“Postmodern media blur the boundary between reality and representation.” Discuss this idea with reference to media texts that you have studied.

“Postmodern media blur the boundary between reality and representation.” Discuss this idea with reference to media texts that you have studied.

Postmodern media is the idea that anything can interpreted and valued equally; nothing can be judged as negative since anything can be art. It is a rejection of Modernism which focuses on moving forward and hiding references to the past in its media products.

Ted is an example of how boundaries between reality and representation are transgressed. The film's protagonist Ted is an animated children's toy living in the 'real' world. His soaring popularity lead to him appearing on the Jimmy Kimmel Show Live, which is postmodern because the live aspect means that the audience were merely cheering a voice over when it was being filmed and Ted was edited in afterwards for the purposes of Television. Ted then went on to appear at the Oscars and present an award, this is blurring the boundary between reality and representation as a fictional character is presenting an acting award, again the audience would have been cheering a voice over. These appearances link to Baudrillard's concept of hyper-reality and how things that should seem abnormal, like a non-existent talking teddy bear walking around, are considered completely normal and nobody questions it.

'Scott Pilgrim Vs The World' is another postmodern media text that looks at the blurring of boundaries between reality and representation.  In the film there is 'narrastive truth' as comic, computer games and TV are all treated equally; thereby leading to the concept of pluralism. The low culture genres such as comic books and sitcom are being treated with the same reverence as high culture genres such as philosophy and time and space. Blurring these elements together create a diegetic world as when Scott fights the exes, he gets points and power-ups that appear on screen, replicating that of a video-game. Levi Strauss' theory of substitution can be applied here because realistic life situations are being replaced with exaggerated comic book ones; making the fictional elements of Scott's life indistinguishable from the non-fictional.

However, one could look at the online computer game 'Desert Bus' and argue that postmodern media does not blur the boundary between reality and representation. This game mimics real time rather than attempt to distort it and in doing so, creates a realistic  simulation of the 'real' world. However, Jameson's argument that postmodernism is depthless could be applied to this game because it has no purpose; there are no goals to strive for and although the game provides a temporary means of escape, it does not provide any advancement in the real world.

 

The Nikon camera advert could be argued to blur the boundaries between reality and representation because it sells people a life style that doesn't exist. The company comment that they aim to 'remind' their audience that they are 'at the heart of the image' yet the question remains, how can people be reminded of experiences they've never had. This advert is conforming to Baudrillards concept of  hyper reality and how the real world is created on expectations and how people want it to be rather than how it actually is. Nikon is merely projecting aspirational lifestyles out to its viewers that they will apparently gain with the purchase of the camera. This misleading advertising techniques is used also with Smirnoff and Emmirate Airlines; this could also be considered  simularcra because the companies aim to sell 'unique' experiences to the audience yet if everyone gets the same experience with the camera then this cannot be possible.

 

With the constant availability of the Internet, reality and representation are frequently blurred and transgressed all the time. The invention of Google glasses means that people are living in a hyper real world from day to day  thereby causing the real world to be indistinguishable from fictional lifestyles.

