COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
Functions of Practical Symbolism in LGBT Films
Creator:
Wang, Xinhao
Subject:
Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Film and Television
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Film and Television
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
"This thesis aims to investigate the functions of specific symbols appear especially in LGBT films. In a way, analyzing how they influence the stories and the emotional change of the characters, and what's the differences between symbols in LGBT films and normal films. To find out and analyze these functions, I chose four specific LGBT films to see if they all have a significant symbol within the story to push the conflicts and the emotions. For more objective results, I also researched 'Queer theory' and 'LGBT cinema' from cinema literature and criticism, along with abundant audiences' reviews on these four films. The research shows almost every LGBT film has a significant symbol or object within it, and the symbol is either a crucial emotion clue in the story timeline or a representative of one of the characters. In conclusion, the symbol in an LGBT film has three functions. First, it’s very specific, obvious and can easily give audiences a strong impression or impact. Second, it always has a subtle meaning to indicate one of the main characters and his or her special personality. Third, it's a crucial clue of the storyline, sometimes represents a memory or an experience that pushes the story to the climax or the end." --Abstract
*Keywords: film, LGBT, symbol, queer, function, storytelling, love, relationship, homosexual, character personality
*Keywords: film, LGBT, symbol, queer, function, storytelling, love, relationship, homosexual, character personality
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design (Atlanta)
Date:
2020-05
Format:
PDF (21 pages, color illustrations) + 1 mp4 film (approximately 14 min., sound, color)