A-Level Media - Ghost Town by The Specials - Media Language, Representation & Context

Summary

This guide explores the music video 'Ghost Town' by The Specials, a significant piece for A-Level Media Studies students. The video depicts a desolate London, void of people, reflecting the high unemployment and social unrest of the 1980s under Thatcher's rule. The band, known for their diversity, portrays a mix of races in a car, symbolizing unity amidst the societal decay. The video's bleak tone and chaotic scenes resonate with the anger and disillusionment of the era, challenging racial stereotypes and highlighting political neglect. The Specials' unconventional blend of punk, ska, and new wave music complements the video's message of unity and rebellion against societal decline.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The music video 'Ghost Town' by The Specials is a significant piece for AQA A Level Media Studies students.
• 🏙️ The video features low-angle shots of urban London, emphasizing its emptiness and creating a creepy, isolated atmosphere.
• 🚗 A car filled with seven racially diverse individuals symbolizes a tight-knit community facing shared struggles.
• 😔 The serious and sad expressions of the individuals in the car reflect the overall depressing tone of the video.
• ⏳ The context of the video is rooted in the socio-economic hardships of the 1980s in Britain, particularly the high unemployment and poverty affecting young men.
• 🌟 The Specials were a diverse and unconventional band, blending various music genres and cultural influences, which is reflected in the video.
• 💥 The video portrays a sense of rebellion and anger among young men, resonating with the social unrest and riots of the time.
• 👮‍♂️ The introduction of 'stop and search' laws in the 1980s is linked to increased racial tension and police abuse, impacting the narrative of the video.
• 🌈 The video promotes racial harmony and suggests that societal problems are political rather than racial, challenging mainstream media narratives.
• 🎨 The editing, lighting, and color grading in the video contribute to the portrayal of despair, nostalgia, and the dangerous environment of the time.
• 📉 The video concludes with a representation of a desolate London, abandoned by the government, and a generation of young men left feeling worn down and angry.

Q & A

What is the significance of the music video 'Ghost Town' by The Specials in the context of AQA A Level Media Studies?

The music video 'Ghost Town' by The Specials is significant in AQA A Level Media Studies as it is one of the optional set texts on the specification. It provides a visual representation of socio-political issues of the time, making it a relevant case study for students.

How does the music video 'Ghost Town' depict London in the early 1980s?

The video depicts London through low angles of urban settings, tracking shots through streets, and a variety of perspectives showcasing both working-class and upper-class areas. The absence of people in the usually bustling streets adds a creepy, isolated, and abandoned feel, reflecting the socio-economic conditions of the time.

What is the significance of the car and its occupants in the 'Ghost Town' music video?

The car and its occupants symbolize a diverse and tight-knit group of young men, representing the unity among different races and social classes. Their serious and sad facial expressions align with the video's overall tone of loneliness and sadness.

How does the music video 'Ghost Town' reflect the socio-economic conditions of Britain in the 1980s?

The video reflects the high unemployment and poverty during Margaret Thatcher's era, particularly affecting young men. It shows the anger, disillusionment, and rebellion of the youth against the government's policies and societal issues.

What was the impact of the 'stop and search laws' introduced in the early 1980s on the racial dynamics in Britain as portrayed in the video?

The 'stop and search laws' led to many people feeling that the police were abusing these laws, primarily targeting black individuals. This contributed to the racial tension and xenophobia in society, which is subtly critiqued in the video through its portrayal of racial harmony.

How does the music video 'Ghost Town' challenge the mainstream media's portrayal of racial discrimination and division?

Instead of reflecting the racial discrimination and divide encouraged by the mainstream media, the video shows racial harmony among the band members and implies that societal problems are political rather than racial, challenging the stereotypes of the time.

What makes The Specials' band composition and music style unique in the context of the 'Ghost Town' music video?

The Specials were known for their diverse and quirky band composition, featuring both white and black singers, which was unusual at the time. Their music style was a hybrid of British punk rock, ska, Jamaican music, and new wave, making them alternative and unconventional compared to mainstream music.

How does the editing and cinematography in the 'Ghost Town' music video contribute to the portrayal of chaos and rebellion?

