Strategic Reinvention in Popular Culture: The Encore Impulse [Paperback]

Not all original works invoke the encore impulse in their audiences. Those that do generally spawn replications - sequels, spin-offs, or re-makes. This book presents a theory of why some replications succeed and others fail across genres and media.Introduction: The Encore Impulse 1. The Elusive Original 2. Unlocking the Encore Potential 3. Cultural Fit 4. History May Not Repeat Itself 5. Something's Not Right 6. Fulfilling the Encore Promise 7. All In The Family 8. Archetypal Appeal 9. The Shell Game Conclusion: The Art of Strategic Reinvention

This book is a genuine tour de force through the recent history of American popular culture, exploring many of the hidden - and not so hidden - dimensions of film, TV, and music. Richard Pfefferman's writing is lively, clear, provocative, and original. 'Strategic Reinvention' implies an exploration into the myriad creative dynamics linking disparate contributions to these areas of cultural life across time and space - and this is exactly what Pfefferman has done, with superb wit and style. Anyone interested in a critical assessment of popular culture in the United States is strongly advised to read this book. - Carl Boggs, Professor of Social Sciences, National University, USA, co-author of The Hollywood War Machine

Richard Pfefferman is former Dean of Curriculum at Los Angeles Valley College, USA.