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Student Essay 1 34/50 C1


Postmodernism is an ideology about the way the world is constructed and it is so prominent in media because in this age media dominants our lives it is in everything we see and do one of the biggest examples of this is Facebook. You can separate post modernism into different sections style and theoretical, style is way in which we see post modernism in texts and these all can be found in most texts and can be applied. Theory can be applied to everyday life and there are 3 big thinkers when it comes to this area Baudrillard, Debord and Foucault. Post modernism constructs our world and way we see images and texts. 

But what are you saying makes us describe texts as postmodern? What examples will you discuss? What is your argument?

There are 3 big thinkers when it comes to postmodern theory Baudrillard, Debord and Foucault and all 3 of these can be applied to the text 15 Million Merits which a Channel 4 show written by Charlie Brooker. Baudrillard theory is about how hyper real our world is How? and also how all the images we see are simulated nothing is real anymore. If it trying to say something other than consumerism then is it postmodern if it has actual meaning beyond the superficial? The example of this in 15 Million Merits is fact that all the inmates (characters) have avatars which are used to interact with other avatars and also they can customize these and earn points for them. The characters are living a completely simulated world and they have been forced into this they don’t have to socially interact anymore they are living in a simulated world but the problem with having a simulated world is that the users can bend the simulated world just like in the text The Matrix. Stop. Why is this postmodern - “POST”Modern... Also everything that inmates are being shown is simulated because everything that is produced has been simulated and is heightened to make it seem better. This can be applied to reality shows in the way that they are shown to be stories about real people but infact they are produced and manufactured to create a perfect story and model of life. You have to now tie this into the question – why can we describe this as having intentional postmodern themes why is it doing this? How does this fit with what you know about what postmodern is supposed to be? Metanarratives, truth, cynicism, distopia etc...

Debord talks about society of the spectacle and consumerism and the fact that everyone is born to work so that they can consume. You can apply this theory to 15 Million Merits easily because the inmates have a set routine of working on the bikes so that they can buy more items for there avatars and this leads onto another theory of Debord which is ‘Style over Substance’ where he states that nothing has any meaning anymore and its all about the style and how things appear. This can be applied to 15 MIllion Merits in the way that everything the inmates buy for there avatars is just for show and has no use at all this is a perfect example.

Don't just fire off theorists and exemplify what they said – negotiate with th question why do these theorist describe the fundamental postmodern features/ideas – its not enough to say its PoMo cos Baudrillard said so – he rejects theories and elitism himself!

The final theorist Foucault talks about voyuerism and the notions of being watched and watching someone, this can be applied to 15 Million Merits strongly because the inmates are being watched constantly because they know whenever they shut there eyes because a message appears. The environment that the characters are in can be compared to a prison in the way they have a set routine and are bound to have media attack. This can be applied to the real world in the way that no matter where we go we will always be surrounded by media and have it shoved in our face. Why though are you saying this is postmodern – you;ve not actually stated this yet and it is the what you have been questioned on...where is the understanding of what the term means??? Baudrillard can also be applied to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter because our simulated selves have become so important that we care more about how they look than our actual appearances. 

Postmodern style a type of post modernism that you can see visually in the text. Why – how can syle embody the ideas of postmodernism, or the rejection of modernist structure and meaning? This is the purpose of this approach.

A good example of this is the text ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs The World’. There are tones of intertextual references in the text a main one is the pastiche towards classic video game culture such as Mortal Combat you can see this is the fight scenes where the graphics pop up. It also hits towards grung rock subculture as the t-shirts they wear are all linked with band such as the Smashing Pumpkins and other bands this is aimed only to be noticed by people who know the bands. Great way in – good example WHY does it do this??? Why is this postmodern – consumerism to sell the film using youth subculture? Or is it part of the cultural landscape dominated by media saturation and advertising? Or is it superficiality and image over any meaning... ??? It also hints towards the Scott Pilgrim comic because of the onomatopoeia graphics that spring up when other characters get hit and also when other actions happen just like the phone ringing. All these references can linked with Jamerson’s theory of text’s being recycled to create something new because his theory says that nothing is original anymore and it is impossible to create anything original as everything has been done. Scott Pilgrim is an example of this because it is constructed from references to other texts such as old video game culture and its own comic series. Jamerson’s also says that there is no such thing as one genre anymore they have all blurred and distorted so texts can’t just be placed into one genre anymore and Scott Pilgrim proves that this is correct because Scott Pilgrim is a teenage romance story but also an action due to the fact that it contains fight scene. How does Jamesons point reenforce what postmodernism is or its beliefs – cyncism etc. What about the purity of Modernist structure and purpose/meaning? It also fits into the sci-fi as it contains super natural elements such as people flying and removing swords from Scott’s chest. Scott Pilgrim doesn’t only tribute these references but it also parodies some to an example of this would be the character Todd who is vegan again subculture rockstar and this parodies rock stars in the 70’s who believed they where better than everyone else because of there vegan diet. Debord's theory of Style over Substance can be applied to Scott Pilgrim because the film has a basic narrative of boy mets girl and they fall in love but the way its presented makes it seem like a bigger story it all style and no meaning.   You are firing them off again...

