Reality TV Homework

Make notes on the following:
- Look at different reality tv shows to consider how real they seem, and what are the elements that make a show 'real'.
- Consider and make notes on the way institutions can use Reality TV shows as cheap programming.

Peak Season
- Peak Season is about the lives, loves and adventures of a close group of friends in one of Canada's most popular ski resorts, 'Peak Season' is an MTV based show similar to 'The Hills' but based in a ski resort.

- The program highlights the dramatic scenes of the 'reality' life which is made clear by the producers and the way that they have layed out scenes and shots.

How does 'Seven Days' and 'The Only Way Is Essex' challenge the relations between audience and the text?

Reality

• Contrast in what is real and unreal

Audience

• Involving with twitter (Seven Days)

Stereotypes

• Playing with the stereotype (Only Way Is Essex)

Use of other media

• Facebook/ twitter
• Contemporary radio/ news headlines

Simulcra

• An image of a representation built by stereotypes (Only Way Is Essex)

Documentary

• Contrast in lifestyles

How does 'Seven Days' and 'The Only Way Is Essex' challenge the relations between audience and the text?

‘Seven days’ and ‘The only was is Essex’ use forms of media techniques such as simulacra and simulation to create a contrast in reality and stimulated drama.
Simulacra is a copy without an original, an image or representation built by opinions and stereotypes, in relation to this, simulation which is a model of the real or the creation of the real through conceptual or "mythological" models with no connection to reality. Creating a world of hyper reality where real and unreal become blurred. Fashion, relationships and music all become dictated by their ideal models presented through the media.

Simulcra & Simultation

Jean Baudrillard - Reference to the Matrix

Simulacra:

• A copy without an original
• Simulation of the world
• World no longer exists
• Real world is a nuclear wasteland

Simulation:

• A model of the real or the creation of the real through conceptual or "mythological" models with no connection to reality
• We end up confusing the model for reality
• Homes, relationships, fashion, art, music, all become dictated by their ideal models presented through the media
• Nike doesn't sell trainers - but an identity. NikeID
• Creating a world of hyperreality - real and unreal become blurred

- Britney Spears is a simulation of a pop sex idol.

- Kurt Cobain is a simulation of a drug abusing rock star.

Seven Days

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/sep/22/channel-four-docudrama-seven-days

How characters are presented?

• The characters and their lives are presented very realistically, whether they are entirely or not, we don't know - which surely highlights a well made reality tv show.
• Each characters are very different - some rich, some poor, some intelligent and striving, some intelligent and not.
• Almost defining post-modernism itself by being so aware of themselves, talking to one and other about the program on the program (Media that is aware of itself).

Use of music/ sound?

• Very contemporary, which adds to realism
• Very recent radio news headlines (Personally involves you)

Use of editing?

• Quite standard transitions which also adds to realism
• Aswell as some shots being fairly obviously hand held
• Sound bridges are often used with contemporary headlines on the radio.

What is real or not?

• Some scenes are highly edited for purely entertainment purposes (Although understandably, otherwise the program would get boring)
• Otherwise very realistic, lifestyles and conversations about realistic things.
• Talking about themselves on the program *Media being aware of itself
• Interaction with the audience via Facebook & Twitter highlights realism

The Only Way Is Essex

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8068349/The-Only-Way-is-Essex-the-worst-address-in-England.html

How characters are presented?

• Tacky
• Wealthy (materialistic)
• Fake (tan & boobs)
• Glamorous

Use of music?

• The Streets (Fake tan, big boobs in lyrics) - Chavy
• Illustrates reality/ story line
• Contemporary

Use of editing?

• Split screen (phone call) = Unrealistic, Tv drama style
• Typical shots e.g. Over the shoulder

What is real or not?

