Post Modernism and Deutschland '83.
1) Read the section on Strinati's five ways to define postmodernity. What examples are provided of the breakdown of the distinction between culture and society (media-isation)?
5) What is bricolage? What examples of bricolage can be found in Deutschland 83?
9) Which key scenes from Deutschland 83 best provide examples of postmodernism? Why?
The spy montage is the best example of postmodernism. This is because he is training which looks like a James Bond or Rocky movie. Also, the use of cinematography makes it look like we are watching him for a long period of time. The mise-en-scene reinforces the realism of the 80s and makes this scene a great example of postmodernism.
10) Why might audiences enjoy the postmodern aspects of Deutschland 83? What audience pleasures might elements of bricolage or pastiche provide viewers?
They might enjoy it because it can create nostalgia for the audience which is an audience pleasure as they are watching something they have had previous knowledge/experience.
The characters Bruno and Borat would be more known than the actor who portrays the character. The characters seem more real to the audience than the actors i.e. Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat.
The media reality is more real than the object itself. The example given is advertising. A poor quality product could sell well if it had a good marketing technique but a good quality product can fail with a poor marketing strategy.
2) What is Fredric Jameson's idea of 'historical deafness'? How can the idea of 'historical deafness' be applied to Deutschland 83?
2) What is Fredric Jameson's idea of 'historical deafness'? How can the idea of 'historical deafness' be applied to Deutschland 83?
As modernisation increases the historical context of the culture is lost. In Deutschland '83 modern music was a draft from the old culture of music in the 60s to 80s. The show uses classic songs from the 80s that have lost its historical context but the show is a recreation of this time period so it gives the historical context of songs like 'Sweet Dreams' back to the modern audience.
3) What examples and theories are provided for the idea of 'style over substance'?
People are more willing to buy a product based on the brand image than the actual quality of the product. Also, people are becoming famous because they have been featured on a famous show rather than a talent or ability being identified - Big Brother.
3) What examples and theories are provided for the idea of 'style over substance'?
People are more willing to buy a product based on the brand image than the actual quality of the product. Also, people are becoming famous because they have been featured on a famous show rather than a talent or ability being identified - Big Brother.
Jameson refers to this as cultural depthlessness, similar to Baudrillard's theory where meaning is lost and the surface representation is the only thing that is seen. But this can be countered like when the death of a celebrity occurs, the emotions and outcry replaces the shallowness of 'style over substance'.
4) What examples from music are provided for the breakdown of the distinction between art and popular culture? Can this be applied to Deutschland 83?
There is high art, which could be Opera and theatre music which is targeted at intelligent, wealthy people. In Deutschland 83, the daughter who is singing to the whole house in West Germany is high art music. There is also low art, which could be pop music, TV which was in the mass market. In Deutschland 83, there is a garden party where they are drinking and listening to pop.
There is high art, which could be Opera and theatre music which is targeted at intelligent, wealthy people. In Deutschland 83, the daughter who is singing to the whole house in West Germany is high art music. There is also low art, which could be pop music, TV which was in the mass market. In Deutschland 83, there is a garden party where they are drinking and listening to pop.
5) What is bricolage? What examples of bricolage can be found in Deutschland 83?
A bricolage is construction or creation from a diverse range of available things.
6) How can the audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 be linked to postmodernism? Read 'The decline of meta-narratives' and 'Media texts and the postmodern' to help answer this.
6) How can the audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 be linked to postmodernism? Read 'The decline of meta-narratives' and 'Media texts and the postmodern' to help answer this.
The audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 can be linked to postmodernism because of nostalgia. This is because the show uses brands and technology from the past and we as the audience is allowed to view that from a modern perspective.
7) Read the analysis of media concepts and postmodern approaches on page 3 of the factsheet. Choose three of the concepts and write an example from Deutschland 83. Clue: genre, representation, ideology and audience would all be good options for this task.
Genre: The spy genre is emphasised through the use of cinematography and music. We can see how they have used various shots such as through the blinds, windows, higher angles (CCTV) to create enigma and tension for the audience. Also, the music is paced according to the situation.
Audience: The audience are shown different ways of viewing media and different ways of consuming the show. The montage and different types of editing aren't typical spy series conventions so this forces them to engage more intellectually rather than consume what they expect to see and are used to seeing.
8) Now look at page 4 of the factsheet. How does Deutschland 83 demonstrate aspects of the postmodern in its construction and ideological positioning?.
The entire show is based on real events but the narrative of the show is fictional. The mise-en-scene in the scenes are used to make the show feel as real as possible to strengthen the narrative. The characters are fictional in a sense, therefore the hyper-real narrative gives the show the postmodernist aspects.
Genre: The spy genre is emphasised through the use of cinematography and music. We can see how they have used various shots such as through the blinds, windows, higher angles (CCTV) to create enigma and tension for the audience. Also, the music is paced according to the situation.
Ideology: Each part of Germany is represented by colour and props. The east is shown with dull colours, less expensive clothes and houses that were cramped and dated.The west is shown with bright colours, more light and what seems like a more expensive lifestyle.
8) Now look at page 4 of the factsheet. How does Deutschland 83 demonstrate aspects of the postmodern in its construction and ideological positioning?.
The entire show is based on real events but the narrative of the show is fictional. The mise-en-scene in the scenes are used to make the show feel as real as possible to strengthen the narrative. The characters are fictional in a sense, therefore the hyper-real narrative gives the show the postmodernist aspects.
9) Which key scenes from Deutschland 83 best provide examples of postmodernism? Why?
The spy montage is the best example of postmodernism. This is because he is training which looks like a James Bond or Rocky movie. Also, the use of cinematography makes it look like we are watching him for a long period of time. The mise-en-scene reinforces the realism of the 80s and makes this scene a great example of postmodernism.
10) Why might audiences enjoy the postmodern aspects of Deutschland 83? What audience pleasures might elements of bricolage or pastiche provide viewers?
They might enjoy it because it can create nostalgia for the audience which is an audience pleasure as they are watching something they have had previous knowledge/experience.
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