Film and Media Studies Commons^™

Female Agency In Fantasy Films Of The 1980s., Tara C. Rowland

Liberal Studies (MA) Final Essays

"Female Agency in Fantasy Films of the 1980s"

This study looks at female character roles in six of the major fantasy films produced during the 1980s. This research draws mostly on primary resources, the films, but includes commentary from research in the same vein. The purpose of this study was to show how certain fantasy films gave more agency and power to female characters in a genre often plagued with women who needed saving. Upon examination of these films, it becomes clear that not only is representation is an important part of film, especially for young children, but that it …

The Persistence Of Austen In The 21st Century: A Reception History Of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Laura Jane Ramsburg

Liberal Studies (MA) Final Essays

In 2012, the first episode of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries aired online via YouTube.com, offering a modernized serial form of Jane Austen’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice. With only word-of-mouth marketing, this series gained hundreds of thousands of views, a loyal following, and an Emmy award. In this paper, I will explore the reception history of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries by referencing its source material, analyzing its target demographics, and explaining its success.