Intertextuality and Post Modernism

Postmodernism

 Postmodernism is the distinguishing of the real and the fake in the signification in society and culture. In a simplistic sense we could argue that early man’s use of smoke signals was a form of post-modernism. Its what is actually meant and what is implemented that is arbitrary i.e. only understood because of a common consensus on what symbols means not because there is any connection the form or pattern and meaning. In a more contemporary context post-modernism can be seen in the way in which media texts play with their own status

and conventions. In this sense, they acknowledge the arbitrary nature of the meaning that is being communicated. 

Intertexuality
The music video is often described as a ‘Post-Modern’ form, a term which is often used to describe intertextuality, one of post-modernism’s more easily definable features. Broadly, if we see music promos as frequently drawing upon existing texts such as films, making reference to small elements in order to spark recognition in the audience, we have a working definitions of intertextuality. Not all audiences will necessarily spot a reference and this doesn't affect their ability to connect with the text but it may not cause as much pleasure  to them as it would to those who recognise the reference as they may feel flattered by this. Arguably, it also increases the audience’s engagement with, and attentiveness to the product, an important facility in a culture where so many images and narratives compete for our attention.

Reference intertextuality - Video Maker

I have created a short powerpoint which shows some images from  the films 'Disconnect' and '2:37'. I have done this to show how I will use intertextuality in my music video. I have looked at the image and style which the bullied boy in Disconnected has, we see a lot of close up shots where the boy is looking down and his hair is covering half of his face. I find this very effective as it cannotes a timid and withdrawn personality, which is what we want to display in our music video.
Secondly I have looked at the depth of field and focus in 2:37. I find that this makes the emotions and recognition of the 'invisible' character within school more evident and shows how it can be used to block out the 'normal' teenaged life, which occurs in the background, although this is not an intertextual reference, I have gathered from the film how this genre and taboo type film can become more effective by the use of depth of field and focus while filming.