PROMPT 1 – Text (227 Words) What drew you to this studio
- Outline goals and desires
- Consider studio prompt, brief and aims
I was not interested in Australian cinema, which is why I chose this course.
Coming from a mixed background, I’ve always understood culture. For many of my relatives, art was more than words, It was a cheap way to ‘return home’. I experienced many Vietnamese songs, Taiwanese Soap Operas, and Cantonese Action-Thrillers. It was through the arts, I was able to connect with my family.
However, I could never name what made me ‘Australian’. Even though I spoke the language, played some sports, and ate sausage rolls, I was never tethered in the same way. In primary school, singing the national anthem was like putting on sunscreen, strange and weird. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always felt ‘Australian’, but it was never in the Cinema.
My Father and Uncle’s childhood home was in a movie once. They told me when I was 15. It was called ‘Wog Boy’. I watched the film, and then I felt it. This one tiny film made me feel seen.
But I wanted to know why? And How? Why wasn’t this a massive achievement? Something I could brag about in school? Why was the Australian media so undervalued and underfunded? Why don’t we have a doctor who, but a slew of kids media? Hovering over the course selection gave me a feeling of excitement, as I set out to explore the unknown.
PROMPT 2 – reflective text (372Words)
- Concise Reflection constructive in nature
- 06/03/25 Group research task
- 11/03/25 class discussion → if i make a film will it be australian
CLASS DISCUSSION 1
In every class I sit with people who like the content. I’m a big believer in unconscious stimulus, that you absorb and reflect the energy around you. On 06.03.25, I shared a table with some very funny people, and luckily, the task for today was to speak with them (ground-breaking). We had to read two articles, discuss the topic and then explain it to the class.
I’ll be completely honest, I’m incredibly socially anxious. At times I can barely speak – or do so without a dramatic stutter. This task was helpful, in that, it forced conversation. The people I sat next to were incredibly welcoming which already helped, but having a shared topic of conversation made things even easier.
The article was a reflection of Australian Cinema’s 2024, written by a passionate individual. It was mostly negative, but from a place of love. It talked about many structural issues such as a reduction of funding, digital culture and a lack of in-person culture. But it also talked about location offset rebates, a policy that allowed a 30% Government offset for Qualifying Australian Product Expenditure (QAPE).
The concept was interesting, but I loved hearing the group’s perspective. I’ve taken 4 pop-culture classes and one thing that constantly comes up is the role of discourse. There’s an idea that arguments are socially constructed, meaning they’re created through discussion between groups, people, things across platforms. Culture are these arguments in action. This task had created the opportunity for lots of conversation. A dialogue between each other, a dialogue between us and the author, and a deadline.
In listening to their conversation, we started talking about location offsets and their role in the industry. We came to the conclusion that profit seemed to be the purpose of these, not culture. It was this profit that encouraged multiple companies and productions to work in our country, to produce films that didn’t reflect our culture. Without my classmates, I do not think I would’ve arrived at the same conclusion.
CLASS DISCUSSION 2
11/03/25,
To open the Tuesday class, we had a discussion of Australian Genre-Films and their role in Australia’s culture. Tim mentioned the example of The Babadook (2014), describing it both as an Australian Horror movie, and an Australian-Horror movie. As a class, we unpacked the story behind its distribution.
It Initially premiered at Sundance and Cairnes, and was regarded locally as a successful arthouse production. Despite this at the Australian box office due to barriers to consumption, mainly cultural cringe and accessibility (producing a cascade effect). Despite this lukewarm reception, the film found a second life internationally, screening in the UK and America, where it exploded in popularity. Its overseas success led to a triumphant return to Australia, where it finally gained widespread recognition. Initially, The film’s journey appears to be unpredictable, but is really the story of the way external validation can reshape local appreciation.
As a class we found it interesting. But individually, I began to notice recurring themes. Australia is a culture shaped by external validation. This journey has been repeated with recent Australian hits such as A Late Night With The Devil (2023) and Talk to Me (2024). In a Media context, success can mean two things, the proliferation of its ideas, and the fiscal potential of them. One helps the others, but regardless, Australia will never be the provider of that success.
And even if it does exist, we have another issue. With the location offset, and numerous transnational partnerships, making an “Australian” film isn’t just about location or funding; it’s about the core ideas. A Late Night With The Devil (2023) doesn’t appear to be Australian in its message. It’s financially successful and created by an Australian team, but uses the traditionally American depiction of the Talk Show Host. So the question becomes, how do we make the ‘right’ ideas?
If I make a film, will it be Australian?
PROMPT 3 – Case Study Research (3 – 5 minutes)
- Short essay film
- Creative drama… EXHIBITION