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Proof of Concept

The document proposes a dissertation inquiry into how films use repulsive or uncomfortable content to create memorable experiences and influence audience perceptions. It will examine works by John Waters and David Lynch that attract and repel viewers through shocking or compassionate elements. The dissertation will also study how individual viewpoints can alter the original meaning of a film's content over time, such as through nostalgia or critical reception. The proposed chapters and sources will analyze how media forms nostalgia, appeals to human nature, and impacts perception of subject matter.

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138 views12 pages

Proof of Concept

The document proposes a dissertation inquiry into how films use repulsive or uncomfortable content to create memorable experiences and influence audience perceptions. It will examine works by John Waters and David Lynch that attract and repel viewers through shocking or compassionate elements. The dissertation will also study how individual viewpoints can alter the original meaning of a film's content over time, such as through nostalgia or critical reception. The proposed chapters and sources will analyze how media forms nostalgia, appeals to human nature, and impacts perception of subject matter.

Uploaded by

Xig Sauce
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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'Transgressions: how the utilizations

and exploitations of the abject in film


communicates with the audience, through
the study of the works of John Waters and
David Lynch, and the transmutation of
content through the individual mind.'
PROOF OF CONCEPT PRESENTATION
5TH FEBRUARY 2018
ANABEL SAISE
Proposed Dissertation Inquiry

 I want to study the elements of a film that make them memorable


experiences through looking at repulsive content and also compassionate
content that attracts and repels at the same time, producing a chemistry that
may ultimately be committed to memory or to nostalgia. How can the
descriptions of the deep-seated fear for animal or feral account towards
audience members, especially those who are now more urbanised? Shock
value is an interesting part of cinema that provokes fascination or disgust
amongst its audiences, and thus creates a cycle of discussion. This could go to
show how this mechanic serves to heighten both the reputation of
the film and modify it in some way
through people's perception. Sometimes the content of the film can also be
superseded by the individuals own viewpoint, regardless of if it is considered
good or bad by the majority. This sort of view is often referred to as the rose-
tinted glasses, or nostalgia, which reconditions the content of the film to the
viewer depending on their experiences with it. These films are often high budget
due to their heightened exposure and these are commonly related to
childhood. By studying exposure in this way, I hope to apply it to my own work so
it may hold the same effects.
Proposed Chapter 3 Case Studies

 How can media form modern nostalgia? Content can become dated once the appreciating
audience has past, in older cinema audiences would become scared of a train coming towards
the screen. The idea that humans hold some power ov er the natural world can be disputed
through the study of film and peoples subconscious responses to it. Can content be improv ed as
a v isceral experience rather than a milder social scene or drama? Dav id Lynch's films explore this
animal undertone through the content included, as if he was directly appealing to the animal
part of a human which senses danger. What makes a film interesting to the mainstream? I want
to further explore the mechanics of perception and how this can warp the original subject
matter, in some cases films can become celebrated through a manner of exposure, this is
especially true for smaller budget films, howev er this can happen to either good or bad films or
those perceiv ed as good or bad through a single critic. For example, Eraserhead has a reputation
for shocking and bizarre content, and this can turn most people away on account of
the critic's rejection entirely. This could be due to herd mentality, a psychological term that refers
to a tendency to follow those who appear to know what they are doing. This could go to show
how perception is not completely formed by the indiv idual, but by the audience. How important
is subject matter, transgressiv e or not? Unlike larger productions, B list films need to work harder to
keep audience interest, and this is better done through appealing to both the indiv idual and
critics, who will hopefully praise the film for its uniqueness, and pass it down to their own
audiences. This may be done through relev ancy, politics or deep symbolic discussions presented
by the director
Potential Sources/study in Film

 Eraserhead – Dav id Lynch


 Lost highway
 Blue v elv et
 Mullholland Driv e
 Hairspray – John Waters
 Pink Flamingos
 The Tenant – Roman Polanski
 Saw – James Wan
 Toy story
 Lion king
 Home alone
 Bedknobs and Broomsticks
 Final Fantasy Adv ent Children
 Who Killed Captain Alex? - Nabwana I. G. G.
Books

