Ghost Town

Question 1

Media Language - Dress Code?

Answer 1

Formal Suits (two-tone vibe)

Question 2

Media Language - Colour Codes?

Answer 2

Grey and Dull - bleak

Question 3

Media Language - Body Language?

Answer 3

• hostile
• masculine
• relaxed/slouched (defiantly)

Question 4

Media Language - Camera Angles?

Answer 4

• close-ups (personal car shots to emphasise lyrics)
• shaky and erratic when they are recklessly driving
• panning shots of empty and desolate city

Question 5

Media Language - Key Lyrics?

Answer 5

• “no jobs to be found in this country”
• “this town is coming like a ghost town”
• “too much fighting on the dance floor”
• “government leaving the youth on the shelf”
• “do you remember the good old days…”

Question 6

Media Language - Sounds?

Answer 6

• erratic screams
• sirens/wailing at the end
• mystical music
• eerie wind sound at the beginning created by synthesiser (so clearly not natural)

Question 7

Apply Todorov’s Narrative Theory to Ghost Town

Answer 7

• Equilibrium: calm shots of buildings/empty streets
• Disruption: starting music and erratic screams in the car while driving
• Recognition: “can’t go on no more, too much fighting on the dance floor”, “can you remember the good old days before the ghost town”
• Attempt to repair: throwing stones, rebelling, “why must the youth fight against themselves?”
• New equilibrium: sirens at the end, as camera pans out

Question 8

Apply Levi-Strauss’ theory of Binary Oppositions to Ghost Town

Answer 8

• Emptiness of streets vs full car
• “Good old days” vs “too much fighting on the dance floor”
• Dull visuals vs exotic music
• Movement vs stagnation
• Youth vs the powerful
• Dark vs light

Question 9

What is two-tone?

Answer 9

• Hybrid of ska, reggae and punk rock - attracts black and white youth audience - skinheads
• Created by The Specials, because they didn’t fit in anywhere else

Question 10

What is the political stance of the video/song?

Answer 10

The video opposes the 1980s Conservative government - Thatcherism (caused lots of unemployment and strikes)

Question 11

What were the Toxteth/Brixton riots? (context)

Answer 11

• Opposed/against police brutality
• July 1981
• Black and white youths attacked police and looted in a call for better job opportunities, economic growth and a voice for black people

Question 12

What is the genre of the video and what examples show this?

Answer 12

Horror and Social Realist (Neale - hybridity)
- Ominous/eery streets
- Frantic driving - desperation for change
- Dark lighting and shadows
- Use of organs
- Headlight shots