It may not be Question 3 after all...

I realised that I wrongly interpreted Question 3. To be on the safe side, I better continue my exploration on few more essay questions in this and the coming posts.

Question 1: Analyse in detail the coverage of a single story, comprising of text and images, in two contrasting newspapers or magazines, one of which should be a South East Asian publication. Compare and contrast the techniques used and the target market for each sample.

TIME (7 March, 2014): A Japanese Superhero Is Apparently Destroying Malaysia OR
Reuters (7 March, 2014): Comic superhero Ultraman slain by Malaysian censors

                                             VS 

Local Newspaper - The Star Online: 
6 March, 2014: Home Ministry bans publication of 'Ultraman the Ultra Power' over usage of "Allah"
7 March, 2014: Home Ministry bans Ultraman book, Use of 'Allah' in Ultraman comic main reason for ban, A brief history of Ultraman
8 March, 2014: Book banned but Ultraman can power on
11 March, 2014: Ultraman's most epic battles: But can he survive the ban?

Which one to choose? * ban reason before 8/3/14 are all based on assumptions
- TIME VS Reuters
  ~ generally, both have similar content but TIME should be a better choice as it contains images for visual semiosis discourse analysis 
  ~ having said that, Reuters's report on Khairy's statement is very interesting, as if the magazine is hinting that there is a different opinion within the government

- The Star Online

  ~ 7/3/14: to avoid bias and has more information compared to 6/3/14

  ~ 8/3/14 (maybe): as a follow up

What to do next?

D.I.Y. Semiotic Analysis: Advice to My Own Students  

- has a whole list of semiotic analysis examples which I can choose and apply in this essay

- the step-by-step guides should be helpful in making my essay more rational and organised

______________________________________________________________________________

References:

Backus, R.J. and Lee, S. (2014) Ultraman's most epic battles: but can he survive the ban? The Star Online, 11 March 2014. [Online] Available at: http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2014/03/11/Ultramans-most-epic-battles-But-can-he-survive-the-ban/ [Accessed: 13 June 2014].

BERNAMA (2014a) Home Ministry bans publication of ‘Ultraman The Ultra Power’ over usage of "Allah". The Star Online. 6 March 2014. [Online] Available at: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/03/06/Ultraman-The-Ultra-Power/ [Accessed: 13 June 2014].

BERNAMA (2014b) Home Ministry bans Ultraman book. The Star Online. 7 March 2014. [Online] Available at: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/03/07/Ministry-bans-Ultraman-book/ [Accessed: 13 June 2014].

Brown, V. (2014) A brief history of Ultraman. The Star Online. 7 March 2014. [Online] Available at: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/03/07/Ultraman-through-the-years/ [Accessed: 13 June 2014].

Chandler, D. (2013) D.I.Y. semiotic analysis: advice to my own students. Semiotics for Beginners. [Online] Available at: http://users.aber.ac.uk/dgc/Documents/S4B/sem12.html [Accessed: 15 June 2014].

Grudgings, D. (2014) Comic superhero Ultraman slain by Malaysian censors. Reuters. [Online] Available at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/07/malaysia-ultraman-idUSL3N0M42FZ20140307 [Accessed: 13 June 2014].

Stout, D. (2014) A Japanese superhero is apparently destroying Malaysia. TIME. [Online] Available at: http://time.com/15265/ultraman-banned-malaysia-allah/ [Accessed: 13 June 2014].

The Star Online (2014a) Use of ‘Allah’ in Ultraman comic main reason for ban. The Star Online. 7 March 2014. [Online] Available at: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/03/07/Ministry-bans-Ultraman-book/ [Accessed: 13 June 2014].

The Star Online (2014b) Book banned but Ultraman can power on. The Star Online. 8 March 2014. [Online] Available at: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/03/08/Book-banned-but-Ultraman-can-power-on-Ministry-Usage-of-word-Allah-can-confuse-kids/ [Accessed: 13 June 2014].

