Intertextuality

Music video and film references = widens audiences

Rocky films – Training montage/Red Gloves:

1977-1986 Reference from a film franchise 33 years ago, but this grabs the older part of the audience – even though they’re ‘24’ they are actually culturally sophisticated and would understand the link. Especially with the white male’s US Flag T-shirt which is a subtle reference to the westernisation the Rocky films instilled throughout the world.

Fresh Prince of Bel Air – Title sequence:

16-24s (culturally sophisticated = up to date with pop culture references)

would have watched it – nostalgia.

The bright colours of the B-ball court signify the rose-tinted view we often have on the past. It also signifies a glorified view of sport and activity (a metaphor for a staying productive in the game of life).

Matrix Films:

Sunglasses in front of a screen in a dark area

Similar purpose with the Rocky Reference except that the MATRIX films would have been released within the life span of those 16-24. A culturally sophisticated audience would understand the reference.

However, it reflects their culture (cyber-bullying) on social media being a huge issue – considered an obstacle especially when millennials try to achieve new dreams. The blue light, signifies sadness or depression (what negativity can bring). But this influences culture by providing a solution – “Ctrl, Alt, Del.” Stop listening to what others think about you – especially if it’s discouraging and harmful.

Clearly, CGI or special effects have been used for this frame, which signifies a ‘high’ budget actually went into high production (as expected for a Universal Music Group Artist since UMG is the largest label.)

Will Young – I Think I Better Leave music video:

Missy Elliot classic Music Videos:

These references are based on popular music videos from the late 90s into mid-2000s, they became super successful in their respective times and so my culturally sophisticated audience would at least attempt to connect the references to these shots (but maybe less so since films are longer, however music videos are known to be more memorable.)