A2 PostModernism Blog 2012-13: 4.4 Lesson Plan To what extent is Ralph PoMo & Case STudy 2 Niki Minaj

Lyotard - the lack of belief in the 'Grand Narrative' (Modernist Ideology/Theories accepted as Truth)

Progress - what does the future look like without a belief in progress?

What Grand Narratives does Wreck It Ralph (a Disney film) celebrate and NOT reject?

From Lyotard's approach - is it PostModern?

To what extent is Wreck It Ralph a late PostModern text? Refer to Lyotard and Jameson's approaches in your response.

To what extent does the ideas Postmodernism challenge traditional forms and stylistic conventions of Media?

A Justify your argument - to what EXTENT is it 'Post-modern' (style, themes/ideas in the film) - how has this intensified since Tron?

B Explain why these characteristic are considered 'post-modern' ('after' or 'against' Modernism)

C Analyse the characteristics that qualify the text as being postmodern (relate to Theorists)

1. Structural (Historical) Postmodernism

(especially Media Theories from Section A)

Genre (different games genre boundaries, hybridity)
Narrative (Some deeper 'meaning' behind it? Binary Opposition, Propp's characters? BME structure, story prioritised over effects & spectacle, Dystopia)
Representation (Reality/Artificial, Male/Female, Child/Adult)
Ideology (aka Grand narratives - good beats evil, hero beats villain, hero = good, villain = bad)
Audience (between the film and & audience)

2. Stylistic Postmodernism

(Jameson)

Intertextuality (Tron, Retro 8 bit Games)
Bricolage
Parody
Pastiche
Playful & Ironic
Hybridity
Nostalgia (references to the 1980's)

(Lyotard)

Lack of Belief in Progress
Rejection of Grand Narratives (BIG TRADITIONAL IDEAS) = Empty of meaning/Superficial
Rejection of Grand Narratives = Collapsing Theories/Structures

(Baudrillard)

Hyperreal (Augmented/enhanced reality - ie dogs can talk in Family Guy)
Simulation (Simulacra)

http://www.nickiminajminajesty.com/#home/v-minajesty30

Intertextual Mood Board - how is she constructed?

Is she Ironic & Playful?

How many identities?

How is she 'fake' and self reflexive?

To explain why she is a PostModern text

To analyse how Baudrillard (Simulacra & Hyper-Reality), Lyotard & Jameson to Nicki Minaj apply to this text

To analyse Niki Minaj as a constructed 'text'

Interesting Case Study Minaj

Make notes on each aspect you can find

Music Videos
Album Covers
Famous Photoshoot/Press Shots
Early career/the 'reality' - what they looked like before they were famous
Articles about them being 'postmodern'
How they collapse boundaries/structures (ie. Pornography/Morality)

What to write/present: Focus on Jameson
Analyse how does it use Jamesons' cultural recycling/postmodern styles to create 'character'

Apply: Write a conclusion:
Explain how the character is richer/creates depth of meaning using postmodern style (Bricolage, Intertextuality, Paorody, Pastiche etc)