Mod 4 Assessment 23-3-12

- Theorists and Theories (Quotes)
- Compare approaches (Theory vs stylistic) to answer question
- contemporary examples from 2 different media
- arguments for & against
- 1 reference to the past
- 1 prediction for the future

'Why is some Media described as Post-Modern?'

Postmodern Media is the idea that anything can be Media and have a great value. Media is described as Postmodern because it usually involves features that are a form of nostalgia or the recycling of original content.

Baudrillard is the main post modern theorist whom came up with the idea that were living in a world where the 'Fake' is no longer distinguishable from real (art). This is because there is no longer a clear distinction between what is media and what is reality. Today we in a media saturated world that is presented by images and representations created through playing with the idea of conventions.

As a society we are presented with more and more information being fed to us yet it is gaining less and less meaning, in the sense that we no longer appreciate the 'real' more than simulations of the real thing.

This goes with the 'illusion is no longer possible, because the real is no longer possible', this can be linked to 15 Million Merits where 

 the storyline is based on individuals who live a virtual life in a cell where they are controlling their persona via an Avatar. The Avatar expresses their individual in a better light and appears to live a better life ‘Fake fodder is the only thing that works anymore’.  Those living in the cell are not happy and they lack very little social interaction with one another, their actions and socialisation is mainly displayed through the Avatar. This is evident when Bing has brought an entry ticket for the female character who thanks Bing by sending him a virtual kiss.

This also recites Foucault’s ideas about the Panopticon prison and how those living in that situation have no social interaction or enjoyment in what they are doing. The clothes worn symbolise the dull lives they lead and you can signify this to prison life. This episode particularly reflects the idea of voyeurism as an act or power and control where only escape is the entertainment show. Hot Shot (the entertainment show) is a cruel and humiliating for the individuals who enter on to it, as there are three judges in particular who have the power and control to accept an individual to get out of the ‘bleak and depressing’ lifestyle. This gives the opportunity for someone of the ordinary to get a taste of the life of being on TV.  Being in this situation the watcher becomes the watched.

A great example of Postmodernism can be seen in Reality TV as it has changed dramatically. The difference between reality tv in the past with soaps such as Coronation Street where the actors learn and act according to their script directions where as in todays Reality TV such as The Only Way Is Essex is becoming much harder to determine as real tv because of the way in which 'real' people perform or "act" we begin to question whether how they are acting in genuine and their actual selves or 'are they reading from a script'? Another great example is Big Brother where they audition and take on real 'average' people to live in a house for 11 weeks where we see how their 'characteristics' change. The people who put themselves forward for this show are those seeking for the life of a celebrity where they can be seen on a wide scale. However, TV is very clever in how it can manipulate the audience and contestants in to believing what they are seeing is real however in fact it is majorly edited to change the opinions and way the audience see the contestants. In relation to each other they both result in attracting those in society who want to become famous. Both shows hold auditions in which individuals have the opportunity to impress in order to move forward. However, for both shows rather than only ensuring they move forward those who have potential and are ‘normal’ they take a variety of different individuals who will impel an audience to watch. It has a lot to do with money, for example Big Brother, they had recently stopped it on C4 because they simply were not getting enough views which meant it had to be scrapped.

On both shows as the members progress closer to the final of the shows, the audience begin to develop a better picture of those members and we see how each member has changed in order to gain the higher spot. For example on the X-Factor a stylist and producers will change the sound and style of a contestant to please and attract the crowd because at the end of the show they need to ensure the winner will make money.

Scott Pilgrim (SP) Vs The World can be argued as 'stylistic' as it contains many elements that make it Postmodern. This film has many more features that give this film the 'style' over 'substance' and this is for many reasons. To start with we can automatically see that the characters are living in a hyperreal world, that is based around the use of bricolage and interextuality of different subcultures coming together which have references to previously seen texts, for example the way in which Scott Pilgrim has to defeat several evil ex's (who are the villains) through a Nintendo computer game style 'fight' like the game that is featured in the 'Mortal Combat' or 'Tekken'. Further on, the audience come to realise that it is Hyperreal in more ways, where there is a 'audience' in the background in some of the scenes who cheer and laugh when Scott does something good, funny or bad. As part of the idea of hyperreality the characters are given superpowers. A simulation of the character is also seen when Scott Pilgrim dies but then regains a life which comes up with a '1 UP' simulation which in reality would not happen, as once your dead, your dead! (I guess)

However, we soon realise that this film contains flawed charaters who are not portrayed as the typical characters you would expect to find in say a film that would resemble reality. Scott Pilgrim who has the characteristics of a weak yet likeable character who does not appear as the type of 'hero' we as an audience would expect to see. Then we have Scott's second girlfriend who doesn't appear as the damsel who needs rescuing because she does not look 'girly' and she is emotionally stronger than Scott. Lyotard claims that there is a death of 'meta-narratives' truth is all that matters as its the popularity. (good always beats evil) which is correct in Scott Pilgrim as he does beat the evil characters and does get the girl. Scott Pilgrim is very hard to distinguish the exact time and place in which the film is set, as it is dislocated with a numerous number of locations which signify as dreams or thoughts. This is also evident through the use of a disjointed narrative  as the audience are constantly being thrown back and fourth through flashbacks and flashforewards, therefore the scenes are always shifting (which can make it difficult to keep up with).

15 Million Merits has a thematic approach to Postmodernism. This is because is has more significance to the audience. This particular series of Black Mirror relates to consumerism and the importance of individuals in society who seek to become something their not or a product of society. For example, in this series we see this happen to Bing. Based on the idea of the characters living a bleak life in a cell and their only way to exit this life is through the reality tv show 'Hot Shot', which supposingly will be the chance of a better life. The idea of distopian and whether this type of programme will eventually come true to us.

Overall as a society do we prefer simulations rather than the original? as a whole I think not, yet we are so obsessed with the image of fame and celebs. In the future are all films like Scott Pilgrim that hold a stylistic approach going to be the focus on all film/tv making? or do we think that we are going to be so obsessed that we hold a similar life to those in 15 Million Merits. You be the judge!