Posted by Elisa o n February 22nd, 2010
Eugene Jarecki, a documentary filmmaker who’s work includes the 2005 documentary Why We Fight, created this remix after making the connection between the current big bank bailout that fostered record profits and the story in the classic Frank Capra film It’s a Wonderful Life. In the film, community banker George Bailey helps the people of Bedford Falls escape a predatory banker Mr. Potter. With support from top financial analysts and the Huffington Post, the idea grew into this project: Move Your Money.
If enough people who have money in one of the Big Six banks (JP Morgan/Chase, Citibank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley) move it into smaller, more local, more traditional community banks, then collectively we, the people, will have taken a big step toward re-rigging the financial system so it becomes again the productive, stable engine for growth it’s meant to be. — Move Your Money Campaign
Category: short film
Topic Tags: activism, banks, bush, capitalism, corporations, economics, identity correction, obama
Posted by Jonathan o n January 5th, 2010
Remix artist Diran Lyons, who’s work we have featured on this site before, has just completed an ambitious remix project critical of President Obama’s foreign policy entitled “Jake Gyllenhaal Challenges the Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize”.
The piece is a remixed narrative that combines two Jake Gyllenhall films (Donnie Darko & Jarhead) with news footage of President Barack Obama. As the President wins the Nobel Peace Prize, Gyllenhaal’s character becomes disillusioned with Obama’s increasingly pro-war rhetoric, escalation of the war in Afghanistan and the failure to withdraw troops from Iraq.
After Diran uploaded this video to YouTube is was instantly removed with the following message:
We think this is a particularly hilarious use of the word “decided” considering YouTube runs a fully automated content ID matching system which does automatic takedowns seconds after a video is uploaded AND the remix is a fair use of any NBC content making it totally legal.
Diran went through YouTube’s online “dispute” process and after a few hours got his video back online. However NBC Universal may still decide to have it removed again via a DMCA takedown notice. We hope this remix stays put, as it is clearly a fair use of any NBC material, but as we all know, just because a video is a fair use does not mean it will stay on the internet. Take a look at Takedown Hall of Shame.
If something similar has happened to your remix video the Electronic Frontiers Foundation (EFF) has put together a fantastic Guide to YouTube Removals which will tell you everything you need to know about getting your video back online.
Category: short film
Topic Tags: hollywood, obama, peace, presidency, violence, war
Posted by Elisa o n February 13th, 2009
I created this remix to highlight the commodification of race in the 2009 inauguration. The efforts to commemorate our first black President through the buying and selling of Obama products actually erased a history of radical struggle, turning black identity into another resource appropriated by the mainstream to produce capital.
Created solely from television footage collected on Inauguration Day 2009, this remix examines the illusion that racial equality can be bought, sold and “held on to”. While talk of inter-racial harmony permeated mainstream news networks, the reality of race relations remains an issue of white privilege, something that consumerism and commodification cannot solve. Through the commodification of blackness, whites are able to purchase race relations and the false image of solidarity rather than take into account and acknowledge their own white privilege.
See my previous remixes as well as essays and articles here.
You can watch the remix on Youtube here
Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Blip.tv video.
Category: short film
Topic Tags: consumerism, elections, government, identity correction, obama, presidency, race, television
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