#Asian Academy of Film And Television

[marwahstudios]

Renowned Media Personality Dr. Sandeep Marwah Inspires Outgoing Students of the 118th Batch at AAFT Convocation

Noida,4th Dec. 2023: Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Chancellor of AAFT University, delivered a motivational address to the outgoing students of the 118th batch at the convocation ceremony held in Noida. Emphasizing the importance of determination and hard work, Dr. Marwah urged the graduates to strive for success and make a mark in their respective fields.

In a historic moment, Dr. Marwah highlighted that AAFT University has achieved a milestone by conducting its 118th convocation, setting a record as the first creative institute worldwide to reach such a landmark. He commended the students for their sincere efforts and belief, stating that India is on the rise, offering tremendous opportunities for everyone to excel in the market.

During the event, renowned actor Rishabh Sinha shared his experiences with the aspiring creative minds, while popular actor and singer Shikha Malhotra narrated the story of her life, providing inspiration to the students. Arzad Naaz expressed gratitude to AAFT for delivering world-class education in a cost-effective manner and contributing to nation-building through various initiatives. Tushar Kumar, the youngest Councillor from London also spoke about his achievements.

Executive Directors of AAFT, Ajay Kumar and OSD AAFT, Manoj Agarwal, along with Yogesh Mishra, Dean of AAFT, also addressed the gathering. The ceremony included the presentation of AAFT Mementos to the toppers and the conferral of prestigious AAFT diplomas to the graduating students.

In recognition of their contributions, Dr. Sandeep Marwah honored dignitaries present at the event with life membership of the International Film and Television Club of AAFT.

The convocation ceremony marked a significant milestone in the journey of AAFT- Asian Academy of Film and Television, celebrating the accomplishments of its students and reinforcing the institution’s commitment to fostering excellence in the field of media and entertainment.

[wearevillaneve]

Endgame.

Q: When is a good time to leave a fandom? A: When there's no future to look forward to and a past too painful to look back at. Welcome to the 2023 Killing Eve fandom and here's the latest news. There is no news. There is nothing in development. The stars of the show have parted ways and moved on to new projects and so have many in the fandom. But don't take my word for it.

Good question. What else is there to talk about Killing Eve? How long can you be bummed the fuck out by that ending? How many times can you watch that sweet kiss between Eve and Villanelle and wonder what kind of life they could have had together if only a better writer than Laura Neal was in command of their destiny? How many times will you think about a Season Four rewatch only to wonder why bother? Wine improves over the passage of time, but nothing's going to make that shitty ending better. Anger and resentment can only take you so far. After it fades into disgust and depression, it's just a grey cloud hanging over your head while it eats you up inside.

KE fanfics have helped me get through the depression and disgust I felt after the finale, but the seething rage at Neal and Sally Woodward Gentle though---that has not gone away.

I keep thinking there's something more to say about Killing Eve and how it went from being born for greatness before sliding into mediocrity before the bitter disappointment of the finale. I keep thinking that, but really what more needs to be said about it?

In the immediate aftermath of "Hello, Losers" the KE fandom went hunting for bastards to blame. The obvious targets were head writer Laura Neal and chief producer Sally Gentle and coupled with some truly awful interviews by the pair in Collider, Decider, and the Hollywood Reporter, they went out of their way to justify being cast as the villains. Afterward, more witches needed to be set alight, and some fans, including some I personally respect, settled on Sandra Oh as next to dragged face down over concrete for not openly denouncing the finale (Jodie Comer escaped the scorn by swiftly pivoting to her one-woman play, Prima Facie, and shutting up about Killing Eve entirely). I've never thought the scorn for Sandra was merited or justified. Most of it hinged on a vaguely worded "quote" from a Gay Times interview in 2018 that has been hung around the actress's neck as evidence she never believed in a same-sex relationship between Eve and Villanelle. I read it differently, but I admit to perhaps being biased on the behalf of a mature Asian woman cast in a role written for a much younger White woman. But mostly I don't think it's entirely fair to blame any actor for the failure or even give them too much credit for the success of any given show. Even in Prima Facie, there's still a playwright who provided the dialogue and a director making sure everything comes together to put Comer in the best light. In film, television, or plays, collaborating successfully with other talented people is the secret sauce that separates success from failure. This is a hard, fast rule and something any KE fan who watched the plunge from a Phoebe Waller-Bridge to Laura Neal can attest to. New Yorker film critic Richard Brody wrote in response to the 2022 Academy Award nominations, "It’s rare for actors to give performances better than the film they’re in. Actors, whatever power they may have as stars, are still, in effect, employees, working under the command of directors."

I agree with Brody, and add when there is constant churn and turnover in the writer's room the actors can't act their way out of it. Indeed, the saving grace of Season Four is the consistency of Comer and Oh who often created the best moments out of the table scraps of Neal's uninspired and clumsy scripts. They succeeded in spite of Neal, not because of her. Very little blame has been directed toward Oh and Comer for the work they did as actors in Killing Eve's fatally flawed final season. They did their best with the little they were given to work with, but even these two accomplish award-winners could not redeem the damnable, disgusting mess of a last go-round that was Season Four. But it's not enough to sustain my enthusiasm or direct participation. It seems unlikely I will ever not be a fan of Oh and Comer, but what I'm not particularly interested in is turning a Killing Eve blog into a Sandra Oh or Jodie Comer blog. No disrespect to Big Swiss, The End We Start From, The Sympathizer, or the second season of Invincible, but none of those things have anything to do with Killing Eve. This is why this blog began years ago and why it will end days from now. Stepping away simply makes more sense than hanging on. There is nothing else to say about Killing Eve, but even if there is, I'm not the one to say it.

[thesunrisesss]

Have you seen the prequel movie? If yes🌹>>>

A. In your opinion, please rate TBOSAS movie with 1-10 scale.

(1 = I hate it, 10 = I love it.)

Things that you like :

Things that you don't like :

B. For people who also read the novel.

Your opinions about the difference between the book and the movie :

Thank you 🎼

@curiousnonny

Thank you so much for the ask!! Yes, I have seen the movie (twice lol). On a scale of 1-10, I'd rate TBOSAS as a 9, because a 10 to me would be a 1 to 1 recreation of the book. Compared to the rest of the film adaptations we have, this is the best one by far. I'll start off by breaking down the things that I liked most about the movie.

Let's start off first and foremost, Francis Lawerence was determined to fit everything cleanly into one movie. While most of us know that there was more than enough material to warrant two movies, if that happened, I believe that it would have suffered the same fate as Mockingjay Pt. 1 & 2. This is what he said during an interview that I think sums this idea up well:

"In an episode of television, if you have a cliffhanger, you have to wait a week or you could just binge it and then you can see the next episode. But making people wait a year, I think, came across as disingenuous, even though it wasn’t. Our intentions were not to be disingenuous." - Variety

So, would it have made more money in the long run? Sure. But would it make the fans happy? Probably not. Both he and Suzanne aren't just in it for the money. They want to both make something they're proud of, and something they know the fans will enjoy and I think that really shows.

Another great example of how they listen to the opinions of their fans is shown in their casting choices.

Back in 2012 when the movies first started being released, there was a lot of public outcry about not giving accurate representation to the characters in the books.

Listen, as much as I love JLaw, her personality, her acting ability, and the beautiful way she brought Katniss to life, she doesn’t look like Katniss as was described in the book. Suzanne is very intentional with the information she gives us. Katniss is a hunter, living in the Appalachian area, and has "straight black hair, olive skin, and grey eyes"; Katniss is coded as Native. Jennifer is not.

This can also be expanded into the representation of District 12 as a whole. While we're watching the events of the Reaping take place, nearly everyone in that crowd is white. If most of the people living in the district live in the Seam and look like Katniss, then where are they? Why do they all look like merchant children?

