Postmodernism, Globalization and You!

1. Postmodernism, Globalization and You! Presentation by: Mark Leja, Rachel Evans, and Jessie Leibham

2. Postmodernism • Largely a reaction to Modernism • Highly skeptical of facts and “truth” • There is no single truth • Interpretation is key • Rejects the idea that any form of art, concept, text, etc. has a greater value over another.

3. Evolution • Premodernism -Original meaning is possessed by authority (for example, the Catholic Church). The individual is dominated by tradition. • Modernism -The Enlightenment. Rejection of tradition and authority. In favor of reason and natural science (identity, unity, authority, and certainty). • Postmodernism -Rejection of Modernism’s linear conception of history. Dissolution of distinctions - the merging of “subject and object, self and other”, or rather the merging of ideas - Hybridity (difference, plurality, textuality, skepticism).

4. In relation to Art • Breaks down traditions of Modernism • “…work is nonlinear, playful, and assembled from various other forms, including modernism that construct an eclectic pastiche, composed of parts borrowed from other work”(O’Donnell 184). • Everything is blurred - genres, style, historical periods, etc. • Intertextuality - references to other forms of media within a specific different medium. Viewer recognition of references increases enjoyment.

5. Hybridity • A collage or blending of different genres, approaches, ideologies, and media • Everything has already been done, Hybridity is a way of taking from the old, and making it new.

6. Flight of the Conchords and Hybridity • Flight of the Conchords blends comedy and music to create a new interesting perspective on both concepts. • Likewise, Flight of the Conchords is a television show - music’s used narratively to promote story and plot.

7. Without Hybridity… • There would be no Globalization! • Globalization is about the blending of cultures, and culture traditions, entertainment, products, etc.

8. Television: The New Big Screen? By: Jessie Leibham

9. Television: The New Big Screen? Thesis: Television and Film are becoming more alike. • People working in the Film industry no longer have difficulty jumping back and forth between film and television. • Because of technological advances, television is viewed more like film • Narratively, television is overall more complex and artful.

10. Television: The New Big Screen?Argument 1 Support 1 • Many “film actors” have made the jump from film to television and are equally respected.

11. Television: The New Big Screen?Argument 1 Support 2 • Television Budgets have increased, while Film budgets have tightened. • LOST pilot - 11.5 million • The film industry is less risky • Large budgets go towards trilogies/adaptations, etc. • 20 million is the new 30 million • Money and “risk” in TV brings in Film actors, directors, writers, etc.

12. Television: The New Big Screen?Argument 1 Support 3 • Television has become more risky narratively and aesthetically. • Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Dexter, True Blood, etc. Breaking Bad - Half Measures • Television work is more challenging and rewarding. TO SUM IT UP: Money + Risky Concepts (Challenge + Reward) = Film actors/actresses/writers/directors = R.E.S.P.E.C.T

13. Television: The New Big Screen?Argument 2 Support 1 • Modern television must learn how to adapt to technological changes • IPODS, Internet, Cell phones, etc. • Television has had to reformat in order to stay relevant • Both industries use Final cut • Television is digitized

14. Television: The New Big Screen?Argument 2 Support 2 • Modern viewers watch TV differently then in the past • New technology - singular experience • No longer shared experience • TV on DVD, Websites • Marathons! • Less interruption

15. Television: The New Big Screen?Argument 2 Support 3 • Using: • Film programs • Film techniques • As well as: • Film crews move towards television • And Money… • Television feels more like film (music scores, shots/angles, wardrobe, etc.) • Buenos Dias Children.

16. Television: The New Big Screen?Argument 3 Support 1 • Josh Rash, director for broadcast negotiations at Campbell Mithun in Minneapolis explains… • “It’s not only important, but imperative, to increase engagement with a show” • Television producers have targeted younger audiences… the “new television audience” • WHAT DO THEY WANT…

17. Television: The New Big Screen?Argument 3 Support 2 COMPLEXITY! • While structurally television faces greater restrictions with time and format, television series have become more complex and intellectually stimulating, much like film has been for decades. • complex storylines • more ambiguity • open endings • character development • greater ensemble of characters • Modern television has become more of a “brain exercising” form of entertainment (Johnson).

18. Television: The New Big Screen?Argument 3 Support 3 • Character Development • Because of the way television is structured, character development is more sincere and realistic. There is a struggle. • Comedy - The Office - Jim and Pam • Drama - Friday Night Lights - Jason Street • Does this make television more refined then film?

19. Conclusion: Why does this matter? • Keeping in mind the ever changing models of entertainment is important because: • History • Where do we go from here? • Working in both industries, I have to understand different perspectives in order to be successful.

21. Globalization • A system of studying the global economy, Culture patterns, political processes, migration of people and social hierarchies. (Robinson,125) • Globalization theory came into popularity during the 1970’s. • Two broad categories of Globalization studies: • The Way a specific issue relates to Globalization • The Globalization theory itself, it’s very process.

