Sunday, 25 April 2010
Don't do politics
I remember seeing this on television myself, and liking its message even though at the time I was not old enough to vote. It puts across just how politics can affect even the smallest aspects of your everyday life, and almost instills the sense of guilt at complaining (which we Brits can be known for) if we can't be bothered to do anything about it.
Votes are power
Advert to encourage people to vote.
Again, another one of those adverts that seems to have a "be grateful" underlying message.
The possible power of facebook?
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=113749985304255&topic=515
As seen before Christmas, the power to mobilise groups of people united under one cause, from the comfort of your own home.
As seen before Christmas, the power to mobilise groups of people united under one cause, from the comfort of your own home.
Popvox
http://www.parliament.uk/education/online-resources/parliament-explained/popvox/popvox.htm
^ to be used for
- information
- looking at visual style
Not liking the "voice of the people" strapline. Much too assuming.
"The good thing is that, in this country, you can have an influence on it and the way it affects the world around you."
^ a kind of... "you're better off here than elsewhere" sort of vibe.... to make us feel grateful.
"The world is changing fast and this is no time to be a passive spectator, watching those changes happen around you."
"So simple really and yet it can make a real difference."
^ Kind of like making a false promise... not giving all the info. With the electoral system, and "safe" constituencies out there... its not exactly true.
^ to be used for
- information
- looking at visual style
Not liking the "voice of the people" strapline. Much too assuming.
"The good thing is that, in this country, you can have an influence on it and the way it affects the world around you."
^ a kind of... "you're better off here than elsewhere" sort of vibe.... to make us feel grateful.
"The world is changing fast and this is no time to be a passive spectator, watching those changes happen around you."
"So simple really and yet it can make a real difference."
^ Kind of like making a false promise... not giving all the info. With the electoral system, and "safe" constituencies out there... its not exactly true.
Safe sex awareness campaigns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGZ33Bu1Y7s
^ a link to a video of the recent NHS awareness campaign, "worth talking about".
Though I originally sneered a little at many parts of this advert and campaign, I mean the girl and the mother at the beginning... who has a conversation like that about something happening on a soap drama?
"ooooo, I hope they are gonna use protection...." "yeah mom. I do to..."
I dunno. Maybe someone somewhere does it. But it seemed a little silly. The other convos... yeah, I could imagine them happening somewhere.
But I realised the core message of this campaign, to get people talking and being more open, was a different tactic to anything I can think of before aimed at my age group (and younger). It was better. More digestable. Less patronsing and cringeworthy (although I can't say I liked the red jelly bouncing letters spelling out 'worry'. Seriously now... urrrrgh).
Previous campaigns, such as these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKG15lAif28 (want respect use a condom)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ0hCFrx4lg&NR=1 (condom essential wear)
annoyed me if anything. However, allowances to the Respect campaign... I'm definitely not the target audience. Aimed at a younger, "working class" and/or "chavvy" audience, the type of language and characters used is probably spot on. But the reactions.... "aw mate, you're in goal. You can practice putting your gloves on"... I can't imagine it.
As for the condom essential wear, the imagery and concept was interesting and is enough in itself to get the message across. But I was completely put off by the whispery, "scary" voice at the end. And the attempt to make the logo look like a fashion brand... fail.
These sorts of campaigns are extremely difficult, I understand that completely.
My main reason for featuring the "worth talking about campaign" was for its tone of voice, and how the suggest the personality and feelings through the type in the speech bubbles. It also aligns with my main idea, which can be seen in my layout pads.
^ a link to a video of the recent NHS awareness campaign, "worth talking about".
Though I originally sneered a little at many parts of this advert and campaign, I mean the girl and the mother at the beginning... who has a conversation like that about something happening on a soap drama?
"ooooo, I hope they are gonna use protection...." "yeah mom. I do to..."
I dunno. Maybe someone somewhere does it. But it seemed a little silly. The other convos... yeah, I could imagine them happening somewhere.
But I realised the core message of this campaign, to get people talking and being more open, was a different tactic to anything I can think of before aimed at my age group (and younger). It was better. More digestable. Less patronsing and cringeworthy (although I can't say I liked the red jelly bouncing letters spelling out 'worry'. Seriously now... urrrrgh).
Previous campaigns, such as these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKG15lAif28 (want respect use a condom)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ0hCFrx4lg&NR=1 (condom essential wear)
annoyed me if anything. However, allowances to the Respect campaign... I'm definitely not the target audience. Aimed at a younger, "working class" and/or "chavvy" audience, the type of language and characters used is probably spot on. But the reactions.... "aw mate, you're in goal. You can practice putting your gloves on"... I can't imagine it.
