age:16-25
purpose: This piece is a modern take on the popular fairy tale, Cinderella. Even in today's time, there are young girls who are treated like Cinderella by parents. It is to show that young girls should be be treated equally and fair by their parents.
As Ella gracefully arrived at the Gala, she was surrounded by hanging chandeliers that illuminated the hall, endless amounts of round tables with expensive linens placed on each of them, and by the sight of young university girls in elegant gowns and the guys in tuxedos. As she made her way through the entrance, her eyes met the gaze of a young boy standing straight ahead. He was a handsome looking guy who she had seen a few times at the University, but as usual he would walk straight past her. The boy continued staring at Ella as she made her way to her table. She felt a little awkward amidst the crowd of people, all socializing and having drinks. She saw both her stepsisters in the middle of the dance floor each with their arms around a guy.
Ella sat all by herself feeling happy that she had one night off away from the the house chores and her stepmother's irritating voice. She had a lovely meal placed in front of her, one that her stepmother would deprive her of each day. She slowly ate piece by piece to savour the taste.Ella looked at the astonishing sparkling watch that the old lady had given her. It read 10:30 p.m, leaving her half an hour to enjoy her time in elegance. Just then the young boy who had been staring at Ella throughout the night made his way up to her table. "Hi, I'm Liam," he held out his right hand for a friendly hand shake. "Hi, I'm-," Ella was saying when she was interrupted by another boy's voice. "Sorry about that. Um, would you like to dance?" Liam said in a gentle voice. "Sure," Ella said happily, yet slightly nervous. Both Ella and Liam danced to all of the slow tracks in a slow manner. The night was Ella's dream come true and she couldn't have been happier dancing in the arms of a cute guy. They didn't bother to talk through the music, they instead held one another in each others arms and swayed to the music.
Just then, a loud beeping travelled through Liam's left ear. The beeping was coming from Ella's wrist watch, which was right next to Liam's ear as her arm extended around his neck. "What was that for?" Liam asked. Ella nervously looked at the watch that read 11 p.m. "Oh no, I have to go, I'm sorry," she said hastily as she removed her arms from Liam's neck and made her way to the entrance. " Wait, why are you leaving?" Liam said following her in a desperate voice. As Ella continued walking off, Liam caught Ella's wrist. "Please, I have to go," Ella said desperately. Just as Liam let go of Ella's wrist, a small piece of thread got hooked onto her sparkling wrist watch. When Ella started to run out of the door, the thread of Liam's shirt tugged at the watch and it became unhooked off Ella's wrist. He was left with Ella's bedazzling watch, which he carefully looked at for a few seconds then gently placed into his pocket.
When Ella finally arrived home a few minutes past 11, she was confronted by her stepmother's fuming angered face at the door. "What were you thinking? And where did you get that gown? I bet you stole it from someone, didn't you? You are not to leave this house EVER again, unless you have a class! Do you understand me?And this means, you're computer will be taken away. " her stepmother yelled. Ella sadly walked up to her room. She expected nothing less from her stepmother. She got ready for bed and went to her room. Next to her plain colorless clothes, she hung her gown in her closet, knowing it would never be worn by her again. She was taking off her accessories just when she realized that the sparkling wrist watch was gone. She tried to remember what she had done with it, but could not remember. This made her even sadder to know that she had lost one of the few valuables she possessed. She crawled into her bed and thought about her mom. Her tears soaked through her sheets and she soon fell into a slumber sleep.
The next morning, Ella woke up and found her computer was still on her desk. She thought her forgetful stepmother must've forgotten about it. Ella logged on to finish up her English paper she had due the next day. As she was trying to think of new ideas, she took a short break and logged onto her Facebook account. Her eyes scrolled the page and suddenly stopped at the sight of a new group. IF YOU ARE THE OWNER OF THIS WATCH, PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK TO ADD ME AS A FRIEND OR LEAVE YOUR MSN EMAIL ADDRESS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I MEET YOU AGAIN. I KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE. PLEASE COME FORWARD. LIAM
Ella sat at her desk in absolute astonishment. She was surprised that Liam wanted to meet her again. She as well wanted to meet him and get to know him better. However, how could she when she was confined to her house.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Ella goes to the Gala (pt 2)
age: 16-25
purpose: This piece is a modern take on the popular fairy tale, Cinderella. Even in today's time, there are young girls who are treated like Cinderella by parents. It is to show that young girls should be be treated equally and fair by their parents.