___________________________________________________________

Feedback:

- to compare and contrast between 2 magazines or 2 newspaper

- consider newspaper in different language

- to tryout Chandler's semiotic analysis method on blog

- research about Ultraman in Wikipedia

So it is Question 3

Question 3: Explore either realism or fantasy in film in an era of your choice. Show how your examples reflect/ed the sociological and cultural changes of their life time.

- my understanding of the question
  ~ choose a film in an era which consists of some kind of realism and fantasy
  ~ decide how much of fiction and facts are in it, based on the sociological and cultural aspects of:
       (i) when the film was created AND/OR
      (ii) the setting (time and location) of the story itself **

- my film choice is Puteri Gunong Ledang (1961) OR Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004)
** since I am not sure which approach I want go for in the meantime, I'll use the checklist below as a guide to further expand my thoughts

- checklist 
  1. definition: realism and fantasy
  2. general Puteri Gunung Ledang (PGL) synopsis
  3. difference between PGL 1961 and 2004
      - the chosen one with reasons to support
  4. research about Gunung Ledang
  5. research about Puteri Gunung Ledang 
  6. tracking down history and discuss how did it affect the society *
      - the Malacca Sultanate
        ~ during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Shah
        ~ the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese 
      - Malaya/sia 1950s, 1960s
        ~ the Malayan Emergency (1950-1960)
        ~ Malaya Independence (1957)
        ~ General Plan of Development/First Malaya Plan (1956-1960)
      - Malaysia 2000s
        ~ from Mahathir to Abdullah Badawi (2003)
        ~ Anwar Ibrahim and Reformasi
        ~ Malaysia 11th election (2004)
     * may or may not complete, depending on the final film choice
7. what is PGL to Malaysia in the current scene (wrap-up)

Brainstorming

Question 1: Analyse in detail the coverage of a single story, comprising of text and images, in two contrasting newspapers or magazines, one of which should be a South East Asian publication. Compare and contrast the techniques used and the target market for each sample.
- possible topics to explore
   ~ Bersih 2013, kangkung meme, Malaysian couple detained in Sweden for child abuse, the term 'Allah'
- reasons
   ~ interesting to see how other countries with different ideology respond to these issues
   ~ eg. secular VS semi-theocracy, liberalism VS conservatism...

Question 3: Explore either realism or fantasy in film in an era of your choice. Show how your examples reflect/ed the sociological and cultural changes of their life time.
- Puteri Gunong Ledang (1961) or Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004)
  ~ popular Malaysian folklore during the Melaka Sultanate era
  ~ realism: timeline and setting as well as some characters involved do exist 
  ~ fantasy: the fairy princess with magic power
- points of discussion
  ~ loyalty, women's rights, freedom of speech
  ~ based on political, economy and social context during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Shah


Question 4: Analyse the work of a photographer or film maker of your choice, using appropriate illustrations to present your arguments and setting his/her work in a contemporary context. Show how their work has influenced your own, providing illustrations and examples.
- Dorothea Lange
  ~ documentary photographer
  ~ work: photos of the Great Depression, migrant farm families
- possible theme: foreign workers in Malaysia
  ~ subject matter: construction worker, maid
  ~ where and how they live, work..., how do they feel, working in Malaysia


Question 6: Analyse a soap opera or a reality show, considering aspects such asthe 'mise-en-scene' (setting, look or mood), audience, narrative and editing. What values and attitudes are being communicated?
- 'Dad, Where Are You Going?'
   ~ Korean variety show about five celebrity fathers and their children going on trips around the country
   ~ a show for all ages
   ~ values: father and child interaction and bonding, Korean traditional culture (eg. Food, games...)

The art of persuasion

Hi! I'm here to convince you that I deserve a free ice-cream each week of Media Culture class for this semester.

As far as being an ex-medical staff, emphasizing a lot on healthy diet and lifestyle is concerned, I'm nonetheless similar to most of you: I have a soft spot for junk food, which is the 1 Ringgit Tropicana Lime Vanilla Ice-cream!