Postmodernism, applying to texts

Fragmented structure/non-linear narrative Taylor Swift condensed narrative videos, Inception
Challenging of meta-narrative (Lyotard and Strinati) Scott Pilgrim
Playing with time and space (Strinati) - Desert Bus, Inception, Scott Pilgrim
Self-reflexivity Inception
Emphasis of style over substance and context (Strinati) Inglourious Basterds
Challenging cultural imperialism and mass production Ill Manors Plan B
Conventions of genre challenged/subverted Scott Pilgrim
Breakdown of distinctions between high art and pop culture (Strinati)
Asks questions not giving answers, allowing audience interpretation Inception
Juxtaposing old and new to make new meaning (bricolage) Kanye West, Gold Digger
Intertextuality Inglourious Basterds, Ted, Scott Pilgrim
Multiplicity of meanings linked to audience interpretations Birth of a Nation- Apocolyse Now - British Gas, Kanye West Gold Digger
Post WW2-war being a catalyst for postmodernism Andy Warhol - Pop Art
Parody and pastiche – creating something new through imitation, homage (tribute) Flight of the Conchords, Ted, Hobo with a Shotgun
Web 2.0 and new technologies allowing people to become producers/celebrities outside traditional/mainstream methods Rebecca Black - Friday, Internet memes, Ted
Instantaneity – accessibility now Internet memes on Facebook, Kanye West - music videos on YouTube
Culture is no longer viewed as art mirroring life but a reality in itself (Strinati) Internet memes
Experimentation with new forms – not necessarily the ‘glossy’ Hollywood approach Scott Pilgrim, Ted
Meaning and purpose holds more significance than the skill involved in making it Internet memes, Dan Black Symphonies
Photoshop movement changing how we see reality Internet memes, Ridiculously Photogenic Guy
Cult of celebrity – celebrity obsessed society – style over substance Internet memes
Truth is created and doesn’t exist in any objective sense Inglourious Basterds, Nikon advert
Text goes beyond what it is and comments on society Birth of a Nation- Apocalypse Now - British Gas.
No single definition – open to interpretation – concept crosses art, media, literature, architecture, music, society Scott Pilgrim, Inception
States of hyper reality (Baudrillard and simulacra) Scott Pilgrim., Ted, Inception, Nikon Advert

Terminology

Détournement - changing the meaning of an existing piece of work so much that it changes its original intended meaning.
Eclecticism - A wide range of influences, contributions and techniques.

Nostalgic - Celebrates the past and its glory

Narcissistic - Fascination with ones-self; excessive self love, vanity.

Active Audience - Assertion that experience can only be created by the audience or the individual, and cannot be made objective by an author or narrator. Assumes an intelligent and active audience.

Hyper-conscious - Aware of itself
- Allows the text to dissolve the 'fourth wall', potentially directly addressing the audience or looking at the camera lens directly.

Essay questions

What is meant by ‘postmodern media’?
Topic: Postmodernism
Aspect: Postmodern media
Instruction: What do people think it means
- Inglourious Basterds, heavily made up from intertextual references and allusions to existing texts.
- Flight on the conchords, puts the genre of 'musical' into a new context.
- Kanye West, Gold Digger.

Why are some media products described as ‘postmodern’?
Topic: Postmodernism
Aspect: Postmodern media
Instruction: Define why they are postmodern
- Inglourious Basterds, heavily made up from intertextual references and allusions to existing texts.
- Flight on the conchords, puts the genre of 'musical' into a new context.
- Kanye West, Gold Digger.
Explain how certain kinds of media can be defined as postmodern.
Topic: Postmodernism
Aspect: Postmodern Media
Instruction: Explain how things are 'defined' as being postmodern.
- Inglourious Basterds, heavily made up from intertextual references and allusions to existing texts.
- Flight on the conchords, puts the genre of 'musical' into a new context.
- Kanye West, Gold Digger.
Explain why the idea of ‘postmodern media’ might be considered controversial.
Topic: Postmodernism
Aspect: Postmodern Media
Instruction: How/why is it controversial
- Jameson, trapped in circular references.
- Hobo with a shot gun
- Inception, argue against it being controversial

“Postmodern media blur the boundary between reality and representation.” Discuss this idea with reference to media texts that you have studied.
Topic: Postmodernism
Aspect: Postmodern media
Instruction: Explore concept of liminality/transgression of boundries.
- Ted, animated and real world
- Ted on Jimmy Kimmel show live
- Ted at Oscars
- Scott Pilgrim, video games mixing into real world. concept of pluralism
- Desert bus, immitates reality rathr than distorts it.
- Nikon camera advert, sells people a lifestyle that doesn't exist.
- Google glasses, hyper-reality.

Discuss why some people are not convinced by the idea of postmodern media.
Topic: Postmodernism
Aspect: Postmodern media
Instruction: Why people aren't convinced by it.
- Jameson
- Kirby Fergusson
- Incpetion, pomo not bad
- Hobo with a shot gun, shows pomo as bad
- Nikon camera advert, selling people a lifestyle that doesn't exist.

EVERYTHING we've done on Postmodernism.

