KOTV Flashcards Preview

Media Studies > KOTV > Flashcards

Flashcards in KOTV Deck (30)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Who produced KOTV?

A

Hammer Film Productions

2
Q

Who distributed KOTV?

A

J. Arthur Rank and Universal.

3
Q

What was KOTV intended to be?

A

2nd sequel to 1958 Dracula, even though the film’s script makes no reference to Stoker’s character.

4
Q

What other “Monster Movie” franchises was Hammer successful with by 1963?

A

“The Mummy”, “Frankenstein”

5
Q

What, historically, did 1963 see the early stages of?

A

“Beatlemania”, “swinging-sixties”, assassination of JFK and Soviet Union launching the first woman into space.

6
Q

What could the 1960s audience be familiar with?

A

Codes and conventions of “monster movie” film posters.

7
Q

What are the codes and conventions of “monster movie” film posters?

A

Composition, fonts, representation of “the monster” and its usually female victims.

8
Q

What connotations does the title create?

A

Capitalised serif font linked to vampire film genre with its “wooden” styling and the blood dripping from letter Vs “fang”.

9
Q

What does the conventional painted main image link to?

A

Christopher Lee’s Dracula, being in colour (anchored by the text “In Eastman Colour”) connotes this is a modern telling of an older story.

10
Q

What does the gloomy grey, black and brown colour palette reinforce?

A

The film’s dark, scary conventions.

11
Q

what does the red highlight colour do?

A

it draws attention to the attacking bats, the vampire and the blood- all key visual signifiers for the genre.

12
Q

How are stars conventionally listed?

A

Higher paid, male actors first, and in order of fame.

13
Q

How is suspense created?

A

Enigmas of connoted relationship between male & female vampires (emphasised by “kiss” of title).

14
Q

How can Barthes’ Hermeneutic Code be applied?

A

The fate of the 2 victims, enigma and suspense is created.

15
Q

How can Barthes’ Semantic code be applied?

A

Image of bats and conventional association with vampirism and horror.

16
Q

How is Barthes’ Symbolic reinforced?

A

Horror darkness and fear reinforced through signifiers e.g. moon, male victim’s “submissive sacrifice” gesture code.

17
Q

How can binary oppositions be applied?

A

Opposing representations of vampires and their victims, romantic connotations of “kiss” opposed to stereotypical “vampire” monster.

18
Q

How was the 1960s good for women?

A

Start of sexual liberation, contraceptive pill 1960.

19
Q

What were women doing in the 1960s?

A

Entering paid workforce, feminists equal pay, end to sexual; harassment and equality in wider society.

20
Q

When was equal pay legislation passed in America?

A

1963

21
Q

What could be argued to be encoded in this poster?

A

“Older” stereotypes of women passive victims of men, modern “male fears” of women challenging male dominance.

22
Q

What do the dress codes reinforce?

A

Both women play dresses, light material. Reinforce femininity highlights curves and flesh.

23
Q

What is the gesture code of the woman on the left?

A

Stereotypical passive “monster” victim. Power highlighted by holding her by just one arm.

24
Q

what is different by the 2nd woman’s gesture codes?

A

Barring teeth, arm raised fist-like whole being bitten by bat: more aggressive.

25
Q

How does the male “victim” of the 2nd woman help represent her in a non-stereotypical way?

A

Submissive pose (on knees, head back, throat exposed).

26
Q

How is the vampire uncharacteristically fearful?

A

Gesture codes- arms thrown across body defensively, protecting from female vampire?

27
Q

What elements form part of the “shared conceptual road map”

(Hall representation)?

A

Castle, bats, vampire’s cape and dripping blood. This gives meaning to the “world” in poster.

28
Q

What is the audience actively encouraged to do?

A

Decode the familiar generic iconography (elements of shred conceptual road map)

29
Q

What does the female vampire act as? (Gauntlet’s identity)

A

role model for women struggling against male oppression, or desperate to be seen as equal.

30
Q

How does the female vampire contribute to social change?

Van Zoonen’s feminist

A

By assuming “co-antagonist” role, she contributes by representing women in non-traditional roles. Passive female victim reinforces these.