@Phil Postmodernism Essay Plan and Introduction attempt 1

Postmodernism Essay Plan

Introduction

· Begin with: 'This assignment investigates Post Modernity through the idea of Deconstructionism used in specific scenes and characters in Scream (1996) and Funny Games US (2007)'...

· Brief order of points and how evidence will be useful

Para 1

· Begin with Derrida’s Destructive theory ‘sign and signifiers’

· “Meaning is never identical with itself because a sign appears in different contexts it is never absolutely the same ... the signified will be altered by the various chains of signifiers in which it is entangled. (Sarup, 1993: 34)

Para 2

· Text meaning and symbols – How situation atmosphere and viewer’s perception changes within the two films

· “It shares with other signs, including linguistic signs, the property of being open to multiple significations. The accompanying captions of photographs or written materials in a film.” (Stam, 1992: 34)

· Figure 1 – The arrival of the torturers in Funny Games; Figure 2 – The Beginning scene in Scream ‘The Phone Call’

Para 3

· The meaning of identity from Edvard Munch’s Scream turned into a slasher killer Ghost face and how the images are portrayed to the audience

· “Unlike the various strands of [structural] criticism, Postmodernism considers images as they relate to and across each other.”(McRobbie, 1994: 12)

· Figure 3: The Scream by Edvard Munch, Figure 4: Ghost Face

·

Para 4

· Rules in Scream and how the typical victim stereotype becomes the victor, equipped with the tools to survive

· “The affinity between the compilation film and assemblage and appropriation in other medias makes this the most characteristically Post Modern strain of contemporary avant-garde film making.”(Peterson, 1997: 143)

· Figure 5: Sydney standing triumphant over her torturer or gang discussing scary movies and ‘rules’

Para 5

· Rules in Funny Games and how the torturers have the advantage, allowing them to the keep their power over the Faber family throughout (briefly how advantages compare in both films.)

· “So, deconstruction analyses a text so thoroughly as to discover the many ways the text itself did not communicate upon initial reading.” (Michener, 2007: 64)

· Figure 6: Torturers sitting calmly opposite Farbers to create eerie tension

Para 6

· How director tricks us in Funny Games to a unfair resolution – the rewind scene and the ending where viewer knows what will happen to the next victim

· If ‘creative destruction was an essential condition of modernity, then perhaps the artist as [an] individual had a heroic role to play...” (Harvey, 1990: 19)

· Figure 7: Rewind scene or stare at the end

Para 7

· Truth and why viewer watches it – How Funny Games puts in the real seriousness and violence to make the audience feel uncomfortable and question why they watch films of this genre

· “Broadly speaking, Post structuralism entails a critique of the concepts of the stable sign of the unified subject, of identity and of truth,” (Stam, 1992: 23)

· Figure 8: Paul looks at screen including the audience as part of the world

Conclusion

· Highlight the key findings of the deconstructed techniques e.g. rules and changing (deconstructing) the structure of the horror genre (Don’t List)

· Form a judgement and emphasis points

Introduction

This assignment will investigate Post Modernity through the idea of Deconstructionism used in specific scenes and characters in Scream (1996) Directed by Wes Craven and Funny Games US (2007) Directed by Michael Haneke. Derrida’s theory of the sign and signified along with the death of the author terms will be used to help provide evidence into how both film examples deconstruct the horror genre. It will also analyse how both films have used techniques and influences to make their films unique, questioning the reality of why an audience loves a horror movie by showing the viewer a more realistic representation of it. Reaching the climax of the story where the plot has twisted for dramatic effect in a way the audience didn’t expect. The points will also look at brief comparisons between Scream and Funny Games, to show how they are both more exaggerated and darker forms of torture porn films but also how differently they have been portrayed. Visual evidence of film stills and screenshots will add further evidence and help to convey how certain situations or moments in the film could symbolise a range of meanings because of the stage direction and camera techniques used in specific scenes.

Prop Development - Completed Desk

I also completed the desk yesterday but I made major differences in the design to make it work within the environment. Most of the features are still in there such as the drawers, back legs and shape. I haven't modelled the lock hole in because I felt it would be easier to add this in texturing as the draw doesn't open and remains fixed throughout the opening shots.

