SERIES 4 © ATOM 2012 A STUDY GUIDE BY KATY MARRINER http://www.metromagazine.com.au ISBN: 978-1-74295-153-9 http://www.theeducationshop.com.au In Series 4 of the critically SERIES 4 Teachers and students can learn more acclaimed documentary series about Who Do You Think You Are? Who Do You Think You Are? six EPISODE 1: Comedian Shaun Micallef online at <http://www.sbs.com.au/ prominent Australians: comedian unravels his father’s childhood war- shows/whodoyouthinkyouare>. Shaun Micallef; actors Vince time story in Malta, and discovers other ancestors who were players in some Colosimo, Melissa George and of the most extraordinary moments in The history of Who Do John Wood; television journalist modern history. You Think You Are? Kerry O’Brien and AFL footballer Michael O’Loughlin, go in search EPISODE 2: Television journalist Kerry Who Do You Think You Are? premiered O’Brien embarks on a journey to of their ancestors. Their decision on the BBC in 2004. Created by the uncover his Irish roots. He discovers UK Production Company Wall to Wall to play detective and find the a couple of convicts taking desperate Television, the documentary series definitive answer to where they measures in search of a better life. was a hit, inspiring many Britons to come from offers the Who Do EPISODE 3: Actress Melissa George research their family heritage. Eight You Think You Are? audience uncovers the heartbreaking truth series later, Who Do You Think You inspiring and entertaining behind a story of child migrants and Are? continues to interest UK and investigates the case of an ancestor accounts of family history and international audiences. suspected of abusing a prisoner in a an opportunity to get to know colonial gaol. the subjects of each episode Ten international adaptations of the in a different way. While each EPISODE 4: Actor Vince Colosimo show have been produced, with the participant’s Who Do You Think unravels the truth about his first Australian series airing on SBS grandfather’s extraordinary war in 2008. The second Australian series You Are? experience is different, experience and tries to find out who his what all six have in common mysterious grandmother was. was broadcast in 2009 and the third is their realisation that their in 2010. The fourth series will go o air in 2012 and a fifth series has already personal stories are the story EPISODE 5: Actor John Wood discovers the secrets behind his father’s tragic been commissioned. of Australia and the countries capture and imprisonment in World where their families once lived. War II. For many of the well known Australians who have participated in the program, EPISODE 6: Aboriginal footballer Curriculum Links Michael O’Loughlin traces the the Who Do You Think You Are? jour- bloodlines of his family, discovering ney has proved life changing. Cathy The Who Do You Think You Are? study an ancestor who fought to save his Freeman’s ancestral discoveries gave guide has been written for secondary culture. her the impetus she need to begin work students at all year levels. It provides on the Catherine Freeman foundation. information and suggestions for learn- John Butler’s 2010 album April Uprising ing activities in Australian History, around the world. Who Do You Think was inspired by his newfound knowl- Australian Studies, English, The You Are? teaches students how the edge of his ancestors. On ANZAC Day Humanities – Geography and History, stories of families and the past can be 2010, Ron Barassi marched with his Media and cross curriculum projects communicated. Teachers can also use father’s unit. exploring the concepts of identity, the series to promote a knowledge and belonging, family, inheritance and understanding of how Australia became • Are you a fan of Who Do You Think generational change. a multicultural society and to discuss You Are?? the impact of non-indigenous settle- The study of family history has an im- ment on Australia’s indigenous people. Did you watch Series One, Two and mense value. On a personal scale, fam- In general terms, the series’ value is Three of Who Do You Think You Are?? ily heritage helps an individual to make evident in its potential to expand and sense of their identity and belonging. It enrich students’ understanding of hu- SERIES 1 also helps an individual to place them- man experiences. Episode 1: Catherine Freeman selves and their family in history. As a Episode 2: Kate Ceberano curriculum resource, Who Do You Think Teachers are advised to download the Episode 3: Ita Buttrose You Are? is both an informative and study guides for Who Do You Think Episode 4: Geoffrey Robertson entertaining account of the importance You Are? Series 2 and 3 at http:// Episode 5: Jack Thompson of genealogy. Combining personal www.metromagazine.com.au/study- Episode 6: Dennis Cometti journeys with big-picture