It can be argued that these texts (15 Million Merits & Scott Pilgrim) aren’t postmodern at all because of the fact they are still passive shows. Stop. You haven;t at any point compared these with Xfactor yet, you must intriduce this way earlier as you havent even said why they could be seen as postmodern A postmodern feature of shows that are showm these days are that boundaries between the audience and producer have been blurred as such shows as the XFactor and Big Brother display, the audience can interact with the shows and change the way it continues. Post Modernism effects the way we live and breath but not everything is post modern in this age as the boundaries continue to change. Again WHY does this audience and text relationship make them post modernism - “POST” Modern – structures etc, traditional media forms...

How do your examples compare to traditonal forms – you need this to show that you know what 'Post'-modern means.

Futures?

Will all films be as superficial as Scott Pilgrim?

Will the audience get fed up with it?

What will post-post modernism look like

Where is it all heading?

Why is 15 MM differently PoMo to SP? Are they from a metanarrative POV?

What are the purposes of these 2 texts?

This MUST be in your conclusion or you will cut yourself out of L4

SOme good application of theory but this is not the purpose of the question, it is a way of exemplifying what you can argue about postmodernism. Why are these theories considered to have postmodern applications – what IS POSTMODERNISM?

Lots of examples hanging not tied into the question. This will really limit your marks

Analysis Low L3 - 13

Examples Hi L3 - 14

Terminology High L3 - 7

34/50 C1 grade




Student Essay Grade C1 34/50 

'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. These are correct but only the tip of the iceburg in terms of what Post-modern means – it is a rejection/reaction/after Modernism so what does that mean about its comparison with traditional media? Very limiting statement to say that this is all it is

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. So if this is a definitive of postmodern media how have you applied it to an example, does it describe it postmodern media because of this?

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. So this is postmodern because of its themes then? 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 who is this? 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. Isn't this intertextuality to Xfactor – itself a postmodern text, but why – why do we consider the blurring of audince/text boundaries and lack of authenticity as postmodern ?

You have left this example hanging – why does this qualify it or not as being described as postmodern – how is it dealing with themse that reject or react to Modernism?

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'? Good 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.  - be careful, it is a relevant point but you must focus here on why this makes it postmodern – WHY ideas of truth and manipulation? In relation to each other they both result in attracting those in society who want to become famous. Style over substance 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 – is this relevant – it is on C5 now

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. - again you MUST explain why this makes the show postmodern – show your understanding of the ideas behind this

Scott Pilgrim (SP) Vs The World can be argued as 'stylistic'??? makes no sense – it can be stylistically postmodern... 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. Again for this to make sense you have to introduce that style over substance is a reaction to the meaning and structure that defined Modernism and that “post” Modernism is trying to play/challenge/deconstruct this 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'. Intertextuality????? Why is this postmodern – cultural recycling a pessimism of anything being original or new? Active audiences engaging with the text? Commodifying youth subcultures to sell the film? 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) Again – if you are going to apply Baudrillard you must reference the purpose of this and why it describes postmodernism – the fact that it is playing with conventions of films and video games

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). Good – so to what extent are you saying this is postmodern?

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.

SO here you need to say why they are or are not post modern for different reasons

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! - DONT end your essay like this, you are the writer and academic it is your job to speculate what will come next after post modernism, what will post post modernism be? Will all films be hyper real CGI meaningless or will ther be a rejection of postmodern and back to meaning and structure?

Some potentially good points and examples, need to tie up the loose threads. Overall you must answer the question – WHY are these stylistic features and themes “Post”Modern – how do they embody the thinking behind this – look at “10 things you need to know” and the lists comparing modernism to Pomo. You cannot discuss postmodernism without defining it against the Modern – traditional forms/styles of Media. What has changed in terms of Media technology and culture to make these different – audience interaction/involvement? It is not enough to say cos Baudrillard said so...