The fast-paced editing, canted angles, handheld shots, and close-ups on the band members' faces create a sense of chaos and rebellion. The car swerving dangerously adds to the wild and rule-breaking atmosphere, engaging the audience in the video's narrative.

What is the significance of the warmer color balance in the upbeat section of the 'Ghost Town' music video?

The warmer color balance in the upbeat section represents nostalgia, contrasting with the cooler colors that conveyed depression. It reflects a longing for the past when London was more exciting, bustling, and filled with opportunities.

How does the portrayal of male aggression and masculinity in the 'Ghost Town' music video relate to the socio-economic conditions of the 1980s?

The portrayal of male aggression and masculinity as dangerous and aggressive reflects the frustration and anger felt by young men due to the lack of job opportunities, poverty, and political decisions of the time. It is a commentary on the societal issues rather than a promotion of stereotypes.

What message does the 'Ghost Town' music video convey about the impact of government policies on the lives of young men in Britain during the 1980s?

The video conveys a message of abandonment and desolation, representing Britain and London as places left to deteriorate by the government. It shows young men as victims of political decisions, expressing their anger, frustration, and desire for change.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 'Ghost Town' Music Video Analysis

This paragraph introduces the music video 'Ghost Town' by The Specials, highlighting its relevance to students studying AQA A Level Media Studies. The video is characterized by its depiction of an empty London, showcasing both working-class and upper-class areas, but notably absent of people, creating an eerie and isolated atmosphere. The narrative focuses on seven racially diverse individuals in a car, reflecting a sense of community and shared hardship. The video's tone is set as depressing, and historical context is provided, linking the video's themes to the high unemployment and social unrest in 1980s Britain under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The Specials are recognized for their diverse band members and genre-blending music, which includes punk rock, ska, and new wave influences. The video's message is one of unity against societal and political issues, rather than racial division.

05:01

🎼 The Specials' Unique Musical and Visual Style

This paragraph delves into The Specials' unconventional approach to music and music videos, which contrasts with mainstream music of the 1980s. The band's music is described as a hybrid of various genres, including Jamaican ska, British punk rock, and new wave, reflecting the band members' diverse backgrounds and interests. The video's editing is noted for its fast pace, use of canted angles, handheld shots, and close-ups, which contribute to a sense of chaos and rebellion. The narrative shifts to a more upbeat section with dancing and nostalgia for a more vibrant past, indicated by warmer color grading. The video also includes darker scenes with low-key lighting and shadows, reinforcing themes of danger, aggression, and the harsh realities of the time. The use of silhouettes and shadows emphasizes the idea of a ghost town, with the remaining 'ghosts' of people left behind. The video concludes with a sense of resignation and weariness among the young men, reflecting the broader societal disillusionment of the era.

10:01

📚 Educational Resource for Exam Boards

In the final paragraph, the script invites viewers to subscribe for more educational content related to AQA and other exam boards such as OCR, Edexcel, GCSE, and A-Level. The video aims to provide an easy-to-understand guide to 'Ghost Town' by The Specials, suitable for students preparing for their exams. Viewers are encouraged to leave comments with any questions or feedback, promoting an interactive learning experience.

Keywords

💡Urban Settings

Urban settings refer to the physical and social environments found in cities and towns. In the context of the video 'Ghost Town' by The Specials, urban settings are depicted through low-angle shots of London, showcasing a variety of architectural styles from working-class buildings to tall tower blocks. These settings are crucial in establishing the video's backdrop and contribute to the eerie, abandoned feel by being devoid of people, which is unusual for a bustling city like London.

💡Tracking Shots

Tracking shots are a type of camera movement where the camera follows a subject along a path, giving the viewer a dynamic perspective of the scene. In the 'Ghost Town' video, tracking shots through the streets of London help to convey the city's identity and the desolation felt by its inhabitants. The shots emphasize the emptiness and isolation, as they reveal the city's landmarks without the usual crowds, enhancing the video's theme of societal neglect and abandonment.

💡Diversity

Diversity, in this context, refers to the inclusion of individuals from various racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. The video features a car filled with seven people of different races, symbolizing a sense of unity and community amidst the societal challenges of the time. This diversity is a key element in the video's message, as it reflects the band's own makeup and challenges the racial tensions and discrimination prevalent in 1980s Britain.

