Essay Plans Flashcards
To what extent is Ghost Town a postmodern product?
Intro: The video creates a hyperreality where the empty London is more authentic than a busy London. It is a postmodern text: self reflexivity, fragmented narrative and bricolage
P1: Simulation of London e.g. establishing shots of buildings, accepted to be real despite lacking verisimilitude. Create a sense of irony as we expect them to be full. Further reinforced by the reckless driving of London
P2: Self reflexivity and fragmented narrative - direct address in squashed car. Makes the audience feel like ghosts are watching them: breaking the fourth wall- this makes the audience feel like they are in the video and so can sympathise with band members more. Flashbacks to the ‘good old days’
P3- Intertextual references- hybrid genre, American classics and horror films
Conclusion: Yes, it is a postmodern product with the most influential factor being the creation of a hyperreality of London - the abandoned London is more authentic than a busy London- reality and simulation is blurred creating a sense of surrealism
Paul Gilroy has identified the emergence of a Black Atlantic culture. He argues that the themes and techniques go beyond ethnicity and nationality to produce something new.
How valid is Gilroy’s argument? You should refer to Ghost Town and Old Town Road
(20 marks)
Intro: creation of diasporas leading to a black Atlantic culture being seen as a binary opposition to white culture. Both Old Town Road and Ghost Town look to defy Black Atlantic culture and advocate for integration
P1: Ghost Town: context and unemployment being blamed on immigrants. Ghost Town is a Zeitgeist, looking to prevent a separate Black Atlantic Culture. Band squashed in one car - postmodern. Genre of the video is hybrid, creating a mixture of two different cultures
P2: Old Town Road: Its narrative looks to integrate cultures. The video starts with a black sheriff. Cultural expectations and hyperreality is being replaced by reality. Fusion of genres again - exerting of the Yee-haw agenda. Binary oppositions: good vs evil and in the end, in the bingo hall, multiculturalism overcomes xenophobia, defying the notion black people are threatening.
Conclusion: Both music videos introduce new elements to prevent binary opposition of cultures. Creation of postmodern products
