I'm So Pomo

The Matrix

The matrix dsgvdfgd from gemmalovitt

Digital Technology + Creativity

How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

One of the very first technologies I used within my media a-level consisted of the internet. Before creating and producing and of my research and planning tasks I was told to create a blog on blogger.com. This was a useful task as it allowed me to keep all my notes, planning and ideas on one resource that was easily accessible. Similarly I found this was helpful due to not having to rely on folders and loosing bits of papers, therefore it helped when keeping all my work organised. Although this was a new experience as I had never used the programme before it took me a while to understand all the different features and elements, however once I had played around with it I gained a clear understanding very quickly. Similarly the program has had many benefits when underlining and emphasising my multimedia skills due to uploading my tasks in a variety of ways, for example Prezi, Powerpoint, Slidshare, Issuu etc.

 

Showcasing my work in a variety of ways was vital as it allowed both my teacher and my examiner I had further knowledge of different programmes instead of consistently using word displaying essay formats. One of the main internet resources I used when uploading my work in a variety of ways included the use of Prezi. This was an effective form of displaying my work due to engaging the intended target audience in an entertaining way due to the abstract presentation.

 

When I first began my A-Level in media I was lucky due to having previous experience. As I took media studies for GCSE I gained a basic knowledge and understanding on all of the relevant software and tools. Therefore this was beneficial when coming to start my A-Level course as I was one step ahead of many others in my class. One of the first tasks we were made to complete included making a front cover for a school magazine. Therefore the relevant software that was needed to do this consisted of InDesign. This Primarily task was reasonably simple due to the teachers only needing to see the basic such as including a masthead, barcode, sell lines, main bleed etc. Although I was aware of how to use many features of the software there was always extra support from my teachers, video tutorials etc. Although I had the basic knowledge I did not put 100% into this task and made a very standard piece of work, however this was appropriate when referring to the improvement I had made from AS to A2.

 

 

 

 

 

The Matrix

The Matrix Key Facts

Key facts from gemmalovitt

Case Study Ideas For Postmodernity Within Film

1. Scream

 “There are certain RULES that one must abide by in order to successfully survive a horror movie.”Wes Craven, ignoring the fact that since Scream his only contribution to the horror genre  is the atrociously shit film My Soul to Take, cleverly mocks the horror genre and points out everything wrong with stalk and slash films (mocking his own franchise A Nightmare on Elm Street in the process). Scream is a brilliant postmodern horror film and is very clever. The characters use their knowledge of existing horror films to muddle through their own real life stalk and slash scenario with hilarious outcomes. The entire film mocks and celebrates the genre and points out all the stupid conventions that we would otherwise overlook. As Sidney Prescott puts it “ They’re all the same. some stupid killer stalking some big-breasted girl who can’t act who is always running up the stairs when she should be running out the front door.”

Scream is more of a pastiche than a parody. The term can be derogatory, indicating a lack of originality, but in this case it’s a pastiche because it uses moments from other films as a form of flattery. According to Kevin Williamson his favourite film is Halloween, which is used primarily through out the whole film, and has the most direct parallels to. There are small moments, for instance where Casey’s father in the opening scene says “Go down the street to the MacKenzies’ house. Call the police.” Which is a direct lift from Halloween. Also Donald Pleasance’s character in Halloween is named Dr Loomis, which is also the sir name of Billy who is one of the killers in Scream. To the larger moments where the movie is playing in the background throughout the end sequence and the Halloween score runs in conjunction with the action.

2. The Truman Show

If you’re a reality TV show hater like me, this one might be an interesting watch. It’s also a bit of an eye opener for those media illiterates out there who watch reality TV and genuinely believe it’s reality (wisen up you lot!) The Truman Show tells the heart breaking story of a baby adopted by a TV company to make a reality show about his life. Truman (Jim Carrey…one of few of his performances that aren’t ridiculously irritating) has grown up in a little town and has never had the opportunity to explore the world around him. He’s never had a reason to doubt his reality until one day a set-light falls from the sky. The message in the film is a strong one, and anyone familiar with the theories of Baudrillard will get the impact that hyperreality in the media has on society  Definitely one to watch, The Truman Show will really make you question reality. As the producer of The Truman Show (the TV show within the film) says ‘we accept the reality with which we are presented’.

Truman Show-Characteristics of Postmodern Texts:

Playfulness-The film tries something new whereby creating a film that has never been experienced or produced before.

Mixing Genres- The film has a combination of genres including humour and romance.

Confusion- Making the audience think and question what is happening as the film makes you think ahead at what everything means and how clever the producers are.

Drawing attention to how it is made-This film is about this as it needs to be scripted as well as it is produced, being that Truman has no idea that he is being filmed or in a TV show.
The dominance of machines and technology- The Truman show uses strong usage of camera angles and shots as you get shown where the cameras are placed as well as out at sea shots.

Narrative of foundations kate nash from gemmalovitt