A document so I could constantly check back the results to make refrencing and facts easier to look at and access. The yellow highlighted box shows the break between SurveyMonkey and Google Doc responses.
Tuesday 15 August 2017
Monday 14 August 2017
Survey Results
I made a handy infographic to show the results of both surveys. I was hoping for a broader age range, but I am impressed how many 30-45 I got! The wordcloud graph worked particularly well and I could even change how big they were depending on how many people said it. I also included a few quotes. There was a few theories and case studies people also mentioned, which I will research into further.
Thursday 10 August 2017
Survey - Initial Thoughts
At the moment, my survey has 184 responses (I did have more, but 4 have been lost in the ether as Surveymonkey wants me to pay to view them, and I have deleted some others). Some are more useful than others. Some are completely useless (people just filling them out with full stops just to say they did it, which I have deleted as they serve no purpose in my findings and are clear anomalies). Of course, there are also a few just "yes" answers despite being asked to explain fully on the survey. However, most of them are usable as statistics, and some have some good points I can further research. And some made me laugh out loud (can I have outtakes for a dissertation?). A few honourable mentions:
And one person who constantly spelt Dracula as "Dracular"
I did have a few quotable and usable respondents I can include in my Dissertation. I am also currently typing up a summary of the questionnaires so I don't have to keep looking back at the survey and just look at one table. I am also making an infographic to see if there's any correlation between age and how they find the image of the vampire.
Another thing that was brought up in the survey was the Dark Universe franchise (pretty much Universal's take on Marvel Cinematic Universe) which s basically loads of horror films that connect with each other. The start of this was the remake of The Mummy (a great start...) But it's something to look into for the future of vampire films.
I've also noticed that only a select few people have mentioned female vampires in their answers. Most people say that they are the 'bad boy' but failed to mention women. Why? Do female vampires not sell? Why aren't they as well known? It's something to look into.
I think over the years it has. With TV shows targeting teens. It's gone from been something dark, inhuman and intriguing to people with perfect skin and hair that can merge in with society (punctuation would be good here)
"There's a little man in his hair"
http://imgur.com/7BVuacm
Yes I do. Fright night (recent release) there were fears of people breaking into houses
And one person who constantly spelt Dracula as "Dracular"
I did have a few quotable and usable respondents I can include in my Dissertation. I am also currently typing up a summary of the questionnaires so I don't have to keep looking back at the survey and just look at one table. I am also making an infographic to see if there's any correlation between age and how they find the image of the vampire.
Another thing that was brought up in the survey was the Dark Universe franchise (pretty much Universal's take on Marvel Cinematic Universe) which s basically loads of horror films that connect with each other. The start of this was the remake of The Mummy (a great start...) But it's something to look into for the future of vampire films.
I've also noticed that only a select few people have mentioned female vampires in their answers. Most people say that they are the 'bad boy' but failed to mention women. Why? Do female vampires not sell? Why aren't they as well known? It's something to look into.
Tuesday 8 August 2017
Dissertation Survey
I made a survey last night to gather more opinions that would be valuable to my dissertation. I wanted to start one sooner rather than later to get varied opinions (and also make physical copies to hand out). I had also reached an impass in my findings so needed a few more opinions to broaden my research.
I spent a good while figuring out the questions last night, wording them just right to fit with my dissertation and its theories. I struggled a bit with the gender one, so I made it optional (people still refused to do it as it only had two genders, even though it says quite clearly it's optional). I also struggled with another so I gave an example (this was an issue as people said "never seen it" but failed to read the rest of the question).
The survey does have its flaws (one strong minded person asked if I've "ever did any modules on good questionnaires" as my questions won't "give qualitative or measurable answers" which was not my intention at all. I am after opinions, not facts). But most of the respondents enjoyed doing it!
I did not expect my survey to blow up the way it did. In under 24 hours, I have received 158 responses and still counting. It is by far the most successful questionnaire I have ever done. I'm currently reading through each one and making notes. Can't thank everyone enough that has taken the time to complete it.