So, with that all being said, I am very glad that this time around they had a more diverse cast.

Here are the things that I picked up on myself: Clemensia is Asian, Coral was queer-coded, Bobbin was missing an arm, Tanner was missing an eye, Wovey had down syndrome and, Tigris is played by a trans actress (and was a huge fan of the original series growing up). I'm aware that there is probably a lot more I missed out on, but those are just the ones I picked up on on my own.

Another bit I loved was the character outfit choices.

Snow wore different colored roses to signify his mindset at different points in time. He wore a red rose during the reaping ceremony, red roses signifying passion and pride as he thinks he’s about to win the Plinth prize. When we see him at the train station he gives Lucy Gray a white rose, which signifies loyalty, purity, and innocence, as are his views towards her and the Games thus far. Then, during the start of the games he wears a yellow rose, which signifies friendship and luck, which represents how he feels about Lucy Gray.

Another thing that really stood out to me was the choice of character design. Of course, most of the attention is going to the Academy uniforms, and Lucy Gray’s reaping dress, but there’s so much more that we can pick up on if we look closely.

It was mentioned a TikTok, going over Tigris’s outfits, that the designer intentionally gave all of her outfits some kind of unfinished hem, as if she was still a work in progress. (I can’t find the original TikTok anywhere, I believe it was posted by Lionsgate, but it’s no longer there)

And Dr. Gaul’s outfits are phenomenal. I would say my piece about it here, but Leftie said it so much better than I could say it myself, so I will link it for you here: TikTok

Then, when it comes to the tributes, each tribute looked like they were all coming from the poor districts, but they all had something unique about them. Coral had a fish on her flannel representing District 4, fishing, Wovey had an outfit covered in buttons on her shoulders, and had a heart made of buttons on her pants representing District 8, textiles, 

There are also many things I liked about the little callbacks to the original trilogy, but don't have enough to say on it to write them their own paragraphs, so I will list them below.

The long shot on the bow and arrows on the Cornucopia, sitting and waiting to be used, because no one there is ready to take the first shot.

Lucky canceling his dinner reservations. “Two and a highchair”, I wonder who that highchair is for.

The mention of Katniss and being too early in the season. Need I say more?

I think these were all great choices because anyone who has been a fan of the series will know what they were trying to tell us, but it also blends in so well with the rest of the movie. I have no doubt in my mind that those who watched this movie as their first introduction to the series didn’t think any of those moments were out of place.

Now we’ll move on to the things I didn’t like, and honestly, I’m glad to say I don’t have many, so I will list them below:

Why is District 12 still so white? If the Seam is a large part of the population then why is everyone so gosh darn pale? Where are the people living in the Seam that all looked like Katniss and Lucy Gray??

Where is Clemmy?? I really wanted to see her act like a snake.

Where is Ma Plinth? She is such a huge character in the book and yet we don’t even see her face in the movie.

The interview between Lucky and Lucy Gray while at the zoo felt too fast, could I tell you how to do it better? No. But I do think that the pacing of it was a bit weird.

I really wish we saw a mockingjay pin somewhere, that would have been a nice call back.

The overall pace of the first half of the movie. They did really well getting in the stuff they did, but so much happened in the books that it felt like we were jumping around quite a bit trying to show us all the things that were necessary for the story.

Lack of Snow's inner dialogue. I understand why it wasn't included, but it really adds so much depth to his character that without it he just appears...normal. (Listen you can think Tom is hot all you want, but babe, respectfully, if you still think Snow is smashable after the movie ends I will personally give you my therapist's contact info)

For those who didn’t read the book, but watched the movie, I will leave you with this.

Snow is a sociopath. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He is hot and evil. That’s how it's supposed to be.

No, Snow and Sejanus didn’t kiss in the book either, I’m sorry.

Read the books. It brings so much more light and depth into the characters that you literally cannot do in any movie.

Listen to the audiobook. If you think reading the book will bring the characters to life, then this will make them feel like you know them personally. It's voiced by Santino Fontana (aka Hans from Frozen) and he adds so much to the story, minus the singing. You would think they would let a man who can sing sing the songs, but they don’t. I think it’s cause they’re scared of the edits we would create. (Btw, don’t support amazon by listening to it on audible. You can listen to it for free by either supporting your local library by using Libby or by listening to it on youtube)

Lastly, I’ll leave you with some things I'm hoping we will get to see at some point in the future.

Another book. I really hope Suzanne comes back with another addition to the series at some point. I know she only writes when she has something to say, so if she does, I'm really excited to see what she might come up with.

A TV series adaptation. Diverse and inclusive cast. One episode per chapter. One season per book. One bonus season where each episode goes over the games of previous victors. I would love to see Mags, Haymitch, Johanna, and Finnick’s games.

The extended cut. There is a 3hr 40min cut of the movie that we almost got, but didn’t, and I need to see it. There's currently a live change.org petition urging Lionsgate to release it. As of writing this, it has just over 12k signatures. If you're interested you can sign it here.

More interviews with Suzanne. Even if she doesn’t write any more books I really just want to hear more about what goes on in her head.

More people joining the HG community. It’s been a special interest of mine ever since the movies were first announced, so I’m super happy that it’s picking up steam and getting attention again!

[malaysiankpopfans]

South Korean Singer, Songwriter, and Dancer Yugyeom, Together With Thai Actor, Singer and Model Nanon to Attend Grand Opening of the New Coach Concept Store at The Exchange TRX Mall

South Korean singer, songwriter, and dancer YUGYEOM will be making a visit to Malaysia on 2nd February 2024, for the grand opening of the new Coach concept store at The Exchange TRX Mall.

Trained under JYP Entertainment, YUGYEOM appeared on the 2013 Mnet reality survival program WIN: Who Is Next. On January 16, 2014, YUGYEOM debuted with K-pop boy group GOT7 releasing the EP Got It?. Over the years, he also took part in creating choreographies for "If You Do" from their EP MAD, and for "POISON" from their EP DYE.

In February 2021, YUGYEOM joined AOMG. On June 22, 2021, YUGYEOM made his debut on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart at number two with "I Want U Around." He held a solo concert in Manila on August 19, debuting the unreleased track "Always Ready," and performed two sold-out shows at Impact Exhibition Hall 5 in Bangkok on August 27 and 28, 2022. On January 2, 2023, he released the digital single "Ponytail," followed by the single album LOLO on July 24.

The opening of the new Coach TRX store will be joined by Nanon, who will be a making special appearance alongside YUGYEOM.

Koraphat Koetphan, nicknamed Nanon, is a Thai television actor, singer and model. He made his acting debut in 2015 and best known for his leading roles in drama series such as Secret Love: My Lil Boy & My Lil Boy 2 and Bad Buddy Series. In 2021, Nanon was nominated for the Asian Academy Creative Awards and the Asian Television Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his role in The Gifted and The Gifted Graduation.

Nanon was casted as the leading actor for his first Thai feature film, SLR in 2022 and also made his solo artist debut under Riser Music, with the stage name NANON and the single Unidentified Wonder, and released his first full-length album The Secrets Of The Universe in the same year.

The opening of the new Coach TRX store will be an exclusive and private event. A red carpet occasion will be held in conjunction with the event where public could catch a glimpse of their favourite celebrities at the store entrance. Other celebrities and guests include Alyph, Alvin Chong, Anna Jobling, Daiyan Trisha and many more. 

Full details of the grand opening event are as below:

Date: 2nd February 2024, Friday Time: 6.30PM Venue: COACH The Exchange TRX Mall

The new Coach concept store is located at G.87.0, G.88.0 & G.89.0, Ground Floor and is open daily from 10AM to 10PM.