Ella quickly picked out a silver pair of heels and accessories. Just as she was about to leave, the old lady came to her and asked, "Hold on Ella, you're forgetting something," the old lady said while handing her a sparkling wrist watch. "Oh my gosh, I've never seen such a beautiful watch. Thank you miss," Ella said in amazement. "Have fun at you're Gala. And don't forget sweetie to listen for the beep!", the old lady said raising her voice. However, Ella was so worried about getting home on time before her stepmother got up, that she forgot about asking the kind old lady what she meant by 'listening for the beep'.
She ran home holding the large white bag that contained her accessories, shoes and her gown. When she reached the house, she slowly and quietly opened the door and sneaked her way upstairs, managing not to make a sound. Ella noticed her stepmother was still asleep by her loud snores. Her stepsisters had not yet returned home from their sleepovers and her father was away at a conference. Ella hid the large bag behind all the junk that her stepmother had dumped off in her closet.
"Ella!", yelled her stepmother from her room. Ella was in the middle of looking through hairstyles in a magazine she found in her stepsister's room. At the irritating sound of her stepmother's voice, she dropped the magazine and made her way to the room next door. "Ella, what are you doing. I woke up to find that the bathroom had not yet been cleaned. It's disgusting. Get to it now!" her stepmother said annoyingly.Ella made her way to the bathroom to start cleaning. When she looked around it, there was not a single spot of dirt or bad smell. The bathroom was exactly the same way she had left it yesterday; white walls, neatly hung towels and the smell of the strawberry air freshener. However this was typical of her stepmother. She just thrived on seeing Ella clean. Ella did as she said and spent the afternoon polishing the bathroom.
The day of the Gala had finally arrived. Ella had thought of everything to make sure her stepmother didn't get to know she was going. She would start getting ready as soon as they went out. Her stepsisters were getting ready together at their friend's place, so she didn't have to worry about them. Ella only had one concern however. She had to be back at the house by 11 p.m, since this was the time her parents would be back. Ella thought about the beautiful sparkling watch the old lady had given her. She would use this to remind her of the time. While she was in the middle of finishing up her chores, she was interrupted by her stepmother's call. "Ella, come her!, her stepmother called loudly. "Yes," she replied obediently. "We're leaving now. This house better be clean by the time we're back. Don't let anyone in. We'll be back around 11," she hurried to say, and slammed the door behind her. Ella immediately ran upstairs and quickly put finished cleaning.
After taking a quick shower, Ella started getting ready for the Gala. She had excitement running through her. She wore the beautiful gown and adorned her ears and neck with the accessories she was provided by the Glittering Girls Gala project. She looked in her mirror and was proud of the way she elegantly put herself together. When she finished slipping on her shoes, she ran upstairs to grab the wrist watch the old lady had personally given her. It was the perfect fit for her thin wrist. And with that she ran out the door.
purpose: This piece is a modern take on the popular fairy tale, Cinderella. Even in today's time, there are young girls who are treated like Cinderella by parents. It is to show that young girls should be be treated equally and fair by their parents.
Ella quickly picked out a silver pair of heels and accessories. Just as she was about to leave, the old lady came to her and asked, "Hold on Ella, you're forgetting something," the old lady said while handing her a sparkling wrist watch. "Oh my gosh, I've never seen such a beautiful watch. Thank you miss," Ella said in amazement. "Have fun at you're Gala. And don't forget sweetie to listen for the beep!", the old lady said raising her voice. However, Ella was so worried about getting home on time before her stepmother got up, that she forgot about asking the kind old lady what she meant by 'listening for the beep'.
She ran home holding the large white bag that contained her accessories, shoes and her gown. When she reached the house, she slowly and quietly opened the door and sneaked her way upstairs, managing not to make a sound. Ella noticed her stepmother was still asleep by her loud snores. Her stepsisters had not yet returned home from their sleepovers and her father was away at a conference. Ella hid the large bag behind all the junk that her stepmother had dumped off in her closet.