Analysis High L4 - 11

Examples Mid L3 - 14

Terminology L3 – 8

34/50 C1

Student Essay 2 35/50 B3 Grade

Postmodernism, is? a response after the time of modernism. It is a very broad theory and time which apposes the dominant ideas in meta-narratives in our world today but contradicting itself as it is already a dominant idea in our society. Unlike modernism, postmodernism rejects the idea of 'truth' because who defines truth? What is the deciding factor what is true and what is false? Good Postmodernism has a very pessimistic view on society today and many of the features in our day to day life. Many of the media texts we see today is considered as postmodern. We are Media Saturated continuously bombarded with endless media texts, from advertisements, to television programmes, products, music videos, films and the internet; which many of us are exposed to day after day. Our daily lives are filled with endless consumer goods and advertisements for us to buy into and engage with. Careful, you'll need to start tieing this back into the question – its about why we define some texts as post-modern media

Television today, for example, isn't the same as what it was many years ago where storylines and soaps were more dominant, but nowadays you are more likely to see more 'reality' tv shows such as the X-factor and Big Brother to try and gain interest from the audience and have an insight on 'real and ordinary' peoples lives. Reality TV shows like these can be described as postmodern as it supports Baudrillard's main ideas about what is real and the hyperreal and simulation. Woah... can't just leave that hanging – why is this a way of defining media texts as postmodern – its not just because a dead French philosopher said so. You'll now need to explain to me why hyper-real and simulacrum are defining characteristic of postmodern thought – how does Xfactor embody the notion of blurring between the real and the simulated? Jameson argued that nothing new or original can be created anymore because it is hard to come up with anything newly thought of, that media texts are being regurgetated and recycled. And how is this applicable to Xfactor or are you moving onto another postmodern text? What does the future hold for us and the tv screens.. is it – what Xfactor? going to be recycled over and over again so much that it becomes so predictable that we loose interest over time?

The introduction of CGI has enabled the media world to progress and create more intricate and mind-blowing imagery than anyone could imagine or create themselves. CGI can be seen as a beneficial piece of technology, however, has this just lead to less meaningful storys and meanings for films? Is it all just action-packed explosions and pretty graphics? Why is this important in defining postmodern media – you need to anchor this with some relevance to the question.

Jean Baudrillard expressed his ideas of simulacra and hyperreality and how it is becoming harder to distinguish from reality and the hyperreal. This can be said for CGI, as images are being simulated and not captured naturally/in reality - making it harder to identify from the real and the fake. This is hanging without an examples or relevance to how this is a defining characteristic of postmodern media – how is this style over substance manifested in an example (SCott Pilgrim?) Why is this “post” Modern?

Fight Club brings to light some eye opening aspects of capitalism and a distopian future, but most importantly it does represent some aspect of postmodern themes. For example, within fight club is self relfexivity it uses in the scene where the actor talks directly into the camera about him knowing that it is a film and how film clips are edited. But why is self reflexivity POST modern – why is it playing with the structure that Modernism enforces on genre and narrative? The aspect of blurs between fiction and reality is included when the realisation occurs that the actor is 'Tyler Durdan' and has imagined he is real the whole time. Could you please explain why this is considered to be postmodern though look at the 10 things handout. Post-Modernism. Mind blowing!!!