💡Isolation

Isolation is the state of being alone or separated from others. The script mentions an unusual absence of people in London's streets, creating a creepy, isolated, and abandoned atmosphere in the video. This isolation is a central theme, reflecting the feelings of disconnection and abandonment experienced by many young men during the economic hardships of the 1980s, particularly those from the black Afro-Caribbean community.

💡Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. The script references her tenure as a period of high unemployment and poverty, which disproportionately affected young men, especially young black Afro-Caribbean men. Thatcher's policies are indirectly linked to the social unrest and the feelings of anger and disillusionment depicted in the video, making her a significant figure in understanding the historical context of 'Ghost Town'.

💡Riots and Protests

Riots and protests are forms of public demonstration and civil disorder expressing dissatisfaction with the status quo. The script mentions the summer of riots in 1981 as a response to government policies and police actions. These events are integral to the video's narrative, illustrating the frustration and rebellion of the young male population, who felt marginalized and disenfranchised by societal and political structures.

💡Stop and Search Laws

Stop and search laws allow the police to stop and search individuals they suspect of being involved in criminal activities. The script describes these laws as being abused, particularly to target black individuals, contributing to racial tensions and societal divisions. The video indirectly critiques these laws by showcasing racial harmony among its characters, suggesting that societal problems are not due to racial divisions but rather political decisions.

💡Racial Harmony

Racial harmony refers to the peaceful coexistence and cooperation among different racial and ethnic groups. The video promotes this concept by showing a racially diverse group of friends in the car, which contrasts with the racial tensions and discrimination of the time. The Specials, known for their diverse band members, use their music video to advocate for unity and to challenge the racial divide encouraged by certain political factions and media.

💡Hybrid Genre

A hybrid genre in music refers to the fusion of different musical styles to create a unique sound. The Specials are described as blending British punk rock with ska, Jamaican music, and new wave, resulting in an unconventional sound. This musical diversity mirrors the racial and cultural diversity of the band and the video, reinforcing the theme of unity in the face of societal challenges.

💡Fast-Paced Editing

Fast-paced editing is a technique used in video production where shots are quickly cut together to create a sense of urgency or excitement. In 'Ghost Town,' the editing becomes fast-paced at certain points, with canted angles and handheld shots, contributing to the chaotic and rebellious atmosphere. This editing style reflects the turmoil and unrest of the times, as well as the youthful energy and frustration of the characters.

💡Nostalgia

Nostalgia is a sentimental longing for the past, often associated with a time perceived as better or more exciting. The script describes a warmer color balance during the section where the characters are dancing in the car, reminiscing about the 'Boomtown era.' This use of nostalgia contrasts with the bleak present, highlighting the characters' desire for a return to a more vibrant and prosperous time in London.

💡Desolation

Desolation refers to a state of extreme emptiness or devastation. The video represents London as a desolate and abandoned place, with scenes of abandoned cars and haunting shadows, symbolizing the economic decline and social decay of the time. The desolation is a visual metaphor for the feelings of hopelessness and neglect experienced by the young men in the video, who are portrayed as being left behind by societal and political changes.

Highlights

The music video 'Ghost Town' by The Specials is relevant for AQA A Level Media Studies students as it is one of the optional set texts.

The video uses low angles and tracking shots to establish an urban setting, specifically London.

The absence of people in the streets of London creates a creepy, isolated, and abandoned atmosphere.

Seven racially diverse individuals are shown in a car, suggesting a sense of community and shared experience.

The overall tone of the video is depressing, reflecting the socio-economic context of 1980s Britain.

The video is set against the backdrop of high unemployment and poverty during Margaret Thatcher's era.

Young men, particularly young black Afro-Caribbean men, were most affected by the socio-economic conditions of the time.

The video represents the anger and isolation felt by young men, who were not previously represented in music videos.

The summer of 1981 saw riots and protests against government policies and police actions.

The introduction of stop and search laws led to perceived police abuse and racial profiling.

The video shows racial harmony amidst societal racism and xenophobia, suggesting political rather than racial blame for societal issues.

The Specials were a diverse and unconventional band, combining various musical genres and cultural influences.

The video's editing, with quick cuts and canted angles, creates a sense of chaos and rebellion.

A contrast in color grading between the bleak present and the nostalgic, warmer past is used to evoke nostalgia.