Wireframe on Shaded model

Smooth Preview Front

Smooth Preview Side

Smooth Preview Back

Smooth Preview 3/4 Turn

Prop Development: Completed Radio

I managed to finish the radio adding in an aerial inspired by the previous the image that I developed my ideas from and making a few tweaks.

Wireframe on shaded model

Smooth Preview Front

Smooth Preview Side

Smooth Preview Back

Smooth Preview 3/4 turn

Prop Modelling Development 1

This is just to show how far I am at the moment, there is obviously still more to be added to this but this is a rough idea on how the radio is looking.

Turnarounds for Props

I have produced the final front and side drawings of the environment and character props and I have already edited these to begin modelling which I have also started today. These are for reference so may edit the design of props where I need to in Maya but eager to begin.

Notes From Engaging Deconstructive Theology by Ronald T Michener

Michener Ronald T, (2007), Engaging Deconstructive Theology, Abingdon Oxon, Ashgate Publishing Group

Part 1 Introduction and Historical context

1. Intoduction

• word 'postmodernism' defies description because of a myraid of disciplines have adopted various ideas about PostModernism to make them their own
• Postmodernism = a degenerate society
• the multiple words of Postmodernity is not virtual because everything is always or already mediaized
• Academic Post Modernism = the intellectual concerns seen in the break from Enlightenment ideals
• some consider post modernism as the term to describe our position in the historical chart, others see it as a radicalization of the modern period e.g 'ultra-modernism or hyper - modernism'
• Postmodernism - a relativistic doom, or prophetic voice beckoning us to see new insights

Part 2 - Deconstruction and it's roots in Europe

3. Jean - Francois Lyotard: The Dissolution of the Meta Narrative

• Lyotard known for his 'incredulity toward meta narratives'
• Lyotard sees meta narratives and philosophy of history as the same
• Lyotard sees narratives taking on different forms, main two:

1. Narrative of Emanipation
2. Speculative Narrative

• Both types imply process of reason to capitalist ventures as well as politics and morality
• both also are important in modern philosophy and contribute towards western indentity of modernity
• "The Meta Narratives of modernity, ineffect, supress the rich diversity of language-games, the small narratives, and attempt instead to squeeze them into a totalizing mold." (Michener, 2007: 53)

4. The Deconstructionism of Jacques Derrida

• "So a major purpose of deconstruction is to demonstrate that texts and traditions do not have direct definable meanings. For Derrida, it would be scandalous to even suggest some kind of restrictive textual definition of something that is intended to exceed boundaries and be indeterminable ." (Michener, 2007: 63)
• Deconstruction is not a method, style or techniques
• It is not simply negative critique on philospher's or theologian's statements
• "In a similiar fashion, if one were to understand "deconstruction" as a way of reading a text in order to bring light to something previously concealed, it may create a much more positive image." (Michener, 2007: 64)
• "So deconstruction analyzes a text so throughly as to discover the many ways the text itself did not communicate upon intial reading." (Michener, 2007: 64)
• 'experience of the impossible' - moving beyond boundaries and limits
• key is 'Logocentrism' to understand Deconstructive Project
• distinqushes difference of speech and writing, speech vanishes once broadcasted but writing involves one's presence at the scene for it to remain in existence
• For Derrida - notion of logocentrism - looking for logos
• Differance - Derrida's intention of forming combining two meanings into one
• 'Messianic = the nature of promise - a future always to come
• Deconstruction stops closure - desires to keep dialogue going

