The final year first semester has already gone but I feel deeply and the harvest is plentiful. Here is my self-assessment for Media Industries 1 in this semester.

1. Regular blog entries throughout the semester

I believe that I have been blogging regularly. I wrote about two or three blog entries every week, and engaged with the ideas from group work process, which are relating to “Media Industries 1”. In addition, the blog entries are including my own research, meeting notes with both tutor and group and class reflection.

2. Demonstrate an ongoing engagement with reflective practice in the course

I engaged my thoughts and opinions with the group on Facebook group. In addition, I contributed my work for the group wit my creative and reflective thoughts.

3. Show considerable insight into your own development

For “National Identity within Cinema” research project, I had learnt more information both Bollywood and Australian cinema. Also I know more about the influences of globalization for film industry. Although we got some problems or mistakes during our project process, I still had learnt a lot about media industry but especially from the research project. As I mentioned, I had knew more about the information both Bollywood of Indian cinema and Australian cinema, especially go through with the four case studies.

In addition, I have challenged myself with different problems in this project. I believe this is a great opportunity for me to think the project critically and closely such as the national identities in different countries, the strategy for our project. And now I realized that the differences of both Bollywood cinema and Australian cinema are more than the similarities, this is based on the different histories of the nation and influence of globalization.

There are some aspects here to discuss and reflect on myself.

Role (HD)

My role in our research project was “Group Manager”. This is the first time I am being a manager in a group. I believe that this is a really good opportunity for me to challenge myself with organizational group meetings, documents and structure, etc. As a part of group, I think I did a good contribution in terms of a manager, for example, I had wrote every meeting note (Meeting Minutes) for our group members to read and participate in the project and also for us to realize the problems of our project during the process.

I believe that the importance of communication in a group is the best way to solve problems during the process. Sometimes, we are hard to connect with Anton, and Nikki and me are very concerned about the project. Both of us tried different approaches to connect with him, even used all possible communication tools such as Facebook, What’s App, QQ, SMS, Phone Call, etc. We are tried our best to get in contact with him for our project process or problems’ solutions.

There are some screenshots from Facebook group below:

Progress (HD)

During the research progress, our group faced some problems, for example, our topic was very broad at the beginning. However, I believe that the progress is going well because I attended and organized for all group project meetings, and I’d like to write down my own schedule for the study to avoid the crash with other groups. In addition, I did a lot of research of our case studies in both Bollywood cinema and Australian cinema because I am not familiar the films at the beginning. Therefore, I did some research to know more background knowledge for the project.

For instance:

Australian Cinema

Bollywood – Indian Cinema

Indian Cinema – Swades

Australian Cinema – They’re A Weird Mob

Film – Australia (2008)

Add Case Study – Moulin Rouge (2001)

National Identity – Australia

Add Case Study – Salam Namaste (2005)

Furthermore, I’ve engaged with this course well this semester. This is the progress of the whole semester that I have followed since the beginning. For example,

The Beginning: Week One

Brainstorming & Topic Discussion

Week 3 Guest Lecture

Form Group

Development Ideas

Week 5 Lecture

MI 1 Meeting with Brian

MI 1 Meeting with Brian (2)

Feedback of Research Project

Final Reflection for Presentation

Strategies (HD)

For the research strategies, I focused on “theory” of media industry in terms of “national identity within cinema” research sources for online theory materials such as e-books, articles, and journals, through the “Library Guide”. Further research, I go through RMIT’s “Library Search” as well as other online materials.

The strategies of online research was worked, however, I realized that if I used both online and offline (printed books or articles), it would works better for the project.

For personal learning strategies, I wrote down my own schedule for our group work to avoid clashing with other group work from different courses.

For the collaborative strategies, as the role of a manager, I documented all communications on the Facebook group as discussed with supporting communications such as phone call/SMS/What’s app/QQ to be used for reminders and in case of emergencies or last minute ordeals. Further, all the documents were shared on Google Drive which allowing access to all group members. Our group had meet consistently such as weekly meeting, and also scheduled further meetings as necessary. The strategies of collaboration were worked well in our group.

