Critical Perspectives: 10/11/2017

Critical Perspectives: 10/11/2017

Today we will be looking at intertextuality and authenticity. 

Creating meaning: Study of media explores its ability to not only crrate a meaning from images put together, but how it helps the audience understand them and the world around them. 

Julia Kristava first used the term intertextuality, theorizing that: Text does not exist in isolation but instead are naturally influenced by other works.

Therefore traces of other work are always present in new work. 

It may include overt references (paying homage) or more subtle references (taking influence from other directors/writers). 

Its not limited to adaptations of stories either, it can apply to entire genre's and genre conventions. 

Intertextuality creates a far more complex and dynamic relationship between the audience and the media text. 

What does this say about:

Our understanding of news content-what intertextual relationships are exploited? 

Authenticity and Fact

Much of the debate around fiction and news is around authenticity and fact e.g. how reliable are they, how accurate is the medias portrayal in relation to the original. 

Historical Accuracy- When translating a historical event or person in to an on screen story, you face challenges such as screen time, commercial demand, budget etc. 

Quote from Tony Marchant- "We want to be historically accurate, but dramatically compelling at the same time".

In Garrows Law for example while they remained mostly true to the original story they had to change some scenarios, inflate some situations, and merge some characters in order to make it successful among audiences. 

Adaptations of the past can become exercises in nostalgia. 

Broadcasters may utalise classics as a source of adaptation to satisfy the public service remate. But with this comes strict challenges and rules designed to ensure it remains faithful to the original work.

A very interesting example of adaptation that changes situations to make it more interesting to audiences, while still staying faithful to the original themes, would be "Pride, Prejudice And Zombies".