Articles on "The Truman Show"

These should prove useful for discussions on the nature of reality in the movie and researching The Truman Show as a post modern film.

The_Truman_Show_The_Unreality_of_Reality_Television

The thoughts of Professor Lopez on The Truman Show

zoominanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/05/truman-show. part one

zoominanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/02/truman-show-part-two

Perception and Reality in "Mad Men", Episode 10, Series 3

Here's a well-written write up of a remarkable episode, "The Color Blue" from Mad Men's Season 3. The episodes deals with the characters perceptions of reality - a post modern idea our class is "looking at" presently with "The Truman Show".


televisionaryblog.com/2009/10/its-not-london-its-not-even-england.html

Do you suffer from "Truman Syndrome"?

The next time you log onto Face-book, and "immerse" yourselves in a hyperreal world of avatars and simulated friendship, consider whether you imagine yourselves to be in a "reality TV show" where everyone is pretending to be your friends.

• How genuine is this "friendship" in hyperspace, particularly from those you have never met?
• Is hyperbole and flattery and a lack of sincerity representative of "real" friendship?
• Do you like to be watched and observed because you think you are important?
• Do you imagine yourself to be in everyday film in which the world around you is your set, with you acting out a role?
• Are you growing increasingly paranoid at being ignored or being observed?
• Do you think you should be a 'celebrity" because you have hidden talents?
• When you are in college do you think you are acting a role or being a version of yourself when you talk with others?
• Do you think your life lacks meaning unless you put on an act?

Then you could be suffering from "Truman Syndrome"!

Roy Greenslade on The Truman Syndrome - with readers comments

From The Truman Show to Survivor: Narrative versus Reality in Fake and Real Reality TV

This is not always an easy read for sixth form level - but it will be rewarding. BTW "a panoptic society" is the idea that our society is under surveillance by thousands of police cameras all the time and that we are little more than prisoners in such a society. The essay focuses on two major theorists, Jean Baudrillard and his ideas about the hyperreality of the image and Michel Foucault's concept of power, surveillance and ideology in the panoptic society.

Click here for an essay by Marie-Laure Ryan

For another article which explains several key ideas about the film you should read this.
The Meaning of The Truman Show

Jean Baudrillard's simulacra is applied intelligently in this article from another blog.
zoominanalysis on The Truman Show Part 1
zoominanalysis The Truman Show Part Two

Essays and resources on "The Truman Show", "The Matrix" and Jean Baudrillard

Worth reading, or at least dipping into.
David J Glover's essay on "The Matrix", "The Truman Show" and Jean Baudrillard

Short but definitely enlightinging on hyperreality in "The Matrix".
Prof. Lopez's thoughts on "The Matrix"

Another short, but worthwhile piece by Prof. Lopez on "The Truman Show" and simulacrum.
"The Truman Show and Simulacrum"