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Rebecca Carter
16/05/2023
Media Studies
A Level Media - Kiss Of The Vampire notes
675
•
16 May 2023
•
A Level Media: Kiss of the Vampire Essay, Context, and Poster Analysis
Rebecca Carter
@rebeccacarter_upmw
Theoretical Approaches to "Kiss of the Vampire" Poster Analysis
This page explores various theoretical frameworks that can be applied to analyze the "Kiss of the Vampire" poster in the context of A level media studies. These approaches provide different lenses through which to interpret the poster's imagery, representations, and cultural significance.
Stuart Hall - Representation Theory
Stuart Hall's representation theory is particularly relevant when examining the poster's use of familiar horror genre iconography. The audience is encouraged to actively decode elements such as:
- The castle in the background
- Bats flying in the sky
- The vampire's cape
- Dripping blood
These visual cues rely on the audience's pre-existing knowledge of horror conventions to create meaning and expectations about the film.
Definition: Decoding refers to the process by which audiences interpret and make sense of media messages based on their cultural knowledge and experiences.
Van Zoonen - Feminist Approach
Liesbet van Zoonen's feminist media theory can be applied to understand how the poster both reinforces and challenges traditional gender roles:
- The female vampire represents women in non-traditional, powerful roles
- The passive female victim reinforces stereotypical representations
- The overall imagery contributes to ongoing social changes in gender perception
Highlight: The contrasting representations of women in the poster reflect the complex and evolving nature of gender roles in 1960s society.
Judith Butler - Gender Performativity
Butler's theory of gender performativity is evident in the poster's depiction of fluid gender roles:
- The male character becomes the victim
- The female vampire adopts traditionally masculine traits of aggression and dominance
- These representations challenge fixed notions of gender identity
Example: The female vampire's aggressive stance and the male's submissive posture subvert typical gender performances in horror media.
Laura Mulvey - Male Gaze Theory
Mulvey's concept of the male gaze is clearly present in the poster's composition:
- Both female characters are sexualized, even the antagonist
- The women's clothing emphasizes their bodies, particularly shoulders and chest areas
- The imagery is designed to appeal to a heterosexual male viewer
Quote: "The poster is clearly meant to be read as if from the positioning of a heterosexual male - clearly illustrated by the sexualisation of both female characters within."
David Gauntlett - Identity Theory
Gauntlett's work on media and identity can be applied to understand the poster's potential impact on viewers:
- The female vampire may serve as a role model for women struggling against male oppression
- Her character represents the desire for gender equality, even in fantastical narratives
- The poster offers a complex representation of female identity that both challenges and reinforces societal norms
Vocabulary: Role model, in this context, refers to a character or figure that embodies aspirational qualities or behaviors for a particular group.
Cultural and Political Context of "Kiss of the Vampire" Poster
The 1960s horror film poster for "Kiss of the Vampire" provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural political context of the era, particularly concerning gender roles and women's liberation. This analysis explores the poster's imagery, representations, and theoretical approaches to understand its significance in A level media studies.
Key points:
- The poster reflects 1960s social changes, including women's sexual liberation and workforce participation
- Imagery challenges traditional gender roles while still incorporating elements of female objectification
- Multiple theoretical approaches can be applied to analyze the poster's meaning and impact
Highlight: The poster's representation of gender dynamics symbolizes the evolving societal struggles between men and women in the 1960s.
Cultural Context
The 1960s audience would likely be familiar with horror genre film poster conventions, including composition, fonts, and typical representations. These often featured a male protagonist and a female damsel in distress.
Example: Traditional horror posters frequently depicted women as passive victims, reinforcing gender stereotypes of the time.
Political and Social Context
The 1960s marked a period of significant social change, particularly for women's rights and sexual liberation:
- Introduction of the contraceptive pill in 1950
- Increased female participation in the paid workforce
- Feminist campaigns for equal pay and workplace rights
- Passage of equal pay legislation in America in 1963
- Abortion Act of 1967 and Divorce Reform Act of 1969 in the UK
Highlight: The 1960s saw a clash between traditional gender stereotypes and emerging challenges to male dominance, which is reflected in the poster's imagery.
Representation Analysis
Women's Portrayal
- Victim stereotype: Pale dresses emphasizing femininity and curves Objectification through revealing clothing Passive victim pose of one woman
- Challenging stereotypes: Aggressive pose of the second woman Dominant position over male 'victim'
Definition: Gesture codes refer to the body language and poses of characters in visual media, which convey meaning and relationships between figures.
Male Representation
- Uncharacteristically fearful posture
- Defensive gestures suggesting lack of control
- Leaning away from the dominant female vampire
Vocabulary: Iconography refers to the use of symbolic imagery and visual elements to convey meaning in art and media.