UPDATE: Surveymonkey want to charge me as apparently I can only view 100 on my account. I am FURIOUS! I'm hoping if I delete some as I go, I can be able to see most of them. I've also made a Google Form and cancelled the SurveyMonkey one as I am still getting a lot of interest and responses.
I spent a good while figuring out the questions last night, wording them just right to fit with my dissertation and its theories. I struggled a bit with the gender one, so I made it optional (people still refused to do it as it only had two genders, even though it says quite clearly it's optional). I also struggled with another so I gave an example (this was an issue as people said "never seen it" but failed to read the rest of the question).
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m59mwtt96b1qkx3d4o4_250.gif
The survey does have its flaws (one strong minded person asked if I've "ever did any modules on good questionnaires" as my questions won't "give qualitative or measurable answers" which was not my intention at all. I am after opinions, not facts). But most of the respondents enjoyed doing it!
I did not expect my survey to blow up the way it did. In under 24 hours, I have received 158 responses and still counting. It is by far the most successful questionnaire I have ever done. I'm currently reading through each one and making notes. Can't thank everyone enough that has taken the time to complete it.
UPDATE: Surveymonkey want to charge me as apparently I can only view 100 on my account. I am FURIOUS! I'm hoping if I delete some as I go, I can be able to see most of them. I've also made a Google Form and cancelled the SurveyMonkey one as I am still getting a lot of interest and responses.
http://reactiongifs.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Supernatural-gif-mouth-open.gif
Friday 4 August 2017
TV Shows/A Possible Conclusion
During my research, I have discovered that vampire films are becoming less and less relevant and popular (which is making my dissertation rather tricky). The new Underworld was a flop as it was the "same as the others" and other films were quite independent with not a lot of marketing behind them. It seems like the vampire is dying (ironically).
However, there has been more and more successful vampires in TV shows; Shadowhunters, Preacher, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and upcoming Interview With The Vampire which has a lot of hype surrounding it.
However, there has been more and more successful vampires in TV shows; Shadowhunters, Preacher, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and upcoming Interview With The Vampire which has a lot of hype surrounding it.
https://hiddenremote.com/2016/05/23/preacher-recap-review-pilot/
Preacher is a particularly good example with various award nominations and 90% score (season 2 getting 97%) on Rotten Tomatoes with people saying "Preacher's sophomore season benefits from more focused storytelling, without sacrificing any of its gorgeous, violent, insane fun." The show is still going strong, with Cassidy being many people's favourite character (yeah, mine too).
Maybe the future for vampires isn't in films anymore, possibly because it's been done too much and people are finding it boring, or it could be a context link with more people choosing to binge watch TV shows on Netflix rather than watch a film. I will research into this further in my dissertation.
Theories
Scopophilia, Male and Female Gaze - Laura Mulvey
Voyeurism 'pleasure in looking' (aka sex scenes). Women sexualised for male pleasure, also known as "to-be-looked-at-ness". Especially relevant to Hammer Horror films such as The Vampire Lovers (1970) and Countess Dracula (1971). This can also be linked to lesbianism (note to self: look at context at the time). Also have the female gaze with more modern films such as Twilight. Interview With The Vampire has both, also verging on gay culture (link to context!) Can also link to Dyer's theory of Star Appeal (star vehicles and sex appeal, e.g. Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt)
Narrative - Todorov
Can probably touch on this and link it to how people are familiar with this style in context. Equilibrium, disequilibrium, new equilibrium.
Binary Opposites - Claude-Levi Strauss
Good vs evil, humane vs inhumane. Humans vs vampires. Can also link to Vladimir Propp's theory of antagonists vs protagonists serve narrative function.
The Monstrous Feminine - Barbara Creed
Very relevant!! Look at The Male Gaze for good film examples. Context link: in 1920s, flappers became Vamps if they were out of line. People also scared of women taking their jobs from the war, so they turned them into villains.
