Intertextuality

Definition: the whole network of relations, conventions, and expectations by which the text is defined; the relationship between texts. Intertextuality in a nutshell is shaping texts by other texts. You usually see this in the forms of reference to other texts or other pieces of media. The word “Intertextuality” was created by poststructuralist Julia Kristeva in 1966 and has changed many times. Examples of Intertextuality are generally associated with more post modern texts but what the device does in not new at all, there are quotes in the new testament which quotes the old testament, this is probably the oldest form of Intertextuality.

Intertextuality is also used a lot in Robbie Williams song “Let me entertain you” where the video pays homage by referencing old school rocks bands Ozzy Osborne from “Black Sabbath” and “Ozzy Osborne” and Kiss. The way he references Ozzy is by at the video pretending to bite the head off of a dove. Osborne bit the heads off of bats at the concerts he would play at. The way he references Kiss is through the Mise-en-scene. The outfit that Robbie where is the exact same style as the band members from kiss wore.

The long version of the music video Paparazzi by Lady Gaga shows really good Intertextuality throughout of the piece. One reference is straight at the start of the video which is a Hitchcock Vertigo reference. We see Gaga descending into a spiral, free falling through the entire earth.

My influence for the video which we will be creating is by paying homage to the urban UK or other successful grime artists.