Laura Mulvey

Representation of women in the media

Starter task

• Write down 3 words that you would use to describe a woman.

• Write 3 words that you would use to describe a modern day woman.

• Write down 3 words to describe a historical representation of women. (past 50 years)

• Write down 3 words to describe women in music videos.

Aims

• To understand Laura Mulveys Male Gaze theory.

• To look at music videos and films trailers to see if her theory is proved correct.

• To form an opinion in relation to the representation of women in the media.

• Understand how Mulveys Theory could be more developed.

What is her theory?

• Laura Mulveys concept looks at:• How the audience view women who are presented in the

media. She states that women are there to be seen and that the use of camera portrays them as sexual objects through shot types and movement.

• Her focus is on:1) How men look at women from those images.2) How women look at them selves from those images.3) How women look at other women from those images. (do they also see them as sexual objects or unrealistic ideologies they are supposed to conform to?)

Mulvey states

• The Male Gaze typically focuses on:

• Emphasising curves of the female body.• Referring to women as objects rather than people.• The display of women is how men think they should be

perceived.• Female viewers view the content through the eyes of a

man.• Women are often sexualised and seen as objects and

viewed based on sexual desire and the way they look

• The Male Gaze describes how the audience or viewer is put into the perspective of a heterosexual male. i.e. the camera lingers over the curves of a woman's body.

• Mulvey states that in film women are typically the objects, rather than the possessors this is displayed by the control of the camera.

• The camera uses particular movements to perceive women in an idealistic view. Some women may disagree with this use of camera yet others may feel liberated.

• The man emerges as the dominant power within the created film fantasy. The woman is passive to the active gaze from the man.

• Think of all the music videos you see on TV and how the camera objectifies women by focusing on the areas of the body in which you would expect to see the ‘males gazing’ at….. Breasts, bottom etc.

• Mulvey also states that the female gaze is the same as the male gaze because women look at themselves through the eyes of men.

Task

• We will watch the first opening sequences of this weeks top 5 music videos in the charts and state if women are perceived in the way Mulvey states.

• Write down the video and note if the content:• Emphasises the curves of the female body.• Show women as objects rather than people.• Display women in a way to please men.• Would female viewers, view the content through the eyes

of a man?• women sexualised and seen as objects and viewed based

on sexual desire and the way they look.

Do the women in the charts this week follow the male gaze theory?

• No1 Calvin Harris- Blame ft. John Newman• No2 Lilly wood & Robin Schulz. Prayer in C• No 3 Sam Smith. I’m not the only one• No4 Taylor Swift. shake it off• No5 Iggy Azalea Black widow (feat. Rita Ora)

Conclusion

• Are women portrayed in the media as sexual objects via the use of the camera work and voyeurism?

Film trailers

• Sex tape• Lucy• Before I go to sleep• Lets be cops• Inbetweeners 2

Conclusion

• Are women portrayed in the media as sexual objects via the use of the camera work and voyeurism?

Sexualisation of women

• Do you think that women are seen as sexual objects in the media/music videos?

• Do you think that women are pressured in to being perceived as sexual to gain a wider target market?

• Do you think Mulveys theory that women are seen as sexual in the objects in the media is correct?

Task

• Write a short paragraph summarising Laura Mulveys Male Gaze theory using examples we have watched in lesson to back up your point.

• Remember to:• Point• Evidence• Explain

For and against her theory

• From watching the introduction sequence of 5 film trailers and 5 music videos, why may we argue for Mulveys theory?

• From watching the videos how may we argue against her points? What areas has she not considered in relation to the study?

Exit pass

• Write something that you learnt in todays lesson

• Write something you found challenging in todays lesson

• Stick it on the board as you leave….

I understood this lesson……

Excellent understanding

I need more work on this theory

I found this really challenging