Notes From Postmodernism and Popular Culture by Angela McRobbie

McRobbie Angela, (1994), Postmodernism and Popular Culture, USA, Roulledge

1. Post Modernity and Cultural Studies

• "Unlike the various strands of structuralist criticism, Postmodernism considers images as they relate to and across each other." (McRobbie, 1994: 12)
• makes no connections with life today and practise of cultural analysis, subject is frustrating because of this
• Postmodernism challenges Modernism's hostility of mass culture
• Focussed on memorable 'Text and it's 'purity' from semiological and structuralist critism
• entered a diverse number of volcabaries spreading out from art history to youth culture magazines, record sleeves and fashion spreads
• Baudrillard explores sudden Post Modernist movement as 'exposure to harsh and inexorable light of information and communication
• symbolically, the image assumes contemporary domiance, not possible to talk of image and reality, media and society - each pair has become intertwined
• Images push their way to our social lives control how we look and what we earn
• compete through attention of shock tactics reassurance, sex and mystery - inviting viewers to participate in a series of 'visual puzzles'
• Art, writing, film making and criticism of women - added whole new dimension to critique of high modernism and alternative forms of culture
• Postmodernism appeals to a number of young people, new generation of intellectuals because they are experiencing impermanent work and low career oppurntunities  

@ Everyone Blogger Help!

Hi I am really struggling with trying to get a background for my blogger page

I have tried changing the size of the image and tried different size suggestions that different websites have said and have had no luck

Does anyone know how to make one image the background to cover the entire template and not repeat as shown in the current blog layout?

Final Attempt of the Alpha Spider Model

I have finished modelling the Alpha Spider adding the back sections, the far back section is more of a guide to when I add the drone spiders on the back and the shape they will form.

@ Anyone - It is not letting me import one file into another so not sure if I have saved it wrong but can anyone one answer this?

It is probably something I have done but I can't work what that is which is annoying because I could do it last year.

Wireframe on shaded model

Front

Side

Back

3/4 View

@Anyone - Blogger Help!

Bascially I have made an image and tried to add it to the blogger template to become the new background, I have read up on this and tried different ways with no success

Whenever I enter the CSS code and the URL for the image I either get the image repeated or one small image

But I can't seem to make it cover the whole background?

Can anyone Please help with this, is there something else I need to do or anything I'm doing wrong?

Temporary Post

ReDesigning Blog Layout

I decided to begin thinking about one of the main points of my Crit on Thursday which is the layout of my Blog and started to create an identity

These are basic tests and I would would edit and layer the layout more

I think I will take these examples and play around with my blog

Beginning the Modelling of The Alpha/Mother Spider

I have briefly started this using what I could from the drone spider such as the legs as they are exactly same, I modelled a new head so that it is the right shape and doesn't have the side flaps as in my design I want the legs to connect to a middle body.

I have positioned where everything will go and tweak this when I build the middle and back body.

Post Modernism Lecture Notes - week 10

Essay

• Hand in: Friday 9th December 12.30 - 2.30 pm Faculty Office - Ground Floor
• Plagiarism Form to include: Turnitin ID num
• Upload Essay on Turnitin
• 2000 words - 10% over or under word count, better to be over
• Chose something that you can use, doesn't have to be in your field
• make references to key ideas
• If Film, then home in on something particular in the film e.g scene, character, costume, etc
• Developed ability to engage in research sources beyond the lecture series
• Ability to clarify academic ideas - quotes in italics, Film title in capitals, etc
• Idependent Learning - branching off own idea

Research for Essay Writing

• Find information in response to brief
• Key terms and understanding
• Introduce, discuss and draw conclusions from evidence/ information in essay

Secondary Research - Hierachy

• Books
• Articles
• Government Papers
• Statistics
• If websites go for Accountable sites e.g. Museum, galleries, government funded

Primary Research

• Questionnaires, interviews, first hand accounts
• DO Secondary first to know what to plug in

Structure

• Introduction - What, Why and How - 10% of word count (200 words)
• Essay/main body - Explanations, Analysis and Discussion - 80% (1600 words)
• Conclusion - Key Findings and Fianl Judgements (NOT A LIST) - 10% (200 words)
• 8 or 9 paragraphs in total - Essay Scope
• Lead on from one to the other
• Look at what they are going to focus on
• Note one line, quote, image used - Plan!

