WEEK 9- What is ‘Hollywoodisation’; Consider an example from a non-Western film, music, television, games, or other entertainment industry text and examine to what extent it has been ‘Hollywoodized’.

To Hollywoodise something is to adapt (a story or series of events) so as to conform to the supposed norms of a typical Hollywood film, especially in respect of being unrealistically glamorous, exciting, or simplistic. (Oxford Dictionary, 2013) A non-western Hollywoodisation example from music that was introduced to me when I was 10 years old is Gwen Stefani’s “Harajuku Girls”.

 I was in Grade 4 when Gwen released her first solo album “Love, Angel, Music, Baby” and Gwen collected four Japanese dancers who were representing Harajuku. These girls were her entourage and muse throughout her promotion for the album, featured in her music videos and even had a song dedicated to them on her album. They even have their own Wikipedia page! Through this short blog post, I will examine the ways Gwen Stefani has Hollywoodized the “Harajuku” culture.

It is evident to say that Gwen Stefani has brought the Harajuku fashion style to the eyes of the public all around the world, if not for Gwen, the public would have only known that Harajuku a location in Japan, if not that, then nothing.

What is admired about Harajuku girls by most fashion followers is their fashion choice, makeup and hair; it is quite unique and very different to what most people style themselves every day. Their fashion choices are now followed all around the world and not only just in Japan. 

Christina Klein (2004) states that attending to such local responses and negotiations gives us a much fuller understanding of the ‘complex and contradictory dynamics of today’s “global culture”. In other words, Gwen has allowed us to learn about the global culture of “Harajuku” and encouraged us to learn more about them.

Proudly knowing all the lyrics to her “Harajuku Girls” song, the following sentences have always stuck out to me and have urged me to research them and photos of other girls in “the world of Harajuku”. 

“Where the catwalk got its claws (meow)
A subculture in a kaleidoscope of fashion
Prowl the streets of Harajuku (irasshaimase)
Super lovers, tell me where you got yours
(at the super lovers store)
Yoji Yamamoto, I'm hanging with the locals
Where the catwalk got its claws, all you fashion know-it-alls
With your underground malls in the world of Harajuku
Putting on a show, when you dress up in your clothes
Wild hair color and cell phones
Your accessories are dead on”

(Gwen Stefani, Harajuku Girls, Track 7, Love Angel Music Baby, 2004)

What is very interesting to note is that Gwen includes many Japanese words and phrases including “Kawaii” which means “cute” (she explains this in her song) Therefore she is still respecting their culture and showing her fans all elements of the Harajuku/Japanese culture. 

To conclude, whilst Gwen Stefani used her 4 Harajuku girls as part of her new solo career to promote her unique sound, she still remained true to their culture by showcasing their language, style and unique life to the public and has definitely put the district of Harajuku on the map.

 REFERENCES:

AZLYRICS, 2004, Gwen Stefani Lyrics, retrieved 20^th September 2013, http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/gwenstefani/harajukugirls.html

Flickr, 2013, "Harajuku Girls", http://www.flickr.com/photos/sushizumetokyo/552339898/

 

Gwen Stefani- 07- Harajuku Girls, Youtube, Rafael S Rosas, posted 28^th September 2008, retrieved 20^th September 2013, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5SQ2f40E9E

 

Klein, Christina 2004, ‘Martial arts and globalisation of US and Asian film industries’, Comparative America Studies, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 360-384.

 Oxford Dictionary, 2013, “Definition of Hollywoodise in English”, retrieved 20^th September 2013, “http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/Hollywoodize

Wikipedia, “Love Angel Music Baby,”  2 September 2013, retrieved 20th September 2013, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love._Angel._Music._Baby.

WEEK 8- How have celebrities changed in response to the rise of social, digital or mobile media? Consider the broader implications with regards to the ‘specular’ metaphor.

Celebrities are distinctly different to us everyday people. One way to note the difference is the paparazzi constantly following them. Not only do the paparazzi send their photos to relevant newspapers and magazines, today due to the rise of the online world and social media, photos of celebrities are streamed online and can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection.

