Two classics from very different eras. This unit allows us to analyse the work of Alfred Hitchcock (Vertigo, Psycho, The Birds) and North East success story Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Alien, Gladiator). Studying these films means we can explore context, and the idea that films absorb many of the issues and attitudes circulating in society at the time of their production. We also consider the significant changes in Hollywood filmmaking as times, technologies, production processes and audience expectations shift from Classical Hollywood to New Hollywood.
Films: Vertigo (Hitchcock, 1958) and Blade Runner (Scott, 1982)
Topics to revise: Core Study Areas: Film Form, Context, Meaning and Response
Specialist Study Areas: Auteur Study on Hitchcock and Scott
Above are two excellent videos that examine and explain how representation is used to communicate with the audience. Mr Gardner also looks at how you can consider context and film form when looking at representation. The second video focuses on gender stereotypes and includes reference to some theory such as Mulvey's male gaze theory. Both of these videos feature excellent analysis of the films we study.