Thursday 14 December 2017

Applying Mulvey's Theory

Transformers (2007)

I decided to use a scene from Steven Spielberg's 2007 film 'Transformers' to apply Mulvey's male gaze theory. I chose this scene because it is a prime example of a director using the camera to fragment Megan Fox's character - Mikaela, as she checks the car; thus sexualising a scene that without the use of male gaze, would not be sexual.

When Mikaela first opens the hood, a mid-shot is used to display her body and figure, it then zooms in, on her waist to emphasize she's wearing a crop top; this also completely cuts off Mikaela's head from the shot, highlighting that the director's aim is to focus the audience's attention on her body and view her as an object. Within the same shot, our protagonist Sam can be seen staring at Mikaela's body, which further demonstrates what the camera wants the audience to be looking at. Women may also be affected by this scene as they might notice that all the attention is focuses on the character's slim figure and flat stomach, and because of this they may believe that this is the ideal body type and as a result will want to achieve this look.


A close-up shot from what seems to be Sam's point of view focuses on Mikaela, again on ther crop top and the skin she is showing. The high-key lighting lighting seems to create a sort of golden highlight her skin, making her almost glow, therefore making her seem more attractive and almost airbrushed. When Mikaela bends over the camera yet again focuses on her body, cutting off her head. She is merely checking the engine, but from the camera, and a heterosexual male's perspective, the position seems alluring and provocative.






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