Mulvey's Theory of the Male Gaze

Mulvey's male gaze theory states that the camera is turned into a heterosexual male as the industry is dominated by males, this is to appease the audience by sexualising women using the camera. This is seen in films and adverts where they use attractive women and using them to turn non-sexual situations into sexual undertones. Through the lens of the camera, women will see what a male looks for in a woman and therefore they will take an influence on how they act and what they wear based on how they want men to see them. It can affect the way women want to see themselves. A study has shown that 60% of heterosexual women have admitted to regularly being attracted to other women. Mulvey's theory was created in 1975 when she made the statement that in order to watch a film, the audience is forced into a position of a heterosexual make in order to fully experience the film. It is often presented in camera movement; the way a camera lingers on the body of a female in a way that is like looking her up and down. The shots used are often longer takes and this is done to prolong the pleasure of looking, known in media as scopophilia.