When analyzing at the visual media that the Republican Party chose to use to display during their time in session at the Republican National Convention, one cannot help but attempt to speculate what their goal was when choosing pictures and videos to post. The RNC Flickr account followed the Republican National Convention for its entirety and had also done so in 2008. One recurring theme of the photographs posted were large landscape shots displaying the magnitude of the convention and the complexity in its design.
This may have been done purposefully in order to display the extent of the commitment its members have to the Republican party. From the initial set up of the convention conference rooms, to the large media gatherings, and finally the packed full conference halls where the notable party leaders were scheduled to speak, each picture displayed the immense support that the Republican party has in this country.
This idea is maintained when Clint Eastwood, a prominent Hollywood icon, came to the podium to deliver his speech, debatably the most talked about speech of the entire convention. I will not elaborate on the opinions I have of his speech, but I however did notice a few things about the support he received from his peers. As you observe the video, please take a look at the cheers and wide camera angles used during the time he spends speaking. Each time the camera pans out, the viewer has the opportunity to gaze over the wide audience captivated by his words.
The RNC Flickr account has done a great job marketing their organization in a positive light. As discussed in my last post, the earliest form of politics is to find your way to ‘fit in.’ As many of you may have concluded, what better way to show someone that you are the ‘in crowd’ than to show how popular you are?
Nicely done. But were the wide angles and audience shots in the clip of Clint Eastwood the only things worth noting? How about the image that introduced him. It was not an image of him as a director, but as a character from a movie. How about his 'stand up"? I am very curious about what you thought.
ReplyDeleteMy goal of this piece was to leave my personal opinion of the spectacle out and to focus more on the visual impact it left on its viewers.
DeleteHowever, some things are difficult to leave unsaid. I thought that Mr. Eastwood's commentary was tasteless and unnecessary. He seemed disoriented at times and I felt that it was not very progressive for the Republican Party. I do think that it is for this reason that the producers introduced him as a character instead of a prominent hollywood director because it discredits him somewhat when they introduce him as a fictional character. This helps the Republican Party take less responsibility for Clint Eastwood's actions.