Verb
To Hollywoodize.
(Transitive)
To adapt to the norms and ideals of Hollywood; to make glitzy, superficial,
thrilling, etc.
Derived terms
Hollywoodization
(http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Hollywoodize)
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| The image of celebrity and entertainment influences western culture. |
Hollywood has long been a representative
façade of Western culture and entertainment. It is the home of a multi-billion
dollar film industry, with the sign that represents a cultural edifice for film
buffs and actors alike.
Hollywood’s spread is global,
with its effects transferring to many cultural trends. In essence, it further
represents the development of a global culture, consuming the individual nature
of singular cultures, and subsequently ‘westernizing’ them in a process of
‘integration and denationalization’ (Klein, C 2004, p.361) to appeal to a
broader audience.
‘Hollywoodisation’ spreads
further than film. It can be attributed to many forms of entertainment, and
many forms of interests. The Hollywoodisation of food is in fact more familiar
than you expect.
Klein quotes Cowen (2002) in
stating ‘cross-cultural exchange, expanded consumer preferences and greater
aesthetic diversity’ are all affects of globalisation. The representation of
culture we are sometimes presented through food is often ‘Hollywoodized’ in a
way, so our western palates can adapt to flavours they are not use to.
Fusion cuisine constitutes the
blend of two or more cultures of food (the integration Klein speaks of), and
when successfully done can create something original and complimentary. When
fusion is done wrong, it can represent little more than an atrocity to the
ingredients used.
 |
| Chin Chin's Kingfish Sashimi with coconut, lime and chilli. |
Fusion cuisine began as a means
of creativity, but also to bring new foods from China, Japan and India (to name
a few) to a new demographic, still inherently carrying the western touch we are
use to.
The Asian-based fusion
restaurants of Melbourne such as Chin Chin, Red Spice Road, Coda and Gingerboy
continue to show a sense of ‘cultural heterogenisation’ (Klein, C 2004,p.362)
by adapting and making them representative of Melbourne and its diversified
population.
Chin Chin, located down flinders
lane in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, presents a contemporary spin on classic
Asia flavours. Dishes such as ‘Kingfish Sashimi with coconut, lime and chilli’
present Thai flavours, Japanese technique, coupled with a modern, ‘glitzy’ western presentation.
Red Spice Road, on Mckillop st.,
again in the Melbourne CBD, produces desserts such as ‘Lemongrass panna-cotta
with watermelon jelly and lychee donuts’ –The ingredients, and flavours
inspired by the South East of Asia, the techniques – inherently western and
familiar.
The adaptation present in the
process of ‘Hollywoodisation’ seeks to provide us with a more extravagant and
overzealous interpretation that is familiarised to the attributes of localized
cultures. This is evident in the intertwining of film industries in Hollywood,
and reflective also through the food we eat in our restaurants, and at home.
Hollywood truly is a global
phenomenon, in more ways than expected.
Thanks for reading, till next
time…
Reference
List
Klein, Christina 2004, ‘Martial arts and globalisation of US
and Asian film industries’, Comparative America Studies, vol. 2, no. 3, pp.
360-384.
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteReally an awakening read of foods being globalised through American, “Hollywoodisation.” Not only many restaurants have their interpretation and appropriation, “simulacra” of different food menu recipes from Asian or other oriental cuisines, there is Hollywoodinsation of food influence. The representation is not only in food restaurants and cafes like you mentioned but in music, film, gaming, etc.. The Hollywoodinisation of food is evident in film cinema, or television. For example, on television we see Chefs and cooks on “Iron Chef America” use their variation taken on Asian foods, from American culture, causing Holllywoodisation phenomenon. Would have liked to see you expand on the Holywoodinsed food through a specific realm of the “entertainment industry” more perhaps.
Great read!
Hello Michael,
ReplyDeleteThe information you provided on the hollywoodisation of food is very interesting. You applied Klein's reading well with the examples you illustrated and I think they work well. Klein(2004)believes that hollywoodisation is a global process where foreign films employ America blockbuster traits. Therefore, in this instance on the topic of food, I believe that hollywoodisation means an American twist on foreign dishes. Klein (2004) conveys that Hollywood movies make most of their money outside of the USA and so focus on “spectacle-driven films such as special-effects-heavy blockbusters”. This could mean in your case, if asianisation occurs through American/Australian dishes and vice versa, with hollywoodisation occuring through asian dishes (like you said the Asian bases fusion restaurants), then more money could be made this way than dishes based on only one culture.
Great work!
Thanks ~ Melissa
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteYou have taken an entirely different outlook on the concept of hollywoodisation which was refreshing to read. You have defined it well in reference to Klein and given some great examples. The local examples of Chin Chin and Red Spice Road allowed for a direct indicator of how hollywoodisation has affected our own food industry. I love how you include the verb definition and derivative of 'to hollywoodise'- it gives readers an understanding of the concept prior to commencing the blog content. Just be careful to be consistent in spelling hollywoodising with a 's' or a 'z'. Great effort!