The video uses low-key lighting and shadows to represent danger and aggression associated with male stereotypes.

The idea of a ghost town is reinforced through imagery of abandoned cars and haunting shadows.

The portrayal of young men as worn down, beaten, and fearless by their circumstances.

Disorientating spinning shots and the sound of sirens contribute to the video's desolate and abandoned feel.

The act of throwing stones into the River Thames symbolizes the lack of opportunities and the frustration of the youth.

The video encapsulates the anger, aggression, and violence felt by young men due to political decisions in the 1980s.

Transcripts

hello and welcome to my easy to

understand guide to the specials music

video

ghost town this music video is going to

be particularly relevant for you if you

study aqa

a level media studies as it is currently

one of the optional set texts on that

specification

the video starts off with lots of low

angles of urban settings which sets the

scene for the audience we get lots of

tracking

shots through the streets which really

helps us to

work out that this is london it's

immediately recognizable to a lot of

audiences

we're seeing london from a variety of

perspectives so we see lots of

working class style smaller buildings

and run down areas and we see lots of

tall tower blocks that perhaps look a

little bit more

um upper class what is unusual is that

there's no people

london is obviously a very busy uh town

with a lot of people who live

and work there and so seeing the town

and the streets empty

is very unusual and it adds this kind of

quite creepy isolated abandoned feel to

the video

we get a shot through the exterior of

the car through the windscreen so that

we can see the people inside it

we can see that there are seven people

in the car uh there's a mixture of races

which has this feeling of kind of

diversity

and because they're all crammed into

this car adds this sense of like

friendship and community like they're

part of quite a tight-knit group

they've got quite serious facial

expressions that seem quite sad

which fits in with the vibe of the song

it feels quite lonely and sad

the overall tone of the video um is is

quite depressing

so it's really important to understand

the context of this video to understand

why it's all represented like this so um

back in the 80s uh when margaret

thatcher was prime minister

we had this idea of um there was a huge

period of really high

unemployment and poverty uh in britain

all over britain in fact

um and the people that were most

affected by this

tended to be young men um and in

particular

young black afro-caribbean men because

there was a lot of poverty at the time

there was a huge increase in crime

um you know the streets became quite

violent there was a lot of rioting

and protests and men became particularly

angry and disillusioned

they'd had jobs and they could no longer

work and they couldn't provide for their

families

and so young men became really angry and

there wasn't

really there weren't really any artists

at the time that had represented this

anger and this feeling of isolation

in a music video and the specials then

brought this video out and it really

resonated with audiences because it

allowed them to

identify with a lot of the issues that

they were facing

there was a summer of riots in in 1981

where

people were rioting and protesting

against the way the government had kind

of run the country and against the

police

and they just wanted to have their

voices heard and that's when this video

kind of came out and it was this idea

representing the idea of young males um

rebelling young males rioting and being

angry and showing that they're angry and

and complaining and saying this life

isn't what i want it's not what i had

and i want the old life back there were

also some new laws introduced in the

early 1980s

um called stop and search laws which

were

laws that enabled the police to

basically stop anyone

um if they thought they looked

suspicious and what happened

was that um many people felt that the

police were abusing these laws

and using them primarily to stop people

who were black

many mainstream news outlets and many

people

blamed immigrants at the time in

particular young black men

for taking the jobs uh and causing

unemployment and it caused a lot of

friction

um within society in britain where

there was a lot of racism and xenophobia

anti-immigration propaganda a

particularly racist political party the

national front at the time

actually started marching and and trying

to drum up support

blaming immigrants blaming black people

for

the poverty and the crime and the

unemployment that was around at the time

it reflects the anger that people felt

it reflects

the problems that people had but rather

than

reflecting the racial discrimination and

divide that was being encouraged in the

mainstream media

this video shows racial harmony

and implies that these problems are

faced by

everyone and that there wasn't

necessarily a racial

group to blame but more of a political

party to blame

the specials were known as a really kind

of diverse quirky band so

um they were friends um you know they'd

worked together before having a mixture

of both white and black singers within

the band

which was i guess quite unusual and and

often still is within certain genres of

music

and they also mixed together like

different genres from different cultures

as well