Media

How and why is Ted Postmodern?

How
- Flash Gorden references (1980's)
- Ted, childs toy coming to life. Hyper-reality. Mixing CGI and 'real' footage.
- Voice over is sarcastic. Parody.

Why
- Ted represents a 'human' and he can be seen as bricolage as he is a toy associated with children, that has been put out of context in an adult lifestyle.
- Voice over lacks realism and the sarcasm establishes that the film is a joke and mocking a children's story (Christmas Carol).
-Teddy Ruxpin can be seen as emblematic of a postmodern world. He is sold as your 'best friend' however he is not unique, everyone is sold the same best friend. Simulacrum.

Ted on the Jimmy Kimmel show live is postmodern as the audience would be merely cheering a voice-over in the interview. Hyper-reality. Ted admits openly that the deleted scenes on the disc are simply those which were not good enough to be in the film.
(Many animated film create fake out-takes at the end of their movie purely for the purpose of entertainment. For instance with Toy Story and Monsters Inc)

Ted at the Oscars. Don't need to be alive to be a celebrity. Acting award being presented by a animated, fictional character. He also appears at the Oscars with Tupac and The Gorrillaz, all appearing as holograms.

Flash Gorden was made 6 years after Star Wars
- In Ted, Sam Jones is playing a version of Sam Jones who played a version of Flash Gorden who was over-dubbed due to falling out with the director. Simulacrum.

-Collectors edition of Ted. Mass produced so not actually 'collecters'.

Applying Kramer's Theory

1) Does not respect boundaries between sonorities and procedures of the past and of the present
- Using past influences from 'Southern Tones' It Must Be Jesus and 'Jonny Rivers' I Gotta Woman.

2) Includes quotations of or references to music of many traditions and cultures
- The song uses lyrics from I Gotta Woman

3). Embraces contradictions
- Disregards the fact that the song's origins are religious with religious intentions and ends up being completely contradictory.

Applying Kramer's Theory

1) Considers music not as autonomous but as relevant to cultural, social, and political contexts
- The lyrics explore all of the above mentioned contexts and explore current terrorism issues.

Overseas, yeah, we tryin' to stop terrorism

But we still got terrorists here livin'

In the U.S.A., the big C.I.A.

The Bloods and the Crips and the KKK

2) Shows disdain for the often unquestioned value of structural unity
- The song suggests that we take for granted a world with structural unity and we appreciate it only when it is disrupted.

Applying Kramer's Theory.

1) Challenges barriers between 'high' and 'low' styles
- The lyrics highlight the stereotypes put forward by society surrounding 'Chav's' and less fortunate people and criticises the fake composure of 'high culture' citizens."What you looking at you little rich boy!"

2) Considers music not as autonomous but as relevant to cultural, social, and political contexts.
- Criticising the government and how the council estate is represented.
"Think you know how life on a council estate is from everything you've ever read about it or heard"

6. Questions the mutual exclusivity of elitist and populist values
.- Mocking social superiority.

Johnathan Kramer

Media Theorist Jonathan Kramer says "the idea that postmodernism is less a surface style or historical period than an attitude. Kramer goes on to say 16 "characteristics of postmodern music, by which I mean music that is understood in a postmodern manner, or that calls forth postmodern listening strategies, or that provides postmodern listening experiences, or that exhibits postmodern compositional practices." 
According to Kramer (Kramer 2002, 16–17), postmodern music":

1. is not simply a repudiation of modernism or its continuation, but has aspects of both a break and an extension
2. is, on some level and in some way, ironic
3. does not respect boundaries between sonorities and procedures of the past and of the present
4. challenges barriers between 'high' and 'low' styles
5. shows disdain for the often unquestioned value of structural unity
6. questions the mutual exclusivity of elitist and populist values
7. avoids totalizing forms (e.g., does not want entire pieces to be tonal or serial or cast in a prescribed formal mold)
8. considers music not as autonomous but as relevant to cultural, social, and political contexts
9. includes quotations of or references to music of many traditions and cultures
10. considers technology not only as a way to preserve and transmit music but also as deeply implicated in the production and essence of music
11. embraces contradictions
12. distrusts binary oppositions
13. includes fragmentations and discontinuities
14. encompasses pluralism and eclecticism
15. presents multiple meanings and multiple temporalities
16. locates meaning and even structure in listeners, more than in scores, performances, or composers

Bricolage

Rosenau

1) Postmodernism criticises the inconsistency of modernism but refuses to be held to norms of inconsistency itself
2) Postmodernism focuses on intertextuality as well as isolation.
3) Postmodernists contradict themselves by relinquishing truth claims in their own writings.