"Ella!", yelled her stepmother from her room. Ella was in the middle of looking through hairstyles in a magazine she found in her stepsister's room. At the irritating sound of her stepmother's voice, she dropped the magazine and made her way to the room next door. "Ella, what are you doing. I woke up to find that the bathroom had not yet been cleaned. It's disgusting. Get to it now!" her stepmother said annoyingly.Ella made her way to the bathroom to start cleaning. When she looked around it, there was not a single spot of dirt or bad smell. The bathroom was exactly the same way she had left it yesterday; white walls, neatly hung towels and the smell of the strawberry air freshener. However this was typical of her stepmother. She just thrived on seeing Ella clean. Ella did as she said and spent the afternoon polishing the bathroom.
The day of the Gala had finally arrived. Ella had thought of everything to make sure her stepmother didn't get to know she was going. She would start getting ready as soon as they went out. Her stepsisters were getting ready together at their friend's place, so she didn't have to worry about them. Ella only had one concern however. She had to be back at the house by 11 p.m, since this was the time her parents would be back. Ella thought about the beautiful sparkling watch the old lady had given her. She would use this to remind her of the time. While she was in the middle of finishing up her chores, she was interrupted by her stepmother's call. "Ella, come her!, her stepmother called loudly. "Yes," she replied obediently. "We're leaving now. This house better be clean by the time we're back. Don't let anyone in. We'll be back around 11," she hurried to say, and slammed the door behind her. Ella immediately ran upstairs and quickly put finished cleaning.
After taking a quick shower, Ella started getting ready for the Gala. She had excitement running through her. She wore the beautiful gown and adorned her ears and neck with the accessories she was provided by the Glittering Girls Gala project. She looked in her mirror and was proud of the way she elegantly put herself together. When she finished slipping on her shoes, she ran upstairs to grab the wrist watch the old lady had personally given her. It was the perfect fit for her thin wrist. And with that she ran out the door.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
FRIENDS- free writing
age:18-25
purpose:To show that true friends are always there for each other and it's important to have one for support. They help get you through the hardest times in one's life.
In my time spent with you, you've taught me to live.
I've also learnt how to forgive.
You stood by me no matter what,
especially when everyone thought of me as a slut.
You've made me realize my dreams,
and with that you lifted my self esteem.
You lend your shoulder for me to cry
and you're still there till they're dry.
You occupy a special place in my heart,
meeting you has given me a new start.
purpose:To show that true friends are always there for each other and it's important to have one for support. They help get you through the hardest times in one's life.
In my time spent with you, you've taught me to live.
I've also learnt how to forgive.
You stood by me no matter what,
especially when everyone thought of me as a slut.
You've made me realize my dreams,
and with that you lifted my self esteem.
You lend your shoulder for me to cry
and you're still there till they're dry.
You occupy a special place in my heart,
meeting you has given me a new start.
Why must you continue to stand by me?
Can't you just let me be?
ELLA GOES TO THE GALA (PT 1)
age: 16-25
purpose: To show that young girls should be be treated equally and fair by their parents.
"Ella, come down here right now!", her mean stepmother's voice resonated throughout the house. Ella dropped the mop to the floor in her stepsisters room and immediately hurried downstairs to face her stepmother. "Ella, what is this?", her step mom asked with a flared nose, while waving a form in front her face. "It's my UFT form I have to fill out to order my Gala ticket. Remember I told you it's happening on June 4Th at the ROM," Ella replied nervously. "Oh well, maybe you did, maybe you didn't. But the point is, you're not going. Are you forgetting you have to do the house chores? Besides me and you're dad are going out that night, we need you to stay here to watch the house," her stepmother said strictly. "But that's not fair. Greta and Leona get to go, can't I just have one night off?" Ella pleaded with tears welling up in her eyes. "You're stepsisters are going because they have jobs and they can afford it, unlike you," "But, you've never wanted me to have a job. You always tell me to stay at home and do the chores and errands. Can't you give me lend me some money? Ella asked innocently. "NO! And don't even think about asking you're father. Besides what are you going to wear, those geeky golf shirts?" she said with an evil laugh then walked off into the kitchen to find herself another meal.
Ella sadly bowed her head and dragged her feet back to her stepsister's room to finish the mopping. A single tear made it's way down her left cheek and splattered into the dirty bucket water. While she continued cleaning, she thought about her mom, who died a couple months back. Each day, Ella would terribly miss her and wished with all her heart she was with her. Ella's hopes of attending her University Gala were crushed. How can she go, when all she had were her uniform tops and a couple of old worn out t-shirts, she thought to herself.