Problems and solutions (HD)

There are some problems that I faced during the process of the course. For example, we had some communication problems in the group because three of us are all international students with different cultures. However, good interpersonal skill is one of the essential qualities for media industry. I believe this statement is the truth in the process of the group research project. Because of the initial group work, our group only has three people to work with each other. Further, Nikki was very sick at the beginning because she got her knee problems. It is hard to get all of group members attend the tutorial and take notes from the class. After that, Anton had left with a few days because his grandpa passed away which is very sad. Thus, the process of our group is very behind with others. However, I recognized that I have to strengthen confidence with my own skills as a manager. At that time, language is the most effective tool to promote mutual feelings. It is not hard to talk with Nikki because she is my friend, so I just come to her place every week and help her catch up the course during the period of her injury.  In addition, Nikki and I discuss our project and share the ideas and plan schedule for next steps, etc. Although our group members less than others, we meet consistently. I believe this is very good for teamwork, which helping each other and improving myself as well. Further, we keep touch with Anton as well because his personal issue and he cannot attend the meetings. We made a clear structure for him to review and easily follow the process of our project. This is improved a lot for group work.

Research Group Meeting

Work in Process – Project Brief

Work in Process – Refined the Topic

Work in Process – Modify

Work in Process – wk10

Draft Essay

Our Research Project Outline

Connections & Intersections (HD)

After the course of Media Industries, I believe this is the precious wealth and experience in my learning journey. There are many different skills that I had learnt throughout the course and group project, for example, the skills of solving problems, research and networking abilities, group interaction, organizational structure skills, and so on. The teamwork indeed provides me a really good opportunity to challenge myself and achieve the project as a group manager. Although I was struggled a lot from the start of the semester, I had improved myself in terms of solving different problems and also learnt from others. Further, I believe that group collaboration and time management are the essential aspects of the group project. It is hard to say that a group without the communication and sharing the ideas or feedbacks can solve the problems confidently.

The teamwork of the research project is a great experience for me to develop my different aspects skills. The spirit of teamwork is very important to my future work career. There is a Chinese idiom, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, and this course is the first step for my future working journey.

Overall Grade: HD

Today is our final presentation, which means Media Industries 1 course finished for this semester. I had learnt a lot from teamwork and enjoyed the great time with friends. I have to say there are so many outstanding peers in this course and even in my group.

The final presentations are fantastic and successful. It is shame that I missed the morning presentations but I am so excited to listen and watch all peers’ presentation in the afternoon. There are some personal reviews for the final presentation:

“Digital Distribution” – Everyone in the group with outstanding presentation skills and they are very confident. This is a good depth of presentation with some valuable information, for example, they use the interviews with the professionals and it makes the presentation more visual.

“Freedom of Speech” – The presentation with interview of a Chinese professional to get a strong support for the research. However, there is one of the presenters’ voice too low and cannot hear very clearly behind the room.

“Representation of Family and Television” – This presentation is used a personal experience from one of the group members, which is about the family divorce, etc. This get the audiences pay a lot of attention, however, this might make the audiences confused with the brief of the project. In addition, there are so many content each slide, and it makes audiences lose patient and hard to get engaged with the presentation.

“Second Nature: Social Media Now” – The slides of the presentation are very visible with animation effects. However, the group members are not connected well, for example, they are in different styles of speech. Further, when the previous presenter finish and the next one come out the first sentence is a joke “being wet”, this is very funny and interesting but the audiences are disturb and losing focus of the presentation.

“Crowd Funding” – everyone in the group is very confident with outstanding presentation skills. In addition, content with research in depth, however, the structure of the presentation is needed to improve.

“Gamification of Media” – The presentation is highly engagement with the audiences such as Quiz and the prize. The visual of the slides and animations with sound effects are very good. The content of how people use “gamification” to educate children is an interesting part for the project. However, time management is the problem and it needs to improve in the future.

