Arun Chaudhary answers this question and more as the first official White House videographer on the second day of the Witching Hour festival at the Englert in Iowa City.

Chaudhary began his speech joking that although now he’s “the most artsy guy in the White House,” he used to be “the most political guy in art school.” He then dived right into the content of his Power Point, explaining that because the digital age we live in is so different from what people have ever seen before, the way we present politics should change, too.

And he has a point – following President Barack Obama, who hired him in the very beginning of his 2008 campaign, the filmmaker has had a chance to see how storytelling works in today’s politics, and has aimed to focus less on the “sleek,” finished look of political photography and more on the backstage, personal, and human aspects of a politician. The main point with which Chaudhary led his talk was the fact that today, with all this instant access of information, people first have to care about something before they look it up. He says, “we need to make politics compelling.”

Chaudhary broke the rest of his speech into two parts, (and this is where the talk’s title begins to make more sense): Authenticity and Authorship.

The filmmaker explained that authenticity had quite a bit to do with narrative. “Put facts into an emotional framework,” he said, as he talked about the narrative he found in our president. He talked about how in order to be authentic and grab attention, he focuses not on what is happening, but about how the character reacts and changes as a response, how the narrative of a politician shows a hero’s journey.

Chaudhary also showed us his recent work as creative director of Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, calling him “the time stamp of authenticity.” For this campaign he basically took the message Sanders was trying to relate to the American people, that “someone gives a shit about you,” (in Chaudhary’s own words), and applied this narrative for everything media. He showed us a “404 Page Not Found” video featuring the senator standing against a brick wall, telling us to “scoot” to the bottom of the page to get back to the homepage. This video is a perfect example of the narrative in authenticity Chaudhary was explaining – this nice old man cares to personally guide us back to “home,” which follows Sanders’ initial message, and there is nothing staged or fake about it.

Authorship was the next step. Chaudhary’s style is very “hand-painted,” as he said. He wanted to be sure to be as real and gritty with the public and show as much truth and “behind-the-scenes” of Obama and Sanders’ personalities as possible, and we audience members were lucky enough to learn how he did just that. As a cinema major at the University of Iowa, I took avid notes that I am going to share with you now in points:

• A bit of humor makes the dark things seem more okay.

• Authorship in an editing timeline: Cutting audio and video together without overlap reminds a viewer that he or she is watching something from real life.

• “Editing is the ruthless suppression of being insignificant.”

• Be gritty, not glossy. Don’t stage, capture.

• Videos do not educate! Film is art, which represents ideas and points, but words educate. Represent to capture attention, then explain.

• Before you can have an idea, you need a notion.

• Match form to content, not content to form. Chaudhary showed a good example of this in a video comparing George Allen to a prescription drug. The video could be no longer than 15 seconds, which forced the creative way they showcased the content.

• Connect to the people and today’s culture.

• “The medium is the message” (Marshall McLuhan)

• Facts can be superfluous

• Propaganda is making the mundane seem extraordinary. Chaudhary’s grit comes from making the extraordinary seem mundane.

All this takes part in Chaudhary’s definition of authorship.

I feel really grateful to have been able to experience this talk – Arun Chaudhary is a very talented filmmaker as well as a funny, charming speaker who gave me a real look at a type political media most have never seen before. I do believe that soon politics will catch up to the rest of the rapidly evolving world, and it was very exciting to see the man who did it first.

If you’re curious to see what else Arun Chaudhary has done, check out Revolution Messaging or his Tumblr page. To keep up otherwise, follow him on Twitter!

The post Witching Hour: Authenticity and Authorship: Political Storytelling in the Digital Age @ The Englert 11/05/2016 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

By KRUI News reporter Michael Gerald

 Early voting has represented many things this election cycle. It has been a political talking point, a political strategy, a motivational tool, and for many Iowans it has been represented by satellite early voting sites and door to door canvassing. Although early voting is available to voters of any party affiliation, according to Professor Timothy Hagle of the University of Iowa, historically Democratic voters are much more likely to vote early whereas Republican voters have higher turnout rates on Election Day. Although it is difficult to track the results of early voting, Professor Michael McDonald of George Mason University and the United States Elections Project has reported that currently in all reporting jurisdictions there have been over 29 million ballots already cast. Of those 29 million, the statistical breakdowns among the states show that the historical trends of high Democratic voter returns on early voting are mostly holding true. In Iowa, for instance, as of November 4th over 613,000 Iowans have already cast ballots and 42% have been cast by registered Democrats compared to 32% by Republicans. Similarly in Nevada, another swing state, over 701,000 early votes have been cast with 43% coming from Democrats compared to 37% from Republicans.

The news is not all bad for Republicans, however. In Colorado and Florida registered Republicans have an early voting edge of 3% and 5% respectively. What is the reason for the disparities? What is the significance of early voting, if any?