so they often had like british punk rock

which was quite popular in that sort of

early 1980s period

but mixing it with like a sort of scar

influence like jamaican music

and also mixing it with a kind of new

wave music that was coming in in the 80s

as well so a real hybrid

genre song and music video

so very unconventional in terms of other

bands and what was happening in

mainstream music

but the specials were not mainstream

they were alternative and that is why

you get this mix of ethnicity

and you get this mix of culture and you

get the mix of

like a jamaican influence and british

punk rock and scar and new wave

so there's a reason why they combine all

these genres and it's because of their

interest as abandoned and how they came

together and their friendship

it becomes quite fast paced at points so

the editing cuts quite quickly there's

lots of canted angles and handheld shots

lots of close-ups on their faces and

they look quite crazed in their facial

expression

and this creates the idea of kind of

chaos and rebels breaking the rules and

being

you know daredevils exciting and a bit

wild

the car is swerving all over the place

which makes them seem quite dangerous as

well

so this creates quite a kind of wild

situation where the audience is perhaps

expecting them to crash

or you know concerned that they're doing

something dangerous

some audiences might be quite engaged by

this because uh you know they might

quite like this idea of being rule

breakers and not conforming

let me get a lot more kind of an upbeat

section where they're kind of dancing

within the car

um and it's quite comical um you know

they're describing them the boomtown era

so they're talking about

um a better time when london was much

more exciting

and bustling and filled with people and

jobs and actually you get a difference

in the um color balance so where they've

color graded the shots

the shots here are a lot warmer whereas

before they were a lot cooler

so the cooler colors made it feel more

depressing and now in this scene here

they feel more warmer

so when they're talking about the past

it adds this idea of like nostalgia and

they're

they're warmly looking back over how

london used to be

in the shot of the alleyway we get very

low-key lighting and lots of long

dark shadows the colors go back to being

quite blue

and that creates quite a bleak

representation of the town

it feels very dangerous and you're

seeing um

you know this idea playing on the idea

and the stereotypes of

male aggression and masculinity being

dangerous and aggressive

the camera tracks past sort of abandoned

cars and this idea of vandalism

um and perhaps this links into the idea

of poverty

and the lack of jobs that were around at

the time this idea that crime often

occurs in those situations

we see a lot of shadows here lots of

haunting shadows in the car itself

of the car uh silhouettes and shadows of

people in the alleyway

and this idea that perhaps all we're

seeing now are shadows of people left

behind

um so again kind of adding to this theme

of london becoming like a ghost town and

being abandoned all that's left are the

ghosts

and no actual people and then we go back

to the car swerving and the fast-paced

editing

they've got no seat belts on very

naughty um which again adds to this kind

of wild rebellious feel but as the car

um is swerving all over the place and

you know flying around basically the men

are going all out of their seats and

flying all over the car

but it's this idea that it's dangerous

but they're not afraid they don't seem

scared by this

so adding to this representation that

they've been kind of worn down and

beaten by

this um this town and the situation in

it so that they're

no longer even scared they're just tired

and then we get this kind of spinning

rotating shots with blue lighting

it's really disorientating for the

audience um

we get reflections of the car going past

which has this idea that their life is

passing them by

um we then see them throwing stones in

the river thames which again is quite a

young

you know immature thing to do maybe this

idea of throwing stones into a river

um this idea that men have nothing else

to do and and

that again reflective of the time period

you know that perhaps reflects this idea

of a lack of job opportunities

you know the fact that these men are

young and bored and angry and they just

want something to do

and then we get this kind of siren like

noise um it's like

it feels like the wind it almost feels

like a police car as well so

um it makes it feel again desolate

abandoned

so the wind is whistling through but if

you do interpret it as a siren

like a police car again it links to this

idea of crime and and law

so all together the video really

representing britain and london as being

you know an abandoned isolated desolate

place that has been

left to rot essentially by the

government and representing young men as

being angry and aggressive and violent

and again that's typically a typical

stereotypical representation of men and

masculinity

but it's it's there because it

represents how young men really did feel

in the 1980s as a result of a lot of

political decisions that were being made

at the time

so that was my easy to understand guide

to ghost town by the specials

don't forget to hit subscribe um if you

would like some more videos for aqa or

indeed any of the other exam boards ocr

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questions