Postmodern media texts tend to portray sequences of events not in chronological order, with the use of flashbacks. This can be seen in the film 'Blow' 2001 Ted Demme where the last scene is shown at the beginning of the film. This 'non linear narrative is used to engage the audience to force them to become more actively involved in the understanding of the film. Other texts which use similar non linear fragmentation are: Pulp fiction, 24 and lost.
Fragmentation can also be used to show a range of character conventions in relation to values, for example family. Simpson's is a classic text to mention when speaking about family values. The running motif throughout the animated series is that no matter what happens the family will not be broken up, despite various changes in circumstances. This can also be seen in relation to family guy, although the focus seems to be less on values and more on a very erratic/random narrative to create comedy.
The Coen Brothers
The Coen brothers use a range of postmodern traits in their films, such as a hypereality. A hypereality is created via the use of 'allegory'. This can be clearly seen in 'O'brother where art thou'2000 - Ethan and Joul Coen. The film represents the classic tale 'The Odyssey'. This is done by taking the general narrative of the Odyssey and reconstructing it applying it to a more contemporary text. Playing with a classic text keeps an audience active as they are constantly having to differentiate between the classic tale and the hybrid that has been created.
A pastiche is another postmodern trait used in O' brother. The films opening titles intertextualised the same traditional music and font style as old fashioned silent films. It can be argued that by infusing the Odyssey with a narrative that involves such a juxtaposition of character traits, with the heroes of the Odyssey being portrayed as low status convicts to some extent unsantifies the entire text, which again portrays a lack of values. The ways in which the Coens have represented the Odyssey are subtle and require an active audience. A example of how the Odyssey has been represented can be seen through the 3 convicts being chained together at the start of the film representing the three headed hydra of the Odyssey. There is also a link between the convicts being drawn towards the singers in the forest and the sirens at sea.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Monday, 8 March 2010
Lesson summary - Thursday 5th March 2010
This lesson was split into 2 sections, we firstly exploed postmodernism in relation to both high and low culture. We started off by brain-storming aspects of high culture while finding the opposite in relation to low culture.
Postmodernism is typically a mixture of High and Low culture
Low culture: Pop music, Football, ITV, TV (in general, Tabloids
High culture: Classical music, Opera, Polo, BBC, theatre, Broadsheet, Ballet
We then went on to investigate Texts that referenced both high/low culture that also included modernist/posmodernist traits. The first text we looked at was Dixon of Doc green (BBC 1950's - 1970'). - The first thing we noticed was that the main character 'Dixon' spoke to the camera head on therefor adressing the aduience directly, which in itself is a very modernist trait as it is not tyring to hide the fact that it is not 'reality', much like some aspects of 'fly on the wall' documentaries. We also looked at Tarantino's Pulp fiction. We firstly noticed that the opening is a pastiche of 'the good the bad and the ugly'the begining credits included the same colours, fonts and quick transitions. As we watched on we noticted that there were various refrences to aspects of low culture such as: night clubs, fast food, popular culture and TV game shows.
The second part of the lesson was spent experimenting with podcasting. We used a free recording program called audacity and became familiar with how it worked, as we plan to use podcasting with a presentation as a way to evaluate our projects.
Postmodernism is typically a mixture of High and Low culture
Low culture: Pop music, Football, ITV, TV (in general, Tabloids
High culture: Classical music, Opera, Polo, BBC, theatre, Broadsheet, Ballet
We then went on to investigate Texts that referenced both high/low culture that also included modernist/posmodernist traits. The first text we looked at was Dixon of Doc green (BBC 1950's - 1970'). - The first thing we noticed was that the main character 'Dixon' spoke to the camera head on therefor adressing the aduience directly, which in itself is a very modernist trait as it is not tyring to hide the fact that it is not 'reality', much like some aspects of 'fly on the wall' documentaries. We also looked at Tarantino's Pulp fiction. We firstly noticed that the opening is a pastiche of 'the good the bad and the ugly'the begining credits included the same colours, fonts and quick transitions. As we watched on we noticted that there were various refrences to aspects of low culture such as: night clubs, fast food, popular culture and TV game shows.
