Critical Perspectives | Lecture - Intertextuality & Authenticity
Creating Meaning
- Study of media explores its ability to not only create a 'meaning' from the images it puts together, but how it helps the audience understand themselves and the world around them.
- Media's impact on society in terms of an ability to frame, inform and influence:
- culture, economic and ideological ideals in society
- However, the media "forms" themselves are reference points in the meaning.
Intertextuality - Influencing Meanings
- Julia Kristeva first used the term intertextuality to suggest that texts do not exist in isolation, but instead are naturally influenced by other works.
- Therefore there are TRACES of other works always present in any "new" work.
- It may include overt references in a new piece of work (i.e. homage) or more subtle references (e.g. influenced by a prior director or writer) or it may refer to the conventions of that particular form of media (e.g. classic novel adaptations etc).
Genre and Intertextuality
- This is also true of the genre into which we place a piece of work.
- This is because it necessitates us to understand those 'genre conventions' in order to understand the meanings the piece of work holds. E.g. horror, Sci-fi etc.
- Therefore this could include pastiche. Genres evolve and "hybridise" - e.g. Comedic Horror.
- The 'reader' is able to understand not just the narrative but the CONVENTIONS which it uses to tell that narrative which in themselves contain other references and meanings.
Intertextuality & Storytelling
- This 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?
- Equally what about our relationships to television adaptations? What televisual "benchmarks" exist which inform adaptations and later iterations of novels and texts?
Authenticity & Fact
- Much of the debate surrounding both fiction adaptation and news content revolves around Authenticity and Fact.
- How accurate is the media product to the original material?
- NEWS - themes such as ethics, representations and legality are at the fore
- FICTION ADAPTATION - can include these same themes, but does fiction adaptation face an even more insurmountable challenge?
Talking Points
Should authenticity and fact be a concern only where we are dealing with 'reality', or also with 'imagination' and creativity?
What are the challenges of STORYTELLING in both TV news journalism and fictional filmmaking?
(After all they both relate to the same conventions and time-based constraints of moving image storytelling)
What opportunities and threats does NEW MEDIA offer in this regard in terms of authenticity and fact?
Themes to Explore
- Truth and Accuracy | E.g. BBC Biographical Dramas
- Taste and Decency
- Historical Accuracy | E.g. Representation of a particular war is likely to be only a single perspective rather than the big picture.
- Factual Accuracy
- Realism
There is a natural tension present in the desire to be accurate in terms of the relativity of the text, while also making it entertaining and aesthetically appealing.
Even Shakespeare used 'artistic license' in his writing - misnaming characters or changing their known attributes.
It's worth baring in mind though that ultimately - ALL HISTORY IS SUBJECTIVE STORYTELLING
Historical accuracy - A Most Unusual Case
- GARROWS LAW - drama derived from real cases from archives about a pioneering 18th century barrister - William Garrow
- Decided to adapt into drama rather than present as a documentary (produced in conjunction with Shed Media Scotland)
- Employed a consultant on legal and historical matters to ensure accuracy
- However, dramatic interventions were necessary on many occasions
- Characters were also merged for simplicity in storytelling
- Series won prestigious Royal Television Society award for best history programme in 2010
Representing Reality and the Law
- Both news journalism and fiction can be subject to legal action for inaccuracies.
- Misrepresentation, slander and libel are potential charges which could result.
Recap
- Storytelling may necessitate minor or even major changes to facts, but such changes should be made with caution and due diligence.
Dickens on Film
- Most adapted author of all time
- All his novels have been adapted one way or another.
- Dickens original works were always intended for 'the masses'.
- It's literary form has become more elitist in recent times, however the screen adaptations continue to appeal to a wide audience.
Classics and Public Service Role
- Broadcasters may utilise classics as a source of adaptation to satisfy the public service remit.
- But with this comes an additional pressure - the need to be 'faithful' as there are often pre-existing expectations.
- Dickens work was produced in serials - editions were published weekly or monthly and regularly featured cliff hangers.
Enduring Social Concerns
- They are able to fit into modern treatments and approaches - universality and of themes.
- Just like modern dramas and soaps (Eastenders etc), he sought to bring the social ill of victorian britain to the notice of his readers.
The Challenges of Adapting A Classic Novel
- To take it from the page or stage to the screen involves a series of deeply personal decisions influenced by various factors.
