SSC Film Studies

‘Neither audiences, nor producers need film stars anymore’

Case Study: Kate Winslet

Construct:

 I’d say that Kate Winslet’s image isn’t constructed and all of the actions we see are real, I’d say she puts as much effort and emotion into acting as she does into the charity work she does and everyday life. We can all relate to Winslet as every character she plays is the shy quite girl who has a ‘ballsy’ attitude, as Winslet would say. Winslet made her name properly in James Cameron’s Titanic, and ever since then we’ve always loved Winslet, whether it be the charity work she does helping young children, or if she’s taking on debates about how fathers should be able to access to families as well, even though she got a lot of bad press from people and some hate she still continued to carry out her beliefs and this shows her strong willed personality isn’t just put on for the screen.

Capital Value:

In todays society I’d say the films don’t really need a film start to generate enough at the box office and be classed as a good film, but then again on the odd occasion I think film start might bump up the ratings. When Winslet was in Titanic in 1997 stars were crucial to a films success, Winslet’s stardom was created as soon as she was cast in a James Cameron film. Nowadays a film doesn’t need a start to be popular, but I’d say a star in a film is still good. For example whenever I hear the likes of Kate Winslet or Drew Barrymore are in a film I’ll go and see the film based on the fact that the tar is in the film. I feel like stars do add a monetary value as some people might only go and see a film because of the star that is in the film, but then again from the recent box office stats we can see that films generally don’t need a star anymore to do really well, however it’s a bit of a cycle because the franchises create stars.

Deviant:

Kate Winslet has never been in the bad light of the press before because everything she has done has been for either the passion she puts into her acting or saying what she thinks and getting across her points. I wouldn’t say she has a wild side but I’d say she’s ballsy, how she describes most of her characters. She is mainly in the press for charity work, her amazing acting and for getting her point across. I’d say it’s good that she isn’t seen as a deviant as it shows woman and young girls that you can be a strong individual woman who gets her points across, who is not ashamed of her body and is able to get topless to portray an accurate reading of her character and someone who is well respected by millions.

Cultural Value:

“Young girls the world over both idolized and identified with Winslet” this shows us how she inspires people with her actions. She represents a culture that should give and be caring and help the less fortunate, she also however tells us that it’s ok to love yourself no matter what people say. She sends out a positive message to society.  “Refreshingly healthy, unemaciated physique”

Star Qualities

I think one of Kate Winslet’s star qualities has to be