So, what is so good about it?
Firstly, being an ice-cream, it is a mood booster.
Secondly, being vanilla-flavoured, it is a mental performance enhancer.
And thirdly, being priced at 1 Ringgit, it is economical.
Therefore, this particular ice-cream is an economical mental performance enhancer cum mood booster.

On the other hand, Media Culture often requires critical analysis and reasoning; stressful and brainpower exhausting at times.
Hence, 1 Ringgit Tropicana Lime Vanilla Ice-cream and Media Culture is not a bad combination at all.
It creates a highly motivating learning environment as well as promotes productivity, what's more, when the ice-cream is given for free.

For that reason, I deserve a free ice-cream weekly.

Thank you!

______________________________________________________________________________

References:
Linley, P.A. and Dovey, H. et al. (2013) Two simple, brief, naturalistic activities and their impact on positive effect: feeling grateful and eating ice cream. Psychology of Well-Being: Theory, Research and Practice. 3. (6) [Online] Available at: http://www.psywb.com/content/3/1/6 [Accessed: 29 May 2014].

The Bulletprove Executive. (2014) Using vanilla to increase your mental performance. [Online] Available at: http://www.bulletproofexec.com/using-vanilla-to-increase-your-mental-performance/ [Accessed: 29 May 2014].
  

My Essay Framework Proposal

** Post-feedback edited version

Question 3: Briefly trace the arrival of the Internet to Malaysia, analyse recent reports on the current state of the web in our country, and present the findings that may have the most impact on your field of practice.

Introduction

1. Subject Matter:

The development of Internet in Malaysia is progressing fast and has influenced the advertising industry. How are newspaper and internet advertising doing?

2. Research Objective:

To identify the impact of the Internet in newspaper and online display advertising in a Malaysian context

3. Research Question: 

Internet in Malaysia: how has it affect newspaper and online display advertising?

4. Examination Objects:

Internet in Malaysia, newspaper display advertising, online display advertising

5. Relevance of Research:
- to provide insights of newspaper and internet advertising in relation to the Internet in Malaysia

- to provide suggestions to advertising agencies to overcome identified opportunities and challenges
- to encourage further studies on effective newspaper and online display advertising strategies in this information era

6. Methodology: refer to Argumentation

Argumentation

1. Introduction/ definition of terms:

- the Internet, newspaper advertising, internet advertising, newspaper display advertising, online display advertising

2. Overview of the Internet in Malaysia:

- history and current status

3. Overview and comparison of newspaper and online advertising in Malaysia:

- comparison of 2 reports about newspaper and online advertising in Malaysia: 

  ~ the past-current (Mapping Digital Media: Malaysia) and forecast status (Malaysia entertainment and media outlook 2013: Customers and innovative in the Digital age)

- pros and cons of both media

4. Comparison between Malaysian newspaper and online news site display advertisements:

- a simple observation on print newspapers (The Star, the Sun) and online news site (Malaysiakini.com)

5. Identification of opportunities and challenges for both media based on the findings of No. 3 and 4

6. Proposal of ideas/ strategies for advertising agencies to overcome opportunities and challenges identified in No. 5

- new structure and roles

Conclusion

1. Summary of findings and recommendations

2. Limitations:

- only a few newspapers and online news site are reviewed

  ~ is there a difference between other newspapers/ sites and in different languages?

- the observation focused mainly on newspaper and online news sites display advertising

  ~ is there a difference between those in social media, mobile advertising?