The second part of the lesson was spent experimenting with podcasting. We used a free recording program called audacity and became familiar with how it worked, as we plan to use podcasting with a presentation as a way to evaluate our projects.
Monday, 1 February 2010
Postmodern chapter pages 136 - 167 - Precis
Postmodernism chapter pages 136 -167 - Precis
Postmodernism influence can be seen in a variety of different media texts and portrayed in numerous ways. One key trend in post modern texts is there is a definite blurring of boundaries between both modern values and in some cases fiction and reality. When fiction and reality is merged together in such a way a hyperreality is formed. A real example of hyperreality can be seen in places such as Disney Land, where the space is real but the contents and theme is entirely fictional.
Music can also be described as post modern either if it is created in the post modern era, or if follows post modern ideology. The music of DJ shadow is a perfect example of post modern music, as it has been created in the pos modern era and includes so many styles merged together it is impossible to classify it as a single set genre. This is another example of boundaries being blurred and merged into something that is different or abstract. The work of DJ shadow can be seen as very unique as he can entwine two completely conflicting music styles into one, for example merging classical music with Nirvana songs.
TV programs such as The Mighty Boosh and The Office can also be described as post modern. The Boosh consists of many different post modern traits, the most interesting of which is the fact that before each show starts the two main characters always introduce it in front of a large red curtain. This breaks away from the norm of going straight into a TV programme. Something I noticed while watching a episode of the Boosh was that they actually use a riff from a song created by DJ shadow (mentioned above) in one of their own songs. This can be seen as another post modern trait by combining both post modern music and TV into one media text. Postmodernism stretches to situation comedies also, for example the Office. Comedy is only because the audience is used to seeing the day in day out functions of a office while the characters completely break the stereotype therefore destroying boundaries of normal life.
Not only are some TV programs post modern but adverts can to include post modern traits and ideologies. A perfect example for this is the Cadburys gorilla. The astonishing fact that the advert had very little obvious relation to either Cadburys as a company or chocolate itself illustrates a very post modern element to this text. For example if the audience were not aware of what Cadburys is or even what products they make they would be left clueless after watching it. Despite the advert being seemingly random there are views that it subtly portrays chocolate as a secret or something more special than it really is, for example the man in the gorilla costume could represent primal urges/instincts to indulge by eating chocolate.
Its not only traditonal media texts that can contain postmodern elements, video games are becoming increasingly more postmodern. The perfect example for this is the game series GTA (Grand Theft Auto). This game in particular offers a inventive storyline which to some degree allows the player to live the life of someone else without the consequences applicable in real life. There are two concepts which helps to define video games as postmodern, flow and immersion. Flow is defined as a state where a activity becomes increasingly more difficult but also progressively more enjoyable to play as a clear goal is always set. Immersion describes how the gamer is brought into the game and absorbed by its content. Especially with GTA the question comes to mind is it a story or a game?, the arguement is both sided as some believe that adding a form of narrative to a game structure does not work, whilst others use GTA as a prime example of how it can be succesful.
Postmodernism influence can be seen in a variety of different media texts and portrayed in numerous ways. One key trend in post modern texts is there is a definite blurring of boundaries between both modern values and in some cases fiction and reality. When fiction and reality is merged together in such a way a hyperreality is formed. A real example of hyperreality can be seen in places such as Disney Land, where the space is real but the contents and theme is entirely fictional.
Music can also be described as post modern either if it is created in the post modern era, or if follows post modern ideology. The music of DJ shadow is a perfect example of post modern music, as it has been created in the pos modern era and includes so many styles merged together it is impossible to classify it as a single set genre. This is another example of boundaries being blurred and merged into something that is different or abstract. The work of DJ shadow can be seen as very unique as he can entwine two completely conflicting music styles into one, for example merging classical music with Nirvana songs.
TV programs such as The Mighty Boosh and The Office can also be described as post modern. The Boosh consists of many different post modern traits, the most interesting of which is the fact that before each show starts the two main characters always introduce it in front of a large red curtain. This breaks away from the norm of going straight into a TV programme. Something I noticed while watching a episode of the Boosh was that they actually use a riff from a song created by DJ shadow (mentioned above) in one of their own songs. This can be seen as another post modern trait by combining both post modern music and TV into one media text. Postmodernism stretches to situation comedies also, for example the Office. Comedy is only because the audience is used to seeing the day in day out functions of a office while the characters completely break the stereotype therefore destroying boundaries of normal life.
Not only are some TV programs post modern but adverts can to include post modern traits and ideologies. A perfect example for this is the Cadburys gorilla. The astonishing fact that the advert had very little obvious relation to either Cadburys as a company or chocolate itself illustrates a very post modern element to this text. For example if the audience were not aware of what Cadburys is or even what products they make they would be left clueless after watching it. Despite the advert being seemingly random there are views that it subtly portrays chocolate as a secret or something more special than it really is, for example the man in the gorilla costume could represent primal urges/instincts to indulge by eating chocolate.
Its not only traditonal media texts that can contain postmodern elements, video games are becoming increasingly more postmodern. The perfect example for this is the game series GTA (Grand Theft Auto). This game in particular offers a inventive storyline which to some degree allows the player to live the life of someone else without the consequences applicable in real life. There are two concepts which helps to define video games as postmodern, flow and immersion. Flow is defined as a state where a activity becomes increasingly more difficult but also progressively more enjoyable to play as a clear goal is always set. Immersion describes how the gamer is brought into the game and absorbed by its content. Especially with GTA the question comes to mind is it a story or a game?, the arguement is both sided as some believe that adding a form of narrative to a game structure does not work, whilst others use GTA as a prime example of how it can be succesful.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Postmodern Media
Postmodern media contains these aspects, this is just a way of remembering them.
B & H P A I N P I P E S
Bricolage
&
Hypereality
Play
Aestaetic
Irony
Ninilism
Parody
Intertextuality
Pastiche
Eclectic
Selfreferential
Example of music as a postmodern text - Cold cut Beats and pieces:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adLFpRP_MkA
The song includes aspects of various genres and styles. Songs comprised of such material are known as mash-ups.
Parts of this particular song are used in a very postmodern sitcom known as 'spaced'.
Styles included in example: Classical (Peter and the wolf)
Hip hop
Big beat
Alternative
Funk
Effects such as static and scratching on vinyls
Postmodernism Homework Task - The Mighty Boosh as a postmodern text
1. Eclecticism - A wide range of influences and techniques
2. Intertextuality - An authors borrowing and transformation other a previous text
3. Parody - A satirical imitation of a text
4. Bricolage - A technique where the product is created from various materials
5. Acts against modernism - Postmodern ideology goes against the ideas of the modern era e.g. progress, reason, certainty, personal identity and grand narrative
6. Nostalgic - Celebrates/remembers the past for its good points
7. Narcissistic - Fascination with your self much like vanity
8. An active audience - Meaning and experience can only be created by the individual, and cannot be made objective by an author or a narrator.
9. Hyper-concious - Aware of itself
B & H P A I N P I P E S
Bricolage
&
Hypereality
Play
Aestaetic
Irony
Ninilism
Parody
Intertextuality
Pastiche
Eclectic
Selfreferential
Example of music as a postmodern text - Cold cut Beats and pieces:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adLFpRP_MkA
The song includes aspects of various genres and styles. Songs comprised of such material are known as mash-ups.
Parts of this particular song are used in a very postmodern sitcom known as 'spaced'.
Styles included in example: Classical (Peter and the wolf)
Hip hop
Big beat
Alternative
Funk
Effects such as static and scratching on vinyls
Postmodernism Homework Task - The Mighty Boosh as a postmodern text
1. Eclecticism - A wide range of influences and techniques
2. Intertextuality - An authors borrowing and transformation other a previous text
3. Parody - A satirical imitation of a text
4. Bricolage - A technique where the product is created from various materials
5. Acts against modernism - Postmodern ideology goes against the ideas of the modern era e.g. progress, reason, certainty, personal identity and grand narrative
6. Nostalgic - Celebrates/remembers the past for its good points
7. Narcissistic - Fascination with your self much like vanity
8. An active audience - Meaning and experience can only be created by the individual, and cannot be made objective by an author or a narrator.
9. Hyper-concious - Aware of itself
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