Representations Essay (Timed 30 mins)

Within this essay, I am going to base my analysis and include examples from last years trailer, 'The Collector'. Firstly, Clover talks about the representation of the 'Final Girl' within horror films, this applys mainly to the sub-genre of a slasher due to the fact that these types of movies are generally centered around the male dominance over a young female. When referencing this to the trailer of, 'The Collector' it is not clear that there is a final girl seen within any part, therefore, from this we can denote that the film is does not seem to a part of the slasher sub genre. Even though the trailer does use a teenage female protagonist as it's main character this links into another theory but not Clover's. Next, I am going to look at the theory created by Dobbs with the ideas around 'Scream Queens' in horror, first of all, these stock characters are generally blonde and are only seen on camera being attacked and victimised, hense the name 'Scream Queens'. Fortunately, this does apply to this trailer as the main character is a blonde female who is shown as the screamer and due to the fact that she is trapped inside a room with this antagonist highlights another convention of this representation as scream queens are not known for their intelligence. Furthermore, the theory created by Derry in regards to religion and sexuality is not present within this trailer. This is due to the fact that the sub-genre conventions this trailer contains is not a part of the possessions and hauntings category, since the antagonist is not a spirit, but who we seem to gather is a psychotic serial killer. However, even though this trailer does not use the representation theory by Derry, it does not mean that this is a down fall of the trailer, it simply means that they have actually portrayed their sub genre well and have not chose to mix them. Another theory I am going to talk about is the theory in regards to teen punishment and hegemony. This theory derived by Gramsci talks about youths being punished for their sins and the sacrifice (murder) of themselves by an opposed antagonist to do this. For example, within the trailer there are many references to drugs and alcohol substance abuse and is the main representation this trailer decided to focus on, since from the start this is very clear to us, with a shot of the teens drinking around a table and also trespassing somewhere they shouldn't. This is a successful convention they have decided to include as it is distinctly shown and the teens are being attacked for tarnishing their innocence. Lastly, I am going to look at the theory again by Derry, which focuses on the Monsters within us and how they have a meaning deep down as to why they are such viscous creatures. However, this theory does not specifically always mean and inhumane monster, it can be about the demon within human beings too, as this is what all makes us alike. Since their is a psychopathic killer within the trailer this theory can be applied, due to the fact that the mask the antagonist wears is used to hide his identity, and whilst the killing commences, he can become the monster that is deep inside of him; which is a classic convention of the slasher sub genre. Another strength of this trailer is that the antagonist is also not shown a lot, which is again stereotypical of similar trailers like this such as, Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween, where we only catch glimpses to bring mystery to the film.