Post Modernism – Second Approach

Lesson Goal: To learn how Post Modern Text challenge traditional Media Concepts

Postmodernism - A Simpsons Approach

Post Modernism – Two Approaches • Theorist First

Post Modernism – Two Approaches

• Text First

Key Media Concepts

• Media Language• Genre• Representation• Ideology• Narrative• Audience

Conventional Approach – normal, traditional

Media Language

• Camerawork, Editing, Sound and Mise en Scene• Used to make something look ‘real’ –

Verisimilitude.• We tend not to ‘notice’• Tries to hide the constructed nature of texts so

we ‘believe’

Post Modern Media Language

• Attention is drawn to the construction of the text

• We do notice unusual camera angels, soundtracks and editing techniques

• Hip Hop Montage

Genre

Post Modern Genre• Genre conventions are challenged, subvert,

adapted• Hybridity• No such thing any more

Representation

• Recognisable stereotypes that fit audience expectations.

• Familiar, Comfortable, Non challenging or Offensive

Post Modern Representation

• Audience expectations are subverted/ challenged

• New ‘stereotypes’• New Representations

Ideology• A way of looking at things, a system of ideas or

beliefs that shape a society or explain the order of things

• Good will always win• Evil will be punished• Happy ending• Religion, Politic, Science, are upheld and valued

Post Modern Ideology

• Challenging of the dominate ideas, beliefs• Offers new Ideologies

Narrative

Post Modern Narrative• Break all the rules – Fragmentation, Non

Linear, Open Ended, Multiple Lines of Action

Audience 1

• Passive• Homogenous• Mass Audience• ‘Read’ the text in the same

way

Post Modern Audience

• Diversity• Fragmented audience• Active

Audience 2

• Seek reassurance and comfort from texts• Don’t like to be challenged, want to be

entertained

Post Modern Audience 2