used to sell a movie.


Thornham, S. (1999) Feminist film theory: A reader. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Accessed: 2 November 2016). 



The New York times article on the new diverse representation of 'girlhood and feminist' in Hollywood with the recent rise of female characters who don't need saving. I think this article is incredibly useful because it shows the new found diversity in the representation of younger female characters and how it changes the perception of women in movies. 


 


Vincent, A. (2014) Women in Film. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/11026415/Women-in-film-no-improvement-since-the-1950s.html (Accessed: 3 November 2016).


 


No change since the 1950's, the number of women in Hollywood films. This article is about a study completed by the University of Southern California shows that the number of women in film since the 1950's is still a relatively small amount compared to men. The study also shows how the number of teenage girls in revealing clothing in movies has dropped in resent years but that there is still an age limit on female actors in Hollywood. Only a 24.9% of women in this study were middle aged which compared nearly 40% of men. 


 


Zurko, N. (2013) Gender inequality in film - an Infographic. Available at: https://www.nyfa.edu/film-school-blog/gender-inequality-in-film/ (Accessed: 7 November 2016).
  The Numbers of the divide between males and females in Hollywood after 2013's female lead year.

Film sequence analysis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORJAE3pVOMY

Film title; Example- Captain America The Winter Soldier (2013) The Russo Brothers.
Investigation; The sexualised female body in popular film.
Sequence time code; 2.19-2.45

Micro techniques used; Mood soundtrack used to suggest her heartbeat and fast beats suggest high octane makes spectator anticipate action. The fast soundtrack also builds suspense for outcome of sequence. Various camera angle throughout the fight scene which are used to show her fighting style. There is 0.7 cuts in this 26 second sequence which is used to show her fast fighting style. The blend of handheld and static camera immerses and distances the spectator from the action. Handheld camera work is used when following her throughout taking down the first enemy and static camera is used when Johannsson’s character is seen to be winning the fight. The end of the sequence distances the spectator from the action but objectifies Johannsson by the last shot in the sequence being her bum as she leaves the room. The only close up shots in the sequence are of either her bum or her face which could suggest that The Russo Brothers (directors) want the spectator to view Johannsson’s character in a specific way.   

Characterisation; In the short sequence Johannsson’s character Black Widow is seen as a strong woman. The way Black Widow is seen in the sequence is as a strong independent woman whom will do her bit of work for the team, the persistence of Captain America to know where she has done her job also suggests that they rely on her. Black Widow also shows no remorse and is ok with killing and injuring her enemy for the right of her team.

Messages and values; Ambivalence around female identity. Black Widow is a strong female character but she is still objectified throughout the film.