Postmodernism and The Media

Narrative Analysis in Media Studies

The Pixar Theory

I know I shared this with most of you in class, but I am adding it here for posterity. Be sure to check back in to see how the theory has continued to evolve.

cc. @JonNegroni

[A2] The End is Nigh!

So the journey is almost over. Here be some links, videos and tidbits of advice as you finish preparing yourself for your 'critical perspectives' exam...

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Where to begin? This video gives a clear overview of the exam structure, in particular what you need to focus on in Q1a and Q1b:

1a (Looking inwardly)

• The chief examiner on responding to Q1a.
• Here I am responding to Q1a - def. worth a read!

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1b (Applying theory)

• The chief examiner on responding to Q1b.
• Example response to 1a and 1b.
• Revising key theoretical concepts.
• The chief examiner on doing exam answers.

And in response to Josh's tweet, if Media Language comes up focus on that theory: semiotics, mediation, camera, editing, sound, mise-en-scene. Do not get tripped up and discuss post-structuralism or postmodernism. Focus on how you used your knowledge of media language to 'mediate' and 'construct' your media text.

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#POMO or WTF!?

Don't forget that *postmodernism* is a cultural concept and *postmodern media* refers specifically to media texts.

To offer a full, detailed, conceptual response you must show how other areas of theory are directly connected to postmodern media, including: 'structuralism', 'post-structuralism', 'genre theory' and 'audience theories'.

And it is also an era, and a response...

Baudrillard (as if you need this!?)

And the best answers will make cogent links between historical examples like 'The Matrix' and present/future examples like 'Digital Identity'.

Finally, the chief examiner on answering the #POMO question.

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Well done to those of you who emailed me essays or essay plans. Remember, I am here and here, if you need me. And good luck!

[A2] Postmodernism - A Brief Review

A clear and succinct overview of the 'theory' of post modernism (and postmodern media) including key ideas, Lyotard, Baudrillard and remixing (via. Hollyfield Media)

Visit Hollyfield Media's YouTube page to find more videos on media theories, including semiotics, structuralism and Marxism.

Media in Minutes

Not all of the videos in the playlist are relevant and some are name differently to the terms we use e.g. The Reinforcement Theory is also known as Selective Exposure / Selective Perception.

PLEASE NOTE: These videos are just introductions to theories and not an exhausted list. Further research is needed to gain a greater understanding.

Thinking through audiences and institutions...

Successfully responding to the audience and institutions section of the exam is about being able to link your case studies to the theory. This needs to be thought through. Here's an example...

NME is one of the longest running music magazines. It has expanded horizontally (Melody Maker merged with NME in 2000) as well as diagonally multiple times: 

• NME.com (1996)
• NMEVideo.com (2011) - replacing the defunct TV channel
• NME TV (2007 - 2010)
• NME Radio (2008)
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) 

Each of these expansions can be seen to be in response to a number of factors including consumer demand for converged content, and the desire to turn NME (the weekly indie-music magazine) into a recognised Brand at the heart of the British music industry. 

Moreover, each of these expansions have caused changes in both production and exchange. 

Production has evolved moving from a concentration on written content even into the launch of NME.com but that soon changed as web technologies improved. With the move to high speed broadband connections  NME has sought to make the most of streaming audio and video online through their websites. Moreover, they have launched several apps that do the same. This suggests that they have recognised the power of these mediums. As such, NME as a production company has grown to include a diverse mixture of roles beyond the traditional journalists. Moreover, the magazine itself has become integral to promoting the online arm of the brand through intertextual referencing to the website and apps on every single page.  

Exchange has also certainly been effected. In their efforts to meet consumer demand they have developed a more direct relationship with their target audience. Events such as a Nirvana Nevermind Listening Party (2011) organised through Twitter shows how the company is seeking to leverage social media to keep readers engaged in the NME brand. In part due to the success of this event the magazine has continued to produce content related to classic albums including self-produced documentaries...

