Martin Scorsese - The Art of Silence

Looking beyond Postmodernism

To reach the higher grades within your essay you need to present aspects of postmodernism as well as acknowledging the problems and criticism of it, in its entirety.

Places to start:

Criticism of postmodernism

Post-postmodernism

Metamodernism

New Sincerity

Articles to broaden your understanding:

What is metamodernism?

Quirky, Tone and Metamodernism

Beyond Postmodernism. Putting a Face on Metamodernism Without the Easy Clichés

The Death of Postmodernism And Beyond

Postmodernism is dead

Help with putting it all together:

Here is also a great site that will hugely help with your revision. It looks back to Modernism, to Postmodernism and forward to Post-postmodernism and compares then to each other.

I'm posting this because I care!

Part of me does not want to post this as it will only contribute to perpetuating dependency... but I guess some of you are not ready to think for yourselves. However, I only want to see you do well, so if this helps you take the next step...

Your current essay question is asking you what factors have affected institutions within the magazine industry and what decisions have they made in response to those factors that have affected the processes of 'production' and 'exchange'?

Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in the production and exchange of media texts.

What are those factors you ask? And my knee-jerk response would be seriously!? But alas... those factors are:

• Expansion (particularly diagonal expansion)
• Which is arguably a response to the continued growth and impact of multi-media convergence.
• Which has grown significantly because of the WWW
• Which has also seen the growth of social media

So in other words how have the above areas affected the magazine industry and how have magazine institutions responded to them? And specifically how have they impacted on the way magazines are produced and how have they impacted on the point of exchange?

Now, the next bit you have to do for yourselves. I am not going to do it for you. Your essay structure is there in the bullet points. You need to develop each of those points with 'secondary' and 'primary' (3 magazines and their owners) evidence that you explore and discuss.

*This is the last time I will help you in this way... The problem I fear for a number of you is that you simply do not know the content well enough. You need to read, digest, discuss and then read some more. If you were more confident with the content and the concepts you might not find putting the essay together such a struggle. Please think about that.

Mr. M.

A2 Easter Homework

Respond to the following #pomo question

• Explain why the idea of ‘postmodern media’ might be considered controversial

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Delve into the resources related to Q1a and Q1b.

Work on your evaluation.

You know where I am if you need me! :-)

AS Easter Homework

Please respond to the following exam question:

Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in the production and exchange of media texts.

Additional resources:

Mind Map

Pete Fraser (Chief Examiner) Advice

AS: A&I Essay Planning

One of your peers emailed me unsure of how to get started with the Audiences and Institutions essay. If this particular student has questions, then I am sure that the rest of you do. So here is a copy of my reply:

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Have you used the mind map to plan the structure of your essay? My first question if I was doing this essay is which parts of the mind map are going to go into my essay.

So, read the question. What are the possible answers?

Well, some magazines have fully embraced the use of 'converged media'. Some have had to in order to keep up with audience needs and changing tech. Some have not.

Therefore, my arguments are:

• Argument 1: Yes, media convergence is important. 
• Argument 2: In fact it is now integral to success for some parts of the magazine industry. 
• Argument 3: But there are some magazines that do not yet need to adapt 

Now I have a plan I need to use my mind map to flesh this out.

Arg 1: Convergence

• Pg 1. What is it? Why is it important? What case study can I use to illustrate that? 
• Pg 2. Can I build on that? Is there another case study? Another quotation? 

Arg 2. Some mags have no choice? 

• Pg. 3: Audience expectations - location, time, multi-media content... quotation? case study? 
• Pg. 4: Keeping up with the competition. Quotation? Case study? 

Arg 3: Not important. 

• Pg. 5: People's Friend - importance of knowing your TA 

Now, surrounding this I need an intro and a conclusion. 

Intro: In a few sentences set out the arguments. Don't mention any specific case studies. Keep it general.

Conclusion: What is your opinion? What does the future for the industry hold in relation to technological convergence? Hypothesise.

I hope this helps?

Completed Audiences & Institutions Mind Map

A2: Assignment No 2

The Matrix is real but it is not a product of mainstream media. It is self-made, constructed by the public, and proliferated by social networks. We are (knowingly) constructing personalised prisons for our minds; our realities essentially giant filter bubbles, made up of ideologies we accept. We are turning ourselves into thoughtless, marketing machines, exploited by the highest bidder.

To what extent do you agree with the sentiments above?

Make explicit reference to:

• The Matrix
• Baudrillard's theory of hyperreality
• Strinati's theories about media saturation and superficiality
• The ideas you encountered in the Boyd, Turkle, Handel, Rosen, Boder, Sunstein, and Keegan articles, including digital identity and the public sphere
• The ideas put across in Eli Pariser's TED talk
• Twitter discussion about friendship, digital self and instant gratification
• Video's about digital identity and digital self
• Notes from lessons and other discussions
• Any other research/reading that you have completed

AS: Merlin Extract & Essay Question

Here is the Merlin extract, should you wish to watch it again.

