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