Just saw interview of @OfficeofUT on @abpmajhatv. It’s an example of how the setting shouldn’t be for political interview. Here’s my academic analysis of its visuals purely based on observation and without any political commentary/criticism. #OpticsInPolitics

It is alright to have a symbolic artefact in background to underline your political agenda. But overusing them belittles the person because viewer cannot concentrate on person who is being interviewed.
Here 4 artefacts are around CM n they’re just too many. #politicalcommuniation

The impulsive compulsion to accommodate Chair of Sena Pramukh, a painting of Maa saheb and Balasaheb, a Ganesh idol and a designation board has created more problems for CM than imagine.
1. Everyone knows @OfficeofUT is CM and it was needless to have designation board.

Mis-placed board only shows that they wanted to underline who’s the boss in the govt.
2. The Ganesh idol is absolutely misfit. Also it is not visible completely and crowding the space.
3. Maa saheb and Balasaheb painting indicates the CM’s gratitude towards his parents.

But it also shows that it’s a home. The designation board cannot concert it into workplace.
4. Chair of Sena Pramukh shows that place of Balasaheb in Shivsena cannot be taken by anyone, not even by his legacy. It strikes the right chord in Shiv Sainiks.

But honestly, to become leader of ‘force to recon’ Shivsena, Sena chief cannot allow people to recall Balasaheb every now n then. This will lead to comparison between two. I think by giving respect to late Shri Balasaheb, Uddhav Ji can easily assert himself in that position.

To accommodate so many artefacts even camera couldn’t go for close ups which are v imp in interviews.
The wide frame visually exposed #UddhavThackeray and his discomfort while answering questions became visible to everyone. Because #OpticsInPolitics are very important.

If at all they wanted to have wide frame, @abpmajhatv could’ve use 2 camera setup. One for wide and one for close up.
That’d have reduced distraction for audience and made CM comfortable too.
Or else ideally they should kept just State govt board with a symbol of #Shivesena.

In addition if we further analyse CM’s crossed leg sitting posture, which is visible due to wide frame, we can infer that he is insecure and on defensive mode.
Ref: https://www.theepochtimes.com/these-11-sitting-positions-can-reveal-your-personality-4-shows-your-are-a-leader_2797270.html
How you sit is one of the strongest visual pointers in non-verbal communication.