Buf f y the Vampire Slayer An Introduction to the Buffyverse

Horror film conventions –Misogynist? –Violence against women –Male gaze –Objectification of women True of TV too? 2005 TV Season called the “die, women, die” season Buf f y the Vampire Slayer

Joss Whedon (1964-) –Wanted to create a film, TV series that deliberately reversed horror film conventions –Wanted show to play with question, ‘What happens when a pretty girl walks down a dark alley…?” –Created film “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” first, wasn’t happy with it, rewrote it for TV –First season = 12 episodes; seven seasons in total. Buf f y the Vampire Slayer

Buffy deliberately structured to reverse horror conventions. –Feminist –Women hold power (including power to kill) –Female gaze –Objectification absent, except for humour - Xander as object of predatory female gaze Buf f y the Vampire Slayer

Buffy as “post-feminist?” –Individualist, but also reliant of friends, family –Powerful, but questions source, purpose of powers –Leader, but takes direction from watcher (on her own terms) –Strong, powerful, feared (by evil beings), but pretty, sexy, fashionable, concerned with peer opinions Buf f y the Vampire Slayer