This is unstructured and would need to be presented more eloquently in your essay, but what I am trying to show you is how you need to be thinking this through... you have to connect the theory: expansion, convergence, social media etc, with the case studies, in this case NME.

You should be able to do this for three magazines to support different arguments within your essay.

Is Community A Postmodern Masterpiece?

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Is Community A Postmodern Masterpiece? | Idea Channel | PBS

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A2: More useful stuff for 1a & 1b

These links all come courtesy of Andy Wallis over at Ashfield Media:

• Answering question 1a

• Key concepts revision

• Another A grade exam response (only 1a and 1b are relevant to you).

From Structuralism to Postmodernism

As promised here is your homework... it is in many parts...

First, I want to discuss audience theory in more detail next week. Please read through and make notes on the audience theories covered in the 'Audience' presentation in this post: http://chalfontmediablog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/a2-series-of-student-made-presentations.html

Then read the section on audience in the document, embedded in this post: http://chalfontmediablog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/a2-more-media-theory-courtesy-latymer.html

Second, read through this quotation from Jameson again, and respond to the questions that follow:

"Jameson characterizes postmodern society with four elements: (1) superficiality and lack of depth; (2) the waning of emotion or affect; (3) a loss of historicity; and (4) new technologies. A consequence of this is that people are unable to make sense of an increasingly complex society."

• What are the implications of this?

• How does this support/develop the arguments and ideas that we have encountered with Strinati and Baudrillard?

Third, consider the following statements. Do they accurately reflect the ideas we encountered within each paradigm?

• Structuralism: The 'Media' has the power to control

• Post-structuralism: The 'Media' does not have control

• Postmodernism: The 'Media' is control

Student Presentations (A2)

Genre presentation

Narrative presentation

Representation presentation

A2: Easter Homework and Deadlines

1. Coursework Evaluation - First Draft to be completed and handed in by Tuesday, 17 April.

2. Practice essays - Q1a and Q1b to be completed and handed in by Thursday, 19 April.

3. Update and prepare presentations on Audience, Representation, Genre and Narrative - Due to be presented on Tuesday, 24 April.

Useful Links:

• Media Theory
• Sample Questions (1a & 1b)
• Student presentations

A2: Coen Brothers, Postmodernism, Fargo

Please complete the following reading:

Coughlin, Paul., 2003, Joel and Ethan Coen, Senses of Cinema, Issue 26: http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/coens/

Sharrett, Christopher., 2004, Chapter 4: Fargo, or the Blank Frontier, The Coen Brothers' Fargo, Cambridge University Press:

A2: Theory of Genre

Please read through slides 1-17 and make notes.



via: robertclackmedia

And some more explanation from Mr. Ford including some helpful activities you can complete:

Critical Perspectives: Postmodern Media

Follow the link below to access an electronic version of 'Postmodernism and the Media: An Introduction' document you were given today.

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1rS88GITwxzmRjwg0wpqRqyI4PfrM_ltVDRfSShH6fyI


You will be able to access all of the links to videos, articles and key documents.

Regards,
Mr. M.

Everything is a Remix - Part 3

Part three of Kirby Ferguson's excellent series on post-modernism.



If you missed parts 1 and 2, you can watch them here.

A2: Postmodernism

As you continue to develop your understanding of critical theory you should probably check this site out to revise the work we did on Postmodernsim back when you started the course. 

http://nmc.loyola.edu/intro/postmod/default.htm

If you want to go the extra mile, find the suggested reading material at the bottom of the page to develop a fuller understanding.

Nothing is original, it's all just a remix!

Thank go once again to Mr Wallis over at Ringwood School. He posted the two videos below on his Media Studies blog. They are excellent examples of Dominic Strinati's post-modern thesis on the media. Worth a watch for all AS and A2 Media Studies students.

Conspiracy Theory: The Dark Side of Google

Josh, from my Year 11 Creative Media Diploma class, found this and thought it was worth sharing: