Dale Luck

Postmodernism Exam Notes

A2 Media Studies

What is postmodernism?
Postmodernism is both the continuation and transcendance of modernism (Jencks) An extension of modernist and structuralist thinking Rejects Deridas ideas that no text is without a genre, through using intertextuality and bricolage

Structural functionalist view defined structures and roles are necessary for society to function rejected by postmodernism McLuhan the presentation is more important than the narrative Baudrillard (hyperreality w/ simulacra) developed McLuhans idea to deny substance to any message shown at all, and that this gives way to the perception of a world that feigns reality but is not simulation/simulacra the representation replaces the thing its trying to represent hyperreality reality has been replaced by simulacra, and argues that today we only experience prepared realities (edited war footage, reality TV shows, etcetera) Lyotard (rejection of traditional narratives or presentation) the rejection of grand narratives and universal meta-narratives i.e. rejection of traditional moralistic narratives (good winning over evil) or rejection of the supression of violence and exploitation for the sake of public decency Kramer (postmodern music theory) meaning found in the audience; distrust of binary oppositions; references to multiple traditions and genres; the use of technology in production; sees music as relevant to cultural and social contexts Ford (breaking the fourth wall and other conventions and constructs) Self reflexivity paradoxical combination of self-consciousness and historical grounding Irony the use of irony to express a message or to negotiate contradictions Boundaries challenges boundaries of genre, art forms, theory and mass media Examines Constructs nationality, gender, race, sexuality Richard Smith (the reference of other genres and texts for humorous or purposeful reasons) Eclecticism a wide range of influences, contributions and techniques Intertextuality the borrowing and transformation of a prior text Parody a humorous or satirical imitation of a text Bricolage where a work is constructed from various materials available Postmodernism acts against reason, orthodoxy and logic to bring us a text that is rich with surrealism and unpredictability

Dale Luck

Postmodernism Exam Notes

A2 Media Studies

Criticisms
Suzanne Moore (sees postmodernism as being dull and the opposite of fun) How can something be subversive when its the dominant language? Its too scared to take matters seriously, refusing to say something is directly good or bad David Wallace trendy sardonic exhaustion Things that should be edgy are just dull now, because everythings trying to be edgy Fredric Jameson (sees postmodernism as having no meaning) Postmodernism is vacuous and trapped in circular references No deeper meaning or purpose other than self referential jokes Thinks literary and cultural output is more purposeful, remaining a modernist Does see reason for current generation to express through postmodernity, as we are the product of a post-industrial economy (heavily globalised) Probably all caused by constant media output and seeing all individual texts as a whole Hans Bertens (disagrees certain characteristics are linked to postmodernism) Doesnt believe postmodernism constitutes reality Doesnt believe that meaning has become social and/or provisional Doesnt believe that there are no absolute truths Noam Chomsky (postmodernism is meaningless, as it presents nothing new to take in) Postmodernism adds nothing to analytical or empirical knowledge Callinicos (postmodernism cant be taken seriously on an intellectual level) It reads as a symptom of political frustration and social mobility, not as a significant intellectual or cultural phenomenon in its own right

Audience
Over the years, narrative coherence has become less important for audiences and the attention spans of the mass public has lowered as theyve become accustomed to constant entertainment from postmodern texts, which have become the dominant form of media over the years. This has effected the presentation of many different media texts, not just films for example, videogames have become more driven by cinematic presentation than gameplay in recent years (see examples). Adrian Cohen referred to the audience who puts presentation over narrative as the hyper spectator an audience that creates their own experience by interpreting what they see in different ways, and not just taking the message given by the narrative as truth. Anne Friedberg believes this postmodern condition is caused by the ability to watch and manipulate the media at any point we want, through the technology of home entertaiment systems and more recently the internet.

Dale Luck

Postmodernism Exam Notes

A2 Media Studies

Examples
Films (commonly uses hyperreality and self-consciousness, disregard for linear structure)
Drive hyperreality, reference to fairy tales, odd ending choice, violence Inglourious Basterds combination of genres, fairytale presentation, violence, hyperreality Hobo With A Shotgun heavy use of violence, badly done on purpose, grindhouse Blade Runner combination of genres, lack of absolute morals, audience discussion Pulp Fiction non-linear narrative, heavy use of violence, self-references to Tarantino flicks American Beauty multiple perspectives, self-consciousness (beginning states ending) Fight Club - hyperreality, self-consciousness (non-linear shots, narrator), violence

TV (intertextuality and parodies are extremely popular)

Flight of the Conchords mixture of music genres and television, parody, use of irony The Mighty Boosh hyperreality, reference to genres, use of music, fourth wall breaking Spaced references to multiple texts, hyperreality (e.g. Brian Topp), multiple genres noted Family Guy intertextual references, hyperreality (talking dog), self-consciousness American Dad see Family Guy (same creators), just replace talking dog with alien

Music (alter-egos, sampling, hyperreality and audience participation)

Beck constant combination of genres and change of style between genres Lady Gaga created alter ego (hyperreality), calls audience little monsters Eminem hyperreality with his alterego, use of high/low styles, The Big Pink Hit The Grounds sampling of O Superman by Laurie Anderson The Protomen songs based on game series, presented as a musical, various styles

Videogames (steady rise in open world titles and focus on cinematic experiences)
Grand Theft Auto open world, ease of violence, complete freedom, hyperreality Elder Scrolls IV: Skyrim see above more action oriented that older installments Uncharted heavy focus on cinematics, pandering to postmodern audiences Tomb Raider see above forced to reboot franchise to do so Resident Evil 4/5/6 see above forced to change genre, belittling previous audience Indigo Prophecy heavy focus on narrative, more like an interactive film future of film? Heavy Rain see above Beyond: Two Souls see above Call of Duty war simulacra audience now think its what war is like (Baudrillard) Medal of Honor see above heavy focus on cinematic moments to entertain audience