“The Economics of Online Distributions” – This is the last presentation and it provides clearly arguments to present and also uses diagrams to support the statements. They provided two case studies both AMC and HBO. However, everyone just read the scripts and this seems like they are not confident enough for the presentation.

Today, I’ve spoken with Brian and got feedback for our group draft and structure.

There are a few notes below:

1. Our structure for the website is good, but we may need to focus on “the idea of the nation”;

2. For our structure in part 4, need to change a few things follow the example below:

4th part:

“4.0 Australian Cinema: Australia and Moulin Rouge”

4.1 Plot — This part also need to add “synopsis” of the films.

4.2 Interviews with Professionals — There is “the interviews” not Vox pops with professionals, here is just a mistake.

4.3 Critical Reception

4.4 Technical (Mise-en-scene) + what is communicated from these technical aspects? (Authorship) — for this part, may need to write about technical analysis and think critically.

3. For globalization effects, Brian suggested that to write about cultural civilization via globalization part and how audience being globally, the moments of both Australian and Indian national cinemas.

4. Brian corrected the second part of our structure: ” 2.1 National Cinema and National Identity”.

Definitions of globalization

The definition of globalization from Collins English Dictionary is the process enabling financial and investment markets to operate internationally, largely as a result of deregulation and improved communications. Globalization implies the opening of local and nationalistic perspectives to a broader outlook of an interconnected and interdependent world in different industries area.

Globalization is ‘the compression of the world and the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole’ (Robertson, 1992).

Globalization ‘refers to the rapidly developing process of complex interconnections between societies, cultures, institutions and individuals world-wide. It is a social process which involves a compression of time and space, shrinking distances through a dramatic reduction in the time taken – either physically or representationally – to cross them, so making the world seem smaller and in a certain sense bringing them “closer” to one another’ (Tomlinson, 1999).

Globalization & National identity

Australia is a multi-cultural country and it has become fully integrated into the globalizing world. In the book of Australia: Nation, Belonging, And Globalization, Anthony argues that national identity is becoming less important, and less salient for people as the world becomes more global. Although the background of Australia is multi-cultural, different experiences of national identity are composing the contexts for different production. For instance, Australia (2008) that is an epic historical romance film directed by BazLuhrmann. ‘Australia’ was filmed across in four different states and territories – Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. This movie involves a few identities of Australia, such as indigenous history and cultural traditions, colonization and migration. In addition, the aboriginal language is spoken in this movie as well, such as “miriuwung” (also spelt “miriwoong”).

In contrast, national identities in Indian are perceived diversely depending on the historical period of reference. However, the globalization process has transformed the classical model of India as a nation and cultural complex. National identity is like everything else historical, constructed and reconstructed (Vighnesh N. Bhat, 2012). The film of Swades makes a slight departure from the normal glitz of traditional Bollywood films in 2004. It explores the universal themes of national identity, globalization versus tradition. The audience notices that this film is strongly use of symbolism. Further, the recurring theme of water helps to illustrate Mohan’s (Mohan is the main character) dual national identity and ultimately is used to represent his surrender to his Indian heritage.

The process of globalization influences both Australian and Indian identities. Cinema as one of the media industries is being rapidly transformed through the globalization of media. This illustrates different ways in which global and national forces interact, intertwining the cultural, to show the potentially opportunity between the exploitation and promotion of local cultural identity by globalization impacts. How globalization has interacted with two significant aspects of Australian cultural life: popular culture and political culture. Both of them play an important role in constituting Australians’ collective identities (Pickering Jonathan, 1998). However, India was influenced by globalization more than Australia, especially for the cinema industry such as Bollywood films. Bollywood films are including more identities to being global. In addition, it still keeps Indian identity as well such as the symbol of music in the film.

