Detailed Essay plan

My independent study focuses on Female representation in Action films; I have chosen James Bond- Casino Royale as my main text, because the main female character has multiple representations. They have become more involved within the plot, instead of being seen as a sex symbol to the male protagonists [Laura Mulvey]. Action films usually are usually watched by males, because of the ‘personal identity’ they have with the male star, however this film can suggest that females have become more empowering because she is a main star in the film, and plays a role within the narrative, and because Daniel Craig is seen as a sex symbol [beach scene]. Therefore, the representation of females has changed over the years.
[A, R, ID, G, N, ML]

INTRO-
Has female representation changed in action films? - will answer this question.
Will include the above info summarised, with a quote from the film [probably one that Bond says]. Brief history on the Action genre and representation of females.
My thesis and would be introduced.
[H, S, R, G]

1-
How the depicted in the past: in 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
They were also depicted as employed professionals, as opposed to the percentage of women who were depicted as unemployed housewives.In a study of 100 films released in 1941 and 1942, “eighty percent of films focusing on the love/hate problems of a man had a good bad girl as the main female character. In 50 percent of the films, the good bad girl successfully opposed a bad girl,” (Butler, 141). In the 1950s, especially, we witnessed an era of “reaffirming male dominance and female subservience; movies showed women as breasts and buttocks, again idealizing women who were ‘pretty, amusing, and childish,’” (Butler, 145).
“The role of a woman in a film almost always revolves around her physical attraction and the mating games she plays with the male characters”.(1972: 13)Smith, Sharon (1972) ‘The image of women in film: some suggestions for future research’, Women and Film, 1, 13-21.
[H, ML, R, A, ID, G,]

2-
70s, 80s, 90s, today
Presently, films show women who are outside their standard role of femininity. Although they use their sexuality, they derive power from it and use their intellect to get what they want. They represent strong, active women and these virtues override the male-centered moral it is to enforce upon the audience.
"In 1970s action-adventure shows, only 15 per cent of the leading characters were women".Gauntlett, David (2002): ‘Media, Gender & Identity : An introduction’ PUBLISHER: (pg 43)
-rise of feminism, backlash…etc
[H, P, ML, A, N, R]

3-
James Bond- Casino royale, action ref. Who are the bond girls, how are they seen?
Compare to other current action films [Propp]
[ML, A, R, N]

4-
“Girl-power flicks like Charlie’s Angels, Crouching Tiger, and Tomb Raider are topping the $100 million mark once dominated by men like Schwarzenegger”. (1) She also mentions the very poor box office numbers from the recent films of Schwarzenegger and Stallone. “
The women in films such as Charlie’s Angels, Tomb Raider, and Crouching Tiger have progressed from feminized-masculinity to sexy, attractive women who are genuinely skilled with their bodies. As men no longer have to be hard-bodies in order to succeed on film, neither do women. Films like Charlie’s Angels are gratuitous in their depictions of the female body. The curves rather than the muscles are emphasized.

I will focus on other action films that have changed the representation of females. Using the above paragraph as a starting point.
[E, P, H, ML, R]

5-
Anything else I have not mentioned…How they have not changed. [Mulvey]…

CONCLUSION-
Thesis again, my opinion. The verdict, if the representation has changed or not. Which it has to an extent- more theorists.

Bibliography:- so far
Butler,
1972: 13)Smith, Sharon (1972) ‘The image of women in film: some suggestions for future research’, Women and Film, 1, 13-21.
Gauntlett, David (2002): ‘Media, Gender & Identity : An introduction’
Berger, John (1972) Ways of seeing, London: Penguin
Laura Mulveys article ‘Visual Pleasure and narrative cinema’ in 1975 (reproduced in Hollows et al., 2000)
Kaplan, E. Ann (1983) Women and film: Both sides of the Camera, London: Methuen
G TUCHMAN - Issues in Feminism: A First Course in Women's Studies, 1980 - Houghton Mifflin College Div
“Gunter (1995: 13-14).”-pg 43
Photography: A critical introduction’ Liz Wells, (2004), pp 172

Websites:
http://www.geocities.com/albanystudent/wif.html
‘Literary Theory and Criticism: An Oxford Guide’ Patricia Waugh, (2006), pp 510
http://www.007.info/Girls.asp
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/233970/postfeminism_in_action_a_critical_analysis.html?cat=40
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/57771/feminine_masculinity_the_rise_of_women.html
http://www.themovieblog.com/2008/04/why-most-female-lead-action-films-dont-succeed