Amongst friends: the Australian cult film experience

Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter One: Defining Cult Films 1.1 "I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey": What is Cult Film? 1.2 "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night": Fan based accounts of Cult 1.3 "You've arrived on a rather special night": Promoting the cult Chapter Two: "Don't Dream It, Be It": The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Creation of Fan Communities 2.1 "Give yourself over, to absolute pleasure": The Rocky Horror Picture Show 2.2 Reflections on Rocky: "Do you think I made a mistake splitting his brain between the two of them?" 2.3 "Enchante. Well! How Nice!" The Rocky Horror Picture Show fan community 2.4 "Whatever happened to Saturday night?" Fandom in everyday life Chapter Three: Other Audiences 3.1 Opinion Leaders and Active Audiences 3.2 Public Viewing: The Multiplex 3.3 Community viewing in Public 3.4 Public Viewing: The Art house 3.5 Film Festivals and Audiences 3.6 'Home is where the moving image is': Home cinema viewing 3.7 New Media, Interactivity and Spectatorship Chapter Four: Research Strategy 4.1 Towards filling the gap 4.2 Introducing … Australian cult film groups 4.3 The Research Process 4.4 Inside or Outside: The Position of the Researcher Chapter Five: "Beyond All Reason": Organisers of Cult Events 5.1 "A good many dramatic situations begin with screaming": Beginnings of cult screenings 5.2 "We accept her. One of us! One of us! Australian film as cult 5.3 "We return to Transylvania. Prepare the transit beam": The Place of Space 5.4 "I think perhaps you better both … come inside": Nostalgia and Access 5.5 "Due to the horrifying nature of this film, no one will be admitted to the theatre": Gatekeeping and Cult Fandom 5 5.6 Cult Film as a Shared Experience Chapter Six: Alternative Spaces: Audiences, Cult Viewing and Heterotopias 6.1 The Cult Audience in Australia 6.2 Ritual or Routine? Reasons for attending screenings 6.3 The Nexus of Public and Private Spaces 6.4 Other Spaces: Cult Viewing and Heterotopias Chapter Seven: Cult, Community and Nostalgia 7.1 Cult film and Nostalgia 7.2 Defining Community 7.3 Moving Community research forward Conclusion: Where Cult Meets Community Works Cited Appendices I would firstly like to thank my trio of supervisors-Brian Yecies, Sue Turnbull and Nicola Evans for being the 'Best Directors'. To Brian, for your long-term commitment to, and interest in my project, your support, 'tough love' when needed, and patience. To Sue, for your 'special guest appearance' in the final act as my wonderful second primary supervisor, who untangled the years of writing and gave me hope that finishing was possible. I truly appreciate your clarity and superior taste in footwear! And to Nicola for your cameo role in the final stages, as an insightful reader, and for providing much needed moral support. Thank you all so much! I must acknowledge all of the cult film organisers, audience members and participants who generously shared their time and insights. Special thanks to the core audience members in the Annandale group, and to the organisers of the Annandale screenings, Jay Katz and Miss Death, who shared so much of your knowledge during this journey-your screenings were both an escape, and a reminder of my passion for the topic. Thank you for allowing me access to your community, of which I am honoured to be a part. To my core support team, the Best Supporting Cast I could ask for-my Mum, Dad and Aaron, for your support and for never nagging me about being a 'professional student'; my fantastic friends Mish, Ryan, Jo, Leo, Eliza, Henry, Jeff, Ximena and Jackie, for listening to complaints, and offering distraction and hugs in equal measure; and to Brendan, for keeping me caffeinated. Finally, to two of the best leading men I know-my husband Andrew, for being my long suffering partner in crime, your unwavering support, never resenting the time spent on the project and for always being up for repeat viewings and cult movie madness! Finally, to my brother Glenn, for introducing me to the best coffee in Melbourne, and always asking about my studies when you were in the fight of your life. I promised to finish my thesis-this is for you.