Later that night when Ella finished doing all of the chores, she logged onto her computer in her small room. She talked to her only friend, Steve online for a bit while checking her Facebook notifications. Suddenly, Ella's saddened eyes were brightened at the large colorful pop up that flashed onto her screen. Ella slowly read it to herself, trying to make sure no one else would hear.
'THE GLITTERING GALA GIRLS PROJECT AIMS AT ASSISTING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WHO CAN'T AFFORD THIS YEAR'S GALA EVENT. COME OUT TO OUR BOUTIQUE EXTRAVAGANZA ON SUNDAY, MAY 20 AT 12P.M, WHERE YOU WILL SPEND THE AFTERNOON SELECTING YOUR COMPLIMENTARY GALA GOWN AND ACCESSORIES TO MATCH! *applies to ONLY University of Toronto girls.
Ella's eyes widened and gleamed at the sight of the page that was on her screen. This was the perfect extravaganza to go to. She would find the perfect gown, shoes and accessories for the Gala she now was looking forward to attend. She wrote down the address and kept it safe hidden in her desk drawer. With that, Ella turned off her computer and crawled into her bed.
Sunday finally arrived. Ella quickly got dressed before her stepmother was awaken from her beauty sleep and before her stepsisters came back from their sleepovers. She made her way down the stairs and out the door, managing not to make much noise. Ella looked at the address she wrote down and lead herself to a large building. When she entered, there was an elderly looking woman standing at at a desk. She hesitantly walked up to the lady.
"Hi dear, you must be Ella," the old lady said friendly. "Yes, I am," Ella said nervously. "Follow me," the lady said in a high voice. The old lady brought Ella into a large room full of racks of sparking dresses and and accessories. To her surprise, there was no one else in the room, but Ella.
"OK, now you look like a small. So you can look through these dresses and pick out one that you will like to wear at the Gala," the old lady said.Ella had never been surrounded by such fancy and sparkling looking clothes. She scanned through the dresses until her eyes caught a magnificent pink poofy gown. Ella stared at the gown in 'awe' and took it off the rack. She knew this was the gown for her Gala.
purpose: To show that young girls should be be treated equally and fair by their parents.
"Ella, come down here right now!", her mean stepmother's voice resonated throughout the house. Ella dropped the mop to the floor in her stepsisters room and immediately hurried downstairs to face her stepmother. "Ella, what is this?", her step mom asked with a flared nose, while waving a form in front her face. "It's my UFT form I have to fill out to order my Gala ticket. Remember I told you it's happening on June 4Th at the ROM," Ella replied nervously. "Oh well, maybe you did, maybe you didn't. But the point is, you're not going. Are you forgetting you have to do the house chores? Besides me and you're dad are going out that night, we need you to stay here to watch the house," her stepmother said strictly. "But that's not fair. Greta and Leona get to go, can't I just have one night off?" Ella pleaded with tears welling up in her eyes. "You're stepsisters are going because they have jobs and they can afford it, unlike you," "But, you've never wanted me to have a job. You always tell me to stay at home and do the chores and errands. Can't you give me lend me some money? Ella asked innocently. "NO! And don't even think about asking you're father. Besides what are you going to wear, those geeky golf shirts?" she said with an evil laugh then walked off into the kitchen to find herself another meal.
Ella sadly bowed her head and dragged her feet back to her stepsister's room to finish the mopping. A single tear made it's way down her left cheek and splattered into the dirty bucket water. While she continued cleaning, she thought about her mom, who died a couple months back. Each day, Ella would terribly miss her and wished with all her heart she was with her. Ella's hopes of attending her University Gala were crushed. How can she go, when all she had were her uniform tops and a couple of old worn out t-shirts, she thought to herself.
Later that night when Ella finished doing all of the chores, she logged onto her computer in her small room. She talked to her only friend, Steve online for a bit while checking her Facebook notifications. Suddenly, Ella's saddened eyes were brightened at the large colorful pop up that flashed onto her screen. Ella slowly read it to herself, trying to make sure no one else would hear.
'THE GLITTERING GALA GIRLS PROJECT AIMS AT ASSISTING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WHO CAN'T AFFORD THIS YEAR'S GALA EVENT. COME OUT TO OUR BOUTIQUE EXTRAVAGANZA ON SUNDAY, MAY 20 AT 12P.M, WHERE YOU WILL SPEND THE AFTERNOON SELECTING YOUR COMPLIMENTARY GALA GOWN AND ACCESSORIES TO MATCH! *applies to ONLY University of Toronto girls.