history, Series guides/study.asp. Many of the learn- © ATOM SCREEN EDUCATION 4 is a chronicle of the social, ethnic ing activities outlined in these study SERIES 2 and cultural evolution of Australia’s guides remain relevant and can be Episode 1: Ron Barassi national identity and of the history of used to further students’ knowledge Episode 2: Sigrid Thornton the nineteenth and twentieth centu- and understanding of the importance Episode 3: Ben Mendelsohn ries in Australia and in other countries of genealogy. Episode 4: Christine Anu 2 Episode 5: Maggie Beer The media production process is generations? Episode 6: John Butler compromised of three separate • So you want to be… Research one stages: pre-production; produc- of the following careers: SERIES 3 tion; and post-production. - Archivist Episode 1: Magda Szubanski As a class, list and discuss the pre- - Genealogist Episode 2: Rod Marsh production, production and post- - Historian Episode 3: Tina Arena production challenges of making - Museum curator Episode 4: Shane Bourne a documentary series like Who Design a poster that informs others Episode 5: Paul Mercurio Do You Think You Are?. Before about the career that you have Episode 6: Georgie Parker you begin, make sure that every selected. member of the class can define the • What are secondary sources? Does Check the episode listings for the different stages of production. Who Do You Think You Are? depend previous series in the table this page. • Working in a small group, analyse on secondary sources to obtain Some episodes are still available to the use of production values in one information about the participants’ view online at http://www.sbs.com.au/ of the six episodes of Series 4. The ancestors? When does a secondary shows/whodoyouthinkyouare. analysis should make reference to source become a primary source? the following production values by Can you recall any examples of Using Who Do You drawing on specific moments of secondary sources that are used as Think You Are? in the the episode: primary sources in Series 4? classroom - Sound - Mis-èn-scene Who do you think you are? Teachers may select from the following - Editing activities to support students’ viewing - Cinematography • What stories are part of your fam- and close analysis of Series 4 of Who - Narrative and narrative ily’s folklore? Do You Think You Are?. structure Tell one of these stories with the - Performance class. Conversation starters The analysis should be format- Or ted as a PowerPoint. Limit your Develop one of these stories into a • ‘Every family’s story is interesting.’ PowerPoint to ten slides. Use text, narrative of 500 – 750 words. Do you agree? images, video and audio to com- Create a Prezi about your family’s • What role, if any, does family histo- municate the information. history. Draw on existing research ry play in your everyday existence? to begin with and then see if you • Is it important to know about your Keeping records can unearth new information about family’s past? your ancestors. Start your detec- • Has Who Do You Think You Are? Who Do You Think You Are? is wedded tive work at http://www.naa.gov. inspired you to learn more about to primary sources, be they certificates, au/collection/family-history/. your family’s history? documents, wills, ships’ logs, insolven- Make connections between your • Which episode did you enjoy the cy records, diaries, personal and public family’s history and the broader most? Why? letters, drawings, song recordings, context of Australian history, and if • What do you think motivates peo- newspaper reports, or government re- need be the history of your family’s ple to become involved in Who Do ports. Some of this information is now country of origin. You Think You Are? online but much still requires hours and You do not have to share everything hours of looking in the field, from the about your family. Some stories and - Episode 1: Shaun Micallef well organised databases of National details may be kept private. Just - Episode 2: Kerry O’Brien and State Archives, to private collec- like an episode Who Do You Think - Episode 3: Melissa George tions, to local historical societies. In You Are? this is a public document - Episode 4: Vince Colosimo drawing on these primary sources, Who and you can edit what content you - Episode 5: John Wood Do You Think You Are? pays tribute to wish to share with an audience. - Episode 6: Michael O’Loughlin the historians, collectors and archivists who maintain history for posterity. * A Prezi is a web-based presentation For Media students tool that uses a single canvas instead • Based on your viewing of Who Do of traditional slides. Text, images, • Media productions like Who Do You Think You Are? explain the videos and other presentation objects You Think You Are? are construct- importance of primary sources.