2. Starter Task
You have 3 minutes to name as many film stars
as you can:
Hollywood UK Other (world)

3. Starter Task II
In the centre of your page write down the name
of your favourite film star
Create a mind map detailing the reasons why
s/he can be considered a ‘film star’
What qualities do they posses that elevates them
above being just an actor, and in to a star

4. Learning Objectives
Identify the criteria for a ‘film star’
Introduce Star Theory and complete short case
study
Case Study one:
Research a modern ‘film star’ and apply ‘Star
Theory’

5. Watch to watch?
There are many reasons why we, the
audience would pay to see a film. Reasons
range from the film’s Director, the (genre)
of film, or how it was sold to you in
trailers and marketing.
Another reasons would be for the stars
cast in the film
Star Theory considers this issue and Stardom: Stars
explores the bizarre cult that are ‘Film Industry of
Stars’ Desire Richard
Prof. Dyer
We will look at TWO Key Theories Christine
Gledhill

6. Christine Gledhill
Christine Gledhill is a film theorist who
was fundamental in the development of
‘Star Theory’
Her study claims ‘stars’ can be defined by
four key points:
• Stars as Capital Value Stardom:
Industry of
• Stars as Constructs Desire
Prof.
• Stars as Deviant Christine
Gledhill
• Stars as Cultural Value

7. Stars as Capital Value
Do they make money for the film studios?
Films with ‘Film Stars’ will make more
money than films without stars
They add monetary value to the film and
reduce the risk of loss
How much are they worth?
What can they bring to the studio?
What do you think ‘film stars’ bring to
their roles?

8. Stars as Construct
How much of their image is constructed and
not ‘real’?
Film stars are very much involved in the
construction of their image.
How might they be involved?
Gledhill wrote that audiences want to know the ‘real’
person, but also the ‘reel’ star
Do you think Film Stars present themselves or a
‘constructed version’ of themselves?
Why do films stars ‘construct’ their
image?

9. What do these set of images tell us about
Tom Cruise?

10. Stars as Deviant
Do they have a ‘wild side’, or an element of
danger / rule breaker about them?
Film Stars are famous for their hedonistic life
styles – we love stars who live to excess and
flaunt normal rules of behaviour
In the media we hear more about Hollywood
Stars breaking the rules than their films – but
this adds to our interest (we identify with
them)
Can you think of any examples?

11. Christian Bale
The modern version of Hollywood bad boy,
Christian Bale, is no stranger to deviant behaviour.
He has been arrested for assaulting his own
mother
Was caught on tape verbally abusing a crew
member whilst filming Terminator: Salvation

12. Stars as Cultural Value
Do Stars signify moral, social and ideological
values?
Do they tell us how to behave and what to think?
Do they tell us how to look and what our culture
should be like?
Think about what film stars represent –
What do they represent ideologically on screen?
What is their legacy beyond their films?

13. Case Study 1 - Stars
Using a film star of your choice you must
complete the following research project:
Identify a film star
Use the information on your handout and create a
portfolio of their work
Try to find evidence or examples for each point
raised by Prof. Christine Gledhill

14. AS FILM STUDIES
FM2 SECTION A
AUDIENCES & PRODUCERS
‘STARS’ PART II

15. Learning Objectives
Introduce ‘Richard Dyer’s ‘Star Theory’
Complete short Arnold Schwarzenegger case
study
Apply ‘Star Theory’ to a film star of your choice

16. Richard Dyer
Film Critic and Lecturer Richard Dyer states a film
star can be defined from 4 elements:
1 - Promotion
What aspect of their ‘star status’ is focused on by
the studio?
This may be details about their personal
relationships, personal philosophy and
relationships
It is especially exciting when a star has seemingly
been plucked from obscurity

17. Richard Dyer
Film Critic and Lecturer Richard Dyer states a film
star can be defined from 4 elements:
2 - Publicity
What is known about the star from newspaper
clippings, magazine articles, websites and
interviews in a range of media
A key aspect of Tom Cruise’s star status, often
referred to in publicity, is the details of his
marriages, and his involvement in Scientology
What does this additional information contribute to
your understanding of him as a star?

18. Richard Dyer
Film Critic and Lecturer Richard Dyer states a film
star can be defined from 4 elements:
3 - Films
‘Stars’ are usually associated with certain types of
films and roles
They are attracted to roles that draw out or
emphasise their ‘star qualities’
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a star whose films heavily
relies on his star qualities

19. Case Study – ‘Arnie’
Using the images on the next slide and the following
trailers make a list of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘Star
Qualities’
Characteristics
unique to the star
e.g. Ex Mr.
Universe

20. Case Study – ‘Arnie’

21. Case Study – ‘Arnie’
Make a list of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘star qualities’
(elements that distinguish him from other actors)
• Former Mr. Universe
• Muscle Bound Actor
• Became a star by playing ‘Muscle Bound’
characters – characters who relied on physical
dominance and his masculinity
• ‘One-Liners’
• He brings potential humour to his roles - A man How would
with a bodybuilders frame playing comedic roles has audiences respond
if their
proven very successful
expectations of
Schwarzenegger
• The audience expect him to display his physical
dominance were not met in a
film?

22. Case Study – ‘Arnie’
Working in groups create a mind map exploring the
things Arnold Schwarzenegger offers fans and studios
Fans Studios
Familiar roles and scenarios that have
been enjoyed in the past Huge Fan Base A carefully crafted
character ‘type’
Escapism audiences love
Guaranteed Return
Action / Excitement on investment
Proven track record
Humour in certain genres
Unique star qualities (several)
Reinforces ideologies & Commercial
social values of both opportunities
Industry and audience

23. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_Z3DxI2lt
w – Letterman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsrZpXxBz
O4

24. Richard Dyer
Film Critic and Lecturer Richard Dyer states a film
star can be defined from 4 elements:
4 – Criticism and Commentary
Essentially this is the ‘currency’ or value of the star
Questions we must consider:
To what extent is their work critically acclaimed?
How are they debated as a Star?
Brilliant Actor?
Incredible screen presence?
Stunt person?

25. Richard Dyer
Other critics have argued that a star is best defined as
someone who is positioned between the ‘ordinary’
and the ‘extraordinary
They may represent, at one and the same time,
someone that we might actually know, and someone
who we aspire to know.
Most of the audience will never see a famous film star
outside of the two main ways in which the star is
known
We therefore have to rely on images and information
circulated by the film and other media industries.

26. Starring Role?
When an actor becomes a star they become a
commercial asset of the studio they are working for
Star presence is enough to persuade some sections of the
audience to pay for the film when they may not have
otherwise
Film stars offer reliability and predictability that audiences
seek
Stars are expected to play certain roles and become
associated with character and film ‘types’
They can offer studios reliability and are used to attract a
targeted audience – the brighter the star, the bigger the
audience