And here is the essay question:

Discuss the way social status is represented in this extract from Merlin. Make specific reference to the following technical areas:

• Camera
• Editing
• Sound
• Mise-en-scene

AS: Audiences and Institutions Practice Assignment 2

Here is your next essay title; due in Monday, 16 April.

"Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences, within a media area, which you have studied."

Please make sure you read through my comments on your previous essay before attempting this one.

Have a great Easter,
Mr. M.

AS/A2: Cover Work from Mr. M.

Year 12

Please complete the following essay: 

‘What significance does the continuing development of digital media technology have for media institutions and audiences?’ (50 marks)

Year 13

Please complete the following tasks:

1. Read all the material you have been given with relation to ‘criticisms of postmodernism’.

2. Add further thoughts and ideas to the Kony 2012 wall. Link

3. Add to and edit the Postmodern Media Revision Google Doc . Link

4. Create a mind map – place the main theories / theorists related to postmodern media in the middle and then link them to the various case studies, adding key quotes, analysis, interpretations and your own thoughts about the topic.

 

A2: 2011 UK Riots: A Hyperreal Event?

Christmas Homework: Part 1:

Based on your understanding of Baudrillard's theory of Hyperreality, complete the following essay. You must refer to the David Buckingham article: "There's a riot going on" featured in Media Magazine - December 2011. However, you may also wish to refer to the 9/11 and Saddam Statue examples as well as 'The Matrix' and 'Blade Runner' to support your arguments.

"The 2011 UK Riots can only be understood as a hyperreal event." To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The word count is 800. Please read over your targets from your previous assessment before completing this one.

Christmas Homework: Part 2:

Complete the following research (you might want to do this before you write the essay):

• What is the 'effects model'?
• What is the agenda setting model'?
• What is the 'uses and gratifications' theory?
• What is 'selective exposure'?
• What is 'selective perception'?

Bonus Material: Here are David Buckingham' slides that accompanied a presentation he gave at the Media Magazine conference. They make a useful accompaniment to the article.

Converting English Students into Media Students

One of the main differences between English and Media Studies is the language we use. This glossary of terms should help you improve your analysis...

On the left is a English expression and on the right is the Media Studies terminology.

• shows = denotes
• implies/suggests = connotes

• a metaphor = symbolic
• linked/connected = indexical
• directly resembles = iconic

To achieve well in your written work it is important that you learn to use these terms when analysing texts.

A2: "Violent video games harmless for most kids"

Well timed article on the effects of video games on children.  Click on the 'MSNBC' logo to read the article. Perfect to keep the topic fresh as you prepare for your exam.


Don't forget that we have lesson tomorrow: 12:20 in Room 72.

A2: Sample Questions for Q1a and 1b

Sample Questions 1a

Sample Questions 1b

A2: More Media Theory (Courtesy The Latymer School Media Department)

Media Theory

A2: G325 - Q1a & Q1b - Round Two

Please respond to the following practice exam questions and submit them for marking on Thursday.


1a. "Post-production is the most significant process in modern media production." Discuss how your own experiences of post-production impacted on your ability to deliver a creatively engaging outcome.


1b. Audiences are at the mercy of media producers."  Explain how your understanding of audience theories influenced and shaped one of your media productions.


Any questions please come and see me or drop me an email.

A2: A Series Of Student Made Presentations on Media Key Concepts

Year 12 and 13 Cover for Thursday 29th April

Due to my involvement in Functional Skills assessments there are no lessons for Y12 and Y13 today.  Cover is as follows:

Year 12 Media Studies

• Please continue to work on your FINAL draft of your coursework evaluation.
• I will discuss and try to resolve any issues you are having in tomorrow’s lesson.

Year 13 Media Studies

• Don’t forget that your final drafts of your evaluations are due in tomorrow.  Lewis, Ryan and Jamie – I also want your practical work in please!
• To be handed in to me on Monday: Your attempt at section A of your exam paper.
• This section of your exam lasts for 1 hour so please spend approximately 30 minutes answering each question.

Section A: Theoretical Evaluation of Production

1(a) “Digital technology turns media consumers into media producers”. In your own experience, how has your creativity developed through using digital technology to complete your coursework productions?

[25]

(b) “Media texts rely on cultural experiences in order for audiences to easily make sense of narratives”. Explain how you used conventional and / or experimental narrative approaches in one of your production pieces.

[25]

Any questions please e-mail me!

A2: Essay Reminder...

...don't forget your response to the following essay question is due in on Monday 18th January:

"As a medium video games offer an inherently active and addictive experience.  Because of this games such as Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt 2 pose a more significant threat to society than films such as Natural Born Killers and Base-Moi" To what extent do you agree with this statement? 

Should you have any questions or need support feel free to e-mail me!

Mr. M.