Studio 54 - connections

For my summative project i need to report about the context behind Studio 54. I've been looking into many different things, like celebrities, tv/film and artist which feel like have been inspired by Studio 54. 

1. The Get Down 

A new TV series called ‘The Get Down’ has recently came on Netflix. The show is based in 1977, New York City where the talented and soulful youth of the South Bronx chase dreams to transform the music history. From this show recently coming out it has defiantly inspired this generation to be interested In the disco trend. Ezekiel- one of the main characters says ‘’don’t push me to be who you want me to be, nobody’s asking want I want to be’’. This suggests to me that the film shows a message of being who you truly are, similarly to Studio 54, perhaps everyone loved it because they felt free and themselves.

2. Keith Haring

Keith Haring was an artist who I feel like inspired this trend. His trademark style was inspired by street culture and has been used in many different ways. Himself and now the Keith Haring foundation work with a lot of people and brands, including Rihanna’s music video ‘Rude boy’, the video is very influenced by Haring’s black and white illustration and the 80s, it consists of bold lines and bright colours. 

This illustration has also been used on Grace Jones, when Haring painted her body. For the video of her song 'I’m Not Perfect' and her live performance at New York City’s Paradise Garage, Jones wore Haring’s signature pattern as an outfit. 

3. Boogie Night

''Adult film director Jack Horner is always on the lookout for new talent and it's only by chance that he meets Eddie Adams who is working as a busboy in a restaurant. Eddie is young, good looking and plenty of libido to spare. Using the screen name Dirk Diggler, he quickly rises to the top of his industry winning awards year after year. Drugs and ego however come between Dirk and those around him and he soon finds that fame is fleeting.''

This film is clearly inspired by Studio 54, in the trailer a it says ''in 1977 a kid from nowhere, had a dream of getting somewhere'' ''it was a time when disco was king, sex was safe, pleasure was a business and business was booming''- this is round about when Studio 54 was at its busiest, they then go on to saying ''in 1980 the party was over'' - this is when Studio 54 shut down so it obviously symbolises that.

4. Saturday Night Fever

''A Brooklyn teenager feels his only chance to succeed is as the king of the disco floor. His carefree youth and weekend dancing help him to forget the reality of his bleak life''.

- again this is symbolic to Studio 54, it shows that then they're on the dance floor they forgot about there worries. perhaps this is why Studio 54 was so popular.

I feel like all these different aspect really bring together Studio 54. They all inspired different parts of it, and bring together the disco industry; especially 'The Get Down'' as thats bringing back disco today.

Thank you for reading 

Charl