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Introduction

At M/C Reviews, we run periodic special feature sections, which deal in some depth with a particular cultural phenomenon. Here is a list of upcoming features, for which we welcome your contributions.

Each M/C Reviews feature section is a themed group of reviews centring on a particular cultural event, category, or genre. In line with M/C Reviews' general rationale that the diverse productions of media and culture demand a more comprehensive type of review forum than other fields, the aim of the feature sections is to provide a space for reflecting upon key cultural phenomena in their various aspects and from different angles, sometimes conflicting ones. This breaks through the normal drawback of reviews -- i.e. that they usually come in ones and present monological visions. The whole concept arises from the unique characteristics of electronic publishing -- its short production cycles and abundance of publication space allow plural and timely treatments of relevant issues.

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Upcoming Feature

Staging Gen-X
a continuous feature between September and December 2001

Edited by Felicity Meakins


Control-X is a keyboard command you perform when you delete blocked text from document. "Control X!" could also be an ideological command you perform when you attempt to delete the voice of younger generations (originally Gen-Xers and now Gen-Ys) from the mainstream conscience, through negativity, marginalisation or trivialisation. This type of exercise is performed on a daily basis in the tabloid media, with words such as "youth", now carrying negative connotations of crime and anger.

As with women, ethnic bodies and other similarly treated groups, attempts are being made deal with this imbalance by creating spaces where young people can be prominent. Queensland Performing Arts Trust's Stage X is a festival aimed at the younger end of Brisbane audiences. The emphasis is on the post-boomer generations as both consumers and producers of performing and visual arts. It will showcase work created by various high schools (XL-D) and young artists (eg Contact Inc., Backbone Youth Arts and Catalyst's Travelling Circuits and An Xcavation ) as well as present performances where younger audiences tend to dominate, such as Hydra from one of Melbourne's premier contemporary dance companies Chunky Move and Going Into Shadows, a postmodern opera from the Queensland Conservatorium.

Stage Xhas shifted from a 10 day format to an extended series of performances over four months (Sept-Dec 2001). Hopefully, this will create greater visibility for young artists and provide more for younger culture vultures to consume. Reviews of shows will be produced as a continuous feature by M/C Reviews, so stay tuned and keep revisiting this page for the latest reviews..
Editor Felicity Meakins
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Upcoming Feature

Co-edited by Kate Douglas and Kelly McWilliam


To mark the 3rd anniversary of M/C: a Journal of Media and Culture and its review section, M/C Reviews, we would like to invite contributions for a reviews feature on the subject of media/consumer interactivity. We will publish a collection of short critiques, reviews or thought-pieces (each submission should be 1500 words or less) on a broad range of interpretations of the terms "interactive" or "interactivity" as they relate to media studies and cultural studies.

Possible topics include (but should not be limited to):

- interactive television programs/television events - voting on television program outcomes such as 'Big Brother' or 'The Eurovision Song Contest', "ask the audience/phone a friend/home viewer" style participation in TV game shows, the illusion of consumer influence/participation. The relationship between interactivity and consumerism

- interactive television channels (eg Sky TV's choices of camera angles eg 'player cam', pausing 'live' action etc)

- editing and censorship (as a consequence of consumer reaction/influence)

- interactivity in cinemas (choosing alternative endings)

- the internet and its consumption

- internet fan sites (fanzines/fiction, role playing, message boards)

- letters to the editor/"your say" in newspapers, magazines or on-line discussion forums

- interactivity in literature (political or autobiographical narratives and the reader as 'witness', or books that allow alternative endings to be chosen, eg. "Choose Your Own Adventures")

- interactive theatre/performance eg 'Theatresports'

- computer games ('quest' games, open endings)

The release of this special feature will co-incide with the publication of the "Colour" edition of M/C. "Colour" and "Interactive" will be the centrepieces of the October anniversary celebrations of the journal, culminating in the launch party for our new site design and new URL to be held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

The deadline for submissions is September 21st 2001. Articles should be no longer than 1500 words (submissions exceeding this length will not be considered). All articles will be subject to a blind peer review process. Please send completed submissions and any enquiries via e-mail to Kelly McWilliam or Kate Douglas.

Submissions Deadline: 21 Sept. 2001

Editors Kelly McWilliam and Kate Douglas
 article deadline: 21 Sept. 2001 feature launch: 26 Oct. 2001
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