Linda Hutcheon argues that postmodernism is characterized by self-reflexivity and irony through parody and ambivalence towards past works and culture. Postmodern works challenge traditional narrative structures and acknowledge their social and historical context through metatextual references and drawing attention to their own constructed nature.

2. TODAYS DEFINITION
“For Linda Hutcheon, the postmodern is
much more an artistic style, recognisable
by its self reflexivity and irony, especially
in its relations to the practices and objects
of the surrounding culture and the cultural
past. Postmodern work often takes the
form of parody, which has a highly divided
and ambivalent relation to its objects of
imitation” - M Fortier

3. PRACTICES
Ways of doing things
 Traditional narratives in film
 Character Types
 Codes and Conventions
 Technical practices
 Props, costumes etc
A self reflective text will challenge these ways of doing things

4. POSTMODERN SELF-AWARENESS
Texts are self-aware – it mentions
itself, questions itself, it says what
it is…
The boundary between audience and
text is broken
Postmodern is METATEXTUAL

5. SURROUNDING CULTURE
Acknowledging the social/culture background in which the text is produced
Often making ‘fun’ of that context
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GvVDHruEPQ
Can make serious comment on the issues in society
http://seekcartoon.com/watch/27324-the-simpsons-season-16-episode-10-
theres-something-about-marrying.html#.Uwnv9mtFBdg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR4yQFZK9YM
Talks about current issues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L2fsubA2-c

6. CULTURAL PAST
Human history
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVmdCAT7Rc8
Past texts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-eazu7FQEg
Can be critical of itself and its form
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvEXudbFhWU

7. DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE CONSTRUCTED NATURE
OF THE TEXT
Direct Address to camera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF7wckdzHXY
Seeing the means of construction (cameras, obtuse editing, jump cuts,)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_NpFX6OaJg
Characters drawing attention to plot holes
Scream excerpt from 52:31
Referencing the media itself – The Simpsons and Fox Network, Use of
‘CNN’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/04/the-simpsons-skewers-cable-
news-print-media-video_n_4211143.html

8. • Create a powerpoint using clips or images the internet
• Find another example for each point in the slide show that
is in orange.
• Then next to or underneath it, explain how it is self-
reflective or self-aware in this way…
YOUR TASK