In 2006, I volunteered as a video tracker for the senatorial campaign of Jim Webb in Virginia. I took leave from my teaching job in October of that year, went to Virginia (from California), and stayed there for a month. I rented a car for that month, and probably averaged 200 miles a day over the 30-day period. Some of the footage was used in Webb commercials.
George Allen's staff were little short of thugs. Indeed, they later knocked a blogger around, smashing him into a glass door, and pushing him to the ground. They were physical enough towards me that their actions pissed off the reporters coveriing Allen. They surrounded me in a bubble and gave me shooting room, warding off the GA jerks. I got some good vid though, and put 'em on Youtube.
Gee, that was so much fun, I'd like to sign up again...Can anyone help me find out which staffer I might call to volunteer for the Elizabeth Warren campaign?
A name, email address and/or phone number would be great!
Here's how it goes: I'd like to do it pretty much like I did in 2006. I'd take a month's leave, preferably in October. My husband and I would fly to MA from California, arrange to stay some place for a month, rent a car, and go where the campaign directs. At the end of the day, I come by HQ and drop off a portable USB hard drive with digital video footage and pick up the drive I left off the day or night before.
I shot for ABC and now teach video production. I own a bunch of cameras, including Panasonic and Sony prosumer cameras. My preference is for a Kodak Zi8 or Zi10, because it is unobtrusive and does the job well. The Kodak has an audio input for a microphone, so it's possible to get crystal audio with it. The image is standard HD, 1080i or 720p. Of course, the much better prosumer lenses do get you a much better picture (especially in low light), but the little Kodaks give you a surprisingly clear, detailed image.
The really fun part is to edit little clips for Youtube. I can usually do it in a couple of hours, sitting in a coffee shop. I carry a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, so in Virginia, I once upload vid to YT from a national park where there weren't any facilities with Wi-Fi. I'm geeky enough that this activity serves as entertainment for me.
If any of you get the urge, it's possible to be a freelance tracker by getting a candidate's schedule from the website. I noticed that the campaign seems to be able to get a more detailed schedule, but you don't have to get everything, unless it's an assignment.
Trackers have interesting experiences. The campaigns come to recognize you. If they are a$$holes like the George Allen guys, it's pretty hostile. The Webb campaign was very gracious towards the GA tracker -- giving him a good seat, getting to know his name, and kind of kidding around with him. At the time, I wished I was tracking JW.
I did carry out a few assignments shooting JW for some quick YT turnaround clips. Loved that.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.