 Zinoman, J. (2011). Shock Value. - Concerning shock value using


several films as examples, including Psycho, The Shining and Saw,
this provides a concise introduction to the term.
 Gourmelos, T. J Gunkel, D. (2012). Transgression 2.0: Media, Culture
and the Politics of a Digital Age. - introduction to transgression, the
modern culture and their relationships to art and media.
 Waters, J. (1981). Shock Value: A Tasteful Book about Bad Taste. -
Written by john waters, he discusses bad taste and his own choices
in media in a compelling way.
More books

 Constantine, V. (2006). Film Remakes. - discussions around remakes


particularly around companies and audiences.
 H Smith, G. Moore, M. (2015). Individualism: A Reader. - A collection
of essay that serve as an introduction to different types of
individualism, this will help me understand more about the choices
that a single person makes in regards to taste.
Journal Articles

 Ford, S. (2014). Fan Studies: Grappling with a 'Undisciplined'


Discipline. - examines communications in fan studies, and provides a
commentary on them.
 Lucy, Bennett. (2014). Tracing Textual Poachers: Reflections on the
development of fan studies and digital fandom. - critiquing the
culture around fandoms, and how media can be reformed by the
audiences own means.
 Chen, X. Yu, H. W Gentry, J. Yu, F. (2017). Complaint or
Recommendation? The impact of customers' state and trait goal
orientations on customer engagement behaviours. - an
investigation into the customers broadened view of production in
media, and how they may spread their view onto others.
Websites and Documentries

 What Mainstream Cinema can Learn from Independent Film - Aaron


Golden @Raindance – discussion about the differences between
mainstream cinema and indie films
 We view ourselves and those we care about through 'rose-tinted
glasses', study says - Andreas Kappes, Nadira S. Faber, Guy Kahane,
Julian Savulescu, Molly J. Crockett. @sciencedaily – research group
study about the perception people have about certain subjects
 Dario Argento – An Eye for Horror – documentary about Argento's
film career, he is best known for his work in the horror genre.
 'Masterclass' with Alfred Hitchcock on Filmmaking – interview with
Alfred Hitchcock where he answers questions from the general
public in 1976
Key Images

Eraserhead Pink Flamingo Toy Story


Bibliography

 Bennett, L. (2014). Tracing Textual Poachers: Reflections on the development of


fan studies and digital fandom. Journal of Fandom Studies. [online] 2(1),
Available at: https://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/ [04/02/18]
 Chen, X. Yu, H. W Gentry, J. Yu, F. (2017). Complaint or Recommendation? The
impact of customers' state and trait goal orientations on customer
engagement behaviours. Journal of Consumer Behaviour: An International
Research Review. [print] 16(2),
 Constantine, V. (2006). Film Remakes. Edinburgh: University
of Edinburgh [01/02/18]
 Ford, S. (2014). Fan Studies: Grappling with a 'Undisciplined' Discipline. Journal of
Fandom Studies. [online] 2(1), Available
at: https://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/ [04/02/18]
 Gourmelos, T. J Gunkel, D. (2012). Transgression 2.0: Media, Culture and the
Politics of a Digital Age. 1st ed. [ebook] New York: The continuum international
Publishing Group. Available
at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Pvb3WiPWw2IC&printsec=frontcover&s
ource=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false [02/02/18]
Bibliography

 Hitchcock, A. (1976). 96-Minute 'Masterclass' Interview with Alfred


Hitchcock on Filmmaking. [04/02/18]
 H Smith, G. Moore, M. (2015). Individualism: A Reader. [ebook]
Washington: Cato Institute. Available
at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-
ebooks/reader.action?docID=2010880&query= [01/02/18]
 Waters, J. (1981). Shock Value: A Tasteful Book about Bad
Taste. New York: Delta. [01/02/18]
 Zinoman, J. (2011). Shock Value. [print] [02/02/18]
Illustration List

 Lynch, D. (1977). Eraserhead. [film still] [1/02/18]


 Lasseter, J. (1996). Toy Story. [film still] [1/02/18]
 Munch, E. (1893). The Scream. [painting] [1/02/18]

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