Golden Earring - Radar Love Storyboard

This image is of our storyboard for the task we were set. By following the storyboard it should help us to plan out and then record accurately, it will be better structured as have a better narrative to our task. We have decided to introduce each instrument as they are played in the song. The storyboard shows how what instrument are introduced and when. Once the bass guitar and drums are playing together there will be close ups of both and then cut to a long shot of guitar and vocals.

Roland Barthes - Hypodermic Needle Theory

The hypodermic needle theory suggests that many mass media, such as radio, television or popular newspapers can influence a huge amount of people by supposedly "shooting" them with messages to get their desired response from their target market. The image suggested by a hypodermic needle signifies that mass media institutions direct their messages powerfully and direct flow of information from them to their viewers. This is to try and get a reaction from their viewers as it is "injected" to them as a passive audience. This theory shows how powerful mass media can be and how dangerous it can be. Important events in history have been related back to this theory, for example the fast popular rise of television and radio and how Hitler dominated the mass media during WWII to unify the German public behind the Nazi party. It is often seen as there is no escape from the effect of these messages and that the audience is seen as passive and are having the media information shot at them. People end up believing and following what the mass media are telling them because there is no other source of information.

Golden Earring - Radar Love

We got set the task of storyboarding the first 30 seconds to Radar Love, by Golden Earring. Our task is to film and edit it using different resources, we can only film performance so I will use what i have studied in the video from U2's performance at Glastonbury. This means using low angled shots of the band members and close ups of the instruments. This shows of the different members f the band and makes the video a lot interesting compared to just one stationary camera. There were many long shots showing the crowd and the band, this connotes how the band and their fans are connected through the music. We decided to film the performance through showing of different instruments as they are introduced in the intro of the song. So we will show quick shots with different angles of the drums, bass guitar, lead guitar and eventually vocals.  I believe it will be hard to make sure that the instruments are in sync with the music and this will have to be something I need to work on.

U2 Live Performance

This music video to U2's live performance at Glastonbury illustrates powerful camera shots which reaches out and engages the audience. Many shots such as the establishing shot that shows the crowd from a low angle and then en extreme long shot of the audience and stage shows how so many people are here to see this one band and there anticipation and excitement. Other medium shots are followed and each different shot introduces a different band member as they play their part in the introduction of the song. It slowing tracks in and then changes to another shot of a band member. This is effective as creates  more rhythm and is a lot more interesting compared to if there was just a stationary camera, It helps create a better performance for people watching it at home. There are many low angled shots of the band members which creates the image that they are powerful and have such an amazing stage presence, this is normally followed by an almost point of view shot from the crowd which again making the audience watching it at home feel as if they are really their and enjoying the experience. This video perfectly engages the audience through many different camera shots.

Cultural Code

This code if often used in many music videos and films, especially with specific genres. The code refers to the knowledge and understanding that audiences bring to the film or music video. This is often common with parody videos, in order for them to be understood fully people will need to know the original version to understand the references. For example, the original music video to Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit was covered by a music parody video by Weird Al Yankovic 's version. People that watch Weird Al's version will understand the references to the original because will be using their cultural knowledge that already had. Of course if people are writing a film or music video that has specific references they need to know that their target audience has the cultural knowledge already. Typically the people that will watch Weird Al's version are quite likely to have seen the original version. These screenshots show how the parody is so similar to the original, but how audiences will use their own cultural knowledge to understand what the parody is referencing.

 This is the original shot from Nirvana. A long shot showing Kurt Cobain singing to the crowd, it is an effective shot for showing the connection between the band and the fans.










The second shot is of the parody, again showing the Weird Al who is dressed up to look like Kurt Cobain wearing grunge style clothing. The shot is pretty much the same, showing Weird Al facing his fans. Audiences will bring their own cultural knowledge to understand this reference.

Symbolic Code

This code is probably the most accurate to our own music video narrative. The symbolic code is about conflict between opposing forces. The way the narrative is normally set out represents the binary oppositions. Normally a conflict between a good side and bad side. In different types of media such as film or music videos we get this impression through different elements. For example, a slow, serious soundtrack for the bad guy, in contrast with a faster paced, high key soundtrack for a goodie. People often will recognise the different opposing forces in the narrative, for example, when they see a monster in a horror film. The audience will often believe it represents the antagonist. This can even be done with other elements such as lighting, for example, having the antagonist in dark lit location to represent being the bad guy. Apposed to having the protagonist in well lit locations, to connote the good side, being in the "spotlight".

 This screenshot if of the original Dracula, in a dark lit area, accompanied with a low key soundtrack it can create an effective image that this character should be viewed as the antagonist. This is contrast to opposing force.

This is the image of the protagonist, Van Helsing. Here we can see he is in a well lit area, which is out on the open during the day. This creates an image which looks less threatening and suggests he is the good guy. Again this sequence could be accompanied with a heroic style soundtrack which will create the representation of the good side.

When comparing these images we can see how films, music videos and many other types of media represent different opposing forces. it helps with the flow and detail of then narrative and makes things a lot more interesting.

Semic Code

This code refers to the connotations that are being suggested by different aspects of the narrative, such as characters, objects and settings. For example, if you see a two groups of men wearing shorts and a t-shirt with a football you will predict that they are probably going to have a football match. We used this in our music video as we wanted people to look at parts in our video, such as instruments and then get the impression that someone is likely to start playing it. This picture is an example of the Roland Barthe's semic Code. We can see someone standing next to the drum set so we suggest he will probably start playing it.

Action Code

This code is fairly easy to understand and appears very often in different sources. This code refers to an event that has series of logical, and sometimes quite obvious consequences. For example, someone with a football at his feet is likely to about to kick it or at least pick it up. This suggests action from the character and it comprehends to where the narrative may be leading. The action code is effective for making then narrative flow and brings the audiences own understanding and idea to the narrative.

Enigma Code

The enigma code is to engage the audience by offering them a puzzle and then delaying the answer to the "enigma". This may be at the end of the subject, such as the end of the film or music video. The puzzle that is built up may not even be answered and this is often very common with sequels. An effective way of getting people involved with the narrative and to get them to come back and see the next one. An effective enigma narrative can make the audience feel involved and want to find out what is going to happen. 

Narrative Codes

We studied Roland Barthe's Theory of Narrative Codes, I found it very interesting as he had five different codes with different meanings. When I look at certain things such as music videos or magazine/newspaper articles I can see there is some sort of element connoted throughout the subject. Studying this subject is extremely beneficial as I can use it in my own research. It also helps to understand further into the narrative, especially in music videos. Roland Barthe had 5 main codes which hook an audience into the narrative. Furthermore, these codes explain how the audience bring their own understanding to the medium.