Rocky Horror or Complete Horror

The 1975 film Rocky Horror Picture Show was followed with outrage, anger and constrversity. It features a homosexual drag queen scientist, who muders people and feeds them to others, aswell as creating his own ‘perfect’ man. The allusion of the rocky horror is created through offensive songs and ourages dancing. In other words it’s genered as a musical but a confliced one at that. It highlights issues of open sexulaity and cheating patners and idavidualism.

Although the sixties brought us such famous classic movies like breakfast at tiffanies and sound of music. The seventies brought us the rocky horror picture show which changed peoples views on cinematography for ever. The aim was to challenge people’s perceptions on what’s normal. Having the characters Brad and Janet, find themselves encountered with a different sought of group of people to their normal society. Is giving the audience the relaisation that there are various types of individuals out in the world. And the acceptance that is followed. We see this when Brad says, “their probably foreigners with ways different form our own”

What makes rocky horror, rocky horror, is the provocative, costumes, set, language and music that’s is couched in dark and twisted humor. This was no issue for Tim Curry, who plays Dr Frank-N-Furter. It launched his very successful career as it showed future casting directors that 6 inch heels and face full of make-up wouldn’t stop him. Although the character of Frank-N-Futer’s morals are not one to be idolized. He does come with a certain life lesson that he expresses through the musical number, Sweet Transvestite. “Don't get strung out by the way that I look, don't judge a book by its cover”

The rocky horror picture show is a shocking cult
that allows you to express your true individuality,
corrupt your innocence and feel accepted.

This link will take you to the rocky horror picture show soundtrack...
http://www.allmusic.com/album/r84835
This link will take you to the fan site...
http://www.rockyhorror.com/

Back to the Seventies

The 1970’s were full of sex drugs and rock and roll. It was the era of disco tech, platforms, and star wars. It was also the era in which ‘Life on Mars’ was set. In the modern day television series, the main character, Sam Tyler travels back in time to the 70’s. He is quickly forced to adapt to the culture, especially in the working environment. There are many ways to highlight all of what creates that time period. This is shown through such technical direction like costume, props, setting, music, transport and even something even more thoughtful, colours or shades.  

In episode 1 of the second series, setting the scene was Sam’s bedroom. Instantly we get the impression of the seventies with various prop and colours and prints. The next main technical design was the impeccable costumes. For Sam we are presented with flared black jeans, black shirt and a leather black jacket. The flares and leather is way for Sam to fit into the 70’s fashion and culture. But the all black colour choice, suggests he doesn’t want to get lost in the era and remember the 2000’s as his home. Another minor detail gone into making up the allusion of 1973, were the posters, leaflets and magazines hanging around in the background. In the first couple of scenes of Episode 1 of the second series, there is a big Morecambe and Wise poster promoting a cleaner Britain. This is followed by a Lulu 1973 tour poster.

Life on mars is excellent show for presenting the 70’s in the correct manor. They go from detail like transport to minor (yet still important) details like colures, to create the right image of British culture in 1973.

Made in Chelsea-Made in Studio

The ongoing television show ‘Made in Chelsea’ is questionable on many issues. It follows the lives of 12 young socialites with numerous gatherings, involving McQueen dresses, budget less shopping and priceless campaign.

What I would like to discuss is not whether Caggie and Spencer’s teenage crush with develop into a functional relationship, but the style of directing. In which it’s a juxtaposing on reality with staged appearances, phone calls, sets, etc.

It’s inevitably clear that these ‘reality stars’ don’t just happen to walk into the same restaurant as their fellow ‘reality stars’- some might simply say actors.  As if it wasn’t obvious enough that Louisa and Spencer’s comically timing phone calls in episode 2 of the second series, wasn’t an order. We are warned before the opening title “the program you are about to watch have scenes in that have been created for entertainment purposes”

Yet I don’t find myself changing the channel to watch something considered more intelligent. Is this because we subconsciously won’t to believe, crave, and even invest our time, in these stereotypical sexy new rich kids.

Gender representation in 'Life on Mars'

The BBC series ‘Life on Mars’ was a roaring success airing in 2006 and 2007 with two popular series!

There are many aspects and themes to discuss. What interests me is how gender is represented. Although it’s mainly male dominated, the lack of female characters and their representation is one to be delved deeper. The fact that the storyline is based in a police workforce is the reasoning this is shortiage of women, as this would have been very rare to have women PC as it was just the beginning of the feminist movement.

There is a constant struggle for one female character in particular. Annie Cartwright, in episode 1 of series two, she’s promoted from WPC to WDC. As if the skirt and handbag wasn’t enough to tell she’s a woman, she needs a distinctive title to constantly remind her off that. Although there is no issue with being a woman, the need for a different title isolates her, suggesting to the men she’s not quite as powerful.

Annie’s Costume as a police officer, is an A lined skirt, a little handbag with a perfectly perched white hat. For a PC this is completely impractically and inappropriate. It highlights the fact the women are there as to be sexualised, rather than work with an intelligent mind. However she put's her femine props to a pratical use. This is shown when she not only spots eveidence, but pulls out eyebrow tweasers to pick it up without fingerprints.

The working environment for the women has changed greatly over the 40 years. After Annie walks into the jeering, smoke filled room, it only takes 10 seconds for her to get sexually harassed. Her first response is too grab Ray's ass. This shows her quick thinking that is applied to her working experience, that ultimately gets her the promotion.

She is a character that is changeling the male dominated working environment. Taking it with in her stride with an intelligent mind.