Intertextuality in Films - Essay Example

INTERTEXTUALITY IN FILMS What is intertextuality Intertextuality can be defined as shaping , recreating or re-producing of texts' by other text .it is a relationship that exist between different texts or it the reference in one text to other. Intertextuality is the method where one text plays upon other texts. The basic concept of intertextuality is that no text, much as it might like to appear so, is original and unique in itself. It is very useful concept; some might also say it is essential for literary studies. generally it is concerned with the cultural sign system. Intertextuality frequently occurs in popular media such as television shows, movies and even interactive video games. In these , intertextuality is often used to provide depth to the fictional reality portrayed in the medium, such as characters in one television show mentioning characters from another.intertextuality was first proposed by Julia Kristeva . According to her a single text that can consists of many texts or it is act of changing one set of sign into another. the use of intertextuality is perhaps the most useful and essential method of ensuring a successful show or film in today's marketplace. as there are many source of entertainment available in today's life apart from films, it is very useful for modern and new directors to attract a particular audience. many directors and film makers refer to previous and old books, novels ,songs, history or remake many popular films, because the audience get familiar with the next story they see hear or read will remind them of some thing they have already experienced. it is the tool available to the film makers to take advantage of intertextuality.it is the collection of text, people, ideas, new inventions, that interact with each other to form a framework or community in which to relate the thoughts and influence each other. It is the relationship, influence and conversation between the texts. One of the example is The O.C(orange county) is best example of television using intertextuality, with its frequent references to movie characters and comic books such Spider-Man, and Star Wars protagonist Luke Skywalker.the films on superhero Superman are also inspired by his herioc actins and stunts in comics and stories and series on television. Drama series Lost has a huge number of interextual tie-ins, including websites, broadcasts, and even a novel written by a character, which purport elements from the series to be real.Not only does the concept reveal the author's sources, it also aids in understanding the text at hand. Through intertexuality the reader may recognize concepts that possess similar qualities of a previously read work. Since the reader is familiar with texts that a work may or may not have built from, the reader him/herself has found an avenue into the text through the work's relationship to other texts. The discovery of a relationship provides the reader with a starting point which aids to unfold the meaning of the piece. The reader will find it easier to uncover the avenues that exist into the piece if he/she has read a wide range of books. For example within a film(one frame) an advertisement (other frame) of a product can be shown, such as billboard in a scene. The film in turn is a part of genre movies or film. On television, advertisement, often allude to other advertisement of the same product such as series of advertisement of the same products or television personalities or programmes.it is the standards of textuality in discourse analysis but is also relevant.Intertextuality is closely related to media and film industry. for example many films begin with the credits rolling as a car, a train or stage travels across a landscape and arrives at a town. It may refer far more than influences of the writers to each other. On television, advertisement, often allude to other advertisement of the same product such as series of advertisement of the same products or television personalities or programmes.it is the standards of textuality in discourse analysis but is also relevant. Intertextuality is closely related to media and film industry. for example many films begin with the credits rolling as a car, a train or stage travels across a landscape and arrives at a town. It may refer far more than influences of the writers to each other.Intertextuality is closely related to media and film industry. for example many films begin with the credits rolling as a car, a train or stage travels across a landscape and arrives at a town. It may refer far more than influences of the writers to each other. Photographs, websites, televisions, news papers, advertisements and media are related to intertextuality for the publicity of a movie. One of the best examples of intertextuality in films is Superman returns. The superman have been ruling the entertainment industry whether it may be in comics, T.V shows, websites of superman, photographs apart from such showcases he has been publicized even on many youngsters wearing t-shirts of superman labeled on it. Superman is also called as Man of steel has been a hero of many story books. his extreme popularity, his brave and heroic attempts and craze of superman in comics lead some of the good film makers to convert the comic hero in a screen hero. In June, 1938, the first issue of action comics, with superman on the cover sheet, appeared on the new stands. the first superman story was thirteen pages long which was created by writer Siegel and Joe Shuster. they were unsuccessful to publish superman to pulp magazine publishers. the first film on superman was by Fleischer studious animated cartoon series. later in 1948 first superman serial movie was released starring kirk alyn, as man of steel facing the second spider lady then the second was released in 1950.he also became popular by t.v shows it starred George reeves as the man of steel. The first modern era superman movie was released in December in 1978 this was followed by superman two released in 1980.DC and John Byrne produce a six mini series to redefine superman. The film superman returns released in June 2006 was a come back of man of steel to earth in the epic action- adventure as superman returns. in this film the main lead Brandon Routh is a experienced actor and his first major role played was in superman returns himself as the super hero. Kevin spacey as Lex Luther has discovered superman and