Reflection | Michael Firus

Course reflection – Michael P. Firus – Semester 1 – Media 1

Michael P. Firus – Course reflection – Semester 1 – Media 1 The pace at which this semester slipped by can only be described as disconcerting. The past 13 weeks have been my first taste if university life. Prior to my enrollment I traveled to the CBD only a few times a year: corresponding to…

What is it all for? – End of the day type stuff

Media can be many things. It can be provocative, detrimental, constructive and even totally impotent. However, as a general rule, I tend to think media should be used to do a little good. For the last four months, I have been editing small promotional clips for the charity organisation International Children’s Care. This charity works…

(False) Perceptions

The first term of our course has nearly drawn to a close. Now, I must at this point discuss something that is rarely outwardly expressed. Within certain university courses, there exists an expectation that a student must, on their own initiative become an active and vibrant member of the course’s corresponding real-world discipline. Such an…

Interviews – The Psychology

There is always a hint of nervousness when one does something that, in adventure, exceeds pouring oneself a Milo. On this occasion, the author of my slight apprehension was the thought of approaching strangers in such a way that would invite them to share their beliefs and values on camera. However, using a technique which…

Institutions Close to Home

Mowing one’s grandmother’s lawn on a warm Autumn’s afternoon is not generally the situation that evokes an analysis of an institution’s impact on a culture’s development. However, as my gaze lowered I began to realise that the piece of equipment I was using formed a prominent pillar in Australian culture: the Victa lawnmower. The Victa…

Legitimation

If didn’t know any better, I would assume Hunger Games Author Suzanne Collins got her inspiration from this article. In an almost disconcerting revolutionary tone, this piece documents a so-called turning point for the entity of the audience. Much like every other ‘progressive’ opinion piece, it is all about legitimation. The article outlines a transition…

Teamwork: The Only Way To Do

“There’s a level of sophistication of filmmaking that’s mind-boggling. Anything you need for your movie, there’s an establishment that can make it happen really fast” – Ang Lee Not many worthwhile things happen without teamwork. This is true for any human endeavor in any discipline. Need to move…

Teamwork: Universally Imperative

We live in a world of collaboration. Moreover, this characteristic is by no means specific to this age. The ability to work in a team is fundamental; as social creatures, it is hardwired into our nature to be part of a team. In fact, I can bet with absolute certainty that you wouldn’t even be…

Us as characters:

In this course, we have been looking at the term ‘character’ as a fictional entity that we can construct in a book or film script. Maybe not all of us want to become writers, but we all create or have a say in creating characters of some kind. If nothing else, then it can…

Objects as Characters

Characters are probably one of those fundamental things… like thought or existence. I say this because everything has the potential to become a character; if they are not inherently one already. Objects as Characters: I recently saw the 1998 spy thriller Enemy of the State. Its narrative revolves around the NSA dealing crookedly in almost…