Researching the Twilight phenomenon – Wednesday, November 30th

What have you learned about Twilight fans from your research?  What light does it shed on the Twilight phenomenon? 

The lack of diversity in supernatural media – Wednesday, November 9th

If you think about the books, movies, and shows we’ve talked about this semester, there is very little diversity.  There have been very few minority characters featured as leads in supernatural media.  There is a bit more diversity when it comes to supporting characters, but even there some of the characters have fallen into racial and ethnic stereotypes.  Why do you think there is such a lack of diversity in vampire-centric and supernatural themed media?  What do you think of the few representations of diversity that do exist in these books, movies, and shows?

Vampires and female fans – Wednesday, November 2nd

How do the characters of Sookie Stackhouse and Bella Swan represent postmodern views on feminism?  Do you think they are good role models for their fans, many of whom are young women and girls (especially in the case of Bella)?  Use this week’s readings from Cranton & Jonell, Mann, and Myers to support your answer.       

Vampires and the human condition – Wednesday, October 26th

Two themes that permeate vampire-centric media are sexuality and spirituality.  Brace and Arp talk about the parallels between vampirism and homosexuality in the Southern Vampires series/True Blood.  As we’ve discussed this semester, other vampire media also feature homoerotic undertones.  Yet male vampires, starting with the early works of Stoker and Polidori, are also the ultimate seducers who make women (often willingly) give in to their sexual desires, as Williamson notes in her chapter.  Using these two readings as the basis for your argument, why do you think vampires have been used as a vehicle for exploring the themes of sexuality and spirituality?  Be sure to offer examples of books, films or TV shows to support your response.    

Modern Vampire Literature and the Sympathetic Vampire – Wednesday, October 12th

Williamson argues that the “sympathetic” vampire is a literary creation.  Modern writers have taken different approaches to make their vampires sympathetic.  In her short story “Dracula Night,” how does Charlaine Harris make the character of Eric, who is often portrayed as more of a “bad boy vampire,” more sympathetic?  Also, in what ways does her story challenge some of the more traditional portrayals of the heroine (Sookie) and supporting characters (Pam) that we’ve seen in other vampire-themed movies and TV shows?    

Vampire Slayers and Other Supernatural Shows – Wednesday, October 5th

Williamson argues that the success of the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer can be credited, in part, to a change in the television industry in the mid-1990s and the move to so-called “niche” programming that targeted a specific demographic of potentially loyal fans rather than a large, general viewing audience.  Describe some of the ways that Buffy was a “niche” show and how it capitalized on the concept of fandom.  And offer an example of a similar supernatural-themed show that followed (or is following) the same model and explain why you think that show was/is successful in attracting fans.    

TV vampires as romantic heroes – Wednesday, September 28th

Television is a very formulaic medium, favoring characters that can be quickly identified and classified into specific categories.  When it comes to vampires, television programs have focused largely on the sympathetic vampire character who is a romantic hero.  These soulful, reluctant vampires who question their nature are often pitted against the “bad boy/girl” vampire who embraces his/her vampire nature.  First, according to Williamson, why are audiences, particularly female fans, attracted to these characters?  Second, using two characters (the romantic hero and the bad boy/girl) from a vampire-themed show as examples, explain why you think this formula works for both TV executives and audiences.