As for the condom essential wear, the imagery and concept was interesting and is enough in itself to get the message across. But I was completely put off by the whispery, "scary" voice at the end. And the attempt to make the logo look like a fashion brand... fail.
These sorts of campaigns are extremely difficult, I understand that completely.
My main reason for featuring the "worth talking about campaign" was for its tone of voice, and how the suggest the personality and feelings through the type in the speech bubbles. It also aligns with my main idea, which can be seen in my layout pads.
"Young voters are much more discerning than you think"
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/mark-donne-young-voters-are-much-more-discerning-than-you-think-1928048.html
^ Tres interesting article.
"With almost 70 per cent enjoying daily online engagement, this vast shoal is by far the largest demographic group to suck in information and regularly share it."
"political disaffection may be a consequence of well-informed opinion, rather than a lack of it."
"The biggest off-put for young voters ... a belief in the unhindered ability of corporate media and corporate lobbying monoliths to terrify and bribe would-be governments."
"They are tolerating but also rejecting mass media and "savvy" product associations, and are seeking out something which suggests integrity to them."
^ Tres interesting article.
"With almost 70 per cent enjoying daily online engagement, this vast shoal is by far the largest demographic group to suck in information and regularly share it."
"political disaffection may be a consequence of well-informed opinion, rather than a lack of it."
"The biggest off-put for young voters ... a belief in the unhindered ability of corporate media and corporate lobbying monoliths to terrify and bribe would-be governments."
"They are tolerating but also rejecting mass media and "savvy" product associations, and are seeking out something which suggests integrity to them."
First-time voters QT facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/BBC-First-Time-Voters-Question-Time/300649652167
Searched this out... not much activity. Only 267 members the last time I visited this page on the 26 April. Clearly it either hasn't been advertised enough, or hasn't earned the respect of its audience for them to want to join.
I'd say a bit of both, but the former is probably the biggest reason why. I hadn't even known there was going to be a First-time voters Question Time, otherwise I would have watched it. It was put on the 3rd March. And it is not available on iplayer anymore. You'd think that because there is a general election coming up, they'd make it available as a resource, a piece of information for young people to refer to, despite the fact it was regardless of how it was received.
Searched this out... not much activity. Only 267 members the last time I visited this page on the 26 April. Clearly it either hasn't been advertised enough, or hasn't earned the respect of its audience for them to want to join.
I'd say a bit of both, but the former is probably the biggest reason why. I hadn't even known there was going to be a First-time voters Question Time, otherwise I would have watched it. It was put on the 3rd March. And it is not available on iplayer anymore. You'd think that because there is a general election coming up, they'd make it available as a resource, a piece of information for young people to refer to, despite the fact it was regardless of how it was received.
First-time voters QT 2
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/mar/04/first-time-voters-question-time
"But it turns out that watching something aimed squarely at you is pretty depressing. It seems people my age are constantly in danger of being addressed earnestly as "you guys": I began to feel like a cheerleader in a teen movie. It was tiring.
The MPs appeared uncomfortable talking to young people, and the celebrities brought in to liven things up – Tim Campbell from The Apprentice, Rory Bremner and pop singer Jamelia – were a little insulting. Are these really the figures that the BBC thinks young people respect the most?
At one point, Tim proposed that it might be a good idea for all politicians to get together in one room and have a debate to thrash things out. Really, Tim? What about if they were to do it in some kind of "house"? Maybe with green upholstery?"
"Jamelia said she had liked Margaret Thatcher as a prime minister because she remembered her appealing to the working class. Admittedly I remember nothing of Thatcher's time in power, but I've studied British political history and watched Billy Elliot, and it seems that something somewhere doesn't add up."
^ kinda speaks for itself.
"But it turns out that watching something aimed squarely at you is pretty depressing. It seems people my age are constantly in danger of being addressed earnestly as "you guys": I began to feel like a cheerleader in a teen movie. It was tiring.
The MPs appeared uncomfortable talking to young people, and the celebrities brought in to liven things up – Tim Campbell from The Apprentice, Rory Bremner and pop singer Jamelia – were a little insulting. Are these really the figures that the BBC thinks young people respect the most?
At one point, Tim proposed that it might be a good idea for all politicians to get together in one room and have a debate to thrash things out. Really, Tim? What about if they were to do it in some kind of "house"? Maybe with green upholstery?"