hatches an evil plan for dominating the world with the Requisite financial gain for himself. he dint care that many people would be hurt by his actions cause he has taken few shots on superman. KateBosworth as Lois lane plays his love interest. in this movie she have a child that was brought into world during the absence of super hero for five years. the super hero doesn't spend much time in the cape. the best part of the movie is the impressive hero. superman return is very captivating, it relies heavily on automatic predisposition of liking and enjoying the character of superman. most of the moment are fun and the movie is presented with best visual effect and images. The director Bryan singer has given superman attractive and great new look with toned down marooned cape and cracking boots. most of scenes in the movie are beautifully presented with real imagination. Parker Posey as Lex's girl. the character of Brandon the superman is well known by all the people of the world he has been able to bring the positive character to younger generation. the film not only highlights kal-El's flaws it highlights his navietts.the film has great drama, great effects, great humor, good music, great acting, best cinematography. The rest of the stars of the movie are perfect in there roles Kevin as Lex, Kate as Lois, Frank as Perry and Sam as Jimmy. it is inspired by the DC comics, it is a sequel to Richards Donors film superman and the other superman two. The superman has left earth mysteriously, crime rate increases and Lex Luther had gone free when supes failed to appear in his court hearing. superman spaceship crashes back to earth. superman along with alter ego Clark Kent comes back to metropolis, Kent returns to the daily planet. Lois Lane has moved on, and is engaged to Richard White -James Marsden on the other hand Lex is upto his real estate scheme with his new leading lady(Parker Posey) as Kitty kowslowki.superman tries to re establish himself and he makes Lois understand why he had left. his return is met with the most important with Daily planet Head honcho and Perry White played by Frank Langella Superman Returns is directed by Bryan singer, the script is written by Micheal Dougherty.routh is impressive as superman as Kent routh never nails the sweetness that permeated through the bumbling do-gooder perfectly embodied by Reeve. The perfect casting of superman return is the Kevin spacey,lex is relishing beign evil ,Parker as kitty in the movie add fun counter point. the action in the film is top-notch. Most of the effects are spectacular. the look of the films action is very good with amazing visual effects. the final portion of the film is slow moving but good. some of the drawbacks of the movie are also seen as there are some holes in the story telling there was no payoff moment between lex and supes .it is the movie you would like to watch, but some elements are missing in the story line. It is beautifully shorted by cinematographer. Newton Thomas. the film has a sharp look in it with bright colors which fits the comic feel perfectly. Many movies were released based on the super hero which were influenced by comic books and the increasing popularity of many television series on superman many pictures were released. film remaking can be regarded as aspect of broader and open-end intertextuality.thus media, television , advertisement and other media sources play a major role in the publicity of the films and serials. In a intertext they do not copy the exact material, but it is more developed and presented in more interesting manner. .film remake are intertextual structure which are stabilized or limited through the naming and legally sanctioned that is copyrighted use of a particular cinema source. these intertextual structures are very particular in their narrative units these repetitions most often relate to the order of message. these factors give same degree of consenses some of the examples are body heat an uncredited remake of double indemnity and the the big chill an acknowledge remake of the return of Secaucus. The concept of intertextuality need to be related to ever expanding availability of text and technology and the unprecectented awareness of film history among new Hollywood film makers and contemporary audiences. Intertextuality thus may be else refered as grammar of the films and television. basically it refers to relation between different elements of the medium as in formats and participants, and links with there media .one of the important aspect of the intertextuality is that programme participants who are known to the participants from other programmes bring with them images established in other aspect which effect the audience perception of their current role and showing advertisements between program on commercial television. Many photographs, images and also some of the dialogues which are seen in the previous and old films are repeated in the new ones to bring the basic idea of that particular film to the audience. However some people do not agree with the concept of intertext as it is considered as indirect way of plagiarism. one such example is Panthon of the opera uses candles held by magical, human arms as seen in beauty and the beast, in holloween,Donald Pleasance's character is called Dr. Sam Loomis .sam loomis is the name of janets Leigh's boyfriend in Psycho. Janet leigh is mother of Jamie lee Curtis, who is the star of holloween. Intertextuality can be discussed in different levels such as choice of specific title, kind of music, a way of moving camera in television fiction. it has innumerous applications such as to grab the attention of many viewers. some times intextuality is taken as plagiarism because some of the verses, photographs or other sources are used which have been already applied to something else. text can be framed in many ways for example a television program may be part of series. the concept of intertextuality remind that each text is related to other. Thus intertextuality plays a important role in mass media and has been applied in all the aspects of mass communication. REFERENCE Mass communication in world by Mc Lawrence and Mc Beth. Allen, Grahum(2000) intertextuality Allen,Robert(1992) channels of discourse Oslon,David(1994): the conceptual and cognitive implications of writing and reading Mc Graw Hills, Concept in communication and cultural studies. Wollen,Peter(1992)signs and meaning in cinema Read More