I actually enjoyed working on this project. It was incredibly different than anything I’ve previously done, and it was a lot of fun to learn how to use and manipulate Xtranormal. I found Xtranormal to be the most innovative medium for me to use, as the basis of my project was formed around Journalism and Wikileaks engaging in conversation about their relationship. Since the release of the diplomatic cables, I’ve found the relationship between Wikileaks and journalism/mass media to be fairly awkward and confusing, so I aimed to explore this through the project.
Working on the script was pretty fun, and writing scripts isn’t something that I get to do very often in this field of study. The format of the Xtranormal screenplays that I could use worked really well, and I think this comes across in the skit I put together.
One downside to using Xtranormal is that the site requires you to purchase something they call ‘Xtranormal Points’, which basically function as a currency for the site. In order to render, share, and download my skit, I was required to purchase $10 worth of points. While this is definitely a downside to the website, I think the money was well spent because the site is very easy to use, and creates impressive looking animations. I have embedded my animation below.
This week’s activity asks for a list of online audio and video clips that consist of government representatives and officials speaking about Wikileaks. Here is my list:
Putin live on Larry King (Video)
Talking: Vladimir Putin – Prime Minister of Russia
Copyright: http://rt.com/about/disclaimer/#txt2
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHhI9DC6x8k
Time: 0.40 – 1:42
Putin is asked what he thinks of the Wikileaks cable that describes Dmitry Medvedev, the President of Russia, as “the Robin to Putin’s Batman”
WikiLeaks reveals undiplomatic U.S. critiques (Audio)
Talking: Lindsey Graham – U.S. Senator from South Carolina
Copyright: http://www.cbc.ca/aboutcbc/discover/copyright.html
Link: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/11/28/wikileaks-release.html
Time: 0.45 – 1:45
Senator Graham states that Wikileaks has blood on its hands, and that it puts lives in danger
Ahmadinejad Wikileaks Statement (Video)
Talking: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – President of Iran
Copyright: N/A
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4SQ9elroAI
Time: Entire clip
Ahmadinejad is asked for his thoughts on Wikileaks and its damage to foreign relations. His response indicates that Iran holds no value towards the Wikileaks documents
President Lula Shows Support for Wikileaks (Video)
Talking: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – former President of Brazil
Copyright: N/A
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xAY7KkcUYk
Time: 1:00 – 2:22
Former President Lula expressed his solidarity with Wikileaks following Assange’s arrest in the United Kingdom. He also criticised the arrest of Julian Assange as an attack on freedom of expression
Hillary Clinton Blasts WikiLeaks: Nothing Laudable, Nothing Brave (Video)
Talking: Hillary Clinton – United States Secretary of State
Copyright: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,95454,00.html (scroll down to ‘Copyrights and Other Intellectual Property’)
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYk3SkhCtPc
Time: 1:28 – 2:10
Clinton states that the American government will take aggressive steps against those who stole the information. She also says that there is nothing laudable or brave about what WikiLeaks is doing, and that they are endangering innocent people
Gillard Refines Verdict on Assange (Audio)
Talking: Julia Gillard – Prime Minister of Australia
Copyright: http://www.abc.net.au/copyright.htm
Link: http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s3086783.htm
Time: 4:10 – 3:26
Gillard refers to the cables as “grossly irresponsible” and illegal, and states that the Australian Federal Police are going to provide the Government with advice about potential criminal conduct of Julian Assange
Ron Paul on the U.S. Attack on Wikileaks (Video)
Talking: Ron Paul – Republican Congressman of Texas
Copyright: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3303540/
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiJIyK6TxJE
Time: 0.50 – 1:58
Paul states that the information released so far has caused no known harm to individuals, but has caused plenty of embarrassment to the U.S. government. Paul questions whether the American people know to serve the truth about ongoing wars that their country is involved in
Chavez Congratulates Wikileaks for Their Bravery and Courage (Video)
Talking: Hugo Chavez – President of Venezuela
Copyright: N/A
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlYB_xGw28g (translated with Google Translate)
Time: Entire clip
In this video, Chavez states his congratulations to the people of Wikileaks for their bravery and courage. He also states that Hillary Clinton’s mental stability should be examined, and that she should resign, along with “those other delinquents working in the state department”