Selective Perception:
Within selective perception, individuals are able to see things differently and create their own meaning. Such is the case while watching historical-based films like Fair Game. After watching Fair Game and researching a bit, each of us used selective perception in determining what truly happened within the Plamegate scandal.
Gatekeeping:
The gatekeeping used within the production of Fair Game was left up to the director. He was able to decide what information was let through the gate and what was completely omitted. For example, the director chose to leave Richard Armitage, Robert Novak and Judith Miller out of the movie, with the exception of displaying their names here and there.
Within the Plamegate scandal the government also used gatekeeping. They made an attempt to keep as much information as they could from sliding through the gate. As Dr. Pease mentioned one day in class due to the gatekeeping the government used surrounding the Iraq War, there are still some Americans who truly believe Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
Framing:
The director used framing often throughout Fair Game. In order to emphasize different aspects of what happened within the Plamegate scandal, the director used framing in his movie to make viewers understand a bit more. For example, Valerie Plame is framed as one of the "head honcho's" in the CIA. The movie shows her calling the shots in some of the meetings and taking 3AM trips to different countries to get information.
The movie also frames Valerie as the victim (which, essentially she was) of the story. Throughout the movie, viewers are able to see the government completely turn her life upside-down after her husband questioned the rationale behind going to war with Iraq. While the director uses framing techniques to show how powerful the government was and still is, he also frames the movie to show how strong of an individual and former CIA agent Plame truly was.
Within the Plamegate scandal, the government also used framing techniques. As stated by Joe Wilson in one of the final scenes of the movie, "When did the question move from 'why are we going to war?' to 'who is this man's wife?" The government directed the focus away from them during the years leading up to the Iraq War by instead directing the attention at Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson. By outing Plame and claiming that she was the one to send her husband to Niger, the government was able to use them as a scapegoat after making a false claim concerning yellowcake uranium in Niger.