[lgbtqiamuslimpedia]

Parvez Sharma

DOB : July 8, 1976

Occupation : Journalist, Filmmaker,Writer, Activist

Gender : Male

Sexuality : Gay

Ethnicity : Indian 🇮🇳

Spouce : Dan

Awards : Best Film,Mix Brasil 2008,Best Film,Image +Nation,Montreal 2008,Monette Horowitz Award,Cinereach Award,Arts PAC—Artists for Freedom Of Expression,Arcus Foundation Award,The Hartley Film Award,Andy Warhol Foundation for The Visual Arts 2006,GLAAD Media Award,Stonewall Community Fund, etc

Parvez Sharma (also known as Parvez Hussein Sharma) is an Indian-born American journalist, writer, filmmaker & activist. He proudly identify himself as Gay & Muslim. Sharma's writings have appeared on The Huffington Post, The Daily Beast and The Guardian.He is a recipient of the 2018 Guggenheim Fellowship in the film/video category. He is best known for his films In the name of Allah (short), A Jihad for Love, A Sinner in Mecca, & his book A Sinner in Mecca: A Gay Muslim's Hajj of Defiance. He received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary amongst several other international awards for A Jihad for Love. For his 2 controversial documentaries, Parvez Sharma faced lots of criticism from Muslim communities.After the release of A Jihad for Love, Sharma was labeled as Apostate by the Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa.

Early Life:

Parvez Sharma was born on 8th July of 1975 in a small town of New Delhi. His parents were sunni muslim. He grew up in various cities all over India. His high school was a Catholic School called St Mary's Academy where all students had to recite the Pater Noster during morning assembly. At the age 12, he had (inappropriately) speed-read his mother’s copy of “Gone with the Wind” & even gotten his hands on Christopher Isherwood’s “Berlin Diaries”. By 13 he was precociously photographing everything with a pretty basic Vivitar camera which was gifted by his American cousin.

He recieved his bachelor degree in English literature from Presidency College of the University of Calcutta.He received his master's degrees in Mass Communication (Film and Television) from Jamia Millia Islamia University,Broadcast Journalism from the University of Wales,Cardiff & Video from American University's School of Communication.He moved to the United States in 2000 as a student at Columbia University's Film School, but was unable to continue a second semester due to lack of funds and moved to American University where he was given scholarships.

Career:

Parvez Sharma worked as a journalist for India's 24-hour news television network NDTV.He also worked on programming for BBC World Television(India), the Discovery Channel(United States), & the World Bank (United States).Parvez Sharma worked in several radio,print, and broadcast.

In the nineties, Sharma was a print journalist for several prominent Indian newspapers including The Telegraph,The Statesman,The Economic Times,The Business Standard, & India Currents Magazine.While at the Statesman he reported on what was the first ever detailing of the lesbian experience within India for a national newspaper - Emerging from the Shadows (July 3, 1994)– which became a rallying point for lesbians around the country and was crucial in the formation of many lesbian organizations.

Sharma was instrumental in setting up the first organized LGBT effort in the eastern state of West Bengal,setting benchmarks for many other LGBT organizing efforts around the subcontinent.

Films

In his short film, In the name of Allah , Parvez interviewed American,British & South Asian Gay & Lesbian Muslims.A Jihad for Love film was preceded by this short film.Parvez Sharma came up with the idea after listening to the stories of gay muslims, when he attended American University.He decided to give a voice "to a community that really needed to be heard, and that until now hadn't been.Parvez Sharma and his film's co-producer Sandi Dubowski raised more than a million dollars over a 6 year period to make this daring film. Parvez conducted interviews of many LGBTQ+ muslims from different backgrounds.He met these people through the Internet.The film was filmed in 12 different countries and in 9 languages. Sharma compiled 400 hours of footage of interviews throughout North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, & the Middle East.Countries included Iran,Iraq,Saudi Arabia,Egypt,Bangladesh,Pakistan,Turkey,France,India,South Africa,USA & UK.

In just its opening week during a limited release of 33 cities, A Jihad for Love, for example, ran for four weeks at New York's IFC theaters.The film grossed $22,287, out of which, $10,519 was just in New York.The Domestic Total Gross for the film is $105,659.A Jihad for Love was theatrically released in 33 cities,while A Sinner in Mecca was only released in four cities, for a week each.Its box office numbers were low, except in New York where it had a higher box office return of $11,220.The film also premiered in 2007 at the Toronto International Film Festival & in 2008 at the Berlinale.It went on to premier at more than a hundred film festivals globally and was released in theaters in the US and Canada in 2008 by First Run Features and Mongrel Media.A Jihad for Love was broadcast in India and other countries by India's NDTV.It was shown in two parts over the Aug 1-2 and Aug 8-9 weekends.Further A Jihad for Love was banned from screening in the Singapore International Film Festival, 2008.The film was also banned in several muslim-majority countries.By 2011, Sharma conducted live events and screenings of A Jihad for Love in many Muslim nations and capitals ranging from Beirut,Lebanon and Istanbul, Turkey, to Bishkek,Kyrgyzstan and Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.In Indonesia, the film did an 8-city tour to acclaim.

In 2007 he wrote a chapter for the book Gay Travels in the Muslim World. In 2009 Parvez Sharma wrote the foreword for the anthology Islam and Homosexuality.

In 2009, Sharma was named as one of "50 Visionaries changing your world" in a list headed by the Dalai Lama.The OUT Magazine named Parvez Sharma one of the OUT 100 twice for 2008 and 2015- "one of the 100 gay men and women who have helped shape our culture during the year".On 29 May 2013 Sharma was honored as an "LGBT hero" by first-lady Michelle Obama at a DNC fundraiser in New York.

Activism:

As an activist Parvez Sharma has spoken internationally on distinguished film/media panels and panels on Muslim & South asian LGBTQ+ issues, human rights violations across the world & the crisis in 21st century Islam.

[mariacallous]

Netflix’s recent announcement of a $2.5 billion investment in its production of South Korean movies and television shows is only the latest data point to suggest that Asia is a rising content giant—and Seoul sits at the center of it all.

The Netflix outlay—twice what it has plowed into the Korean market since 2016—came just before Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which kicked off May 1. Asian content and entertainers of Asian descent are enjoying their highest profile in the United States since the month was first celebrated in 1992.

The historic showing at the Academy Awards in March—seven wins for Everything Everywhere All at Once, including actors Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, and two Oscars for Indian films—represents a breakthrough moment. This builds on the cultural phenomenon of the South Korean show Squid Game, which took over Halloween costume parties last year, as well as Parasite, which won several Oscars in 2020.

Entertainment is a trend-driven industry, and it’s easy to write off the success of Korean content as a potent but passing fad. Other foreign-produced content has had its moment in the American sun and then faded. What sets South Korea apart from many other countries its size, and its neighbors in Asia, has been its relentless focus on foreign markets and its ability to produce multiple types of successful entertainment content—music, film, TV shows, and games—for those markets. Only South Korean literature has yet to join the party, and that may be coming. South Korean novels that have been translated into English, such as Kim Ji-young, Born 1982 and Please Look After Mom, a Man Asian Literary Prize winner, have started to focus global attention on Korean authors.

There are some specific reasons the South Korean entertainment industry has prospered overseas. First, it is a tough crucible. If Korean audiences don’t like a new film, TV show, or song, it will die a quick and merciless death. The domestic competition among entertainment companies is intense.

Korean audiences demand high-quality content, high production values, and a constant stream of fresh product. Unlike in the United States, where successful TV shows span multiple seasons and spawn franchises, it is rare for even hit shows in South Korea to last for more than one season. Writers are restless and want to move on to new projects, and so do audiences.

