Hybrid Project Rough Draft
Hello word-artists,
To begin with I would like to state that my project went through a large adjustment from the idea to proposal to draft stage. Through the process I explored the literary, musical, and cinemagraphic world. Finally I have pinpointed my project to the study of the interaction between word and image in the music video “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles with an emphasis on our favorite, W. J. T. Mitchell. To present this information, I will be delving into the world of website design and use scalar to create a (hopefully) interactive study.
Here is my magical creation thus far.
Since I have to totally learn how to use scalar, my critical content will be on this post as I add more to the scalar page over time.
In Iconology: Image, Text, Idealogy by W. J. T. Mitchell focuses on the interaction between word and image and describes it as a dialectal trope that is so intertwined that divisions between the two are both extremely apparent and extremely difficult to differ. In this past this difference has caused religious tension and even wars. The Buggles catchy pop song depicts yet another way that the dialectal trope has popped up: music videos.
While it is doubtful that The Buggles were aware at the time of the literary and semiotic importance of their single, they nevertheless put into words the dynamic between words and images that was about to explode with the advent of music videos. In an ironic twist, theirs was the video chosen to be the first music video ever to air on MTV on August 1, 1981.
The video opens with a small child sitting by a radio while a large black and white face of the lead singer looks down upon her singing to her about he fall of the radio star. When the radio suddenly explodes, the personified video star appears in place of the little girl. After close ups of the other band members dancing and performing, the video star can be seen constrained inside a tube dancing. While the tubes may represent the tubes in televisions that are now projecting music to audiences, it also works to constrict the video star creating a new barrier for the video star to break through.
*** Scalar offers a feature where I can link text to a specific portion of a video. The plan is to link the parts of the video to the text in my critical analysis that refers to it.
*** Scalar offers multiple pathways that can be taken through what it calls a “book”. The plan is to create individual segments where the user/browser can make his/her own path through the video.
***Here’s the video in place of my scalar creation
Works Cited
Mitchell, W. J. T. Iconology: Image, Text, Ideology. Chicago: U of Chicago, 1986. Print.
Matthew! Sounds like you’re lining up a really interesting project on a (as you mention above) very catchy tune. I think a strength of this project will definitely be your use of Scalar, and I look forward to see it in full motion. I’d never seen the music video before, and so it was really fun to watch it in accordance with your early analysis. I think you’re touching on some interesting points! I think while your points are really engaging, you still need to hash your ideas out farther and elaborate. I feel thrown into the relationship between Mitchell and the Buggles, and although I completely trust that you’ll make that connection throughout the essay, it may be best to dive into a particular quotation or specific idea earlier on. If my research is right, this song was written in 1979? I think something to think about would be any modern example of the same word-image, art-video relationships. Really awesome so far!
Hi Matthew,
This is a really neat project thus far. Unfortunately, your scalar link didn’t work for me–it required a username and passcode. I’m really interested in your decision to employ a “book” that can be read in any sequence, since both video and audio are all about sequence. Also, I love your hook in the introductory paragraph. I think I see where you’re going with the link between Mitchell’s theory and the idea that the video (a purportedly visual medium) killing the radio star (a purportedly verbal medium). However, I think it would be helpful for you to spell this out a little more for your reader. Overall, this sounds like it’s going to be great!
Hope this helps,
Eleanor
Hi Matthew,
I am really looking forward to seeing your video integrate into Scalar. I think it will give the traditional video analysis an interesting twist. I think you have a lot of material to work with here. Beyond the great W.J.T. Mitchell, there are several other interesting academics who discuss the word/image relationship. I am sure there are some who talk about the role music videos have played in the development of music culture. You should consider checking out some of these resources for your project.
I like Jane’s idea of looking at a modern music video. I also think it would be really cool if you adopted the voice of The Buggles and analyzed a modern music videos from their perspective. Is the direction they envisioned music going? What would they think of our music videos today?
Matthew,
First thing I asked while reading this: why Scalar? What does Scalar have as a platform that would be critical for your project’s success? I would like to see that fleshed out more on here. (You did mention something towards the end about formatting the project as if it were a book? I’m intrigued by this idea of a chronological narrative, and I’m excited to see the directions that your project will take.)
The content of the music video interests me, but I would like to see you delve more into word-image analysis and relationships within the context of the music video. You cite the great W.J.T Mitchell, but I never get to see the conversation between his ideas and the content of the music video, so let’sf find ways to make that connection stronger.
Ryan