Social media use by celebrities is somewhat a godsend for them and well, for some of us. According to Marshall (2010) celebrities use social media to show how the “famous” really live and allow their fans to have an insight into their life. Social/digital and mobile media now cover up the line between public and private because celebrities now share their lives publicly online with anyone who wants to see. To see this effectively, search Kim Kardashian on Twitter or Instagram. Is her account on private? No! Because she wants everyone to see how she lives. 

Kim Kardashian Twitter Page

The ability for celebrities to use social media is great to promote themselves or their brand. They are able to treat their fans like friends, get themselves back into the spotlight (enter Amanda Bynes!)defend themselves if a negative issue arises (See below photo of Khloe Karashian’s Tweets when defending her husband), and promote their interests and favourite brands. (Social Media Today, 2013)

Khloe Kardashian defending her husband Lamar
after photos of him were published attacking a paparazzi's car and equipment

Marshall (2010) explains that the best way to describe this new interaction and form of display to the public is through the term specularity.  This can be explained by the mirror effect where the mirror reflects and allows us to see something that may not actually be the truth. The mirror only shows how we look on the outside. Think of yourself and how you represent yourself on Facebook or another social media site.  I know people who are shy and quiet when I see them, but on Facebook they are some of the most controversial people I have friended! Explain that!  We now live in what is known as a specular economy. This specular economy has risen due to the way people engage online with contemporary culture. (Marshal, 2010). The reasons are due to the newly beginning quick way to send messages online and due to the technology that shows the need and the benefits of interacting through social media- especially to your favourite celebrities. Long gone is the desire to contact your hero! They may retweet you! It happened to my friend! One of the One Direction Boys retweeted her! Lets just say it made her life!

REFERENCES:

Huffington Post UK, (2013), “Lamar Odom Flips out at Photographer, Khloe Kardashians Defends Him On Twitter”, retrieved 18th September 2013, http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/07/11/lamar-odom-photographers-khloe-kardashian-twitter_n_3578444.html

Marshal, D 2010, ‘The Specular Economy’, Society, vol. 47, no. 6, pp. 498-502

Social Media Today, 2013, “How celebrities use social media to build their brand”, retrieved 18th September 2013,http://socialmediatoday.com/philcohen4/1541596/how-celebrities-use-social-media-build-their-brand

Twitter, 2013, Kim Kardashian, retrieved 18th September 2013, https://twitter.com/KimKardashian

WEEK 7- CONNECTING ON INSTAGRAM

Participatory media according to Raessens (2005) is any form of media which is a precise alternative for interactivity to characterize not only computer games but also the media culture that has formed around them. In this post I will talk about Instagram and how i use Instagram as a participator and connector. 

Raessens cleverly notes the view that participatory media this is not a new concept and it is not a concept just for computer games. He states that “radio, film and television, for example, each have their own versions of this concept.” (Raessens, J 2005) 

When investigating participatory media cultures of gaming, Joost Raessens (2005) introduces the concepts of multimediality, virtuality, interactivity and connectivity in which he believes are “the principles of computer gaming (Raessens, J, 2005)

He notes again similar to above, that these concepts can be used to describe other media than computer games. 

Instagram is something that I regularly use every day. It allows me to connect with virtually anyone on the planet that has the Instagram Application and an account. 

Raessens explains connectivity in his piece as “offering players the opportunity to exchange ideas, knowledge and game elements via the internet”. This is exactly what I do on Instagram. 

Digital Trends 2012

Instagram in a nutshell is an online social networking site that enables sharing photos and videos. These photos and videos are then able to be edited using different filter and are then encouraged to be shared to other social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter. Users can interact by liking or commenting each others content, following one another and creating/using a hashtag. 

I have learnt so much from Instagram especially by the people I follow. For example I follow many celebrities and fashion brands. They post a variety of content from recipes to new clothes. Instagram was the reason I knew so many places to go to during my recent trip to America. For example Miranda Kerr ate at “The Plaza” in New York and posted a photo of a meal she had. I was so appealed to that meal that when I went to America I dined at the Plaza and had the exact same meal she had. 

Miranda Kerr

Another way I have connected through Instagram is with my cousin Emmanuella from Italy. We met when we were both 10 years old and our families regularly keep in contact. She and I may have a language barrier however she followed me on Instagram and we connect by “liking” each others photos. Something as small as clicking a like button with a love heart on it gives me this feeling of being connected with my cousin who is on the other side of the world. It also allows me to see how different our lives are in different countries. 