"Jamelia said she had liked Margaret Thatcher as a prime minister because she remembered her appealing to the working class. Admittedly I remember nothing of Thatcher's time in power, but I've studied British political history and watched Billy Elliot, and it seems that something somewhere doesn't add up."
^ kinda speaks for itself.
Reaction to first-time voters QT 1
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1198983
"...after 10 minutes after tuning in to tonight's Question Time I switched channels due to the irritating and somewhat patronising answers being given to intelligently posed questions."
"This was basically an attempt at being 'down wif da kidz' and treating politics as some kind of joke."
"I was in the audience for the show and yes I didn't really see the point in Jamelia being there ... I found it helpful but it was infuriating that they wouldn't answer the question properly, after the show stopped airing a few people said to the panel you need to learn to answer what's asked of you and learn how to speak and involve younger people in politics."
^ Very interesting viewpoints. Attempts again seen as patronising and out of touch. Also, young people want their questions answered properly, clearly. Not skirted around. Low tolerance of the way traditional politics and such programs as QT seem to work.
"...after 10 minutes after tuning in to tonight's Question Time I switched channels due to the irritating and somewhat patronising answers being given to intelligently posed questions."
"This was basically an attempt at being 'down wif da kidz' and treating politics as some kind of joke."
"I was in the audience for the show and yes I didn't really see the point in Jamelia being there ... I found it helpful but it was infuriating that they wouldn't answer the question properly, after the show stopped airing a few people said to the panel you need to learn to answer what's asked of you and learn how to speak and involve younger people in politics."
^ Very interesting viewpoints. Attempts again seen as patronising and out of touch. Also, young people want their questions answered properly, clearly. Not skirted around. Low tolerance of the way traditional politics and such programs as QT seem to work.
What politics means to first time voters.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p006lqzt
"Rubbish. Boring. Untrustworthy. Lies. Difficult. Not easy. Feel there is no choice. No politicians that speak the truth. Young people are more interested in having fun.
Interesting. I do want to learn about it. I love it, but I hate it. Young people need to get involved. Need to find a balance between fun and the serious things."
^ Opinions taken from the video. Shows distrust and lack of understanding of politics, but in many cases the recognition they should get involved or that they'd like to understand it more.
"Rubbish. Boring. Untrustworthy. Lies. Difficult. Not easy. Feel there is no choice. No politicians that speak the truth. Young people are more interested in having fun.
Interesting. I do want to learn about it. I love it, but I hate it. Young people need to get involved. Need to find a balance between fun and the serious things."
^ Opinions taken from the video. Shows distrust and lack of understanding of politics, but in many cases the recognition they should get involved or that they'd like to understand it more.
Cringeworthy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/the_p_word/newsid_10070000/newsid_10076300/10076388.stm
Click on the link above to view a video, created by BBC Radio1 newsbeat, that attempts to explain the election process to first time voters. It is presented by a hardly known glamour model (at least I have no clue who she is).
A summary of my thoughts:
- patronising
- cringeworthy
- insulting to young people's intelligence
Obviously everyone has varying levels of intelligence and comprehension of politics, but the BBC themselves define their audience as:
- better educated than ever before. (www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/radio/network/.../Radio1_audience.pdf)
I think the majority of young people likely to watch this video or listen to radio one would be turned off by this effort to explain the election to them. Even if useful, I think the style and tone of it makes it laughable and uninspiring, despite any useful information it provides.
Click on the link above to view a video, created by BBC Radio1 newsbeat, that attempts to explain the election process to first time voters. It is presented by a hardly known glamour model (at least I have no clue who she is).
A summary of my thoughts:
- patronising
- cringeworthy
- insulting to young people's intelligence
Obviously everyone has varying levels of intelligence and comprehension of politics, but the BBC themselves define their audience as:
- better educated than ever before. (www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/radio/network/.../Radio1_audience.pdf)
I think the majority of young people likely to watch this video or listen to radio one would be turned off by this effort to explain the election to them. Even if useful, I think the style and tone of it makes it laughable and uninspiring, despite any useful information it provides.
The brief, in rough.
In the last two General Elections voter turnout has been at an all time low. In the 1950’s 83.9% of the eligible population voted, turnout in 2001 was only 59.4% in 2005 61.3%. In the 18-24 age group only 45% voted in 2005, 6% via postal vote and 39% in person. The low turnout of young voters in the last election has caused great concern, why do so few young people exercise their right to have a say in UK politics? Is this a sad reflection of how low on people’s radar politics seems to be at the moment? Can you change that?
As a visual communicator you have the skills to change peoples thinking, this is the challenge of this project.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