Levi Strauss

-Theory of addition, deletion, substitution in relation to the texts I have studied.

Addition: Swiss Lips of Frank Ocean's 'Lost' - a fan video made of three different videos.
Addition: Scott Pilgrim Versus The World - Inclusion of video games. Text on screen.
Deletion: Inglourious Basterds - Deletes all battle scenes.
Deletion: Deletes fear, The Basterds have no fear.
Deletion: Hobo With A Shotgun - Removes the backing story.
Substitution: Inglourious Basterds - Swaps history with a fictional history (hyper-reality).
Substitution: Kanye West's Gold Digger - Copy of a copy.
Substitution: Flight of the Conchords (Prime Minister episode) - Simon and Garfunkel impersonators.

Flight of the Conchords

Pluralism

Pluralism argues that there is no answer to anything.

Normative Pluralism - this is the acceptance of all narratives and the idea that no narratives are better than another.

Secondly, there is a kind of PoMo which is pluralist in the sense that it accepts different views, without denying that something is better than other things.

Postmodern Audiences

- have audiences become accustomed to the stimulation and excitement of spectacular films/games and a sense of spectacle has become something that (young?) audiences increasingly demand from cultural experiences?

• Has narrative coherence become less important for audiences?
Battleships, Transformers, Hobo With a Shotgun

• In terms of ideas, has cultural material become more simplistic and superficial, and audiences are no longer so concerned with the process of understanding a text. Think here about a film like Moulin Rouge where the plot is in some sense irrelevant to the overall impact of the film.
Depthlessness memes. Nothing is good or bad, everything is equal
• has the attention span of audiences reduced as they become increasingly accustomed to the spectacle-driven and episodic nature of postmodern texts


• in its ‘waning of affect’, has postmodernism contributed to audiences become emotionally detached from what they see. They are desensitised and unable to respond ‘properly’ to suffering and joy.
When people film concerts when they're there or watch the big screens when the band is right in front of them. The world can only experience things second hand.
• has postmodernism contributed to a feeling among audiences that arts and culture does not really have anything to tell us about our own lives and instead simply provides us with somewhere we can escape or retreat to.

Alain J-J Cohen - 'Hyper spectator'. A viewer with deep knowledge of cinema and can pick up the intertextual references.

Anne Friedberg- We have control over what we watch and where we watch it. "Films have helped contribute to the postmodern quality of life by manipulating and playing around with our conventional understanding of time and space."

Ridiculously Photogenic Guy

"Postmodern media manipulates time and space" To what extent does this defination apply to texts you have studied?

Postmodern media is set in the future, a time which does not exist until after it happens therefore this in itself is manipulating concepts of time.

Inception is a film which manipulates time and space to create something postmodern. The film explores the ideas of dreams and dreams within dreams; thereby creating a seemingly complex narrative which may at first be difficult to comprehend. The song 'Je ne regrette rien' is played throughout the film at different speeds, indicating how many layers into the dream the characters are, the slower the music, the deeper into the dream they are. When Ariadn is put into a dream state, she manipulates space by pulling up a section of the town and resting it above the ground they are on, forming a sky-less world where gravitational expectations are challenged; they are able to walking up the vertical road effortlessly. These manipulations of time and space allow the film to conform to Baudrillard's theory of hyper reality. This inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from a simulation of reality is shown by the characters need for a totem; an object which allows them to recognise whether they are in the real world or a dream state. However even the audience loses track of what is the real world and what isn't; the continuously spinning totem at the end of the film leaves doubt in the viewer's mind about whether the characters made it back into reality or if they are still stuck inside a layer of the dream.

