Digital Remix: Presidental Debates

I think we can all agree that this past presidential cycle was an interesting one. Research shows that the two presidential candidates were the least liked ever. Even though the candidates were unlikable, the debate ratings were through the roof. As I take you through my journey, I wanted to start my project with a focus on the debate footage.

Step One

Even though I found the full-length debates between Trump and Clinton on YouTube, I wasn't sure what to do with them. I've seen YouTubers make rap remixes, bad lip readings, or even memes. When I really thought about it, the word fighting kept coming to mind. For me personally, I viewed these debates as fights since there wasn't much substance to the debates. As someone who once was a political science major, I wanted that substance but was left with bickering and roasting. The more I thought about it the more I continued to put it into the category of a fight and that's where my idea started.

Step Two

Now whenever I think of fighting, I think of boxing and the famous announcer Michael Buffer. If you've ever heard someone say 'Let's get ready to Rumble" they're referencing to him. Turns out he gets paid boatloads of cash just to say those five words. Anyway, I knew I wanted to stage this like a fight, because well that is essentially what it was.

Step Three

I knew from the beginning of this assignment I wanted to work with video and editing in some capacity. This was 100% stepping way outside my comfort zone because I have never even used iMovie before this project. After checking out other video software I decided to stick with iMovie because my options were so limited. Using my iPad I cut and moved clips of the debate around to put it into a boxing typesetting.

Step Four

I began constructing "stealing" sound bites from the 80's Michael Buffer boxing matches and video from the Presidential Debates. Then I found a bell dinging sound on iMovie and used that too began each round. I knew there were only two debates between the candidates so I decided to make two rounds, one for each debate. I used the top sound bites from both debates and put them together to form the ultimate boxing debate montage.

Step Five

Wrapping up the ending I didn't want to make it seem like either candidate won because frankly, I don't think America wins either way. I decided to have the ending of a boxing match play over the credits like something you see out of a movie. I had quite a few credits to give out including NBC and CBS for the coverage of the debuts. The YouTube channels for providing the boxing audio and of course iMovie for the use of its technology.

Even though my video does not look professional, iMovie made it really easy to make a simple video. The skills I have learned through this project are primarily through iMovie. I was surprised at how easy it is to use, but at the same time how many different features the platform has. Personally, in my career field, I see myself using it to make mock-up ad campaigns to be sent to a production company for professional filming.

It's a great platform to use for beginners like myself and something I will take with me in the future.

Final product can be view here.