It can be argued that the film Scott Pilgrim is postmodern as it includes many aspects of postmodernism. First of all, it can be considered to be a stylistic postmodern film as it hasn't really got alot of meaning to it compared to other films explain why this is apparent – examples? Then explain why this is a postmodern feature lack of depth & meaning, how is this rejecting Modernism? and programmes such as Fight Club??? and 15 million merits, but does involved plenty of style over substance points about it.??? Scott pilgrim is a bricolage of different sub-genres??? styles and cultures are bricolaged, genres have hydridity such as action, sci-fi romance and comedy, which supports the idea that media text nowadays aren't traditional in the sense films must be one genre, but nowadays postmodernity? Watch throwing away marks for terminology you will find more of a mixture and recycling of existing media texts - Jameson. Scott Pilgrim involves plenty of hyperreal aspects such as the use of CGI to generate the simulated and graphic images in the game content and fight scenes. Good The fight scenes itself is hyperreal as the punches and kick thrown are not real but are made / edited to look as if it is really happening??? Reality if a video game – special moves, combos etc This itself supports Baudrillards point about how perceptions of reality are distorted in our postmodern world. Good What I found particularly interesting is that the film involves a lot of violence, however hardly any injuries are made which is extremely hyperreal because in real life the fights which occur would definitely cause a lot of damage physically. Now explain why hyper-reality is a postmodern feature not just because a dead French Philosopher said so Another aspect of posmodernism in this particular film is the ongoing referencing to existing games and media texts- known as intertextuality. It is jam packed full of game references as this particular film style relies on this stylistic aspect. Such games which are highlighted within this film include Zelda, Tekken, Guitar hero, Mario and Dance Revoloution. Why is this considered to be a postmodern feature, how does tis demonstrate the ideas behind postmodernism and a lack of authenticity or originality? This in itself involves an aspect of parody to it because those who are familiar with the games will understand where the visual content or sound effect come from, which can heighten interest. Within Scott Pilgrim, it can be difficult to distinguish where he is in time or space, another postmodern aspect known as dislocated time and space. Again you must explain how this answers the question – it is not enough to say because it has dislocation you must explain why this is considered to reject Modernist form and structure Within the film it shows when scott has flashbacks in his dreams which in itself is hyperreal and it blurs the time and space which he is in within a split second which can be a bit confusing and very fast in the change of scene!

A more theoretical postmodern text Themes can be expressed through Charlie Brookers 'Black Mirror - 15 million merits' which highlights aspects of postemodernism in a more direct way. Other deliberately postmodern themed films can include 'Fight Club' and Matrix' which highlights some of the major aspects in our lives and metanarratives to date. Black mirror can be argued to be extremely postmodern and a great representation of the future of our society. It highlights numerous aspects of postmodernism, including a distopian future. Postmodernism is regarded as very pessimistic, negative and slightly sinister - which is why its no surprise to why postmoderism can highlight a distopian/negative outlook on our future. Very good – this is what we need, you have explained how this fits into PoModernisms ideals 15 million merits displays this very well, as it references intertexually to current trends such as social networking (facebook) and gaming with the avatars in the programme and even references to the show X-factor, with the show known as 'Hot Shots'. As Baudrillard once said, "we live in a world where there is more and more information, and less and less meaning". Good This related to the idea highligted in 15 million merits where people live as a virtual avatar, like what you would find on facebook, myspace, bebo...and so on). This highlights the hyperreal/simulated human and whether the avatar even holds a meaning for us anymore. Is it really representing us? does it hold truth about us? Why is this idea of truth important to understanding post-modernism?

15 million merits also represents how capitalism functions over us all, how social order is considered important, how much you earn, what you have. Mick Googan mentiones about aspects of how capitalism has control over the masses, how culture is a commodity and the masking of 'real life' - relating to Debord's 'world of the commodity'. Debord's arguement can be seen in 15 million merits; the shows such as 'Hot Shots' and 'Wraith Babes' represent shows like Big Brother and X factor which have become a 'commodity'. 15 million merits displays the future as fairly bleak because it is shown that everyone has a pretty continuous and repetitive lifestyle, spending their alot of their lives cycling, generating points (which acts as money in a way) and being forced to watch advertisements even when they don't want to. Good – well done great example Focault argued about how power and the 'panopticon' is having more and more involvement with our everyday lives; how we are being watched to ensure we 'behave' and follow the socially accepted 'rules'. This is a pretty effective way of representing our own world, we are all being advertised to most moments of the day with Television, radio, films, music videos, magazines and most effectively; the internet. Be careful here the Panopticon is a refernce to Xfactor and social networking that we are more voyeuristic and audience representation in media texts 15 million merits intends to deliever the message to us all. Highlighting aspects which many of us can relate to and raising / challenging metanarratives (argued by Lyotard) about where we are all heading towards, a distopian future - a consumer culture, working day after day in a vicious cycle we now call 'life'. There is a golden opportunity you have set up here to discuss to what extent this is postmodern with reference to metanarratives make sure you explore it

Both of these media texts are a perfect example of some of the media which can be described as post modern, both with different intentions. Scott Pilgrim holds the more stylistic aspects of postmodern aspects whereas Charlie Brookers - 15 million merits has a deeper meaning and root with postmodern aspects. Scott pilgrim does involve a conventional metanarrative about heterosexual relationships and love and that women must be fought for - Lyotard argued that we no longer have faith in metanarratives but then this point can be questioned? So to what extent is this postmodern? In relation to Reality TV and social networking, 15 million merits and Scott Pilgrim doesn't challenge the traditional audiences and texts like Big Brother or the X-factor does so to what extent are these post-modern – this is the question you must answer not postulate to the examiner