Reference list:

Robertson, R. 1992, Globalization, Social Theory and Global Culture, London: Sage, pp.8

Tomlinson, J. 1999, ‘Cultural Globalization: Placing and Displacing the West’ in H. Mackay and T. O’Sullivan (eds) The Media Reader: Continuity and Transformation, London: Sage, pp.165

Moran, Anthony, 2004, Australia: Nation, Belonging, And Globalization, Routledge, pp.9 -19

Vighnesh N. Bhat, 2012, Indian Television and Construction of National Identity: A Sociological Analysis, Haramaya University, pp.14-20

Pickering Jonathan, 1998, Globalisation: A Threat to Australian Culture?, Journal of Australian Political Economy, pp.47-59

I made a brief of structure for our research website and shared with Nikki and Anton on Google Drive two weeks ago. I also did some research of how to write qualitative research report before I wrote the brief outline. There are some details below:

A research report can be based on practical work, research by reading or a study of an organization or industrial/workplace situation. For this project, this is definitely a research report by reading for our study.

There are a few things need to think before writing the content. A useful sample that I found from learning center – Writing a research report.

1. Preparing
2. Collecting and organizing information
3. Planning
4. Writing the report

I had wrote 7 sections for our research report, and after group discussion, there is our brief structure for our website.

* Introduction

* Aims of the study

* Main case studies

- Bollywood Cinema (individual section)

- Australian Cinema (individual section)

* Compare and Contrast

- Difference (International effects)

- Similarities (Local National Identity)

* Conclusion

* Reference list

- Vox pops

- Interviews?

* Group information

Salam Namaste (2005)

Directed by Siddharth Anand

Storyline (Plot Summary):

The new millennium has begun and one must accept the reality that East Indians have immigrated everywhere on Earth. One such place where a number of Indians have made their new homes is Australia’s Melbourne. A doctor, who does have problems translating some words into Hindi; Jignesh Pandya, who has come from Surat, India, where his parents operate and run “Archana Sarees” and has become a doctor; Ranjan Mathur who has recently immigrated, is now on the look-out for a wife, and does find one, after many hilarious misadventures, including one with a gorgeous hooker, Lisa; Then there is Ambar Malhotra or Ambi, who lived in Bangalore with her parents, quarreled with them because she did not want to marry someone of their choice, ended up coming to Australia on a student exchange program, studies medicine, but lands a job as a radio announcer with 101.5 FM “Salaam Namaste”; and finally there is Nikhil Arora alias Nicki, who came here to become an Architect, did get his qualifications, but ended up as Head Chef with “Nick of Time” restaurant. Watch what happens when two completely different people, from different backgrounds, habits and culture, meet and decide to live together to see if they can maintain a long-term relationship.

There is a useful article I found for the research report. The article generally provides Australia’s national identity from four different aspects, for example, Australian creativity, Multiculturalism, Australian Sovereignty and Australian Equality.

For Australian creativity, it is the first priority to develop. In the article, the author discusses the quality of education system. This is a challenge for the nation. In the past, Australia’s wealth came out of agriculture and property development. Education is also a question of how people learn. How people manage information and make the best use of it.

“Education has always been important for creating the virtues of reason and tolerance. But now, with so many technological changes, it has become more than a pathway to social enrichment. It is the key to economic success for individuals, communities and nations.”

For Multiculturalism, the challenge is to give new meaning and depth to Australian multicultural identity. This is an area where the Australian people have move on.

“Most Australians no longer see the need to prove our ethnic diversity. They are too busy practising it and enjoying its benefits. They are already living a life of many cultures.”

“Government policies and definitions of multiculturalism need to catch up with this reality. They should not automatically treat nationality-of-origin as a marker of cultural identity. They should recognise that multiculturalism lies, not so much between individuals, but within them the habit of living one’s life through many cultural habits.

This should be a unifying idea in Australia’s national identity a new and realistic way of thinking about multiculturalism. In a diverse nation, social cohesion is as important as respect for difference. It provides the foundations by which people of different cultural backgrounds can interact and learn from each other.”

