Posted by Jonathan o n February 12th, 2009
This remix is somewhat unique because it comes to us from a non-profit organization rather than from an individual artist. The speeches, press conferences, news clips and ads of US political figures, both left and right, are edited to make an official event trailer for Power Shift 09 and their lobby day on March 2nd. The video also represents an example of how political remix video is being used to harness real, on-the-ground grassroots action for policy change. It’s exciting to see organizations using appropriated footage in their campaign videos. It wasn’t too long ago when the fear of using such copyrighted material kept most non-profits from making interesting remixed media. Hopefully the fair-use trend will continue and encourage others to transform corporate media into tools of social change.
The Power Shift 09 website says they “will bring 10,000 young people to Washington to hold our elected officials accountable for rebuilding our economy and reclaiming our future through bold climate and clean energy policy”. The organization advocates for green jobs and investments in solar and wind energy rather than the polluting and dangerous options of oil, coal or nuclear. The event is happening from FEB 27th to MAR 2nd. You can also see their other event promos on the Power Shift youtube channel and regester for the event here. I might just have to find my way to DC myself for this one!
Category: political speech
Topic Tags: activism, al gore, energy, environment, government, mccain, obama, ralph nader, schwarzenegger
Posted by Jonathan o n November 1st, 2008
Another election debate remix critical of the current system – this one from 236.com. The video uses carefully synced-up CNN footage from all three presidential debates to highlight the repeated use of well rehearsed talking points by both candidates. If watching the debates gave you a funny feeling of déjà vu each time, this remix is definitely for you.
Category: political speech
Topic Tags: elections, mccain, obama, presidency
Posted by Jonathan o n October 31st, 2008
Remixer TV Sheriff has teamed up with drum and bass duo ColdCut to create a new multi-layered mash-up video just in time for the US election. In this blog I have tried to include election remix videos that are critical of the election process or the presidency in general rather than showcasing all the numerous remixes that simply support a particular candidate.
This intense remix style is less than subtle in its content and is described as an “all-out AV assault on an American media machine.” In the past I have refrained from posting some of the Sheriff’s other remix work because of his promotion of various conspiracy theories, though I personally find this video to be more on-point. A quick search of youtube for TV Sheriff will find more of his other work if you want to see.
Category: music video
Topic Tags: elections, mccain, News, obama, presidency, television, voting
Posted by Jonathan o n October 22nd, 2008
My latest Political Remix Video transforms the US presidential debates into a new reality show by combining the PBS/BBC debate broadcasts with the Fox show So You Think You Can Dance. In this re-imagined narrative the judges are far more honest (and tough) on the candidates stances around issues of war, oil drilling, nuclear energy and so called “clean coal” than any mainstream news media today.
So You Think You Can Be President is a new reality television show where candidates compete for American votes! Presidential hopefuls must present their positions on major issues in front of our live studio audience then face hard-hitting critiques from our panel of judges. Viewers at home will delight in the spectacle as candidates are challenged in ways never before seen in mainstream media. In this week’s episode, only two weeks before the election, Senator Obama and Senator McCain have their feet held to the fire over shockingly similar positions on energy and foreign policy. Who will be this season’s champion and take home the grand prize? You’ll have to watch and decide for yourself, then participate in the show by casting a vote* for your favorite performer on November 4th!
*Some restrictions may apply. In certain areas these include, but are not limited to, faulty electronic voting systems, racist voter laws and/or voter roll purges. See your local polling place for details.
APPROPRIATED SOURCE MATERIAL:
So You Think You Can Dance – Season 3 & 4
2008 US Presidential Debates – 1, 2 & 3 PBS, BBC, PBS
Road to the White House – MSNBC
“The Politics of Dancing” - by Re-Flex
Category: televison show
Topic Tags: elections, environment, mccain, obama, presidency, voting, war
A political mash-up video combing McCain, Bush and Obama speeches on energy policy created by the stimulator over at submedia. The video shows all three politicians saying exactly the same positive things about polluting, dangerous and unworkable energy alternatives. Basically all the US presidential candidates have been “drinking the Kool-ad” on nuclear, ethanol and the ridiculous lie of “clean-coal”.
You can also see and remix this video on RemixAmerica.org, a project which invites you to make your own remixes right on their website.
Category: short film
Topic Tags: bush, coal, energy, environment, mccain, obama, oil
Posted by Jonathan o n February 12th, 2008
Unlike most of the other remixes posted here, which are made entirely of appropriated material, this video uses a combination of appropriated footage from corporate news segments cut with original footage shot for the purpose. I don’t often post political remixes videos about the 08 elections and especially never any that advertise a particular candidate. Though I will post remixes that are critical or parody the election process and institution of the presidency. However this remix of the recent “yes we can” Obama music video is worth a look. While highly critical of McCain the video does not overtly endorse any candidate and so fits on this blog.
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Category: music video
Topic Tags: elections, identity correction, mccain, presidency