Introduction

• Explain Essay, but don't start discussions of points
• Don't worry about research methods
• bried order of points and why evidence is useful

Main Body

• Paragraphs - deal with one tiny point
• make sure last line leads to next focus
• introduce all evidence properly
• discuss every separate point indepth - DON'T COVER IT ALL
• Each Para - 1 point/ step
• 5 - 10 sentences no less than 5
• space between paragraphs
• link each so they lead on forward

Quotation and Paragraph Structure - (PRINT OFF)

• Keep to one focus and one point don't introduce multiple ideas in one para
• introduce quote - who is saying it
• Choose strong quotes to discuss not ones that explain it for themselves
• Parapharase only when tense doesn't fit or when different authors are involved
• No quotation marks for Parapharase and in past tense e.g. He Stated

Conclusion

• Dont introduce anything new
• Highlight Key findings
• Form a judgement and Emphasis main points
• Don't use first Person (Throughout)
• Objective Academic Writing - conversion of 1st to 3rd person (Print Off)
• Don't Narrate - Drowning Person's Cry for Help = No Content, Don't Do
• Don't write a list

Overall

• Open Introduction with " This assignment investigates Post modernity through discussion of ..."
• Turn off 75% of Post Modernity ideas
• Plagiarism is stealing! be careful not to fall into the trap of not referencing properly etc that could also lead to this
• References always have brackets
• Follow Harvard Referencing through out

Referencing Images

• Figure Num + Title in italics
• on referencing site - 3rd bullet point refers to specific sources

Final Points

• Text = Arial, size 12, black clear font and should be 1.5 gap or double lined space
• Essay should be bound or stapled
• For correct referencing go to:
• www.ucreative.ac.uk/referencing
• For study guides on Essay writing and Note Taking go to:
• www.ucreative.ac.uk/studyadvice

Movie Review - Little Shop of Horrors

Frank Oz  deconstructs the musical genre in Little Shop of Horrors, with stereotypical characters and the approach of the familiar story made comical. "As directed by the Muppet master Frank Oz, this large-scale new film version has just the right mixture of playfulness, tunefulness and blood lust. Never has any screen killer done his job as innocently as Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis), ..." (Maslin, 1986) The journey of Seymour is the main focus for the themes of ambition and dreams of being recognised as an individual from Audrey who he secretly admires and through fame. The film borrows a lot of material such as the plant 'Audrey 2' acting like Seymour's Genie, offering to grant his desires but at a price. The film takes a humorous side to the horror element as well because although the the story centres around a plant that needs human flesh/ blood in order to live, it is more lighthearted to keep to the vibe of the musical genre, the evidence describes Seymour's killings as 'innocently' which shows the audience that the plant needs a 'puppet' to get what it requires and Seymour has no choice and forced into the partnership.

Figure 1, (2007), Seymour and Audrey 

The film was influenced mainly by the original play in the 1960's and it has retained the same traits of the period through it's characters and song style that Oz has used for his adaptation. "It's hard to pinpoint just what makes this surreal saga such a delight. There's the music, a wonderful doowop score from the off-Broadway hit based on Corman's 1960 cult classic... There's Steve Martin as 'The Dentist', Audrey's biker-boyfriend, a happy-go-lucky sadist who nearly steals the show." (Andrew, 2006) The songs are in the style of Motown and jazz to recapture the sixties feel in the original, Oz has also thought of perceptional stereotypes such as the typical bimbo that Audrey portrays and the rocker, care free character of Orin. Oz has completely flipped the idea of the dentist who is meant to look after people's teeth to the image of a mad violent doctor who enjoys creating pain in his patients and loves to watch them suffer. The viewer would still find this comical because the portrayal is very exaggerated and feels like something from a nightmare to get the perception of the villain that audience in the musical doesn't care about due to his manner and actions.

Figure 2, (2009), The dentist inflicting pain for fun 

Oz has added in his own trademark 'stamp' into this film, incorporating the typical B Movie design in Audrey 2, plant from space. "...the movie is very similar to the play. Most of the songs remain intact, and the cast is full of energy and zest. The special effects fill an important niche." (French, 2001) Oz has given the plant 'Audrey 2' a human - like personality to be able to sing and talk to create it's own identity. The theme of puppetry has also been deconstructed in this film because Audrey 2 is technically the puppet being controlled to perform in the film but in the cinematic world of 'Little Shop of Horrors' the audience can identify the character of Audrey 2 as the puppet master/ puppeteer having complete control of Seymour's destiny to achieve it's goal of world domination. It first appears to the audience that Audrey 2 is sympathetic to Seymour's character but reveals it's true intentions when he turns on the original Audrey and threatens to expand into every household. This also runs into the theme of hyper reality because much like Truman in 'The Truman' Seymour doubts the new world created from his fame that was orchestrated by Audrey 2 and breaks through the lies to eventually stop the 'creator' who manipulated and controlled to finally be free with the girl he always dreamed of being with.

