Artifact 4: Video Project Reflection

Samuel Burgess

Major Branstetter

Rhetorical Traditions II

4/30/14

Video Project Reflection: Up Close and Uncomfortably Personal

Going into this project, our group was intent on recreating the awkward glory that Zach Galifinakis presents in his show “Between Two Ferns.” Our group decided as we went about planning and scripting the interview segments that we wanted to show themes through jokes and body language.

One major theme that we decided on was making fun of Brad’s (and Coach Campbell’s) large size. As you see in the video, Brad is often made fun of his husky appearance, and we attach this to the overarching theme of awkwardness (the foundation for our humor). We segmented the fat jokes in both interviews into Brad being an offensive lineman on the football team and how this position never really gets any recognition or glory. Another major theme of our interviews is how terrible the VMI football team is. We draw the audience in through Brad’s under-the-breath murmurings and blunt (perhaps inconsiderate) comments when the football team is mentioned. For instance, at the conclusion of coach Campbell’s interview, after hearing the coach’s optimistic projections for the upcoming year, Brad finishes by projecting another losing season for the Keydets. This adds to the awkward and sarcastic dialogue that we see in “Between Two Ferns” and adds a humorous touch the audience can take from the interview.

One aspect that we made sure to include is the give and take we see in Zach Galifiakis’s acting. The amusing attacks are not solely directed at the interviewee. Dillon Wright and Coach Campbell are given opportunities to strike back at Brad with funny comments, which solicit the awkward pauses and silence.

My personal contributions to the group include filming all segments of the interviews, editing, and assistance in the creation of a script. Brad and I planned the meetings with the interviewees and came to the interviews with bullet points that we wanted to touch on. However, beyond the few jotted notes, we left the natural awkwardness to the acting of Brad, Coach Campbell, and Dillon. I believe that this plan worked wonderfully as it made the interview’s flow much more and highlighted Brad’s impromptu genius. I took up most of the editing process, but received help from Brad at times. However, this is not at all to say I could not have completed this project on my own as Brad’s contributions and application of humor through his acting were crucial to this project. Unfortunately, we did not receive much help from our third group mate beyond the original idea to look to the show “Between Two Ferns”.

I took a lot away from this project and highly recommend it be a building block assignment of future Rhetorical Traditions classes. I have learned that not all rhetoric needs to come from scholarly debate, and I now see that the audience can connect to a more lighthearted logic, especially through the sarcastic offerings of Brad Hann. This project drew the distinctions for me between Foucault’s ideas of Rhetoric and Burke’s. Or in other words, the fact that rhetoric does not need to come out of making an example of someone like the monarchies of old had through torture and negative reinforcement. Burke’s teaching that you must have an audience free to choose influenced my reflection of this project. In conclusion, there is no better way to win an objective audience over than through laughter.