Laura Mulvey- Feminist Theory

Laura Mulvey was a British Femist film theoist. During the 1970's she wrote a very important essay called 'Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema' which included some of her theories we reconise in todays cinema. In the essay she talked about how the cinema has a great effect on society and that women are downgraded in these films. Her Feminist views show that she was very passionate about her work and what she saw in cinema upset her greatly. Here are a few of her Theories mentioned in her essay.

'Erotic Desire'

-This is when the woman character in the film seems to have no other purpose that to be of desire for the Audience or the other characters in the film. She saw that the woman was seen more of an object as she had no power in the film and was only there for the desire of others.

'The Gaze' 

-Here Mulvey talks about how the camera is 'in the gaze of the male eye'. By this she meant that the camera 'gaze' is always in the eye of the male character. This makes the male gaze active and the female gaze passive. This leave no option for the audience as they are forced to see the woman though the male gaze.

'Agency'

This is the idea that the female has no power during the film. Relating back to her feminist views and the use of 'the gaze' in films, her she talks about how the woman can not move the plot along. Again, the woman is shown as a mere object in the film with no power. 

Rhianna- Shut up and Drive

In this video- Rhianna shows a negative view of women much like the theories Laura Mulvey talks about during her essay

History of Pop

The very beginnings of the worlds 'pop' music began in the 1940's with Bing Crosby. His appearance in films and on TV specials started the phenomena that is pop music/pop videos today. He appeared in films such as 'White Christmas' where some of his songs featured.

 As he begin to end his career Frank Sinatra began his staring in concerts. He was the fist major star to attract so much female attention and it seemed asif he was taking over from Crosby. This was very rare as these 'screaming' girls had never been this crazy before, it was a new era for teens at this time, much unlike now days when screaming girls is something that comes along with being famous, no matter who you are.

Meanwhile, In america- Elivis Presley was getting the same attention, if not more! His new moves were so controversial it was known that young girls were not allowed to watch him below the waist! He performed many concerts and tours, this was Americas contribution to the Pop music industry. His music soon moved into a new genre of rock and roll which attracted many more people. This went on for the whole of the 50s/60s.



Lastly, here in the UK ,The Beatles were bringing the american crowds by reaching number 1 across the seas. Even now people stil remember their most famous sougs! After they had toured, they made a debut concert in the Shea Stadium which is their most well known concert. After that, the made a film called 'a hard days night' to give something back to the crowds that they could watch without hearing so much screaming! They were known for the very first real pop music video which incuded songs from their album like 'Paperback Writer' and 'Rain'