RB: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Analysis

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (Slade, 2010)

Representation and Ideology

•  In the opening to Eclipse, a progressive view of gender is represented as the female character in the opening is shown to have power and control over the male character.
• This opening shows the female character with power over the male character which gives a regressive view to the stereotypical view of men being in a position of authority over women. This view is given through the woman chasing and attacking the man who appears scared and is trying to run from her. The use of a female antagonist in films is used less than a male antagonist and female victim, so this ideological discourse changes the dominant values and beliefs of gender.
•  Although it is not a horror film, the rainy weather and night-time setting of the opening are characteristics of a typical horror film. As the protagonist is walking alone and given prevalence, the audience is positioned with him and positions the woman in the opening as the antagonist. As well as this, the woman is never fully shown properly or in detail in the opening which makes her seem less identifiable than the man. The rain and night-time setting of the film makes the protagonist’s position seem more dangerous and as the antagonist is obviously faster and stronger than the man it gives the impression that she has power over him.

Institutional Context

• ‘The Twilight Saga’ films are produced by Maverick Films, and American Production Company owned by Warner, an industrial film company.
• As Eclipse is the third instalment of a series of films, by the time of its release it had gathered a fan base who has responded well to the bankable actors starring in the films. As well as this, a traditional marketing campaign involving trailers and bus/billboard posters was used. The marketing campaign for all the films has been focused on the ‘Team Jacob vs. Team Edward’ aspect of the plot of the films which appeals to the target audience as well as the well known actors from the cast. As well as this, preview screenings of the film were held with interviews with the cast and crew and sneak peeks of the film were shown on TV shows, often with the cast as guests.
• The production values in the opening of the film do not reflect the institutional context. As it has a budget of $68 million, the opening seems quite simple with the use of handi-cam techniques and the only special effects were the sped up movement of the antagonist.