According to Professor Hagle one of the primary differences between the Democratic and Republican constituencies is age. Younger voters, specifically college age voters between 18 and 24, tend to vote more with Democrats, but have lower voter turnout than older voters who are likely to vote Republican. So early voting represents an opportunity, maybe even a strategy, to get younger voters to the polls. Professor Hagle noted that there are two typical types of early voting: voting by absentee ballot, and early in-person voting at satellite polling places. Historically early voting has been an avenue for people to vote who could not otherwise vote on Election Day at their respective polling place. These could be individuals who had moved away for school, those who may be out of town or working on Election Day, or even those who are ill and in the hospital.

Professor Paul Gronke of the Early Voting Information Center based at Reed College cites a Constitutional basis for early voting as a result of a 1999 ruling in Texas. The overall decision was that early voting does not decide the election prior to the first Tuesday in November (which is the Federal statute) and therefore does not conflict with Constitutional regulations. The recent expansion of early voting, and even the resistance to it, is a complex and multifaceted issue.

This still does not fully address the question of the significance of early voting in 2012 and why it has been a dominant topic in the conversations surrounding the presidential election. It appears to have become an electoral force for Democrats and a point of contention for Republicans. Katherine Valde, President of the University Democrats at the University of Iowa, spoke explicitly about the demographic differences between the parties. Katherine pointed out that not only are young college students voting as Democrats more often, but Democrats are also represented persons who are of low Socioeconomic Status (SES), and other communities whose votes may be difficult to ascertain. According to Kathryn, “Early voting gives us an opportunity to track these voters down.” Early voting from the Democratic point of view, represents not only more votes and potentially more electoral victories but also an opportunity to extend the opportunity to vote to those who may not otherwise be able to according to Professor Hagle. This is reflected in the early voting activities seen around Iowa City. While many took place on the University of Iowa campus, there were also early voting satellite sites at the Downtown Library, HyVee grocery stores, and the County Auditor’s office, just to name a few.

Early voting has not been without its detractors, however, as many states, particularly those with Republican Governors or Republican dominated legislatures, have sought to limit the amount of early voting and voter registration that can take place. Attempts to reduce early voting in Ohio and attempted voting requirements of a state-issued photo ID in Pennsylvania were both causes championed by conservatives in those states. When asked about this point of contention, Professor Hagle discussed the two different viewpoints surrounding the issue. Whereas Democrats may view early voting as a manner of expanding the electorate and giving voice to those who may be disenfranchised, Republicans view the early voting process as potentially harming the integrity of the elections by leaving the door open to voter fraud. “Republicans see concerns in terms of voter fraud, for example, people having been bused to more than one location or people using fake ID’s,” said Professor Hagle. These tend to be the concerns that Republicans focus on. Both of these statements represent the ideological viewpoint and are not indicative of a political strategy, which is what both parties have accused the other of.

It seems, then, that the significance of early voting depends on party affiliation and political strategy. Early voting in 2012 is expected to exceed the 41 million early votes cast in the 2008 election and going forward it will represent a larger issue within political campaigns. Whether early voting is seen as a political tactic or democracy-enriching initiative, it is growing in size and popularity among voters. Early voting’s impact on an election is hard to measure, Professor Hagle said. But there is little doubt that early voting is somewhat impactful as according to CNN both President Obama and Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan encouraged supporters at rallies to get out and vote early. Early voting is not Democratic or Republican. It is a significant part of the election process now and its significance should be measured. Interest in early voting colliding with efforts to restrict early voting (referred to as “voter suppression” by Democrats) has resulted in long lines and hours-long wait times in states such as Ohio and Florida; key battleground states in this election. The drive for undecided voters, or independents, is part of this heavy emphasis on the early voting process. Professor Hagle noted, “In 2008, 80% of registered voters among Republicans and Democrats turned out, whereas only 61% of registered voters not affiliated with a political party, referred to in Iowa as Independents, turned out.” Katherine Valde concluded, “Early voting is something that is extremely valuable and will become a large part of field organizing in the future.” Whatever one’s political affiliation, early voting is a significant part of the electoral process that deserves attention as we do not yet know its full impact or implications for the future.

The post The Big Bird about Early Voting appeared first on KRUI Radio.

President Barack Obama appeared in Iowa City on Wednesday, April 25th to speak at the University of Iowa Field House about the effects of increasing student loan interest rates and how doubling those rates could affect current and future college students in their quest for affordable education. KRUI News Reporters spoke with University of Iowa students about how doubling the interest rates of student loans would affect them and how they needed nation 21 bad credit and cash loans help.

Listen to responses from various students here: [audio: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/35667540/OBAMA1st.mp3]

The post Vox Pop: Student Voices from President Obama’s UI Visit appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Blue skies cleared the way for President Obama’s arrival in Iowa Wednesday morning, April 25th.

President Obama aboard Air Force One touched down at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids just minutes before noon.

While the President spent a brief moment with supporters before heading into Iowa City to discuss college affordability, a sea of black and gold flooded into the University of Iowa Field House anxiously awaiting the President’s arrival.