South Korea’s size has something to do with its constant cycle of creation and improvement. With just 52 million people in the Korean market, entertainment companies’ growth depends on creating movies, TV shows, and music that will fare well internationally. As a wealthy country that has prioritized content creation as an economic engine, in some ways the Korean entertainment industry has become too big to be contained within national borders. At the same time, the Korean domestic market acts like a shark tank as companies battle for a limited number of entertainment dollars. These factors combine to create high-quality, ready-to-export content.

This constant pressure guarantees a pipeline of high-quality shows and movies at a pace most other countries haven’t matched. For example, four of the eight-most watched non-English Netflix series of all time are South Korean. South Korea is a perpetual content engine tuned to the latest societal issues of our times. It’s also worth noting that South Korea has made the entertainment industry a national priority, in terms of seed funding, establishing numerous international film festivals and teaching filmmaking in schools, and the industry treats behind-the-scenes production staff as importantly as stars.

Culturally, South Korea is like a petri dish of innovation for many industries. The cycle of consumer trial, adoption, and failure or success is accelerated to warp speed because of the country’s dense population, global orientation, and fast internet. (South Korea was the first nation to roll out wide-scale commercial 5G service.)

There is a relentless appetite for something new that has led South Korea to be a preferred testbed for technology companies, luxury brands, and co-working with robots. “If any trend is going to move from overseas to the U.S., I would put South Korea at the front of the line in terms of who is likeliest to be that springboard,” Andrew Wallenstein, the president of Variety Intelligence Platform, told the New York Times.

Second, despite what American audiences may understandably think, K-content did not come out of nowhere. The United States is only the most recent market to embrace it. One of South Korea’s first big entertainment exports was the TV series Winter Sonata, which became a hit in Japan and the Philippines in the early 2000s, generating a wave across Asia that Korean dramas and films rode.

K-pop expanded its footprint beginning in the mid-2000s from Asia to Latin America and Europe, propelled by social media. According to Twitter data, the top five countries of origin of K-pop tweets are Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and the United States. In fact, research by the AMPD group showed Korean content ranking first or second in every Southeast Asian country as measured by premium content by country of origin in 2022, besting Hollywood and even local-language content.

Much has been said about the diversity of American K-pop fans. Indeed, last year’s KCON, the annual K-culture festival sponsored by my firm, CJ ENM, in Los Angeles, drew about 100,000 fans—and only about 20 percent of them were ethnically Korean. In 2022, 60 percent of Netflix’s 221 million subscribers watched Korean content, and even this week, the Korean series Black Knight features on Netflix’s list of most watched non-English shows (with South Korea’s Dr. Cha in second place). The streaming services’ algorithms that curate shows don’t think in terms of geographic boundaries, so they surface high-quality, popular content regardless of country of origin.

By their increasing size, audiences have demonstrated that the storylines of K-dramas are universal. Even a Korean film that looked inaccessible to Western audiences—set in the hidden neighborhoods of Seoul and featuring a cast largely unknown to English-language moviegoers—hit on universal themes of class struggle, greed, and justice, all with a dash of caper and horror. This is why Parasite grossed $260 million worldwide. Korean content creators—much like Korean automakers and smartphone producers—are outwardly focused on global trends and the social zeitgeist. Director Bong Joon-ho tapped into the brewing cross-cultural anxiety over wealth inequality that drove the film’s core connection with global audiences. And, as CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Miky Lee said during her Oscar acceptance speech, “I really, really, really want to thank our Korean film audience … [who] never hesitated to give us straightforward opinions.”

Action movies look different today than they did 20 years ago. But their popularity endures. Likewise, K-content—with a strong international base and a constant cycle of creation and improvement—will continue to resonate with global audiences. It takes time and money to establish a high-quality entertainment industry, but digital technology and social media have lowered some key barriers to entry for production and distribution. Every country has distinct cultural forces at work within it, but South Korea’s success at creating broadly appealing music, movies, and TV series and engaging online with fans around the world could well be a template for other countries seeking to make their mark on the global stage.

[maddyontv]

"K-Pop has grown so popular so quickly it has become a massive source of economic growth for the country in recent years."

Say "Hello" to 'Hallyu': Korean media continues to entice American audiences with every new release.

In recent years Korean media ranging from music, movies, TV, and food have made large strides across soil. So much so, in fact, it has even been given its own name. ‘Hallyu’ is actually a Chinese term that when translated means ‘korean wave’. The Korean wave began back in the 1990’s sweeping through other Asian countries like Japan and China. The term Hallyu came about specifically with the airing of the K-Drama ‘What Is Love’ in 1997 with its ratings skyrocketing the show to second place in China’s imported content at the time. The Korean wave then swept across Japan in early 2003 with the airing of another K-Drama ‘Winter Sonata’ which brought about a massive tourism boom to Nami Island in Chuncheon. This was only the beginning as the wave made its way across foreign countries like Latin America further East before finally crashing onto America's shores in the early 2010’s. 

One of Korea’s most notable cultural impacts has been that of K-Pop. Despite its name K-Pop covers more than the pop genre and has become its own entity in the country with a myriad of agencies looking for the next big thing. With hundreds of young men and women across the globe dreaming of debuting in the next idol group, American and foreign fans alike have no shortage of bands and solo artists to choose from. Although most Americans may have been exposed to the K-Pop phenomenon first by the release of Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’ in 2012 many stuck around to become longtime fans of some of the most notable groups around in present day including BTS, Blackpink, Twice, NCT and older generation groups like BigBang, Shinee, and Girls Generation. 

K-Pop has grown so popular so quickly it has become a massive source of economic growth for the country in recent years. In 2019 the Korean music industry drew in a US export value of over USD 756 million. With BTS drawing in USD 4.9 billion to date over their 9-year career as a group and drawing in USD 1.43 billion alone with their hit song ‘Dynamite’ that comes at no surprise.

Although K-Pop might be one of South Korea's most notable industries, in recent years both their film and television industries have begun to make waves as well with movies like ‘Parasite’ and series like ‘Squid Game’. In 2019 after the release of his hit film ‘Parasite’, director Bong Joon-ho became the only Korean director to win the Palme d’Or award at the Cannes FIlm Festival and he did so with a unanimous vote. The film went on to take the most awards at the 2020 Oscars after winning four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Writing, International Feature Film, and Directing. 

Following the success of ‘Parasite’ was the country's Netflix Original Series ‘Squid Game’. Released in 2021 and written by Hwang Dong-hyuk ‘Squid Game’ is the streaming giant's biggest ever original series launch to date. The launch was so big that SK Broadband, an internet service provider in the country, sued Netflix for the massive increase in traffic from viewers after the show's release caused usage to shoot from 50 Gigabits per second to 1,200. The series went on to be the first non-english television series to be nominated and win awards at the Primetime Emmys. The series received 14 nominations of which they won six including Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Directing. 

University of Central Oklahoma student and member of the university's Korean Student Association Han Ji-woo shares the sentiment that her country's media is shockingly large in America. “It’s started to boom, K-Pop and other K-things… if they don’t know BTS they definitely know Squid Game or Parasite.” Han expressed her surprise at Oklahoma and the Edmond areas authentic Korean restaurants from drinks like boba tea to traditional Korean barbecue restaurants with grills embedded into each individual table for the patrons to cook their own meat. “I used to have to go to Dallas to get some of these things, but it’s clearly growing and that’s exciting.”

