Hey everyone, Adrian here. Today’s blog is focused on Postmodernism, a concept that’s become a big part of how modern media is created and understood.
What is Postmodernism
Postmodernism pushes back against the structured, rule-following mindset of modernism. Modernism was about logic, order, and universal truths. Postmodernism breaks that. It smashes the rules, mixes genres, and blurs the line between what’s real and what’s fake. It embraces irony, parody, and self-awareness.
Simulacra and Hyperreality
In postmodern media, we often experience simulacra and hyperreality, moments where the imitation feels more real than reality itself. You can’t tell what’s real anymore because the fake version feels more authentic. For example, Bridgerton uses 1800s ballroom scenes but plays instrumental versions of modern songs by Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift. It’s a perfect mix of old and new, real and unreal, showing how media today reuses and reshapes culture for new audiences.
Connecting the Dots
Looking at the slides from class, postmodern media reflects how audiences have changed. Fragmented audiences now consume completely different content across different platforms. There’s no single mainstream anymore. People don’t just watch, they interact, they comment, remix, and share, shaping the conversation themselves. There’s also a stronger distrust of authority, and no longer one correct interpretation of a piece of media. Viewers become the interpreters, finding their own meaning in what they see.
Technology and Evolving Audiences
Postmodernism has expanded with technology. The internet, social media, and streaming platforms have made audiences more active and selective. Unlike older media, where people passively consumed content, audiences today create, remix, and personalize what they see. That shift is a defining part of how media works now and connects to how creators like me approach filmmaking and storytelling.
I’ve got some more things to talk about soon regarding the 5 minute film, and I’m excited to share them with you all in the next post.