• Some scenes are blatently set up (dinner scene, layout, shots etc)
• Some realistic hand held camera shots
• Flash, hollyoaks introduction to characters
• Blatent scripting - Shopping, rolexs highlighting wealth/ materialism
• "Looking nice costs money" says Mark to Kirk
• "Are they real?.... No" - Eyelashes obviously not real, don't be silly
• Contrast of realism within the conversations - obvious scripted hype over Mark for entertainment

Glee Link

http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2010/04/15/for-the-love-of-glee/

Bladerunner Links

http://www.stanford.edu/dept/HPS/Bruno/bladerunner.html

http://faculty.washington.edu/thurlow/research/bladerunner.html

Empire Scream Article

http://www.empireonline.com/empireblogs/empire-states/post/p856

Postmodern Concepts

OCR Website

Please check link below for examiner's reports, student exemplar essays etc:

Key Areas In Postmodernism

Key Theorists
Francois Lyotard: A polyphony of voices with none worth more than any other (Meta narratives etc)
Jean Baudrillard: Reality has been replaced with simulated worlds, or simulacra
Reception theory: (Dominant, Negotiated, Oppositional)

Key Terminology
Dystopia: A pessimistic, dysfunctional view of a world gone wrong

Hyperreality: A sense of reality constructed by simulated environments (theme parks, Avatar etc)

Simulacra: Any stage where the distinction between reality and its image has been broken down

Hybrid Genre: A cross between two or more film genres

Immersion: A more realistic experience in consuming media e.g. 3D films

Meta narratives: Big stories or big debates that postmodernists argue have little meaning in a personal and fragmented world

Mini narratives: Small practices, storylines, events

Kitsch: An inferior or tasteless copy of a text of recognised value

Fragmented Identity: Fixed gender roles are more fluid and people are changeable

Decentred texts: The margins of a text are more important than the centre.

Retro: Culturally outdated but retro style has become fashionable

Simulated realty: (e.g. avatars)

Eclecticism: A wide range of influences, contributions and techniques.

Intertextuality: An author’s borrowing and transformation of a prior text.

Parody: A satirical imitation of a text. (Sarcastic) - e.g. Scream

Pastiche: A media text made up of pieces of other texts or imitation of other styles. - e.g.

Homage: Where a director pays tribute to another by including images, scenes or stylistic features as an acknowledgement of their influence or importance.

Bricolage: A technique where works are constructed from various materials available.

Acts against modernism: Postmodernism embodies scepticism towards the ideas and ideals of the modern era, especially the ideas of progress, objectivity, reason, certainty, personal identity and grand narrative.

Nostalgic: Celebrates the past and its glory.

Narcissistic: Fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity.

Active audience: The assertion that meaning and experience can only be created by the individual, and cannot be made objective by an author or narrator. Assumes an intelligent and active audience.

Hyper-conscious: Aware of itself.

Film
Bladerunner (1982)
The Matrix (1999)
Pleasantville (1998)
Inglorious Basterds (2009)
Scream (1996)
Scary Movie (2000)
Kill Bill (2003)

TV
Top Gear (1977 – present)
Reality TV (Big Brother, Nick and Jessica, The Hills, The Family)
The Office (2001 – 2005)
Extras (2005 – 2007)
The Mighty Boosh (1998 – present)
Life on Mars (2006 – 2007)
Doctor Who (1963 – present)

General Postmodern Issues
The internet (Media 2.0)
Social Networking (Facebook, Myspace, Twitter) = Seven Days
Youtube
Video games (Grand Theft Auto etc)
Advertising (Cadbury’s Gorilla etc)
Digital renaissance
Personal experiences and response is vital

Key Exam Areas
What are the different versions of post-modernism (historical period, style, theoretical approach)?

What are the arguments for and against understanding some forms of media as post-modern?

How do post-modern media texts challenge traditional text-reader relations and the concept of representation?

In what ways do media audiences and industries operate differently in a post-modern world?

January 2010 Questions
• What is meant by ‘postmodern media’?
Or
• Explain why the idea of ‘postmodern media’ might be considered controversial.