De la calle a la red: videoactivismo en el contexto de las protestas en contra del mundial de fútbol en Río de Janeiro (2014)

Abstract

In the end of May 2013, the city of Rio de Janeiro experienced an increase of social struggle due to the mega events (Confederations Cup, World Youth Day, Military Cup, etc.) that were scheduled to take place. This research aimed to understand the development of the video activist practice in Rio de Janeiro, in the context of the 2014 FIFA World Cup protests. We also had some specific goals: to reflect about the political processes represented in the video activists’ films; to inquire about the production routine and the spreading of the video activist narratives; to understand the use of social networking sites as site of production, spreading and political action and to analyse the video activist narrative, in terms of representation and participation. To achieve these goals, we applied a mixed methodology, including qualitative and quantitative tools, online and offline. The fieldwork was carried out between June 11 and July 15, 2014, following 10 video activist groups in their activities through participant research; in addition to 20 semi-structured interviews with them. We also created a video database of the materials produced in that period (173), which were analysed from production to propagation. Of these 173 videos, 30 were analysed frame to frame, considering the narrative, aesthetics, political aspects and audience participation in the construction of the narrative through social networking sites. The quantitative data used in this research comes from the application of digital methods, with the capture and visualization of social networks data. This data was also treated using content analyses. Through the application of these methods and relating them to the theoretical framework, we found that regarding the audio-visual production, three subgenres stood out: news, streaming, and videos with advocacy intention. The video activist groups – considering their differences – were networked in an intersectional way (online/offline), in which the “street experience” was the main tie between them. The video activist work methodology was based on the viralization of the videos in the social networking sites, taking to exhaustive routines. In the videos produced, the main theme addressed was police violence against the protesters. The protesters were also and the main characters of the narrative. In technical and aesthetical terms, there is a prevalence and use of very simple photography and editing. In all subgenres, the video activist images were marked by the proximity to the subjects, participants in the historical event that was being filmed. These characteristics were found in all 10 groups followed, except in one of the groups working with live streaming. In this specific case, they developed practices and narratives which went to another direction. In relation to the audience participation in the construction of the narrative, it shows a power imbalance regarding the power positions: mainly, the narrative is the hands of the video activists. The circulation is shared by audience and video activists, but in the last instance, the power belongs to the owners’ platform.

Date of Award	13 Nov 2017
Original language	Spanish
Supervisor	Laura Cervi (Director)