Intertextuality

Intertextuality is where you shapes a text meaning with another text. It is usually includes quotation, parody, allusion etc. Many things can indicate intertextual reference in a media text such as props, mise-en-scene, editing, camerawork and narrative. It is used as its makes the text recognisable and nostalgic. It can also be funny and keeps the audience part of the joke. Here is an example from The Simpson's where they copy the cover of Nirvana's Nevermind album. This makes the audience recognise it and they get it. Also as its quite iconic you don't necessarily have to have the album to get it.

John Stuart and Julia Kristeva both came up with theories. Staurt's says "modern media incorporates, raids and reconstructs" - this is basically saying we take a media text e.g. TV, advert, film etc and change it and incorporate it. Kristeva's is very similar in saying that "any text is the absorption and transformation of another". This is basically saying that any media text is the same as the other. Both theories are very similar in what they are saying. One example of this is the MTV music channel. It came out in 1983 but since then there have been many copies of the channel e.g. 4Music, Viva, JBTV. This shows how this media text is a transformation of the other and incorporates other parts.


In Eminem's 'Without Me' video he uses intertextual reference with Batman and the super heroes. This is shown in many ways. At the beginning of the video it includes comic strip texts at the top to say whats happening (this continues throughout the whole video). This links to it as in the comic books they use it as well.

 



In the next shot we see a comic strip look to it. You can see a superhero to the left and people in the middle. This links to Batman and comics. It is used to show people talking and in a comic way.



 



The next shot is a typical super hero shot. You can see Eminem jumping with a costume and mask on (similar to Batman) and it features the words 'RAP BOY' at the bottom. This makes him look like a superhero and links with Batman as you can see to the right.

 

Within the video a lot of words are used such as: POW, VROOM etc. This links with comics as they are used within them frequently to show fights. Eminem has used his to censor swearing. It makes it look more like a cartoon.

 



Eminem is seen within the video wearing a mock Robin outfit. Instead of an R on it has an E (for Eminem). This links as he looks like a well known superhero and also links with the song as he is the sidekick to Dr.Dre.

 



One of the final scenes we see Eminem walking up the side of the building and in the corner is his initial in the sky, which is an exact copy of Batman symbol in the sky. This is an obvious link with Batman (and the superhero theme) and makes the whole video link.

 

 

Also the lyrics link in with Batman as Eminem frequently says 'na na na na na' within it which is Batman's theme tune. This is an obvious example of intertextuality and how by doing this video its funny and links with comics etc.