Remediation

Right, it turns out I was right, there is in fact another lecture based blog post; and here it is! This is just a short blog post as the last lecture topic is something that is simple to understand, therefore leading to a small blog post about it. That's not to say it's not important though... remediation is quite important in the development of new ideas.

So, let's begin! Now, what is remediation? Remediation (in terms of media and entertainment) is the use of one medium or idea that originated in one area in another, such as a medium or idea that started and was developed on radio being used on TV or films. Remediation itself isn't a difficult process but making the remediated idea work and stick is another thing - just because an idea works in one medium doesn't guarantee it will work, it could completely fail. However, in contrast, it could be the complete opposite and the idea could be improved and taken to new heights by moving it to a new medium, such as with Soap Operas that began on the radio but truly bloomed once they moved to TV.

That was essentially the gist of our last lecture, learning what remediation was - however, on from the above we also learnt different types of remediation which is linked to immediacy and hypermediacy (will talk about these in a moment) and then, more directly related to our course, the development of 'Techoludic films' which are a form of remediation between films and games.

Immediacy is where the media tries to make you forget that you are looking at something that isn't media at all... for example within the media of photography photo-realistic images emerged... pictures that were so real it made you feel like you were there, it makes you forget its just a picture. However, this practice can be remediated, for example, the artist Ralph Goings is a painter who paints photo-realistic paintings - they look so real you forget that you are looking at a painting. This is an example of remediation where the idea is directly copied in a different medium but the method of doing so is completely different; this is more prevalent with immediacy.

Hypermediacy is where the media the media makes it abundantly clear that the item in question isn't real. For example, the internet and the pages within it are obviously not real, they provide us with various information, entertainment, etc but it doesn't immerse you so you think you are in the internet with what you are seeing. The conventions of this are adopted elsewhere though, with examples such as rolling news streams that are displayed on news websites being displayed at the bottom of news reports that are shown on television. The idea is copied from one medium to the other almost directly with no changes at all to the core idea (another idea being video game HUDS which, while different, remain the same concept at the core and this HUD is adopted in other mediums) - this is more prevalent in hypermediacy.

Finally, on to Techoludic films... these, as stated above are films that take on the conventions of video games, a good example of remediation, a middle ground of immediacy and hypermediacy (most films do this, as they immerse you in the world and nature of the film and you do feel like you're there but, depending on the setting of the film, you are aware of the hypermediacy of the film because you know it could never happen) and also showing how remediation itself has different forms.

Technoludic comes from a combination of Technology and Ludus (latin for play) which is why they are linked often with video game remediations in films or vice-versa. One type of Technoludic film remediation is one where the film isn't like a game but makes subtle links to games and their technology, commenting on the escape of the real world and losing yourself in another reality... films such as The Matrix do this (look up the premise of the film if you haven't seen it). It doesn't mention games at all or seem relevant at first but you can see the concept when you look at it closely - these type of Techoludic films are ones as commentary; they show links between the 2 media without directly using the other.

The second type of Technoludic remediation is where the film is an ordinary film with games appearing for illustrative purposes, the film isn't about them at all but the story ideas and aesthetic look of the film is taken from video games, for example, Blade Runner. This type of film is one as a quotation, they incorporate ideas from the other without actually changing the core principle of the original media.

The third type can technically be broken down into 2 parts but they are both the same thing, in this case the type of film is Technoludic films as adaptations of games (or vice-versa); a core and very direct form of remediation. The two halves to this are films based on games, for example, the Resident Evil films series, Tomb Raider, Dead Or Alive, etc - these adaptations are apparent. The second half is more subtle but technically an adaptation - in this case the film has an entirely original premise and storyline but takes the ideas of games to make it, for example the film Run Lola Run. The film is entirely original, not based off a game, etc, but it contains many elements taken straight from a game, such as multiple storylines inter-linking, multiple lives, character selection... and it works too.

So, there you have it, my final lecture based blog post and its on Remediation... a very useful thing to have existed as it has produced many interesting works of media that wouldn't have existed if everything had to stay where it was created. This most likely won't be my last blog post as I may chrn out another random one or two before the deadline for this module on 6th May... after which I will most likely still blog anyways as its a good form of showing off my work and stuff. So, yea, anyways, 'til next time - that's all folks!