22. Globalization Cont’d Hotly contested, no one consensus on what Globalization really is. Most theorists will agree that the pace of social change and transformation worldwide seems to be quickening in the latter decades of the 20th century. And also that this change relates to the connectivity of people worldwide.

23. When did Globalization start? No one knows. Some claim the process has started since the dawn of human civilization some 10,000 years ago. Some claim it started with capitalism, 500 years ago. Some claim 30 years ago with post-modernism.

24. Theorists Robertson Manuel Castells

25. Robertson • “Three planks” • Transnational Production • Transnational Capitalism • Transnational State • Epoch shift from world economy to Global • Transnational Capitalism: Globalization of the Production Processitself

26. Castells • Similar theories to Robinson but claims that technology, not capitalist development. That is driving globalization as the “Information Age” • Global economy is: Ability to work as a unit in real time or to choose time, on a planetary scale. • The Economy is • Informational • Knowledge Based • Networking

27. Castells Cont’d Human society has moved from verbal to alphabetical to auidovisual communication. This allows Globalization to integrate various models of communication into an interactive network. The internet is a symbolic environment. Global in it’s reach, virtuality a reality.

28. + and - Some of the world has technology, some are switched off or marginalized. Creating a huge digital divide. The prices of good within nations that open borders are now in competition with worldwide powers. Ex. Jamaica vs. United States Allows companies to have a cheap source of material and production capabilities. New markets for Film and TV products to explore.

29. Why care? • If you answer yes to any of the following. • Do you own/use • A phone • The internet • A computer/electronic device • A car • Food • You are affected by Globalization, get to know what’s happening with the world as a whole. • Any questions?

30. Work’s Cited Robinson, W. I. (2008) Theories of Globalization, in The Blackwell Companion to Globalization (ed G. Ritzer), Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9780470691939.ch6

32. The Japanese/American Culture Trade

33. Globalization: Recap Free trade amongst nations A one world economy Unified by technology

34. THESIS The trading of American and Japanese Television series to and from both countries benefits them symbiotically.

35. Arguments Argument 1: Japanese Anime imports are a niche market in America. Networks that broadcast them enjoy an increase in ratings both aiding American broadcasters and Japanese producers. Argument 2: The importing/exporting of Children's shows both to and from Japan and America gives the television programmers a second market to showcase their product with the possibility of franchising and expanding their revenue. Argument 3: The globalization of culture does not just prove financially successful for the importer/exporters, but it also spread awareness and education of foreign cultures to the audiences viewing their products.

36. CLIP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AQhrLGXspI

37. Argument 1 Argument: Japanese Anime imports are a niche market in America. Networks that broadcast them enjoy an increase in ratings profiting both American broadcasters and Japanese producers. Support 1: For several years Toonami was among the few programming blocks to feature Japanese Anime and for the majority of it's run it was the only block made of entirely Japanese anime. This generated high ratings and popularity for the block specifically in the young male, teenager audience. Support 2: Dragon Ball Z was the heavy weight of Toonami's programming block. While initially unsuccessful it became a cultural phenomenon lasting for over 10 years and still impacts our popular culture today. Dragon Ball Z opened the door for future anime imports and remains the shining example of American/Japanese television co-operation. Support 3: Imported anime's also have the possibility of franchising opportunities. The popularity of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing brought the multi-billion dollar Gundam franchise to America. Retailers imported model kits, action figures and DVD's in large scale quantities.

38. Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kFhPVAhV_o

39. Argument 2 Argument: The importing/exporting of Children's shows both to and from Japan and America gives the television programmers a second market to showcase their product. Support 1: Super Sentai was originally very popular in Japan, Saban then adapted the series for American broadcast and when it was finally released it became an overnight success. Support 2: Poke'mon's success in Japan immediately brought the video game's franchise to America where it would open the door for a television show, feature films and tons and tons of Poke'mon paraphernalia. Support 3: Transformers has proven to be one of the finest examples of the efforts of both American and Japanese producers. The story goes an American toy developer went to Japan where he discovered toys marketed as two for the price of one, he brought the concept to America where it was developed as the toy line/television series transformers, then the idea was exported to Japan where it succeeded just as in America.

40. Argument 3 Argument 3: The globalization of culture does not just prove financially successful for the importer/exporters, but it also spread awareness and education of foreign cultures to the audiences viewing their products. Support 1: Teachers have found more students taking another language course (Fukunaga) Support 2: When given the freedom to choose what to write about. Some students will go above and beyond to try and analyze their favorite programs, often times being an Anime program. (McGinnis) Support 3: The popularity of The Simpsons in Japan showcases American culture all while proving a better understanding of our country and it's values.

41. Critics Argue globalization is destroying national identify and culture. The term Americanization being used as a basis for an argument against trading.

42. Conclusion • Why should you care? • The world is becoming more and more connected. The globalized world is a large scale market that Television producers/writers in America should take into account the possibilities of exporting their shows to foreign markets. As proof with America and Japan. A well established relationship between two cultures proves mutually beneficial.