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
A Level Media: Kiss of the Vampire Essay, Context, and Poster Analysis
Rebecca Carter
@rebeccacarter_upmw
The 1960s horror film poster for "Kiss of the Vampire" reflects the changing cultural and political landscape of the era, particularly regarding gender roles and women's liberation. The poster's imagery challenges traditional representations while still incorporating elements of the male... Show more
Theoretical Approaches to "Kiss of the Vampire" Poster Analysis
This page explores various theoretical frameworks that can be applied to analyze the "Kiss of the Vampire" poster in the context of A level media studies. These approaches provide different lenses through which to interpret the poster's imagery, representations, and cultural significance.
Stuart Hall - Representation Theory
Stuart Hall's representation theory is particularly relevant when examining the poster's use of familiar horror genre iconography. The audience is encouraged to actively decode elements such as:
- The castle in the background
- Bats flying in the sky
- The vampire's cape
- Dripping blood
These visual cues rely on the audience's pre-existing knowledge of horror conventions to create meaning and expectations about the film.
Definition: Decoding refers to the process by which audiences interpret and make sense of media messages based on their cultural knowledge and experiences.
Van Zoonen - Feminist Approach
Liesbet van Zoonen's feminist media theory can be applied to understand how the poster both reinforces and challenges traditional gender roles:
- The female vampire represents women in non-traditional, powerful roles
- The passive female victim reinforces stereotypical representations
- The overall imagery contributes to ongoing social changes in gender perception
Highlight: The contrasting representations of women in the poster reflect the complex and evolving nature of gender roles in 1960s society.
Judith Butler - Gender Performativity
Butler's theory of gender performativity is evident in the poster's depiction of fluid gender roles:
- The male character becomes the victim
- The female vampire adopts traditionally masculine traits of aggression and dominance
- These representations challenge fixed notions of gender identity
Example: The female vampire's aggressive stance and the male's submissive posture subvert typical gender performances in horror media.
Laura Mulvey - Male Gaze Theory
Mulvey's concept of the male gaze is clearly present in the poster's composition:
- Both female characters are sexualized, even the antagonist
- The women's clothing emphasizes their bodies, particularly shoulders and chest areas
- The imagery is designed to appeal to a heterosexual male viewer
Quote: "The poster is clearly meant to be read as if from the positioning of a heterosexual male - clearly illustrated by the sexualisation of both female characters within."
David Gauntlett - Identity Theory
Gauntlett's work on media and identity can be applied to understand the poster's potential impact on viewers:
- The female vampire may serve as a role model for women struggling against male oppression
- Her character represents the desire for gender equality, even in fantastical narratives
- The poster offers a complex representation of female identity that both challenges and reinforces societal norms
Vocabulary: Role model, in this context, refers to a character or figure that embodies aspirational qualities or behaviors for a particular group.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Cultural and Political Context of "Kiss of the Vampire" Poster
The 1960s horror film poster for "Kiss of the Vampire" provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural political context of the era, particularly concerning gender roles and women's liberation. This analysis explores the poster's imagery, representations, and theoretical approaches to understand its significance in A level media studies.
Key points:
- The poster reflects 1960s social changes, including women's sexual liberation and workforce participation
- Imagery challenges traditional gender roles while still incorporating elements of female objectification
- Multiple theoretical approaches can be applied to analyze the poster's meaning and impact
Highlight: The poster's representation of gender dynamics symbolizes the evolving societal struggles between men and women in the 1960s.
Cultural Context
The 1960s audience would likely be familiar with horror genre film poster conventions, including composition, fonts, and typical representations. These often featured a male protagonist and a female damsel in distress.
Example: Traditional horror posters frequently depicted women as passive victims, reinforcing gender stereotypes of the time.
Political and Social Context
The 1960s marked a period of significant social change, particularly for women's rights and sexual liberation:
- Introduction of the contraceptive pill in 1950
- Increased female participation in the paid workforce
- Feminist campaigns for equal pay and workplace rights
- Passage of equal pay legislation in America in 1963
- Abortion Act of 1967 and Divorce Reform Act of 1969 in the UK
Highlight: The 1960s saw a clash between traditional gender stereotypes and emerging challenges to male dominance, which is reflected in the poster's imagery.
Representation Analysis
Women's Portrayal
- Victim stereotype: Pale dresses emphasizing femininity and curves Objectification through revealing clothing Passive victim pose of one woman
- Challenging stereotypes: Aggressive pose of the second woman Dominant position over male 'victim'
Definition: Gesture codes refer to the body language and poses of characters in visual media, which convey meaning and relationships between figures.
Male Representation
- Uncharacteristically fearful posture
- Defensive gestures suggesting lack of control
- Leaning away from the dominant female vampire
Vocabulary: Iconography refers to the use of symbolic imagery and visual elements to convey meaning in art and media.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user