3. Implications for the future

- derive from limitations

4. Concluding statement

References 

Appendix
__________________________________________________________

Feedback:

- narrow down coverage

- experiment on 'style'

- clarity in sentence structure and composition

A simple observation: the Sun, The Star, Malaysiakini.com

Newspaper: the Sun, The Star (10/1/14, Friday)
Number of newspaper advertisements by sectors **
- exclude classified ads

General observation

- distribution channels involve mainly on informative advertising:

  ~ about sales at departmental stores, supermarkets, furniture and decorative outlets

  ~ usually half or full page, printed black and white

- durables:

  ~ mainly on mobile phones, mattresses, massage chairs

  ~ at least half page, mostly colour printed

- financial:

  ~ banks

  ~ full page, colour printed

- FMCG:

  ~ quick service restaurant

  ~ at least half page, all colour printed

  ~ Star 2: healthier products (yogurt, packet drinks)

- Industry and services:

  ~ learning institutes (usually black and white)

  ~ property (full page, colour printed)

  ~ Star Metro: property, furnishing and deco services

- black and white advertisements printed in less than 6.3 X 12 cm are often being ignored

- a mixture of tone of voice but mainly very formal and stable

Analysis based on advertising styles and creative tactics***

- mainly straight sell, some are spokesperson testimonials

- a mixture of direct (offering a promise/ benefit) and indirect headlines (using questions/ how-to statements)

- advertisements showing the image of the actual product in colour attracts more attention in general

Online news site: Malaysiakin.com (Friday, 17/1/14)

Number of internet advertisements by sectors**

General observation

- lesser advertisements compared to newspaper (limited advertising space)

- various display formats (jpeg, gif, simple flash, rich media with or without video)

- no pop-ups

- seems more fun because of the dynamic effect of display formats

** Sector categories adopted from Nielsen Global Adview. (2013) Global Adview Pulse lite: your connection to global advertising trends (Quarter 2 2013). New York: The Nielsen Company. [Online] Available at: http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/reports-downloads/2013%20Reports/Global-AdView-Pulse-2013-Q2-LITE.PDF [Accessed: 15 January 2014].

- Automotive: automotive

- Clothing and accessories: Clothing and accessories

- Distribution channels: distribution channels (including also: mail order, multiple product retailers, online shopping and generic online services, corporate/ image and sponsorship distribution channels)

- Durables: domestic appliances, furnishing and decoration, information technology

- Entertainment: entertainment, leisure products, transport and tourism

- Financial: financial

- FMCG: cosmetics and toiletries, drinks, food, housekeeping products, tobacco

- Healthcare: healthcare

- Industry and services: business service, property, institutions, power and water

- Media: media and publishing

- Telecommunications: telecommunications 

*** Advertising styles and creative tactics adopted from Belch, G.E. and Belch, M.A. (2003) 'Creative Strategy: Implementation and Evaluation'. In: Advertising and Promotion: an Integrated Marketing Communications Perspective. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies. pp. 263-297. [Online] Available at: http://hfs1.duytan.edu.vn/upload/ebooks/5183.pdf [Accessed: 15 January 2014].

SWOT Analysis

Based on the reading materials, I did a SWOT analysis for both advertising media. Not a very complete one, but at least a start for my future essay.

Fam, K.S., Waller, D.S. and Henry, J. (2007) Effects and future of the Internet on the Malaysian Advertising Industry. International Journal of Business and Society. 8 (2). pp. 13-24. [Online] Available at: http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/research-publications/bitstream/handle/10453/10367/2008008511OK.pdf?sequence=1 [Accessed: 7 December 2013].

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). (2006) Analysis of Adex Size and Trend in Malaysia. Cyberjaya: MCMC. [Online] Available at: http://www.skmm.gov.my/skmmgovmy/files/attachments/Analysis_Adex_Size08.pdf [Accessed: 10 December 2013].

Lasune, S. (2011) 'Advertising Media'. In: S.Y.B.A./ S.Y.B.Com. Advertising. Mumbai: University of Mumbai. pp. 37-61. [Online] Available at: http://www.mu.ac.in/myweb_test/sybcom-avtg-eng.pdf [Accessed: 10 December 2013].

Forbes. (2012) Print is Dead? Not so Fast. 28 June 2012. [Online] Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/thesba/2012/06/28/print-is-dead-not-so-fast/ [Accessed: 30 December 2013].