Postmodernism and Multimedia Essay

The premises of postmodernism include the spread of globalization, deviation from the universal truth, non-linearity and flexibility and that it can be closely associated with computer engineering. These premises can be found and embodied in todays multimedia. multimedia system itself can be considered a postmodern creation beca mapping of the nonlinearity in its creation, storage and distribution especially with the advent of the World Wide Web and new(prenominal) technological advances (Phillips c. 2003).Multimedia is also an entertainment row that branches in different directions, deconstructing and reconstructing the experiences to suit different individual tastes. It links different sections and components, making the media more interactive and more convenient for the audience as they go through the sections of their choosing. This proves its reputation true as an integration of multiple media that can multiply the impact of the message/s the multimedia would want to impart to its audiences (Pant 1999).Multimedia methodology and production itself can be said to be generally postmodern because of the technologies and the demands they need to adapt to in order to satisfy the demands of the todays market. Postmodernism, is, thus the heart of this eras multimedia methodology and production. The methodology and production of multimedia is a process that involves multiple steps that include conceptualization, development, preproduction, production, postproduction, and authentication with each phase world further subdivided into different activities (Pant 1999).Conceptualization and development, mostly take a linear approach (though these may become non-linear depending on the median(a) of technology it should be adapted to), but the preproduction, production, postproduction and documentation stages get more complicated as the multimedia reaches more audiences. This is where postmodern methods, like non-linearity, enters in. This is a eccentric in point i n movies, wherein, after the theaters, they go to the DVD.In the DVD, they get reproduced by adding commentary tracks, behind-the-scenes documentaries, deleted scenes and outtakes which involve the stages from production to documentation (Owczarski 2007). Because of the new edits to DVDs and other media such as downloadable moving-picture shows, the media has been made to be more interactive with a click of a button and lends to its non-linear quality. Tied into its production and methodology, the different sections that be being inputted into the multimedia are not created linearly and are edited into the work piecemeal depending on the markets demands and the playfulness of the media produced.The multimedia are not only transmitted through the Internet and DVD but are also being distributed non-linearly to other mediums such as the mobile rings and other devices that makes creators go back and forth in the production process making it spiral rather than linear in order to accom modate the demands of technology and the public and calm having almost the same experience in the end. Flexibility is also very evident in todays multimedia as evidenced by different mediums where they are presented in. about of the most popular mediums are online streaming sites such as YouTube. While traditional media uses video cameras to create videos, postmodern methods use different technologies to create videos devoid of the professional touch. As stated by Ann Hornday in her study of the phenomenon of the publics production of their own media contributions, The mobile phone camera has introduced a whole new version of variety, delivering spontaneous, intimate, unedited footage.At their best, these slices of life devoid of structural conceits and often of narration transport viewers to places and situations they would neer otherwise be privy to. And they can land unexpected emotional punches. No CNN report and few feature-length documentaries could capture the stark terro r of a two-minute video recently uploaded to Metacafe. com, in which a U. S. Army convoy on a routine run dodges a bomb on an Iraq street (2007).Such is the nature of todays multimedia. Postmodernism in multimedia has expanded the experiences of audiences around the globe because of its introduction of the idea of versatility being able to explore different environments that would otherwise be closed off to traditional media. As todays technologies demand more portability and accessibility, multimedia has adapted to become more flexible to the growing requirements of its consumers.Some of these technologies come in the form of handheld technologies such as PDAs and mobile phones which have varying and more compact requirements. Since the requirements of these small and less complicated devices are different from those stated above, the creation of multimedia is increasingly becoming more flexibly created and recreated. With the addition of textual design in different forms of multim edia, the current technology has enabled the audience to interact with and participate in the media-making experience itself.The different technologies that have emerged has made it possible for various ways to present multimedia, regardless of proper lighting, levelheaded and focus, and is still able make an appealing video to the audiences (Hornday 2007). This disregard for traditional means for professional multimedia creations and the non-professionalism of the publicly-made multimedia has made the postmodern movement of media an arouse experience that has made it possible for multimedia to flourish unlike other media forms. These, and other postmodern influences, has made it the most successful form of media that makes it the heart of multimedia.