Christopher Columbus quote on directing Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone
- Study of media explores its ability to not only create a 'meaning' from the images it puts together, but how it helps the audience understand themselves and the world around them.
- Media's impact on society in terms of an ability to frame, inform and influence:
- culture, economic and ideological ideals in society
- However, the media "forms" themselves are reference points in the meaning.
Intertextuality - Influencing Meanings
- Julia Kristeva first used the term intertextuality to suggest that texts do not exist in isolation, but instead are naturally influenced by other works.
- Therefore there are TRACES of other works always present in any "new" work.
- It may include overt references in a new piece of work (i.e. homage) or more subtle references (e.g. influenced by a prior director or writer) or it may refer to the conventions of that particular form of media (e.g. classic novel adaptations etc).
Genre and Intertextuality
- This is also true of the genre into which we place a piece of work.
- This is because it necessitates us to understand those 'genre conventions' in order to understand the meanings the piece of work holds. E.g. horror, Sci-fi etc.
- Therefore this could include pastiche. Genres evolve and "hybridise" - e.g. Comedic Horror.
- The 'reader' is able to understand not just the narrative but the CONVENTIONS which it uses to tell that narrative which in themselves contain other references and meanings.
Intertextuality & Storytelling
- This 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?
- Equally what about our relationships to television adaptations? What televisual "benchmarks" exist which inform adaptations and later iterations of novels and texts?
- Much of the debate surrounding both fiction adaptation and news content revolves around Authenticity and Fact.
- How accurate is the media product to the original material?
- NEWS - themes such as ethics, representations and legality are at the fore
- FICTION ADAPTATION - can include these same themes, but does fiction adaptation face an even more insurmountable challenge?
Talking Points
Should authenticity and fact be a concern only where we are dealing with 'reality', or also with 'imagination' and creativity?
What are the challenges of STORYTELLING in both TV news journalism and fictional filmmaking?
(After all they both relate to the same conventions and time-based constraints of moving image storytelling)
What opportunities and threats does NEW MEDIA offer in this regard in terms of authenticity and fact?
Themes to Explore
- Truth and Accuracy | E.g. BBC Biographical Dramas
- Taste and Decency
- Historical Accuracy | E.g. Representation of a particular war is likely to be only a single perspective rather than the big picture.
- Factual Accuracy
- Realism
There is a natural tension present in the desire to be accurate in terms of the relativity of the text, while also making it entertaining and aesthetically appealing.
Even Shakespeare used 'artistic license' in his writing - misnaming characters or changing their known attributes.
It's worth baring in mind though that ultimately - ALL HISTORY IS SUBJECTIVE STORYTELLING
Historical accuracy - A Most Unusual Case
- GARROWS LAW - drama derived from real cases from archives about a pioneering 18th century barrister - William Garrow
- Decided to adapt into drama rather than present as a documentary (produced in conjunction with Shed Media Scotland)- Employed a consultant on legal and historical matters to ensure accuracy
- However, dramatic interventions were necessary on many occasions
- Characters were also merged for simplicity in storytelling
- Series won prestigious Royal Television Society award for best history programme in 2010
Representing Reality and the Law
- Both news journalism and fiction can be subject to legal action for inaccuracies.
- Misrepresentation, slander and libel are potential charges which could result.
Recap
- Storytelling may necessitate minor or even major changes to facts, but such changes should be made with caution and due diligence.
Dickens on Film
- Most adapted author of all time
- All his novels have been adapted one way or another.
- Dickens original works were always intended for 'the masses'.
- It's literary form has become more elitist in recent times, however the screen adaptations continue to appeal to a wide audience.
Classics and Public Service Role
- Broadcasters may utilise classics as a source of adaptation to satisfy the public service remit.
- But with this comes an additional pressure - the need to be 'faithful' as there are often pre-existing expectations.
- Dickens work was produced in serials - editions were published weekly or monthly and regularly featured cliff hangers.
Enduring Social Concerns
- They are able to fit into modern treatments and approaches - universality and of themes.
- Just like modern dramas and soaps (Eastenders etc), he sought to bring the social ill of victorian britain to the notice of his readers.
The Challenges of Adapting A Classic Novel
- To take it from the page or stage to the screen involves a series of deeply personal decisions influenced by various factors.
Christopher Columbus quote on directing Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone
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