Simmons, D. (2011) "By Jupiter's cock!" Spartacus: Blood and Sand, video games, and camp excess. In: Cornelius, M. G. (ed.) Of Muscles and Men: Essays on the Sword and Sandal Film. North Carolina: McFarland. pp. 144-153.
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Abstract:
This chapter examines Starz network's Spartacus: Blood and Sand exploring its position as one of the first examples of television that “remediates” (to borrow a term from Bolter and Grusin) aspects of video-games to create an aesthetic of 'camp' excess. The chapter argues that the show’s continued reliance on the camp excesses of video-game aesthetic and narrative conventions results in a program that remains unusual in the contemporary television landscape for acknowledging and foregrounding its own artificiality. Furthermore I discuss whether the show's commercial success in reaching an audience familiar with such populist and critically elided conventions suggests a need for a re-assessment of entrenched hegemonic approaches to television studies, one that recognises the increasingly synergistic and digitised nature of contemporary television.
Creators:
Simmons, D.
Editors:
Cornelius, M. G.
Publisher:
McFarland
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Education & Humanities > English and Creative Writing
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for Critical and Creative Writing
Faculties > Faculty of Education & Humanities > English and Creative Writing
Research Centres > Centre for Critical and Creative Writing
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for Critical and Creative Writing
Faculties > Faculty of Education & Humanities > English and Creative Writing
Research Centres > Centre for Critical and Creative Writing
Date:
15 September 2011
Date Type:
Publication
Page Range:
pp. 144-153
Title of Book:
Of Muscles and Men: Essays on the Sword and Sandal Film
Place of Publication:
North Carolina
Number of Pages:
212
Language:
English
ISBN:
9780786461622
Status:
Published / Disseminated
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