From these texts, it can give a initial outlook on our future. 15 million merits holds a special meaning to me as it suggests that the future doesn't look like it is improving, but seeping further into hyperreality, technology, consumer culture and capitalism. Scott Pilgrim doesn't show as much of an obvious message but it does suggest to me that maybe the future generation can be considered to be centred around media products such as games, will this be more important that traditional things such as love? Use SP to discuss whether all films will become so dislocated and style over substance as this, CGI driven and incomplete characters

Will we be immersed in a world which is full of the messages which are represented in films and programmes such as Scott Pilgrim and 15 million merits? Will we be able to distinguis the line between reality and fiction and hyperrealism? Only time will tell, don't end like this – consider what will come after postmodernism, is there any future to be had out of this?

SOme good points and generally relevant to the question but still some significant loose threads hanging that must be explained, given examples and linked into answering WHY these features and theories are said to be postmodern, as you did with your opening paragraph.

Analysis Hi L3 - 14

Example Hi L3 - 15

Terminology Low L3 - 6

35/50 B


Student Essay 2 36/50 B3 Grade

The theory of post-modernism was brought about in as a reaction to modernist perspectives. Post-modernism started challenging modernist ideologies and got people to ask questions about everything, and to an extent some could argue that it wants us to question Post-moderism itself - and to this degree people are still 'on the fence' about the topic as it's only a theory. This is where media forms can decide whether they want to utilize stylistic concepts of po-mo or whether they want to use the media text in it's entirety to put across post-modern theories as a whole. On the one end of the spectrum modernism believes in grand-narratives such as religion, a brighter world, hope, good beats evil and so on. However post-modernism is the exact opposite saying that there is no religion, there is no brighter world anymore. So why is this important in seeimng these values demonstrated in Media texts such as Scott Pilgrims style and 15 MM themes and Xfactor? Lyotard talks about the collapse of truth and that real truth doesn't exist anymore and that truth needs to be de-constructed. In essence post-modernism just tells us to question everything, a pessimistic and cynical perspective. Interesting and accurate but unless you apply this to Media texts it doesn't answer the question

The show Black Mirrior conveys a vast amount of different ideologies and theories within post-modernism. One of these ideologies is by Baudrillard, and his theory was about simulacra and hyper-reality, and this was blindingly evident in the british tv show Black Mirror: 15 Million Merits. The story shows characters living in a media saturated world where everything is dictated by a fake virtual world, a simulation. Good Being in a simulated world meant that nothing would be real anymore and the show truly captures this idea of not just the blurring of what’s real and what’s not but takes it a step further than heightened reality and says that there is no more real, just the hyper-real. The show is almost like a more exagurated, sophisticated and grown-up version of Disneyland such as Virtual currency, a promise of happiness, and saturated in a hyper-real environment where everything is a spectacle. Baudrillard’s theory of simulacrum was not just used as a stylistic tool to make the show more interesting but an ideology presented as a whole, it makes it blindingly obvious that the the whole show is about the effects of a simulated world on people. Baudrillard then moves onto saying that “We live a world where there is more and more information, and less and less meaning.”  This means that everyday new things arise such as technology that consumes our everyday thoughts and then bring less and less meaning to the things we do and why we do it. Good but why is this postmodern? Everyday being bombarded with news and information makes us like sponges saturated in what the media wants us to see, and thus controlling the way we think and making us crave what the have to offer. This all eventually de-humanizes us which '15 million merits' captures very well. The de-humanization of us all, where we no longer live by these grand-narratives such as there is hope in the world or that living morally inept is wrong, but we do what everyone else does when everyone else does it t, almost like robots. It shows people in a mundane existence where everyday everything is that same and where human interaction extends as far as saying 'how much 'merits (virtual currency)' have you earned today?' with no personality or meaning. V Good so why are these themes in 15 MM post-modern, how are they different from Modernism?

Debord talks about the society of the spectacle, an age where we do, wear, walk and talk not because of any meaning but because its a specticale, a consumerist age where people are only interested in 'Fake fodder' .15 million merits emphasizes this outcome in-depth through the prosaic repetitive routine of waking up, paying to brush your teeth, and working out and during that being bombarded with constant advertising, and people don't do anything about it, why? because people are only interested in, the spectacle, the show, the malarkey and propaganda. Things don't have to serve a purpose anymore just look good to sell. And even at the end after the eccentric speech he just ends up like EVERYONE else, conforming to the media's whim. But why is style over substance a postmodern ideal – what is it rejecting about modernism, how does it embrace consumerism and popularism rather than judgement of truth and taste It crushes this idea this meta-narrative that one man can change everything, it shows that no matter how much you try the society will eventually take meaning out of anything and make it into a specticale so that they can laugh and point, 15 Million Merits shows us a dystopian world where we live as robots, and the only thing we like gorge upon is another persons humiliation, it shows people as satirical, bitter, abusive and caustic. And this is the ideology that debord was trying to put across and now regurgitated through 15 Million merits.

