[StBernard] Does Bobby Have Any Shame? but please allow hima callfor a ride home???

[Westley Annis]

Actually, John, when I said "wrote the script" I was simply insinuating that
the course of action was propagated by the candidate. 

Although the physically/technical side of programming the ad was done by a
"professional" who edits and pieces together the scripting, dialogue, etc.,
the one responsible was the candidate, because I believe that in this
situation the following adage applies:

"a fool and his $$$ are soon parted"

Never is it so true that one purposely would not have sat down at some point
and choreograph/conduct attack ads that hasn't touched the candidate's mind
stroking his wishes. He knows how he will either respond to a previous one
by an adversary. This is "fool's gold", that if not properly or purposely
aimed as such, could be ineffective or might leave the viewer of the
adversary hanging from the past commercial. Failure to respond to such
miscues could result in leaving a lasting impression that the candidate is
weak, unable to defend his own in the press or before another in times of
stress or confrontation.

I also had experience in production and direction as many know I had a show
on cable access for 5 years and helped produce/provide technical assistance
on another. One feat I was able to work was with guests. One should get to
know that guest (in this case, the candidate) by asking key questions,
pre-arranged before the filming. It's done this way to stimulate questions
asked, content organized and a proper sequence from one segment to another.

Most candidates in this year's election had decent professionals producing
their commercials. Some candidates, obviously took cues and ideas of the
producer/political consultant to be able to make the commercial workable.

However, the content of the commercials were vicious as ever. 

Although it might seem "proper in LA politics" and business as usual to bash
every aspect of a candidate's career/private life, we all either were turned
off by the serious of pitiful events or chuckled as light humor in an area
of the country where some feel are desensitized by the ordeal. The stange
thing is that when there is a winner, one always hears the words, "I'll do
whatever I can to help the new governor, offer my office, assistance if
asked, gladly for Louisiana". 

One apologizes, the other shows extreme dignity in the matter, using a
carefully-planned speech about the losing opponent(s) as if nothing
happened.

And life goes on.

--jer--

-----------------------------------------------------
Actually, Jer, I've produced and directed testimonial political spots like
this one and they are rarely scripted.  What you do is ask the person to
tell their story.  You might have them tell it over several times giving
them guidance with questions.  Basically you film a good 20 or 30 minutes
with the person and then go to the editing room to find the best snips.
Commercial producers like for this spot usually do not like the person to
prepare before the taping because you want a "natural" response.  So,  I'm
hard pressed to believed they told the lady what to say.

My point is it's the director who is supposed to be listening for how
statements come across or the person's body language or expressions when
they're talking.  Typically, after shooting about 10 minutes you wind back
and take a look at what's been shot to see if anything needs to "re-asked".
Rarely does a person tell the same story in the same exact words.  So,
that's why you have them do it several times.

Next time you watch a testimonial political ad like this one, count how many
times there is a camera edit - where the angle changes.  This usually means
up to the previous word the interviewee spoke was liked by the director, but
they then said something which did not come across well.  So, they re-ask
the question and if they prefer the last part of the person's answer on the
second go around, then they edit that.  But they will move the camera around
after every second take to make it look like the camera angle and edit were
intended.

I once did a commerical for a candidate who could not ever get a single line
right.  But since we had him moving around on every take and we repositioned
the cameras frequently, eventually we were able to get enough of given
sentence where he said part of the line correctly, then edited in other
correctly spoken sections later.  In the end the commercial and the
candidate looked really good.  You'd have never known what an idiot he was
in front of a video camera.

Out of confidence I would never reveal which well known candidates I worked
with were blundering fools in front of a camera, but I will tell you who I
always felt to be the best I ever worked with...and you'll probably be
shocked to hear it - Lynn Dean.

For someone who appears to pride himself on being an off the cuff
"unpolished" person, Mr. Dean was nearly a pro in front of the camera -
never nervous and always appeared comfortable.  He knew the camera was there
and knew what to do in front of it.  Believe it or not, he took direction
well and I rarely needed more than a few takes to get what I wanted.
Believe me, Mr. Dean knows (or knew) how play up to the camera. 

John