A representational study of Levinson’s film, Wag the Dog and Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) parody of ‘Donald Trump’s Campaign’ highlights the perspective that shortcomings of both individuals and society are often revealed with through political acts. While both texts highlight the failures and corrupt behaviour of individuals in political acts to be prominent factors of shortcomings, we are able to understand the representation of such undertakings to influence judgment in society. It is the overall study of both text, do we understand the significance of political acts to present a particular perspective that exemplifies the flaws in both individuals and society.
It is apparent that the attempts of trying to hide the scandals and corrupt nature of individuals only convey the indecent truth to society. As demonstrated in the opening scene of ‘Wag the Dog’, low-key lighting and diegetic sounds of the vacuum cleaner dominates the scene, indicative of a sense of secrecy. Such symbolic use of the vacuum reflects the need to ‘clean up’ the ‘mess’ in politics, causing audiences to consider the ‘dirty’ nature of politicians and the acts erected. The sense of cleaning after unseen acts as shortcomings committed by individuals is emphasised with the manipulation of low angle shots as it captures Brean walking through the corridor on business to solve the president’s scandal, presenting the need for powerful figure to ‘fix out of line’ actions. As a result, audiences are positioned to be wary of the actions individuals take to hide their offences as a shadow envelopes Brean’s figure upon entering the bunker room. Moreover, the low key lighting indicates the false and dishonest nature of Brean whose help is needed to cover up the indecent act of the president by creating a distraction further emphasises the fragile image of righteousness and that the sins committed by individuals are easily revealed. In contrast in SNL’s parody of Donald Trump’s campaign, the composer manipulates satire to mock Trump’s political acts to highlight his biased viewpoint and corrupt nature. That is to say, a officer worker claims she “likes how he is looking towards solutions” in the aspect of terrorism humors audiences as it references the ridiculous political attempts of ‘kicking out Muslims’ as a solution to the threats of terrorism. Accordingly, audiences are convinced to view Trump in a negative light in response to his corrupt ideals and dislike, highlighting his shortcomings. Furthermore, the approach in which mis en scene is used to communicate similarities in the destructive ideals of Donald trump by comparing him to Hitler. Stemmed from the medium shot that captures a man in a collared shirt stating that Trump can “take our economy from here to here” whilst flashing the Nazi armband. Hence symbolism connotes possibilities of disaster and war as a result of electing Trump as president, discrediting Trump for his history of rash thinking and biased perspective compelling responders to be unsupportive towards him. Thus, it can be seen that an individual’s flaws in outlook and actions can be reinforced through political acts. Levinson considers the gullibility of society as a shortcoming for believing political acts. This is demonstrated in the ‘old shoe’ scene where Brean and Motts attempt to heighten attention towards efforts to rescue Schumann, a military figure. At this point, montages of medium shots capturing the hanging of old pairs of shoes on city lines from …show more content…
The low angle shot of a man as he paints in white text “white power” exemplifies the dominating racist views in society in influencing perspective. In particular, the use of satire in ‘white power’ mirrors the biased views of Trump as he fails to approach problems without consideration for society. Under the circumstances, audiences are disappointed in the inevitable bias society has in affecting judgment thus enriching our understanding of recognising such faults. Additionally, the montage of different American citizens ironing Ku Klux Klan uniforms and targeting Muslims further emphasise the ethnocentric views as shortcomings in society. As satire is manipulated, it continues to mock the histories of American turmoil and hint at the future wrong doings Trump may apply causing us to frown upon racist perspectives in society. In being confronted with such implications in public judgment, SNL has effectively communicated the underlying perspectives of society in support of political acts exposing the
It is apparent that the attempts of trying to hide the scandals and corrupt nature of individuals only convey the indecent truth to society. As demonstrated in the opening scene of ‘Wag the Dog’, low-key lighting and diegetic sounds of the vacuum cleaner dominates the scene, indicative of a sense of secrecy. Such symbolic use of the vacuum reflects the need to ‘clean up’ the ‘mess’ in politics, causing audiences to consider the ‘dirty’ nature of politicians and the acts erected. The sense of cleaning after unseen acts as shortcomings committed by individuals is emphasised with the manipulation of low angle shots as it captures Brean walking through the corridor on business to solve the president’s scandal, presenting the need for powerful figure to ‘fix out of line’ actions. As a result, audiences are positioned to be wary of the actions individuals take to hide their offences as a shadow envelopes Brean’s figure upon entering the bunker room. Moreover, the low key lighting indicates the false and dishonest nature of Brean whose help is needed to cover up the indecent act of the president by creating a distraction further emphasises the fragile image of righteousness and that the sins committed by individuals are easily revealed. In contrast in SNL’s parody of Donald Trump’s campaign, the composer manipulates satire to mock Trump’s political acts to highlight his biased viewpoint and corrupt nature. That is to say, a officer worker claims she “likes how he is looking towards solutions” in the aspect of terrorism humors audiences as it references the ridiculous political attempts of ‘kicking out Muslims’ as a solution to the threats of terrorism. Accordingly, audiences are convinced to view Trump in a negative light in response to his corrupt ideals and dislike, highlighting his shortcomings. Furthermore, the approach in which mis en scene is used to communicate similarities in the destructive ideals of Donald trump by comparing him to Hitler. Stemmed from the medium shot that captures a man in a collared shirt stating that Trump can “take our economy from here to here” whilst flashing the Nazi armband. Hence symbolism connotes possibilities of disaster and war as a result of electing Trump as president, discrediting Trump for his history of rash thinking and biased perspective compelling responders to be unsupportive towards him. Thus, it can be seen that an individual’s flaws in outlook and actions can be reinforced through political acts. Levinson considers the gullibility of society as a shortcoming for believing political acts. This is demonstrated in the ‘old shoe’ scene where Brean and Motts attempt to heighten attention towards efforts to rescue Schumann, a military figure. At this point, montages of medium shots capturing the hanging of old pairs of shoes on city lines from …show more content…
The low angle shot of a man as he paints in white text “white power” exemplifies the dominating racist views in society in influencing perspective. In particular, the use of satire in ‘white power’ mirrors the biased views of Trump as he fails to approach problems without consideration for society. Under the circumstances, audiences are disappointed in the inevitable bias society has in affecting judgment thus enriching our understanding of recognising such faults. Additionally, the montage of different American citizens ironing Ku Klux Klan uniforms and targeting Muslims further emphasise the ethnocentric views as shortcomings in society. As satire is manipulated, it continues to mock the histories of American turmoil and hint at the future wrong doings Trump may apply causing us to frown upon racist perspectives in society. In being confronted with such implications in public judgment, SNL has effectively communicated the underlying perspectives of society in support of political acts exposing the