 Figure 3, (2011), Audrey 2 - The plant that can sing

Illustration List

Figure 1, (2007), Seymour and Audrey, @ http://www.geekshow.us/content/articles/the-big-10-musical-numbers/, Accessed on: 31^st May 2007

Figure 2, (2009), The dentist inflicting pain for fun, @ http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/new-little-shop-of-horrors-to-open-despite-recession.php, Accessed on:  15^th April 2009

Figure 3, (2011), Audrey 2 - The plant that can sing, @ http://www.themarysue.com/tag/little-shop-of-horrors/, Accessed on: 8th April 2011

Bibliography

Andrew Geoff, (2006), Time Out London – Little Shop of Horrors, @ http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/80563/little_shop_of_horrors.html, Accessed on:  24^th June 2006

French Blake, (2001), Film Critic.com – Little Shop of Horrors, @ http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/1986/little-shop-of-horrors/, Accessed on: 22^nd July 2001

Maslin Janet, (1986), The New York Times - Little Shop of Horrors, @ http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A0DE2DB113DF93AA25751C1A960948260&partner=Rotten Tomatoes, Accessed on: 19th December 1986

4/5

Final Character Bible for 'Gaudium'

Gaudium: Character Bible

Height Comparrison and Silhouette Sheet

The two pages where all three characters are displayed together and can get a real feel for what they are like as a set I worked out the height of each character based on the hero as I knew I wanted him to be about 6 foot so was a good midway point to work out the other two.

Final Props

I used the previous design page as a starting point and then adapted the designs according to what Justin told me a couple of weeks ago and what I felt needed the objects needed to be in order to suit the character.

Leonis

The final ritual staff and ring for the hero, I carried on the primitive theme with the idea of objects constructed from natural forms, creating basic designs. The ring doesn't feature on the final concept because it is part of Leonis's light power source but only uses it in dire need.

Vipera

The final hand morphed blade/s and carnival mask for the villain, I carried on the design of the villain's spikiness and random flowing shapes. Neither of these props feature on the final concept because they are an extension of Vipera's powers. The blade morphs from her hand, fingers, and thumb. The mask allows Vipera to mask herself with her environment and remain undetectable.

With each character's props I have used the colours that were used in the characters so that they would feel right in using them and Incorporated the appropriate shapes so that it is very clear which prop belongs to which character.

DVD Artwork and Case Artwork

I have edited the design for the front cover and used a second font for the more important information e.g course name to stand out.

Final Character Turnabouts

I now have improved the originals in photo shop and made amendments where needed.

Leonis

Lingua

Vipera

Official Title Page for Gaudium - The Character Bible

Text, Front Cover/ background ideas

These were intial text ideas all using the font: Sucker Font because the style instantly stuck out and felt fitting for a fantasy type show.

These were some different ideas I thought didn't quite work as some of the images would of been re-used and it would be clear before the pages displaying the final concepts what they looked like. I also tried combining existing images to capture the other planet vibe but that felt too realistic. I did keep the text and colour because it stands out clearly and felt right as an identity.

This is the final front cover design, I decided to distort and change the colour of the silhouttes so they look different from the original and work well within the composition. I need to put 'The Character Bible' text in again because part of the 'r' is missing but I have now decided on background and text on the other pages.

Final Character Concepts

I have been working back into the characters I left off to complete each one, they have line work added in now and a background, where I looked up the theme fantasy and the lilac and orange were two colours I felt wouldn't take over the main character concept. I also added shadows to give them a bit of weight.


Vipera

Final Concept

Below is an image of where I left the character off and how it has changed and developed since then.

Leonis

Final Concept

Below is an image of where I left the character off and how it has changed and developed since then.

Lingua

Final Concept

Below is an image of where I left the character off and how it has changed and developed since then.

I will now work on the height comparison page and silhouettes to show more about their size and shape.