HBO dramedy “Somebody, Somewhere” centers experiences of LGBTQ+ people living and thriving in small-town America. Brands are increasingly challenging one-sided and reductive representations of life in rural America as more people are finding community and home outside of metropolitan spaces.

Fewer Americans believe now is the right time to invest in the property market, particularly as prices continue to rise and economic uncertainty lingers. But these circumstances don't change people's perceptions of the American Dream and the value they continue to place on home-ownership.

Often overlooked by the mainstream media, the pandemic saw members of the working class redefined as ‘essential’. So, how can traditional and digital outlets bring this cohort back into the fold? Canvas8 spoke to journalism professor Christopher Martin about making audiences feel heard.

Minari tells the story of a Korean-American family forging their own American Dream in rural Arkansas. With plenty of industry buzz, Minari shows the appetite for complex cultural stories of modern America, and how original marketing can make an impact among mainstream film audiences.