Constructionist
Stereotypes in the media and views on society. Could also link to Roland Barthes' genre expectations and enigma codes (semiotics).
Uses and Gratifications
Why and how audiences consume media. Identity, Educate, Entertain, Social Interaction, Escapism. Twilight fandom. Could link to Hypodermic Needle theory (audience is passive and media 'injects' ideas. Could also link to hypermasculinity) and maybe Cultivation Theory (repeated exposure to the same value).
Hypermasculinity
Men's identity constantly changing. Unachievable body types; 6 pack, etc. Less action roles in modern day (e.g. the 'dilf'); reflect in modern vampire films? Also link to patriarchy (especially in Dracula). Also link to metrosexuality and the 'New Man' (care for their appearance, although Dracula and vampires always have, it's part of their appeal).
Hegemony - Antonio Gramsci
Leadership/dominance especially by one social group. Particularly relevant to The Lost Boys. Link to punk youth (context). Gang culture. Links to Social Identity Theory (Tajfel and Turner: Person's sense of who they are depends on the social groups they are in). Could also link to brovado. Especially links to Dracula and social class (hierarchy sucking the lower class dry?)
Desensitisation
We have become hardened to horror and making it harder to be frightened by vampires. Maybe due to desensitisation, they had to completely change the image of the vampire, making it more horrific in a different way (using sexuality). Or just not making them horrific at all (Twilight). The comedy vampire film goes against this theory though.
Voyeurism 'pleasure in looking' (aka sex scenes). Women sexualised for male pleasure, also known as "to-be-looked-at-ness". Especially relevant to Hammer Horror films such as The Vampire Lovers (1970) and Countess Dracula (1971). This can also be linked to lesbianism (note to self: look at context at the time). Also have the female gaze with more modern films such as Twilight. Interview With The Vampire has both, also verging on gay culture (link to context!) Can also link to Dyer's theory of Star Appeal (star vehicles and sex appeal, e.g. Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt)
Narrative - Todorov
Can probably touch on this and link it to how people are familiar with this style in context. Equilibrium, disequilibrium, new equilibrium.
Binary Opposites - Claude-Levi Strauss
Good vs evil, humane vs inhumane. Humans vs vampires. Can also link to Vladimir Propp's theory of antagonists vs protagonists serve narrative function.
The Monstrous Feminine - Barbara Creed
Very relevant!! Look at The Male Gaze for good film examples. Context link: in 1920s, flappers became Vamps if they were out of line. People also scared of women taking their jobs from the war, so they turned them into villains.
Constructionist
Stereotypes in the media and views on society. Could also link to Roland Barthes' genre expectations and enigma codes (semiotics).
Uses and Gratifications
Why and how audiences consume media. Identity, Educate, Entertain, Social Interaction, Escapism. Twilight fandom. Could link to Hypodermic Needle theory (audience is passive and media 'injects' ideas. Could also link to hypermasculinity) and maybe Cultivation Theory (repeated exposure to the same value).
Hypermasculinity
Men's identity constantly changing. Unachievable body types; 6 pack, etc. Less action roles in modern day (e.g. the 'dilf'); reflect in modern vampire films? Also link to patriarchy (especially in Dracula). Also link to metrosexuality and the 'New Man' (care for their appearance, although Dracula and vampires always have, it's part of their appeal).
Hegemony - Antonio Gramsci
Leadership/dominance especially by one social group. Particularly relevant to The Lost Boys. Link to punk youth (context). Gang culture. Links to Social Identity Theory (Tajfel and Turner: Person's sense of who they are depends on the social groups they are in). Could also link to brovado. Especially links to Dracula and social class (hierarchy sucking the lower class dry?)
Desensitisation
We have become hardened to horror and making it harder to be frightened by vampires. Maybe due to desensitisation, they had to completely change the image of the vampire, making it more horrific in a different way (using sexuality). Or just not making them horrific at all (Twilight). The comedy vampire film goes against this theory though.
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