Intertextuality

On the 28th of September, our class studied intertextuality. Intertextuality was the shaping of texts' meanings by other texts. In other words it is when a piece of media mimics/replicates another well-known piece of media. References have a different effect on people for they remind people of well-known films and it encourages a new generation of film watchers to relive classical films that inspired said reference.

An example of intertextuality in film is Deadpool (2016) and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). Deadpool parodies the post credits scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off . Both the characters break the fourth wall and talk to the audience to go home. Both films are popular for their fourth wall breaking. This is effective as it reminds the audience of a beloved character well known for breaking the fourth wall and interacting the audience. Deadpool reminds people of the hit classical 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).

An example of intertextuality in TV Shows is Stranger Things (2016) and a number of 70s and 80s films. The hit TV show primarily uses ET Extra Terrestrial (1982) and Alien (1979) as inspiration however here are the other films it uses:
Carrie (1976)
Close encounters of the third kind (1977)
The Shining (1980)
Poltergeist (1982)
Firestarter (1984)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
The Goonies (1985)
Explorers (1985)
Commando (1985)
Stand By Me (1986)

Stranger Things uses 1970-1980 references because the film was set in 1983 and the 1970-1980 references help the audience to understand the time period the TV show was set in. In fact, film viewers of the 1970-1980 were living in a time of great entertainment. These were the years of iconic beloved movies and it introduces a generation of post-1980 to a new kind of cinema and entertainment.

An example of intertexuality in Cartoons is the well known TV Show The Simpsons. This has been notorious in intertextuality as it uses a number of films to mimic and popularize. The Simpsons is a cartoon that has been around for years and this cartoon includes film references to pay a tribute to the iconic films as well as introducing cartoon viewers to watch the actual, genuine version of the reference.