Ella's eyes widened and gleamed at the sight of the page that was on her screen. This was the perfect extravaganza to go to. She would find the perfect gown, shoes and accessories for the Gala she now was looking forward to attend. She wrote down the address and kept it safe hidden in her desk drawer. With that, Ella turned off her computer and crawled into her bed.
Sunday finally arrived. Ella quickly got dressed before her stepmother was awaken from her beauty sleep and before her stepsisters came back from their sleepovers. She made her way down the stairs and out the door, managing not to make much noise. Ella looked at the address she wrote down and lead herself to a large building. When she entered, there was an elderly looking woman standing at at a desk. She hesitantly walked up to the lady.
"Hi dear, you must be Ella," the old lady said friendly. "Yes, I am," Ella said nervously. "Follow me," the lady said in a high voice. The old lady brought Ella into a large room full of racks of sparking dresses and and accessories. To her surprise, there was no one else in the room, but Ella.
"OK, now you look like a small. So you can look through these dresses and pick out one that you will like to wear at the Gala," the old lady said.Ella had never been surrounded by such fancy and sparkling looking clothes. She scanned through the dresses until her eyes caught a magnificent pink poofy gown. Ella stared at the gown in 'awe' and took it off the rack. She knew this was the gown for her Gala.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Think before you act
audience:18-25
purpose: To show that making impulsive decisions can result in regrets later on. This post shows to think before you act.
Looking out my window and seeing nothing but darkness surrounding the city, I am reminded of the dark phase in my life currently. Actually, this darkness seems to have describe what my life has been like for the past two years. First losing my teenage daughter in a drinking and driving car accident, then losing my husband, Nick to another woman. However, after moving on from these saddening happenings, I remarried to a wonderful man who has always cared about me since my high school days, Jack. Things were all lovey- dovey for awhile but then Jack started to cross the line by betraying my trust and keeping secrets from me. After it happened for the fifth time, I decided I could not take a lying man in my life and we got a divorce. Up till this day he still asks for my forgiveness and to take him back. Now one month pregnant, my life is still in a mess; no job, no family, and I am still living at this hotel. I can't drink away my sorrows with alcohol anymore; the last thing I want to do is harm my baby.
Now standing here with my hands on pregnant belly, I am thankful that the baby has not come yet. The three men who are possibly the father makes puts down my self -esteem. I think very low of myself after sleeping with the forbidden men. What keeps me from sleeping at night is to know that these men will not be able to be in my child life and definitely not mine. I have no regrets of the night I slept with my ex, Nick, who I have realized I am still deeply in love with. I know that when I tell Jack that he can also be the father of this child, he will want nothing more than to step up and be with me and the baby, not even caring if he turns out to not be the father. However I'm not so sure that I will have his support when he finds out that I also slept with his brother, Billy. Looking back now, I can't believe I was drunk to the extent of sleeping with my ex's brother. All of these men the possible fathers of my child, how am I going to tell them.
A part of me wants the father to be Nick as I am still in love with him. But I am not going to do the same cruel thing that awful woman did to me; take away someone else's husband. Billy, is a newly wed with a baby to take care of his own. But how am I suppose to allow for Jack's support and pretend as if I didn't betray him by sleeping with his brother? I don't have the courage and strength to see another child being taking away from me by getting an abortion As I contemplate my options, I know it will be another night of being deprived of sleep, only myself to blame for that and much more.
purpose: To show that making impulsive decisions can result in regrets later on. This post shows to think before you act.
Looking out my window and seeing nothing but darkness surrounding the city, I am reminded of the dark phase in my life currently. Actually, this darkness seems to have describe what my life has been like for the past two years. First losing my teenage daughter in a drinking and driving car accident, then losing my husband, Nick to another woman. However, after moving on from these saddening happenings, I remarried to a wonderful man who has always cared about me since my high school days, Jack. Things were all lovey- dovey for awhile but then Jack started to cross the line by betraying my trust and keeping secrets from me. After it happened for the fifth time, I decided I could not take a lying man in my life and we got a divorce. Up till this day he still asks for my forgiveness and to take him back. Now one month pregnant, my life is still in a mess; no job, no family, and I am still living at this hotel. I can't drink away my sorrows with alcohol anymore; the last thing I want to do is harm my baby.