Fauclolts idea was about a being a voyeuristic society. Why is this important to PostModernism – you MUST qualify why you are name dropping these dead philsophers into your answer. How does his approach fit with the postmodern thought or approach This is heavily stressed upon in 15 Million merits. it shows people living in a what is essentially a prison, a fancy, elegant and sophisticated prison  but nevertheless a prison, it watches your every move. A place where the media decides what you watch, what goes into your mind, when you can watch, and if for some reason you decide that you don't want too, then that same media locks you in until it forces itself inside your head. Faucolts says that we as people love to watch others, look into their lives, see their little secrets, this was shown through the representation of the talent contest in 15 Million Merits, where audiences get to watch as people fail and be humiliated in front of the world. The show directly raises issues about the X-factor and how that is basically style over substance and how everything we see is just a simulated version of realility. Good

In comparison to 15 Million Merits, the movie 'Scott Pilgrim Vs the world' stylistically uses post-modern features to make something new. ANother embodiemnt of postmodern thought expressed through style Why? because as Jameson has said about being in a world where stylistic innovation is no longer possible, we have to recycle and regurgitate ideas to create something that seems new, we have mix and mash concepts to get a more interesting result so audiences will buy into it. But why do we have to – how is this rejecting the structure and meaning and purpose of Moderism? Scott Pilgrim defiantly put style of substance as the flash CGi and effects serves one purpose, to make the audience go 'that looks good'. Other stylistic themes are brought to light with-in the movie such as the blurring of genres and the extremely large mix and mash-up of many different textual references, such as references to video games, comics, fight movies and Japanese manga. And to top that all of the director Name please decided to make the movie almost self-reflective. It is aware that it is a movie and this is shown when the characters talk to the audience and when the characters have profile information on screen, almost like the script and in essence the director is showing us the script. Why is self reflexivity a postmodern feature though – YOU MUST LINK THIS to show show you understand WHY these features are seen as post-modern All these themes were mixed and blended together to create something new and different, the effects that we're used makes the movie have a heightened sense of reality. Buadrillards ideas of simulacrum where used but unlike 15 Million merits used it as a theory, scott pilgrim used it as a stylistic feature, and this is evident when we see Scott simulating a ninja on a video game.

Both media texts are use post-modernism in different ways one uses is as a basis and the other uses its stylistic aspects, either way it can be argued that those texts are post-modern. However- it could be said that Scott Pilgrim might not be a post-modern film as the only thing that makes is Po-MO is the style however the structure and narrative are modernist. The grand-narrative that good beats evil and the boy wins the girl, with the Hollywood ending means that it is modern but with post modern aspect to make it seem more interesting to the audience. Good

 Post-modernism is a very opinionated subject as it is all on the users views. Some may believe it entirely other may agree with certain concepts and other might completely disagree. However in my opinion I do agree with certain aspects of post-modernism, I can see why the tv show 15 Million merits might be an actual prediction of what the future looks like - as right now in todays world media is being shown everywhere.  Media such as Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and Twitter all represent a person in a simulated way. We as a person don't exist anymore just what our profile picture or our Bio says about us. The people we 'Friend' on social networking sites are just more simulations. We can already see people putting Style of substance with movies like Scott Pilgrim and Avatar where the story concept is bland and done many times before but to sell to an audience it has to be drastically fantasized with CGI effects.

Nice conclusion on futures – well done

SOme good points and accurate analysis

Key improvement you must link in

Why are these stylistic features postmodern? You have to show you understand WHY these features are considered to be the embodiment of postmodern ideas (play and breakin structural rules, no meaning, cynicism, borrowing and remixing, being clever and questioning, blurring reality and fiction etc. - why is this not Modernism or traditional Media style?

Why is X factor PM – how does it fit in with what you know about the reaction to Modernism?

Good effort – you did for the most part answer the question

Analysis Mid L3 14

Examples Mid L3 14

Terminology L3 8

36/50 B3

Well done