Get more information: A Big Country: Australia’s National Identity

Moulin Rouge (2001)

Directed by Baz Luhrmann

Storyline: (Plot Summary)

The year is 1899, and Christian, a young English writer, has come to Paris to follow the Bohemian revolution taking hold of the city’s drug and prostitute infested underworld. And nowhere is the thrill of the underworld more alive than at the Moulin Rouge, a night club where the rich and poor men alike come to be entertained by the dancers, but things take a wicked turn for Christian as he starts a deadly love affair with the star courtesan of the club, Satine. But her affections are also coveted by the club’s patron: the Duke. A dangerous love triangle ensues as Satine and Christian attempt to fight all odds to stay together but a force that not even love can conquer is taking its toll on Satine…

Christian, a young wannabe Bohemian poet living in 1899 Paris, defies his father by joining the colorfully diverse clique inhabiting the dark, fantastical underworld of Paris’ now legendary Moulin Rouge. In this seedy but glamorous haven of sex, drugs and newly-discovered electricity, the poet-innocent finds himself plunged into a passionate but ultimately tragic love affair with Satine, the club’s highest paid star and the city’s most famous courtesan. Their romance is played out against the infamous club – a meeting place of high life and low, where slumming aristocrats and the fashionably rich mingled with workers, artists, Bohemians, actresses and courtesans.

In 1900, Christian, an impoverished writer who has come from England the year before, types his story: he arrived in Montmartre and fell in with Toulouse-Lautrec and Bohemians who believe in freedom, truth, beauty, and love. They want to sell a show to the Moulin Rouge, and its impresario wants a backer so he can build a proper theatre. Christian’s playing a duke, who wants exclusive access to the favors of Satine, the Moulin Rouge’s consumptive star. She wants to be a proper actress, so the duke’s offer is fine – except that she and Christian fall in love. Can Satine keep the Duke at bay without losing his patronage, will he discover the lovers and kill Christian, and can love trump jealousy?

It’s Paris in 1899. Christian, a young English poet, comes to Paris to pursue a penniless career as a writer. However, he soon meets a group of Bohemians who tell him that he should write a musical show for them to be performed at the Moulin Rouge, the most famous underworld night club in Paris. The night they arrive at the Moulin Rouge, Christian meets Satine, the club’s star and a beautiful courtesan. He falls head-over-heels in love with her and though it takes a bit of convincing, she falls for him as well. Meanwhile, the club’s owner, Harold Zidler, invests in a wealthy Duke to help pay for the club, however, the Duke will only pay if Satine is his. This crazy love triangle twists and turns. And little does Satine know that she has a deadly secret that could end everything.

As we discussed with Brian in 3^rd meeting, we considered that two films (Australia and Swades) are enough for our project or it needs to add more case studies. We added two case studies, which are Salam Namaste and Moulin Rouge for both Indian cinema and Australian cinema.

Indian Cinema: Swades and Salam Namaste

Swades went global and first film in Australian, people liked it but low ratings…Why? It went global but why Indian people didn’t like it? Why?

Australian Cinema: Australia and Moulin Rouge

How Moulin Rouge went global and Australian people were happy with it, but not Australia.

For these case studies, we may need to focus on national identity and national cinema, how globalization affects national identity.

Australia (2008)

Directed by Baz Luhrmann

Storyline: In northern Australia at the beginning of World War II, an English aristocrat inherits a cattle station the size of Maryland. When English cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn stock-man to drive 2,000 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of the country’s most unforgiving land, only to still face the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by the Japanese forces that had attacked Pearl Harbor only months earlier.

In 1939, the aristocratic Lady Sarah Ashley travels from Great Britain to Australia to meet her husband Maitland Ashley in northern Australia. The husband’s drover comes to the city of Darwin to bring Sarah to their farm; however, when they reach Faraway Downs Farm, they find that Maitland was murdered. Sarah befriends Nullah, who tells her that the administrator Neil Fletcher is stealing her cattle; has killed her husband; and is working for the cattle baron King Carney. Sarah fires Fletcher and his men and together with Drover, Nullah and a group of loyal employees, they ride together to take the cattle to supply the army and win a tender in times of war. But the ambitious Fletcher has other intentions and uses Nullah to press Sarah.