Sources:

Raessens, J. 2005, ‘Computer games as participatory media culture’, Handbook of Computer Game Studies, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass, pp. 373-388

Digital Trends, 2012, Android, meet Instagram: The photo app you’ve been waiting for, retrieved 6th September 2013, 

 http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/android-meet-instagram-the-photo-app-youve-been-waiting-for/#ixzz2e5VZnK8M 

Jelliug, 2013, retrieved 6th September 2013, http://jellibug.com/?before=1348145403

WEEK 6- WORK BLOGGING

Blogging about your workplace is an issue that is certainly arising. If there is one thing that I have read over and over again and something that I have been told by my current employer it is; THINK BEFORE YOU POST! 

Whether it be talking about an employee, employer, your workplace or posting certain things that could get you in trouble, social media can be seen by anyone and can be spread in a matter of seconds. Even if you delete it after you post it, it could have been copied/saved and screen captured by someone.

For example, a former colleague of mine once got a written warning for lying to our workplace that she was sick on a friday night, and was “checked in” on Facebook at a club and “tagged” in photos. It is important to always be aware of who you have on Facebook.  

It is important to note that many organizations now have social media guidelines in place(Waddington, S, 2012). They basically outline how to engage with social media on behalf of an organisation and more importantly to aid employees in understanding the boundaries and do’s and don’ts when engaging with social media. (Waddington, S, 2012) 

There is an increasing use for guidelines as there is research showing that employees/potential employees require guidance and understanding in the area of social media and what is appropriate. According to Steven Waddington, In July 2011, Econsultancy Blog posted that 8% of companies in the USA fired an employee and 20% disciplined an employee for social media misbehaviour. This research shows that social media guidelines need to be in place so that employee termination and/or consequences do not need to occur. 

Here is an example of some guidelines by Coca Cola, who touch base on all aspects of social media.

http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/online-social-media-principles

On a more personal note, Someone I know was fired for posting a photo of himself “Planking” in his uniform at his workplace. He had some fellow employees as a Facebook friend. He was dismissed on the grounds that he was promoting dangerous conduct not only at the workplace but also in his work uniform where the name and the companies reputation could be easily identified and negatively impacted. Another lesson repeated; think before you post! This is another reason why I believe all organisations and workplaces should have social media guidelines. Can you believe that only 24% of workplaces have policies for how employees should use social media. (ICM Survey, 2011)

Workplace blogging also entails topics such as maintaining the company reputation, maintaining it’s privacy and financial and company objectives/goals. For example “checking in” at your workplace and being weary of the caption and ensuring it doesn’t have any negative or rude words, or any information that should not be disclosed to the public. 

From the Richards and Kosmala (2013) reading, I discovered different theories and explanations that I believe are quite interesting regarding reasons for work blogs and expression of work issues. The following are the few that stood out to me.

1. Schoneboom (2007),  argued that work blogs can constitute a counter- hegemonic force to that of the employer’s ideology by creating parodies of work combined with the anonymity afforded by such communication technologies. 

2. Ellis and Richards (2009), found employees to be attracted to blogging about work because these online forums offers a form of voice other than that provided by trade unions. 

3. Schoneboom (2007) believes work blogging forums have moved on from being sites for explicit cynical attacks on employers to more settled and organised vocal movements. 

4.  Ellis and Richards (2009) found evidence of support networks being formed between work bloggers and the use of such forums to reflect on their work experiences over time. 

5. Richards (2008) also alludes to possible positive outcomes for employees initially attracted to work blogging as a means of ‘venting’ practice, including connecting with their occupational-related community, going beyond network formation through more conventional means.

References:

Richards, J., and Kosmala, K., 2013 ‘In the end, you can only slag people off for so long’: employee cynicism through work blogging’, New Technology, Work and Employment, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 68 – 77. 

Waddington, S, 2012, “Share this: the social media handbook for PR professionals”, John Wiley & Sons, West Sussex. 

Coca Cola, 2013, “Social media principles”, date retrieved: 1st September 2013,  http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/online-social-media-principles