Now standing here with my hands on pregnant belly, I am thankful that the baby has not come yet. The three men who are possibly the father makes puts down my self -esteem. I think very low of myself after sleeping with the forbidden men. What keeps me from sleeping at night is to know that these men will not be able to be in my child life and definitely not mine. I have no regrets of the night I slept with my ex, Nick, who I have realized I am still deeply in love with. I know that when I tell Jack that he can also be the father of this child, he will want nothing more than to step up and be with me and the baby, not even caring if he turns out to not be the father. However I'm not so sure that I will have his support when he finds out that I also slept with his brother, Billy. Looking back now, I can't believe I was drunk to the extent of sleeping with my ex's brother. All of these men the possible fathers of my child, how am I going to tell them.
A part of me wants the father to be Nick as I am still in love with him. But I am not going to do the same cruel thing that awful woman did to me; take away someone else's husband. Billy, is a newly wed with a baby to take care of his own. But how am I suppose to allow for Jack's support and pretend as if I didn't betray him by sleeping with his brother? I don't have the courage and strength to see another child being taking away from me by getting an abortion As I contemplate my options, I know it will be another night of being deprived of sleep, only myself to blame for that and much more.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
SHOW SOME ORIGINALITY PLEASE!
audience: 18-25
purpose: Why is Bollywood feeling like they are pressured to be like Hollywood? They should feel proud of what they make and start showing some originality to it's Indian audiences.
Western audience's are so caught up in reading and catching up on the juicy tabloids and gossip of their favourite Hollywood celebrities, but what they are not aware of is that other magazines from around the world are also gradully following this style and are converting people to follow celebrities personal lives. Popular amoung the Indian community and Bollywood buffs, Filmfare is an English-language Indian cinema fan tabloid magazine that is similar to what Western audience's are doing. Published in Mumbai, India, it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene as well as pry's into the personal lives of top Bollywood stars. The most popular entertainment magazine in India, is also read by the overseas Indian community of teens and adults between the ages of 18-25.
Bollywood, who is known amoung movie buffs to 'copy' or in their words, 'come up with their own interpretation' of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters also seem to 'copy' the Western style in magazines. Filmfare in no way strives to create a magazine that is unique to what Bollywood represtents, only if they percieve their representation as 'copy cat' and follows through this by making the content of their magazine with that of Western magazines. The writters of each segmant even seemed to have had their own copy of 'Star' or 'People' magazine in front of them and just seemed to be writting word for word on their pages. The biggest aspect of the magazine that is very 'copy cat' is it's I SPY segement. This segement consists of news snippets that highlight the latest quarrels between actors, gossip going the rounds and other bits of hearsay. It is very much alike what you would find while looking through a 'People' edition. It's other segmant, Fashion Play deals with the assesments of celebrities fashion sense. This is evidently Filmfare's version of Best and Worst dressed, sound familiar?
Filmfare, does not stop here with it's 'wanna be' magazine. The publishers apparently saw it extremely necessary to take up four pages of their magazine to include Movie Reviews of Hollywood's latest flicks. Since when are there Bollywood movie reviews in a Western Magazine? What bothered me the most about this segamant was that although they did have Bollywood movie reviews, they kept it quite short. Rather with the Hollywood movie reviews they chose to go into deep detail, taking up an entire page per review. This is a Bollywood Magazine, they should know that their target audience will be majority of those who watch Hindi Films.
On the positive side, the layout is quite impressive. They use eye catching 'hot and happening' celebrities on their cover. However even in their layout, they seem to be striving for a typical 'People' magazine look. In their 'rumous and gossip' section(taking up most of the pages) their format is the rumour itself along with a tabloid shot of the celebrity 'proving what they are writing'. They also include some interviews with top stars. Most will be content with the photo shoots of Filmfare, as they are updated and appealing. They use stellar photographers, and often their photo shoots are theme based, such as 'the 60's look'. Filmfare does feature 'fresh' segmants that do not resemble a Western magazine,however they are quite limited. I will hand it to them that they give off a professional look, but when you look deeper...