[goldenivygarden]

ok so MOST of my oscar predictions came true specifically for the major categories ! the only surprises were best actor (was expecting butler) and adapted screenplay (i thought ”all quiet” was a shoo-in but congrats women talking!!) but! overall once again a very expected type of academy award fare aka expression of how the academy wants to be perceived by the public

alright so first things first congratulations to 'everything everywhere all at once' the silly little weird genre anarchy film that took the conventions of narrative filmmaking and blew it up, smashing a few glass ceilings in the process. anyone with a camera can take a couple weird videos together and call it a “genre anarchy” film but it takes a real & rare kind of talent to  do one that actually has a heart at its core.

also think it's worthy of note that four years ago the first asian film won best picture with parasite, a film that basically excelled at every filmmaking technique in the book & elevating them all to create a tour de force of a film, and now four years later for another asian-led film that takes all those conventions and blows them all up in cinema anarchy to win best picture again only brings to mind how asian artistry really has always been excellent 

i'm always for everything everywhere to win all the awards  it deserves, but if we’re talking personal favorites that would probably be “banshees of inisherin” if i'm honest but i am biased cause its irish lol but it deserved at LEAST one win 

stephanie hsu (“everything everywhere”) and kerry condon (“banshees”) my beloveds I will avenge u both!!!! also dolly de leon!!!!

irks me a little bit that “all quiet” gets so much hate from film twitter for being probably the most earnest film in this season’s roster. “all quiet” is objectively and subjectively a decent film and film twitter are simply some of the most annoying ppl on the internet! what i loved most about it is that it isn’t made as an homage to any war heroes unlike others in its genre—it’s a faithful anti-war film adaptation of a landmark anti-war novel that stands squarely with the truth. “epiphany” by taylor recently played shortly after seeing this and i couldn’t function for a few minutes 

barry keoghan from “banshees” and felix kammerer from “all quiet” i am free to hang anytime btw !

shoutout  to “decision to leave” !! theres a certain way park chan wook manages to capture & hold attention like few other directors can, it's like he rebirths cinema with each of his films

Also the fabelmans! aftersun! tar! women talking! wow!!!!

other things that took up most of my headspace, some new, some resurgences:

music: not strong enough by boygenius, american teenager by ethel cain, on the street by hope feat j.cole (how does bangtan manage to surprise with how good they are every time) 

watching the arctic monkeys and carly rae jepsen concerts via other people’s stories

miss girl bridgers at the time awards

robert f kennedy, the complications of human nature, and the unrelenting attempt at goodness in spite of violence (it’s a long story)

good television! specifically bad sisters (2022) and under the banner of heaven (2022)

“all the light we cannot see” by anthony doerr

“the picture of dorian gray” by oscar wilde

please do forgive me for not being much active on socials! technically i am still banned but a girl can only hold so much. pls pretend this post does not exist (& neither do i) lolz and hope u all have a good week!!

[heavenboy09]

Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 To A Very Most Elegant Asian Beauty & Highly Regarded Amazing Actress Of Remarkable & Critically Acclaimed Roles In Both National of Her country & International Roles in the US & etc.

She is A Chinese Born Actress & Singer

She was born in Wuchang, Heilongjiang, China. She initially had no intention of becoming an actress and enrolled specifically in a high school for prospective school teachers. However, upon graduation, she discovered her interest in acting and was eventually persuaded by a friend to join the Shanghai Theatre Academy in 1993.

She rose to fame after starring in Zhang Yuan's Seventeen Years (1999), which won her the Best Actress Award in the 1999 Singapore Film Festival. In 2001, She starred in the television series Young Justice Bao, which propelled her to become one of the most famous actresses in China.

She was subsequently labelled as an "action actress" as she starred in a number of wuxia television series, such as Taiji Prodigy and Eight Heroes.

She achieved breakthrough with her performance in Feng Xiaogang's A World Without Thieves. She then starred in Dayyan Eng's romantic comedy film Waiting Alone, for which she received her first Best Actress nomination at the Golden Rooster Awards.

In 2009, She won Best Actress at the 46th Golden Horse Film Awards for her performance in The Message, about Japanese invaders in China who try to ferret out a spy among their Chinese collaborators.

She then starred in Tsui Hark's 2010 action-mystery film Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame. She played Shangguan Jing'er, a fictional character based on Shangguan Wan'er, a prestigious politician during the Tang Dynasty. She established her studio in the same year, co-starring and co-producing the film 1911 with Jackie Chan, which was released in September 2011 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution.

Her first-time in an English-language film is Wayne Wang's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, adapted from Lisa See's 2005 novel of the same title. The film premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. She started to gain recognition in Hollywood after starring in Resident Evil: Retribution, playing Ada Wong. The same year, she was cast in action fantasy film 400 Boys, directed by British director Alastair Paton.

In 2013, She attended the 4th Annual US-China Film Summit and received the East-West Talent Award. Hollywood magazine Variety also named her Asian Star of the Year. The following year, She was featured in Transformers: Age of Extinction, the fourth installment of the film franchise. This helped solidify her success overseas.

In 2015, she was cast in 3D science fiction thriller Nest (also known as Guardians of the Tomb), a Chinese-Australian co-production that was finally released in January 2018. The same year, it was announced that She would play China's first female superhero in upcoming film Realm, written by Stan Lee.

In 2018, She starred with Jason Statham in The Meg, an American-Chinese shark film based on Steve Alten's 1997 novel Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror.

Her Best Well Know Role Is In the 2008 Martial Arts Film

Starring Jackie Chan & Jet Li

In

THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM

As She Played The Iconic & Infamous China's Villainous Character in Chinese Martial Arts Films.

THE WHITE HAIRED WITCH 🧙‍♀��

She Is A Very Well Know Established Actress In China 🇨🇳 1 of the Many Great Actresses today

& A Charity Ambassador Of The Shanghai World 🌎 Expo & A Goodwill Ambassador Of UNEP

Even though she may not look it. She has aged Very Gracefully & Amazingly over the many years. As A Bad@$$  Action Actress In Wushia

Please Give A Very Well Round of Applause & A Very Happy Birthday Wishes To

The 1

& The Only

MS. LI BINGBING / BING BING LI

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 TO YOU MS. BINGBING & Here's To Many More 💖 

[alexzalben]

So many new cast members have been added to The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2: Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Stuart Bowman, Gavi Singh Chera, William Chubb, Kevin Eldon, Will Keen, Selina Lo, and Calam Lynch.

Bios and headshots below (no roles named as of yet).

Oliver Alvin-Wilson’s television credits include The Bay (ITV), as “Guy Townsend,” Murder in Provence (ITV) as “Luc Martinez,” Collateral (BBC) as ”Chips Benson” and Lovesick (Netflix) as “Alex.” In film, Oliver has been seen in Harkness, Wonder Woman 1984, and The Huntsman. He has appeared on stage in All of Us (National Theatre), Henry VI Rebellion/War of the Roses (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Twilight Zone (Almeida Theatre/Ambassadors Theatre), The Doctor (Almeida Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Young Vic Theatre) and Nine Night (National Theatre/Trafalgar Studios) among many others.

Stuart Bowman can currently be seen in the television series The Pact (BBC), Karen Pirie (ITV), and The Control Room (BBC). He has previously played recurring roles in Alex Rider (Prime Video), Guilt (BBC), Bodyguard (Netflix), Versailles (Netflix), Grantchester (ITV), and Deadwater Fell (Channel 4) opposite David Tennant. Stuart’s work in film includes Man and Witch, The Cursed, Sunset Song, and Slow West. His recent theatre credits include Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre) as “Macduff.”

Gavi Singh Chera was most recently seen in the television series The Undeclared War (Channel 4) and The Lazarus Project (Sky). Other television credits include Vera (ITV) and Doctors (BBC). On stage, Gavi has appeared in productions including The Cherry Orchard (The Yard Theatre), Our Generation, Behind the Beautiful Forevers (National Theatre), Duck, 1922: The Waste Land (Jermyn Street Theatre) and Pygmalion (Headlong).