Scott Pilgrim Versus The World also manipulates time and space. This is most apparent in the fighting scenes where often the sequence is slowed down allowing the audience to see punches being thrown and 'points' being scored. The points appearing on screen infer that the characters are inside a video game and not living in reality, this is further supported by items such as the 'pee bar' appearing and Scott receiving an 'extra life', both things we'd expect from a video game. Julia Kristeva states that intertextual references 'shape meanings of new texts. This is true in this film as it implies that Scott's life is a game and that he isn't living in the real world. Many sound effects from the well-known video game 'Zelda' are included throughout and the introductory Universal logo uses arcade style music playing over the top; hinting from the very start that the film is set inside a video game.

When being introduced to the characters in Scott Pilgrim, a small profile appears next to their heads, replicating a video game where you choose the character you wish to play with. I could also be alluding to 'Fight Club' in which the main character looks around his flat and next to each item, an ikea-style fact-file pops up. Both of these are looking at hyper-reality and the manipulation of time and space; it demonstrates the idea of the dream world interfering with the real world and being unable to distinguish the two.

Many postmodern texts do manipulate time and space as postmodernism looks at breaking conventions. Virtual worlds and video games alongside augmented reality are traits of postmodern media which he audiences find intriguing. Changing concepts of time and space create enigmatic narratives which challenge viewers to solve.

Define Post Modern Media With Examples

Postmodern media is the idea that anything can interpreted and valued equally; nothing can be judged as negative since anything can be art. Kirby Fergusson comments that 'everything is a remix' and argues that originality is impossible and that creativity relies on the ability to copy, transform and combine. This is evident  in Quentin Tarentino's film 'Inglourious Basterds' in the soldier line up scene as it is identical to a scene in ‘The Dirty Dozen’ where the soldiers are being recruited to attack; they are stood in the same formation and location. This demonstrates how the film takes scenes and then changes them slightly but not so much that the audience doesn't recognise the original source, and then integrates them into the new film; thereby following Furguson's suggested rule of 'copy, transform and combine'

Postmodern media often takes copy, transform and combine too far and end up supporting Jameson's theory of depthlessness. For example, the film ‘Apocalypse Now’ uses the music ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ to criticise US foreign policy, using the music to carry across racist connotations. British Gas however, have created an advert that uses flying service vans, (perhaps replicating the helicopters in ‘Apocalypse Now’) and have the ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ music playing over the top; this music has been put so out of context that it has ended up carrying no racist implications across at all, British Gas have simply created an entertaining advert using a piece of music that has lost its original meaning.

Pastiche and Homage are used in postmodern media. Pastiche links with the idea of parody and how the original source is mocked and become humorous. This can be seen in 'Hobo With A Shot Gun' where it attempts to replicate gruesome death such as decapitating a man by attaching his head to a car, however the film tries too hard to evoke emotion that it creates bathos and the audience cannot take it seriously.The film in itself is based on a trailer for a film that never existed; it was designed to be purposely bad to be good but then ended up just being bad. The sole aim of the main character in the film is to save up to buy a lawn-mover, this completely pointless life aspiration reflects the pointlessness of the film as a whole; again linking back to Jameson's theory of depthlessness. Opposing this, there is Pastiche where a film is respectful when copying another. For example in 'Inglourious Basterds', the audience feel the pathos aimed at them and they sympathise with the characters.

 However, many people criticise companies for advertising their products using simulacra; creating copies of copies of copies of something that never existed in the first place and making people aspire to a lifestyle which doesn't exist. For example the Nikon S8000 advert aims to 'remind' people about their unique experiences however, the experiences shown do not exist, the company is merely projecting aspirational life events that the audience may want and consequently, will ‘apparently’ experience with the purchase of this camera.

Postmodern media is constantly in production. So many films take ideas from other films and manipulate them to make the audience think they are watching something new therefore we are perhaps watching postmodern texts without even realising. Due to technical advances, we are able to view these texts on TV or online, 24 hours a day.

Lana Del Rey - Postmodernism