Overall, Filmfare comes out as a 'copy cat' with that of a Western tabloid magazine. You will also find that the writting styles are very similar. To a response to the arguement of "gossip is where the money is and everyone wants it", well why continue this trend of allowing complete strangers enter and pry into the lives of others? Why not focus on the movies, the characters, or what Bollywood is best known for, it's heartwarming 'song and dance'. Why does everything and everyone have to be the same? If they truly were not trying to resemble a Western magazine, then why see the need to consistently include a four page spread of Movie Reviews of Hollywood's flicks. They need to overcome this pressure that they themselves have created, of feeling the need to be like Hollywood. Being an Indian movie buff myself, I am proud of the movies they make (not including the Hollywood interpretations) and the richness of their culture. They also should be proud and start being creative with their magazine content. Those who are looking for a magazine with 'Bollywood Originality' will not find it in Filmfare. Bollywood magazine fans want to see more of India's unique richness and originality.
purpose: Why is Bollywood feeling like they are pressured to be like Hollywood? They should feel proud of what they make and start showing some originality to it's Indian audiences.
Western audience's are so caught up in reading and catching up on the juicy tabloids and gossip of their favourite Hollywood celebrities, but what they are not aware of is that other magazines from around the world are also gradully following this style and are converting people to follow celebrities personal lives. Popular amoung the Indian community and Bollywood buffs, Filmfare is an English-language Indian cinema fan tabloid magazine that is similar to what Western audience's are doing. Published in Mumbai, India, it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene as well as pry's into the personal lives of top Bollywood stars. The most popular entertainment magazine in India, is also read by the overseas Indian community of teens and adults between the ages of 18-25.
Bollywood, who is known amoung movie buffs to 'copy' or in their words, 'come up with their own interpretation' of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters also seem to 'copy' the Western style in magazines. Filmfare in no way strives to create a magazine that is unique to what Bollywood represtents, only if they percieve their representation as 'copy cat' and follows through this by making the content of their magazine with that of Western magazines. The writters of each segmant even seemed to have had their own copy of 'Star' or 'People' magazine in front of them and just seemed to be writting word for word on their pages. The biggest aspect of the magazine that is very 'copy cat' is it's I SPY segement. This segement consists of news snippets that highlight the latest quarrels between actors, gossip going the rounds and other bits of hearsay. It is very much alike what you would find while looking through a 'People' edition. It's other segmant, Fashion Play deals with the assesments of celebrities fashion sense. This is evidently Filmfare's version of Best and Worst dressed, sound familiar?
Filmfare, does not stop here with it's 'wanna be' magazine. The publishers apparently saw it extremely necessary to take up four pages of their magazine to include Movie Reviews of Hollywood's latest flicks. Since when are there Bollywood movie reviews in a Western Magazine? What bothered me the most about this segamant was that although they did have Bollywood movie reviews, they kept it quite short. Rather with the Hollywood movie reviews they chose to go into deep detail, taking up an entire page per review. This is a Bollywood Magazine, they should know that their target audience will be majority of those who watch Hindi Films.
On the positive side, the layout is quite impressive. They use eye catching 'hot and happening' celebrities on their cover. However even in their layout, they seem to be striving for a typical 'People' magazine look. In their 'rumous and gossip' section(taking up most of the pages) their format is the rumour itself along with a tabloid shot of the celebrity 'proving what they are writing'. They also include some interviews with top stars. Most will be content with the photo shoots of Filmfare, as they are updated and appealing. They use stellar photographers, and often their photo shoots are theme based, such as 'the 60's look'. Filmfare does feature 'fresh' segmants that do not resemble a Western magazine,however they are quite limited. I will hand it to them that they give off a professional look, but when you look deeper...
Overall, Filmfare comes out as a 'copy cat' with that of a Western tabloid magazine. You will also find that the writting styles are very similar. To a response to the arguement of "gossip is where the money is and everyone wants it", well why continue this trend of allowing complete strangers enter and pry into the lives of others? Why not focus on the movies, the characters, or what Bollywood is best known for, it's heartwarming 'song and dance'. Why does everything and everyone have to be the same? If they truly were not trying to resemble a Western magazine, then why see the need to consistently include a four page spread of Movie Reviews of Hollywood's flicks. They need to overcome this pressure that they themselves have created, of feeling the need to be like Hollywood. Being an Indian movie buff myself, I am proud of the movies they make (not including the Hollywood interpretations) and the richness of their culture. They also should be proud and start being creative with their magazine content. Those who are looking for a magazine with 'Bollywood Originality' will not find it in Filmfare. Bollywood magazine fans want to see more of India's unique richness and originality.
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