William Chubb is a prolific actor whose television credits include Vampire Academy (Peacock), The Sandman (Netflix), Pistol (Hulu), Quiz, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (BBC), Law & Order: UK (ITV)and House of Cards (BBC). On stage, William has appeared in numerous productions including The Tempest (Theatre Royal Bath), The Taxidermist’s Daughter (Chichester Festival Theatre), Witness for the Prosecution (County Hall, London), Othello (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre) and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Old Vic). His film credits include Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light, A Week in Paradise, and Adrift in Soho.

Kevin Eldon is a well-known performer in television, film and theatre. On television, Kevin has starred in Game of Thrones (HBO), Shadow And Bone (Netflix), Inside Number 9 (BBC) and has had recurring roles in Trigger Point (Peacock) and Dad’s Army. He also appeared in The Crown (Netflix), Criminal: UK (Netflix) and Doctor Who (BBC). In film, he has been seen in Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, Hot Fuzz, Four Lions and Set Fire to the Stars opposite Elijah Wood.

Will Keen will soon start production on Prime Video’s My Lady Jane. He most recently wrapped the indie feature Borderland opposite Felicity Jones and Mark Strong, as well as the TV series The Gold (BBC1/Viacom). He was most recently seen in Ridley Road (BBC) and The Pursuit of Love (BBC) opposite Andrew Scott and Emily Beecham. His other TV credits include His Dark Materials (HBO), The Crown (Netflix), Genius: Picasso (National Geographic), Wolf Hall (BBC) and The Musketeers (BBC). Stage credits include Patriots (Almeida Theatre), Ghosts (Almeida Theatre), Waste (Almeida Theatre), Quartermaine’s Terms (Wyndham's Theatre), The Arsonists (Royal Court) and The Coast of Utopia (National Theatre).

Selina Lo is a British-Asian actress and former martial arts champion, whose film credits include starring in Boss Level (Hulu) as “Guan Yin” and Hellraiser (Hulu) as “The Gasp.”  Her work in television includes a recurring role in One Child (BBC) as “Xu Lian.”

Calam Lynch was most recently seen in Bridgerton (Netflix) as “Theo Sharpe.” Other television credits include Derry Girls (Channel 4) as “John Paul O’Reilly” and Mrs. Wilson (BBC) as “Gordon Wilson.” In film, Calam starred in Black Beauty (Disney+), Benediction opposite Jack Lowden, and Dunkirk. He has appeared in theatre in productions including Much Ado About Nothing (The Rose Theatre) and Wife (The Kiln Theatre).

[deepanshu1208]

Game Development in Noida: Pioneering the Game Design Industry

Noida, part of the thriving National Capital Region (NCR) of India, has steadily emerged as a vital center for the game development industry. With a robust infrastructure, a pool of skilled professionals, and a growing number of educational institutions offering specialized courses, Noida is making significant strides in the game design industry.

1. The Growth of the Game Design industry: inThe game design industry in Noida has seen exponential growth over the past decade. This expansion is driven by several factors, including the rising popularity of mobile gaming, increased internet penetration, and the city's strategic initiatives to promote IT and software development. Noida's proximity to Delhi, combined with its well-planned infrastructure, makes it an attractive destination for tech companies and startups. Noida

2. The Role of Educational Institutions: A significant factor contributing to the growth of Noida's game development industry is the presence of numerous educational institutions that offer specialized courses in game design, development, and animation. Institutions such as the National Institute of Design (NID) and the Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT) provide comprehensive training programs that equip students with the necessary skills to excel in the game design industry.

3. The Flourishing Game Developments: SceneNoida is home to several game development studios that have gained international recognition. Studios like Moonfrog Labs, Hashstash, and Octro have developed popular games that have attracted millions of users worldwide. These companies have not only contributed to the local economy but have also put Noida on the global map as a significant player in the game design industry.

4. Innovation and Technology: The game design industry in Noida is characterized by its innovative use of cutting-edge technologies. From augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, game developers in Noida are at the forefront of incorporating advanced technologies into their designs. This innovation is fueled by a strong community of tech enthusiasts and developers who constantly push the boundaries of what is possible in game design.

5. Government Initiatives and Support: The Uttar Pradesh government has also played a crucial role in fostering the growth of the game development industry in Noida. Through various initiatives and policies aimed at promoting IT and software development, the government has created a conducive environment for game developers to thrive. Incentives such as tax benefits, subsidies, and grants for startups have encouraged many entrepreneurs to establish their game development studios in Noida.

5.Future Prospects: The future of the game design industry in Noida looks promising. With continuous advancements in technology and a growing demand for interactive entertainment, Noida is well-positioned to become a global hub for game development. The city's strategic initiatives, combined with its talented workforce and innovative spirit, make it an ideal location for both established companies and startups looking to make their mark in the game design industry.

6.Conclusion: Noida's emergence as a key player in the game design industry is a testament to its vibrant ecosystem, skilled talent pool, and supportive infrastructure. As the industry continues to evolve, Noida is set to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of game development.

[marwahstudios]

117th Convocation of Asian Academy at Marwah Studios

Noida, 5th September 2023: In a momentous celebration coinciding with Teacher’s Day, the Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) marked its 117th Convocation at the prestigious Marwah Studios in Noida. Dr. Sandeep Marwah, a prominent figure in the field, graced the event and offered his blessings and words of encouragement to the graduating students.

During his address, Dr. Marwah lauded the institution for its remarkable contribution to the Indian entertainment industry, emphasizing that AAFT has nurtured and unleashed a substantial number of celebrities. He urged the fresh graduates to carry the legacy forward and elevate the industry to new heights.

Dr. Marwah reminded the students that the time has arrived for them to step out from the protective shade of AAFT and showcase their talents and expertise to the nation. He assured them that the education and training they have received at AAFT will be their foundation for achieving recognition in their respective fields.

Renowned filmmaker Rahul Rawail was also present at the event, extending a warm welcome to the aspiring talents who are poised to make their mark in the Indian Film Industry.

Mohit Sini, CEO of the Media and Entertainment Skill Council (MESC), addressed the gathering and emphasized the increasing significance of the media and entertainment industry in India’s growing economy. He underscored the immense opportunities awaiting the graduates as they step into this dynamic sector.

Padma Shree Nalini, a distinguished Indian Classical Dancer, inspired the students to nurture and unleash their creativity in their chosen fields, emphasizing the importance of artistic expression.

Padma Shree Kamalni, another renowned Indian Classical Dancer, shared invaluable advice with the graduates, urging them to always respect the emotions of the people they encounter in their professional journeys.

Abhimanyu, a technocrat hailing from Dubai, UAE, offered valuable advice on the importance of staying vigilant and adaptable in the face of shifting circumstances and being open to embracing change.

The 117th Convocation of AAFT at Noida Film City not only celebrated the achievements of its graduates but also served as a platform for renowned industry figures to impart wisdom and guidance to the aspiring talents. As these young professionals embark on their respective careers, they carry with them the blessings, knowledge, and inspiration bestowed upon them on this auspicious occasion.

[ifminstitute1]

Which are the top film making schools in India?

India is home to several prestigious film making schools that provide top-notch education and training for aspiring filmmakers. Among these, IFM Film Institute stands out as the best. Here’s a list of some of the top film making schools in India, with a detailed explanation of why IFM Film Institute is the premier choice:

1. IFM Film Institute, Bangalore

Why IFM Film Institute is the Best:

Comprehensive Curriculum: IFM Film Institute offers a holistic curriculum that covers all aspects of film making, including directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and sound design. The courses are designed to provide a deep understanding of both the creative and technical sides of film making.

Experienced Faculty: The faculty at IFM comprises seasoned industry professionals who bring their extensive experience and knowledge to the classroom. Their mentorship provides students with valuable insights into the film industry and helps them develop their unique style.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: IFM is equipped with professional-grade studios, editing suites, and production equipment. These state-of-the-art facilities allow students to gain hands-on experience using the latest technology, ensuring they are industry-ready upon graduation.

