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.