Camille Brouard

Camille Brouard

From Guernsey, anchored in Sheffield. Books, Anime, TV, Films and Tabletop RPGs float my boat! Writing about them puts air in my sails (I also like over-using metaphors.)

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Latest Articles

Latest Topics

3

How contemporary social themes are handled in new Netflix show Master of None

The new Netflix original series ‘Master of None’, brainchild of Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang, covers important social themes in some of its episodes, for example racism against Indian actors and yellowface, sexism in the media and in daily life, how the elderly are treated, and being the child of immigrant parents in the U.S. What effects does the show’s handling of these topics have, is the balance right between comedy and commentary, and where do these themes go by the end of the show?

  • What is the core point you're driving at? Are you looking at the effects the show will have on the audience, or the effects the ideas will have if they spread into larger society? – MichelleAjodah 8 years ago
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1

On Demand TV and the loss of delayed gratification

On demand streaming services are fast becoming popular platforms for watching films and TV. They have also changed *how* we watch, in particular how we watch TV series.

Often referred to as binge-watching, people are able to watch an entire season or series in one session if they so choose. This is great in some ways (for example shows like Arrested Development and Master of None are created with a greater flow from one episode to the next, allowing for more time spent on creativity and less time on recaps), yet perhaps not so good in others.

Viewers lose that excited expectation of seeing their favourite show over a number of weeks, TV becomes less of a social event between friends and colleagues watching the same show at the same time and more of a solitary activity, and as binge-watching suggests it can be hard to know when to stop, and too much TV watching is associated with health problems.

An article could take a nostalgic look back to pre-streaming television, overall weighing up the pros and cons between both, without writing off non-streaming TV due to the more obvious convenience benefits of streaming. In short, as with anything else delayed gratification can be good for us!

  • This is a good topic; I think there is some great content here. The only comment I have, though, is that the third sentence is one long run-on sentence. This can be revised into three separate ideas. Doing so would make the post grammatically stronger. Otherwise, good job! – Megan Finsel 8 years ago
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  • This is interesting and I would like to see an article about this. Hopefully such a piece would also take into consideration that binge watching/on-demand can still be very social. I have friends who will tweet or facebook message each other while watching the latest season of House of Cards or even host 13 hour long (or sometimes multi-day) viewing parties for an entire season Orange is the New Black. – NateBlake 8 years ago
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Did the video gaming industry improve for women in 2015?

It has been over a year since the Gamergate controversy, where women video game developers and critics were harrassed online by misogynists and a wider discussion opened up about women in video games and the associated industry.

With this in mind, how have video games been for women in 2015? Can look at characters and themes in PC/console games from big hits (e.g. Star Wars: Battlefront, Witcher III, GTA 5, Mortal Kombat X, Fallout 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain) to indie gems.

An article could also look at how the year has been for women in the industry, as creators and developers and critics etc.

In essence, is the video gaming scene becoming better and more accessible for women gamers and professionals, especially given all the awareness that Gamergate brought to misogynism in the industry? Or is it merely more of the same as far as the last year has been concerned?

  • This is an excellent topic idea! I think there is lots of content for such a subject and it would make an interesting article. Your title is a bit long, however. Perhaps boil it down to something such as: "Considering Women Characters in Video Games; Feminism's Role". Otherwise, great idea! – Megan Finsel 8 years ago
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  • good point, thanks for the helpful suggestion! =D – Camille Brouard 8 years ago
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  • Great idea. A couple of vantage points you might consider: 1) there has been an interesting discussion of how marketing created this disparity back in the 1980s. Looking at how marketing has changed may be worth looking at (it may warrant an entirely new article though!). 2) Forbes released its "30 under 30" list recently http://www.forbes.com/30-under-30-2016/games/. Females comprise less than one-third (9 by my count) of the list. Two are self-employed. Is it easier for women to freelance in the industry? – Kristopher Purzycki 8 years ago
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What could happen with romantic entanglements in Star Wars 8/9?

There is a lot of chatter online (social media and news sites) about relationships and orientations in Star Wars The Force Awakens, and the later upcoming films. For example there is talk of chemistry between Finn and Poe, the more obvious heterosexual pairing of Finn and Rey, or even a poly relationship between the three. Is there a possibility for a gay/poly relationship, or are these options merely being dangled over hopeful fans? It is not the first time this has been done, if only considering the indulgent hints at Sherlock/Watson in BBC Sherlock.

An article can look at opinions online about possible pairings, and exploring other examples of dangling certain non-canon couples over the fans without committing to the relationship could provide interesting context. As can looking at the trend for fanfiction with non-canon couples. Also good to think what effects certain relationship choices could have over viewers, plot and social progression.