Strong Industry Connections: The institute has robust ties with various production houses, studios, and casting agencies in Bangalore. These connections provide students with opportunities for internships, projects, and real-world experience, making the transition from education to professional life smoother.

Practical Training: IFM places a strong emphasis on practical training. Students participate in numerous workshops, short films, and collaborative projects, giving them ample opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practical settings.

Successful Alumni: Many IFM alumni have achieved significant success in the film industry, both in India and internationally. Their accomplishments reflect the high-quality education and training provided by the institute.

2. Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune

FTII is one of the most prestigious film schools in India. It offers a wide range of courses in film and television, including direction, acting, editing, and cinematography. FTII has a rich legacy and has produced many renowned filmmakers and actors.

3. Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata

Named after the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, SRFTI offers comprehensive programs in film making and television production. The institute is known for its rigorous curriculum and excellent faculty.

4. Whistling Woods International, Mumbai

Founded by filmmaker Subhash Ghai, Whistling Woods International offers a variety of programs in film making, acting, animation, and media arts. The institute is well-equipped with modern facilities and has strong industry connections.

5. Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT), Noida

AAFT is a well-known film school that offers a wide range of courses in film making, journalism, and performing arts. The institute has a strong focus on practical training and industry exposure.

6. National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad

NID offers specialized programs in film and video communication. The institute is known for its creative and innovative approach to design and media education.

Conclusion

For aspiring filmmakers, choosing the right institute is essential for acquiring the skills, knowledge, and industry connections needed to succeed. Among the top film making schools in India, IFM Film Institute in Bangalore stands out as the best choice. With its comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, strong industry connections, and emphasis on practical training, IFM provides everything you need to launch a successful career in film making. Enroll at IFM Film Institute to turn your passion for film into a professional reality.

For more information contact:-

Phone - +91 96114 34987

Email - ifmfilminstitute@gmail.com

Visit us at -

https://maps.app.goo.gl/V4ErpEu7e7GzQMvKA

[msasian78]

Best Acting School In Chandigarh

MS Asian Film Academy is a renowned acting school in India. We offer comprehensive training for the serious stage, film, and television actor.It is owned by MSAsian Entertainment Pvt. Ltd(MS Groupr). Our Academy provides the tools, guidance, and framework required to cultivate and assist actors who are committed to a life of civic engagement in addition to their vocation

[prajadhav]

Best Diploma in Fashion Designing | Fashion Designing Course | AAFT Online

Fashion is an ever-evolving industry that thrives on creativity, innovation, and a keen understanding of market trends. For those with a passion for style and design, pursuing a diploma in fashion designing can be the perfect gateway to a successful career. The Diploma in Fashion Designing offered by AAFT Online stands out as one of the premier courses in this field. Here’s a closer look at why this course is considered one of the best.

Why Pursue a Diploma in Fashion Designing?

A diploma in fashion designing provides you with the essential skills and knowledge to transform your creative ideas into tangible fashion statements. This qualification not only hones your design abilities but also equips you with insights into the business and marketing aspects of the fashion industry.

About AAFT Online

AAFT (Asian Academy of Film and Television) is a leading institution known for its excellence in arts and media education. With over 27 years of experience, AAFT has expanded its offerings through AAFT Online, making high-quality education accessible to students globally. The Diploma in Fashion Designing is one of their flagship programs, designed to meet the demands of the contemporary fashion industry.

Key Features of AAFT Online's Diploma in Fashion Designing

Comprehensive Curriculum: The course covers a wide range of topics, including fashion illustration, pattern making, garment construction, textile science, fashion marketing, and trend forecasting. This ensures that students gain a holistic understanding of the fashion industry.

Experienced Faculty: Learn from seasoned fashion designers and industry experts who bring a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom. Their mentorship and guidance are invaluable for aspiring designers.

Flexibility and Convenience: The online format allows students to learn at their own pace and from any location. This flexibility is ideal for those balancing other commitments or working professionals looking to enhance their skills.

Practical Training: AAFT Online emphasizes hands-on learning through practical assignments, projects, and internships. This approach ensures that students gain real-world experience and can apply their knowledge in professional settings.

State-of-the-Art Resources: Access to cutting-edge design tools and software enables students to develop their technical skills and stay updated with industry standards.

Networking Opportunities: Engage with peers, faculty, and industry professionals through webinars, workshops, and networking events. Building a strong professional network is crucial for career advancement in the fashion industry.

Certification: Upon completion of the course, students receive a globally recognized diploma, enhancing their resume and providing a competitive edge in the job market.

Course Structure

The Diploma in Fashion Designing at AAFT Online is thoughtfully structured to provide a comprehensive learning experience. The course is divided into several modules, each focusing on different aspects of fashion designing:

Fashion Illustration and Design: Techniques for sketching and designing garments, understanding proportions, and creating fashion illustrations.

Pattern Making and Draping: Fundamentals of pattern drafting, draping techniques, and converting designs into patterns.

Garment Construction: Learning the process of constructing garments from scratch, including sewing techniques and finishing details.

Textile Science: Understanding different fabrics, their properties, and how to use them effectively in design.

Fashion Marketing and Merchandising: Insights into the business side of fashion, including branding, marketing strategies, and retail management.

Trend Forecasting and Fashion Styling: Techniques for predicting fashion trends and styling garments for different occasions.

Success Stories

Graduates of AAFT Online's Diploma in Fashion Designing have gone on to achieve remarkable success in the industry. From launching their own fashion labels to working with renowned fashion houses, the skills and knowledge gained from this course have enabled them to excel in their careers.

How to Enroll

Enrolling in the Diploma in Fashion Designing at AAFT Online is a straightforward process. Visit the AAFT Online website, navigate to the course page, and complete the application form. The admissions team will guide you through the process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free enrollment experience.

Conclusion

Choosing to pursue a Diploma in Fashion Designing with AAFT Online is a significant step towards a thriving career in the fashion industry. With a comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, flexible learning options, and a focus on practical training, this course provides everything you need to succeed as a fashion designer. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your existing skills, AAFT Online’s Diploma in Fashion Designing is an excellent investment in your future.

For more information and to enroll, visit the AAFT Online website.

By enrolling in AAFT Online's Diploma in Fashion Designing, you're not just learning about fashion; you're preparing to make your mark in the vibrant and ever-evolving world of fashion design.

[deepak-1995]

Challenging Stereotypes: South Asian Representation in Hollywood and Beyond

Introduction 

In particular, finding positive representation of South Asian characters in U.S. film and television has been a challenge for decades.

The South Asian character in Western content was often a “spicy addition,” stereotype-riddled comic relief thrown in to fulfill some kind of diversity quotient.

But recently, the industry has begun producing and promoting shows headlined by South Asians.

How has Hollywood transitioned from stereotypical, trope-peddling shows like “Outsourced” to South Asian superhero Iman Vellani playing “Ms. Marvel” or Maitreyi Ramakrishnan starring in Netflix teen romance “Never Have I Ever”?

Historical Context 

The history of South Asian representation in Hollywood is complete with stereotypical explanations and narrow descriptions.

Beforehand flicks and television shows frequently relegated South Asian characters to one-dimensional places that eternalized dangerous conceptions.  

There have been destined characters that those with brown skin have been handed to portray as being suitable to be a part of the assiduity: assistants, IT nerds, hack motorists, and terrorists. 

Over the years, there have been numerous faces that you would have spotted in films and television series, like Sakina Jaffrey, Freida Pinto, Parminder Nagra, Janina Gavankar, Parvesh Cheena, and maybe most popularly, Kal Penn.

Before the likes of Irfan Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Dev Patel caught the hearts of the West, it was people like them who created some semblance of a path for others of the diaspora to consider indeed a place for themselves in the Western world of film and television

Progress and Milestones 

Recent Breakthroughs 

In recent times, there have been notable advancements in the portrayal of South Asians in the entertainment industry of Hollywood.

