Inter-textuality

Inter-textuality is where one piece of media is influenced by another, this may mean that there are references to it or it could perhaps pay homage to it. It could borrow or adapt ideas from it and integrate them into it’s own production. It is often used so the audience can relate to the piece (if they are aware of the inter-textual reference), it can also create a sense of gratification because they are part of the ‘in-joke’.

Inter-textuality is used in the video for The Killers’ Mr. Brightside where the entire video pays homage to the film Moulin Rouge. The narrative of the video is a love triangle set in a burlesque show, there is a poor man in love with a performer who has been courted by a wealthy man. There is also a brief scene in which the singer loses at a game of checkers and lashes out, parallel to the film.

It is also used in the video for The Universal by Blur, there are various references to Stanley Kubrick’s film A Clockwork Orange. The video opens in the milk bar, a key setting in the film (and book) and the band are dressed as the droogs (gang members). Lead singer Damon Albarn is wearing eye-liner reminiscent of that worn by the main character Alex DeLarge.

In Robbie Williams’ Let Me Entertain You, there is reference to some previous rock performers such as Kiss and Ozzy Osbourne. At one point Robbie is about to bite the head off a dove, which is obviously related to when Ozzy Osbourne would bite the heads off bats at his concerts. The reference to Kiss is in his costume, he is wearing black and white make-up similar to what they would wear on stage.

There are a wide variety of inter-textual references in the video for Eminem’s We Made You, he parodies many celebrities and shows. There are references to Sarah Palin, Jessica Simpson, Lindsey Lohan, Amy Winehouse, Kim Kardashian and many more. There are also links to Star Trek and the films Psycho and Rain Man.

My influences that could be used in our own video would include British urban culture, such as grime artist (like Professor Green) or films like Kidulthood. There could be references to these through the content of our video, perhaps paying homage to some parts.