The President’s remarks were scheduled at 1:20 p.m, but before greeting the rest of his Iowa City supporters, President Obama held a roundtable discussion with 5 University of Iowa students who have felt the difficulty of barely getting by in college; and not getting by the tough academia of college, but getting by the burden of buying books and food while on a small budget that contains minimal financial aid.

The University of Iowa is one of three college campuses the President visited this week while calling on Congress to prevent interest rates on the ielts preparation course in KL and federal student loans from doubling come July.

Five years ago Congress cut interest rates on federal student loans in half on iva advice and request.  The rate cut expires July 1^st 2012 causing interest rates to double.  An extra  $1,000 of student debt will accrue each year the rate cut is not renewed.

The young and able crowd arose and placed their hands on their hearts as they recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  They listened as a graceful singing of the National Anthem followed.

UI president Sally Mason spoke before the President took the stage. Maintaining and securing an affordable means of a college education for all Americans, she said, “goes to our very character as a culture and as a people.”

“Because I had access to an affordable college education, I’ve been able to pursue my interests, having access to college textbook rentals saved a bundle of money to achieve professional success and contribute to society way beyond what I ever anticipated as an 18-year-old, first-year student,” Mason said.

With just minutes to go before President Obama strutted out, patriotic chants of “USA, USA, USA,” echoed off the walls of the Field House.

“Hello, Hawkeyes,” the President greeted the crowd flashing his smile. “It’s good to be back be in Iowa!”

President Obama kicked-off his appearance with a sincere statement to the kindness of midwestern hospitality: “Iowa always feels like home to me.”

“We love you, Barack!” an Iowa audience member shouted warmly welcoming the President, to which he responded, “I love you back.”

College affordability has always been at the heart a personal issue for the President.  He began his discussion by remarking on his and the First Lady’s own experience with handling the burden of student loan debt following law school. He stressed how immensely the burden of student loan debt can weigh down a family.

“I’m the president of the United States — it was only about eight years ago that we finished paying off our student loans,” as the crowd of nearly 5,500 young Hawkeyes laughed and applauded. “And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy making those payments, because once we had Malia and Sasha, we’re trying to save for their college education even as we’re paying off our own college educations.”

“This is an America issue,” the President exclaimed over a crowd of attentive and enthusiastic supporters. “We’ve got to get Congress to do their part. We’ve got to keep them [interest rates] from shooting up, and shaking you down.”

The President remarked on college affordability for the middle class and ensuring financial aid is safeguarded and Pell grants are available for those who need them.

“We can’t price the middle class out of a college education,” he said referring to talks in the House among Republicans about making college more affordable by cutting financial aid for low-income students.

“Let me scratch my head here for a second,” said Obama. “Think about that.  We’re going to help some students by messing with other students.  That’s not a good answer.”

Discussion in the House, the same members who consistently caused a hike in the deficit for the last decade, hints on middle class college students paying more to contribute to the decrease of the deficit.

“They voted to let millionaires and billionaires keep paying lower tax rates than middle-class workers,” Obama said. “They voted to give folks like me, the wealthiest Americans, an average tax cut of at least $150,000.”

Cutting education and job training programs that give students and workers the essentials to succeed would finance the average tax cut.

The President spoke strongly of awarding financial aid to those institutions keeping tuition affordable. Colleges and universities set on skyrocketing tuition will receive less funding.

“We’ve got to make college more affordable for young people,” the President stated as the crowed roared in agreement.

An affordable education is of great value to the economy, Obama said in response to a blast by Republicans who claim that the Obama administration is using student loans as a device to distract voters from the economy.

“This is the economy. This is about your job security. This is about your future. If you do well, the economy does well. This is about the economy,” the President said as the crowd praised those words with applause.

Accessible and affordable education for all Americans, said Obama, is the key to a prosperous economy. This is a commitment to educational equity, affordability, and the role of education in economic prosperity, all of which align with the principles advocated by individuals like Google’s Kamau Bobb, who work to improve education access and opportunities for all individuals.

“What I want all of you to know is that the degree you earn from Iowa will be the best tool you have to achieve that basic American promise — the idea that if you work hard, if you give it your all, if you’re responsible, then you can do well enough to raise a family and own a home, send your own kids to college, put a little away for retirement,” Obama said. “It’s the idea that each generation is going to have a little more opportunity than the last. That’s at the heart of the American Dream.”

The post President Obama: An affordable education is ‘at the heart of the American Dream’ appeared first on KRUI Radio.

By KRUI News Reporter Betsy Penisten

Actor and Obama enthusiast, Kal Penn, dropped by Iowa City to help round up youth and local support for President Barack Obama’s campaign at the Greater Together Youth Summit held at the Sheraton Hotel in Iowa City. Penn has been the associate director for the White House Office of Public Engagement since 2009. He has served as a liaison with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities as part of his position. KRUI News Reporter Betsy Penisten was able to ask Penn a few questions during his quick stop in Iowa City.

Listen to the interview below:

• [audio: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/35667540/Kal%20Penn%20Interview.MP3]

The post Interview with Actor & Civil Servant, Kal Penn appeared first on KRUI Radio.