Films such as "The Big Sick" (2017) and TV series like "Never Have I Ever" (2020) have presented authentic storylines and intricate characters 

Key Figures 

Some South Asian actors, directors, and writers have made a thoughtful impact in Hollywood: 

Mindy Kaling:  has been considered a "pioneer" in South-Asian representation in Hollywood. Her work has tackled the stereotypical representation of South-Asian characters including in shows like 'The Mindy Project' & 'Never Have I Ever'. 

 Riz Ahmed: Playing a drummer who loses hearing, Riz Ahmed's character Ruben in the movie "Sound of Metal" introduces deaf culture to a large screen. His performance earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the Oscars.  

Priyanka Chopra: The actress asserted that she must represent South Asians in Hollywood. With appearances in "Quantico" and "Baywatch," Chopra has created content that supports a variety of storylines. 

Hasan Minhaj: Minhaj was a part of the "Patriot Act" series on Netflix. The goal of the program was to present a humorous, yet serious and educational, perspective on global political and social concerns 

Award Wins and Nominations 

South Asian talents have received significant recognition in recent years: 

Riz Ahmed: : In the Academy Awards Riz Ahmed for the Best Actor for "Sound of Metal" (2020), In history the first Muslim and South Asian actor in this category. 

Mindy Kaling: The Office" and "The Mindy Project." Kaling: Received multiple Emmy nominations for her work. 

Priyanka Chopra: the first South Asian actress to win the award for People's Choice Award for her role in "Quantico 

Current Landscape 

Diverse Roles 

South Asian actors have taken center stage as diverse roles and well-written characters have been recognized as the bare minimum and are now considered to be the norm.

Shows like ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Never Have I Ever’ were instrumental in shaping an era of South Asian representation where the characters were actively depicted as desirable.

Ms. Marvel, a mini-series based on the Marvel comic of the same name, explores perspectives from the Muslim American diaspora.

The show follows Kamala Khan, the first-ever Muslim superhero of the Marvel Universe, as she discovers her powers. 

Representation Behind the Camera 

The presence of South Asians in Hollywood has extended beyond acting, with increasing representation in roles such as directors, producers, and writers. 

Directors: Mira Nair ("Monsoon Wedding," "A Suitable Boy") and Gurinder Chadha ("Bend It Like Beckham") are notable for their contributions, to creating films that highlight South Asian narratives. 

Producers and Writers: Mindy Kaling and Kumail Nanjiani have made significant impacts as both writers and producers, bringing South Asian stories to mainstream audiences. 

This behind-the-camera representation is crucial for ensuring that diverse stories are told authentically and with nuance. 

hallenges and Stereotypes 

Ongoing Issues 

Limited Roles and Visibility 

South Asian entertainers face restricted open doors, frequently restricted to supporting or minor jobs.

In any event, when included, characters can be wrongly shown, building up limited discernments.

Social Distortion Off-base depictions of South Asian societies and characters are normal, with regular elocutions and social practices frequently distorted.

Absence of Behind-the-Scenes Accountability South Asians are underrepresented in writing, directing, and producing roles, which results in storytelling that lacks authenticity. Typecasting Normal Generalizations 

The Psychological oppressor is  Now and again cast as bad guys in real life and thrill ride classes, supporting negative generalizations.

The Tech Nerd: Frequently portrayed as profoundly canny yet socially abnormal, decreasing characters to one-layered jobs.

The Spiritualist or Profound Aide: Depicted as extraordinary and enchanted, which can detach them from contemporary life.

Impact on Careers 

Typecasting limits the range of roles South Asian actors can pursue, affecting their career growth and perpetuating stereotypes in the industry and among audiences. 

Examples of Typecasting 

Kal Penn: Often offered stereotypical roles despite his talent. 

Parminder Nagra: Typecast based on ethnicity post-"Bend It Like Beckham." 

Kunal Nayyar: Known for the tech geek stereotype in "The Big Bang Theory. 

Influential Media Projects 

Case Studies 

The Big Sick (2017) 

Co-written by and starring Kumail Nanjiani, this film tells the true story of his interracial relationship, exploring cultural differences and the immigrant experience, breaking away from typical South Asian stereotypes. 

Master of None"Expert of None" (2015-2017) 

Comic Aziz Ansari and writer Alan Yang are the creators of this Netflix-original comedy, which is loosely based on Ansari's real-life experiences.

Ansari plays the role of Dev, a New York-based actor who is struggling to identify what he really wants, both personally and professionally.

The series reveals glimpses of Dev's younger years, and explores current aspects of his life, including modern etiquette (regarding texting and social media), and being young and single in the city. 

Interviews and Quotes:  

Anjali Bhimani 

Anjali Bhimani is an actress and voice artist who has appeared in theatre, film, and TV shows such as Modern Family, Overwatch, and Bombay Dreams. Learn more about her life, career, and projects  

Anjali Bhimani explores her journey as a best-selling author.

She discusses the inspiration behind her writing, the challenges she faced, and how experiences in television and gaming have influenced her literary work Anjali also shares practical advice for aspiring writers, highlighting the importance of authenticity and resolution in the creative process.

For a deeper exploration of Anjali Bhimani's creative insights, you can listen to the full episode  here 

Mindy Kaling 

She has since channeled the characteristic that made her name on “The Office” and “The Mindy Project” into the behind-the-scenes power of a multihyphenate who understands pop-culture-obsessed audiences from the inside out.

Having already made her mark as an actor, screenwriter, producer, and bestselling author, the 44-year-old continues to add roles to her resume

In 2022, Kaling expanded her publishing world footprint by partnering with Amazon on her own imprint, Mindy’s Book Studio, which champions emerging voices, especially women of color. 

The Role of Social Media and Advocacy 

Amplifying Voices 

Social media platforms allow South Asians to share their stories and supporter for better representation, reaching a broad audience and sparking conversations. 

Building Communities 

Online platforms create spaces for South Asians to connect, support each other, and demand change, fostering solidarity and amplifying collective voices. 

Direct Engagement 

Social media enables direct engagement with creators and industry professionals, allowing fans to advocate for more inclusive casting and storytelling through campaigns and petitions 

Activist Groups and Movements 

Brown Girl Magazine 

An online platform amplifying South Asian women's voices and advocating for more inclusive representation in media. 

 Future Outlook 

Upcoming Projects 

"Ms. Marvel" (Disney+) 

Ms Marvel (Disney+), the most recent small-screen entry into the MCU, sees the birth of a superhero and a star.

The character is Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American teen and the first Muslim star of Marvel, whose solo comic book series debuted in 2014.

The miniseries tells her genesis tale, shifting the focus a little from the narrative and further empowering it 

The White Tiger (Netflix) 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas will star in upcoming Netflix film The White Tiger, a thrilling drama adapted from the bestselling book of the same name.

In a recent interview ahead of the film's release on Friday (Jan. 22, 2021), Chopra spoke about the importance of South Asian representation in Hollywood and how she is determined to be at the "helm" of it. 

Industry Trends:  

Increased Investment in Diverse Content 

As audiences demand more inclusive storytelling, production companies and streaming platforms are likely to invest in projects that feature diverse casts and explore a variety of cultural perspectives. 

Rise of South Asian Creators 

With platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram providing accessible paths for content creation, we can expect to see a flow in South Asian creators producing original and authentic content that vibrates with global audiences. 

Conclusion 

In summary, the journey of South Asian representation in Hollywood and beyond has seen both progress and determined challenges.  

Stereotypes often spoiled early depictions, but recent breakthroughs have seen significant improvements, with South Asian talents breaking away from traditional roles and making their mark both in front of and behind the camera.