  • I think there's probably room for a gay relationship in Star Wars -- Poe for example, is an awesome and likeable character whose primary attributes are bravery, wit and awesome piloting. He displays absolutely no sexual or romantic leanings anywhere within Force Awaken's run time. Making him gay would be easy, contradict nothing pre-existing about the character and change nothing we like about him. He's a perfect candidate really, because up until now his sexuality has been left completely blank. I do hate that people keep pairing him with Finn, though. Not that Finn's sexuality is set in stone, or anything, but c'mon guys, can't two men still have a friendship without sexual overtones? I know that in some ways romantic relationships are inherently more interesting, but just because we should be moving toward a higher visibility of LGBTQ relationships, doesn't mean good old fashion friendship isn't a useful narrative device. – CrunchyEnglish 8 years ago
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  • Agreed that I find it counter-intuitive that the chemistry between Finn and Poe is automatically seen as potential for a homosexual coupling. Can't men just be buddies on screen any more? Also, the writer of this should be careful not to fall into the trap of so many bloggers that the show 'dangles options over hopeful fans'. The whole issue people raise of 'bait' and the writer's intent to create it often creates mind-numbing discussion that treats sexuality as something far more black-and-white than we should be treating it in the modern world. Spring 2015's anime 'Hibike! Euphonium' was a prime example of this. At the very least, the other side of the coin should be also considered - how some fans can be desperate for and do anything they can to encourage non-canonical or non-conventional couplings. i.e. when it's the viewer's input more than the show's design that causes these couplings to become 'options'. Finn/Poe ought to be approached from this angle, IMO. – JekoJeko 8 years ago
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3

Which stories could Marvel bring to the screen next?

A speculative think piece, could be based partly on the trend for gritty TV shows (Daredevil, Jessica Jones) as well as big blockbuster hits. Also the surprise hit with little known Guardians of the Galaxy. Could be fun to think on possible filming and casting choices too!

  • This is a very interesting topic! Could you please elaborate more on the thesis a little more? It's a bit vague. Would this concern the comic books, as well? Would it be a comparison of T.V. series vs. movie franchise? Also, your comment about Guardians of the Galaxy is a bit confusing, what do you mean by "surprise hit"? Please develop this thought a little more. Otherwise, good ideas! – Megan Finsel 8 years ago
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  • I think what makes Guardians of the Galaxy interesting is that it originated as a little-known comic and yet has been a really popular film, sorry I did not make that as explicit as I should have done. The overall idea is to use comics as source material and imagine whether they will / how they could be brought to the screen (this could be film or TV). – Camille Brouard 8 years ago
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  • They can bring ANYTHING they want to the screen! – IanB58 8 years ago
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  • I love this topic! It could work for TV shows, but since Marvel has literally every film from phase three already announced and basically ready to go -- this could be cool to think about phase four and what comics they could bring to the screen after these ones have concluded. – scole 8 years ago
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  • Yes, agreed there! – Camille Brouard 8 years ago
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Published

Have relationship gender roles changed for the better in sitcoms?

A case study style piece on relationships in popular sitcoms with the aim of discussing progression (or lack of) in the sitcom genre, for example – Sam and Diane in Cheers, Ross and Rachel in Friends, Niles and Daphne in Frasier, Ted and Robin / Barney and Robin / Lily and Marshall in How I Met Your Mother, Jim and Pam in The Office, Penny and Leonard (and other relationships) in The Big Bang Theory, Andy and April in Parks and Recreation, the range of relationships in Modern Family (particularly Cam and Mitchell and how the show plays with gender roles in a gay coupling). Do these shows challenge gender norms or not, and to what extent is this only due to shows moving with the times? Are some modern shows handling relationship dynamics better than others?

  • Narrow down the couple choices- it will lead to a better answer to the question Personally, I recommenced Andy and April or Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt from Parks and Recreation, both of these women defy the classic gender roles by showing how strong and independent both women are. – mwalll 8 years ago
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Latest Comments

Camille Brouard

Fantastic article! Beautifully written. I think it is interesting plot-wise that the choice remains, as you say, conspicuously unchosen, hanging in the balance in some respects. The comparison to college grads is a good one, as I have been feeling like this a lot, having finished a second degree a few months ago!

The Problem of Peter Pan: Should Choices Hurt?
Camille Brouard

I appreciate how indepth this analysis is! I find it fascinating that there are different words to define sexy-cute, classy-cute and trendy-cute. How does this cultural trend link in to the rise of Hatsune Miku and vocaloids?

The Idol Phenomenon in Japan and Anime
Camille Brouard

This brings me back to studying the Gothic as part of my BA degree, I loved The Monk! Fascinating attitudes to Catholicism in novels of that time.

The Sublime's Effects in Gothic Fiction
Camille Brouard

Thank you sincerely! Lovely to hear people have liked the article.

Snacks for Thought: 5 ‘Edutainment’ YouTube Channels To Improve Your Knowledge
Camille Brouard

Yes, this is why I love edutainment videos! thanks for replying

Snacks for Thought: 5 ‘Edutainment’ YouTube Channels To Improve Your Knowledge
Camille Brouard

Yeah, I love how YouTube is growing up in this way.

Snacks for Thought: 5 ‘Edutainment’ YouTube Channels To Improve Your Knowledge
Camille Brouard

Same here, I am merely a lowly watcher! haha

Snacks for Thought: 5 ‘Edutainment’ YouTube Channels To Improve Your Knowledge
Camille Brouard

sounds great, and cool that you and your daughter watch this together!

Snacks for Thought: 5 ‘Edutainment’ YouTube Channels To Improve Your Knowledge