Gender Stereotypes

David Gauntlett argued in 2008 that males in films are still stereotyped as; 'Traditional alpha males who dominate the action with violence,' (Gauntlett, 2008).

In 1975, Laura Mulvey argued women are used in films as 'erotic objects of desire for the males in the narrative and the males in the audience,' (Mulvey, 1975).

Why do stereotypes work? Because they sell the product and represent the needs of the audience who wants to be entertained (Blumeer and Katz, 1973).

Tension In Horror Films

How Is Tension Created Through Media Language In The TV Screen Scene?

The scene starts with diegetic sound of thunder and lightening and a close up of a TV that turns to static. This creates tension and surprise because it connotes there is a power cut or ghostly intervention.

The Girl is shown in a close up shot near the TV, and it switches off. As this happens, there is a man reflected sat in the armchair. This shows suspense, and indicates tat something is about to happen.

The camera then swooshes’ round and follows the girl, to look at the armchair, but the man has gone, also, the TV remote is floating next to the armchair.

The camera tilts down, and the TV remote falls to the ground. This creates tension and suspense, because you don’t know where the ghost is.

Then, the camera swaps between looking at the chair and remote, and the girl. This creates more tension. Then, there is a jump scare, and the old man jumps out from behind her, and screams “MY HOUSE!!” this makes the girl scream, and the camera looks back at the TV, and no one is there…