My Research Question
How are celebrities shaping the youth vote in the 2024 presidential campaign? Do celebrities have an obligation to speak out about politics since they have such large platforms?
Message:
I want to show my audience that while celebrity involvement can boost youth voter turnout, its effectiveness relies on authenticity and substance. Simply endorsing candidates is not enough; meaningful action, such as encouraging civic education or addressing issues relevant to young people, creates a more lasting impact.
Audience:
My target audience is high school and college students who are either first-time voters or approaching voting age. This group is often influenced by celebrity culture but may not fully understand the impact their participation has on democracy.
Genre:
I will create either a video essay or a short-form TikTok-style video. A video essay allows for a deep dive into my topic, using visuals and narration to make my case. TikTok offers a concise, visually engaging format tailored to younger audiences who prefer fast, digestible content. I am leaning toward the video essay, as it gives me more room to explore the nuances of my research.
Plan:
- Research and Script: I will revisit my Unit 2 research and refine my argument, selecting the most compelling examples, such as Taylor Swift’s voter registration campaign and Dwayne Johnson’s endorsements. I’ll write a script tailored for either format, balancing information with audience engagement.
- Collect Media: I’ll gather video clips, soundbites, and visuals of celebrities speaking on political topics or encouraging voting.
- Production: For a video essay, I’ll use editing software like iMovie or CapCut to combine visuals and narration. For TikTok, I’ll focus on eye-catching transitions, captions, and keeping the content concise.
Concerns:
My main worry is producing high-quality content within the technical limitations I have. For the TikTok format, I want to ensure I’m impactful despite the short time frame. For the video essay, I’ll need to manage the editing process effectively.
Mentor Text:
My mentor text will be the animated video essay Democracy by Margaret Atwood. I plan to study how it uses captions, visuals, and narration to inform and engage viewers effectively.
OK!