My Democratic Ad -- caution: *pics* -- please check this out!

[Katherine Brengle]

Okay, someone else posted an ad they were working on the other day, and I thought it was an interesting idea--since I questioned the potential effectiveness (though not the message, which I myself identified strongly with) of that original ad, I thought I would try my hand at creating something that I thought would speak to the majority of Americans and tell them who Democrats are and what we are about. I'd like to add a kudos to the DUer who posted that ad--regardless of my personal feelings about its effectiveness, it is not such an easy thing to do, I have learned.

(Previous ad thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=555931)

And, my idea:

(music playing in background--the kind of music that gives you chills--no exact idea here yet, this is just a little test project)

(Voiceover: "E Pluribus Unum--Out of Many, One.")
(photo montage, each photo fades into the next)





(VO: We are a nation of neighborhoods--and these neighborhoods, together, make one nation.)
(photo montage, same fade)




(VO: The Democratic Party believes in Americans. Americans want the best, not only for themselves, but for their neighbors. We want this American spirit to live again in Washington, and we are going to fight to make sure that it does. The American people deserve nothing less.

Americans are strong, generous, and compassionate. Our goal is to bring this spirit into your government.)



(Image fadeout, slowly, with that little "This ad was paid for by blah-blah-blah" note in white writing on a black screen.)

(End.)

I think that this is the kind of advertising that will speak to the majority of the American public--it invokes feelings of pride in the American way of life, feelings of community, and I think it could be very empowering and persuasive. I think we've seen a lot of ads over the past 5 years full of facts and truths, but numerous advertising studies show that viewers respond emotionally to political advertising, just as they do to commercial advertising.

What do you think?

[Erika]

1. I think all Americans are yearning for such a message

You did an excellent job. You should forward to Howard Dean.

[Katherine Brengle]

5. how would I do that?

Also, the idea is what I am trying to get across--I borrowed the pics from a variety of online sources just to put something visible together, so they would have to be replaced, ultimately.

[hwmnbn]

35. There is another DUer .....

that specializes in this sort of thing. Her name is Ava. You can check out her work at:

http://www.peacetakescourage.com/page-animations.htm

[Katherine Brengle]

37. thanks--i actually pm*ed her last night bc i saw one of her posts having

to do with the work she does--maybe she can help me, lol, because i am now completely lost...

[Eric J in MN]

2. You can buy royalty-free music at

http://www.pdinfo.com/download.htm

[fortyfeetunder]

3. Bring it on.

Great colors, nice story!

[crispini]

4. Damn good!

:applause:

[ageofdeception]

7. I really like it..

Maybe some reference to

United we Stand...

as well.



Inspiring!

[newyawker99]

44. Hi ageofdeception!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Eric J in MN]

6. Make it yourself.

If it gets enough publicity online, maybe someone will do a similar TV ad.

PM me when it's done and I'll give you a link.

[Katherine Brengle]

13. Okay, thanks for the music link--I found a song--one prob tho--

I don't have the proper equiptment to do the voiceover--any recommendations on how to handle this?

[Eric J in MN]

21. There are basically two ways you can approach making the voiceover.

...assuming you want to speak it:

a) Call recording studios in your city, and find one which can help you with that and give you an MP3 or WAV.

b) Buy a good microphone and plug it into your computer and use the built in "Sound Recorder" under "All Programs" "Accessories" "Entertainment." If it needs touching up, buy audio software.

[Katherine Brengle]

23. thanks--

I am not very experienced with this kind of thing, but I learn quickly, lol.

BTW, I found a great audio track on the website you suggested--a bit more than I was expecting to pay, but worth it if this works out at all. It's a nice acoustic guitar track, very mellow, but I think it's moving.

[Telly Savalas]

8. What do I think?

I think somebody ought to be paying you to think stuff like this up.

You ever see the DVD of "The Hunting of the President". In particular, the special feature speech by Clinton? His key point was that Democrats can and will succeed by appealing to the best in people. To their decency and sense of justice.

[Katherine Brengle]

14. I loved that film--

and thank you for the compliment! I'm just a laptop warrior, lol, but maybe someday...

[SharonAnn]

9. Thank you for the ideas. My campaign theme is "Let's Work Together!"

and I'm struggling to find some inspiring wording to go along with it.

You've given me some great ideas to work on.

My stuff isn't as visual at this point, but your theme is terrific!

[Eric J in MN]

11. Are you running for office?

nt

[Katherine Brengle]

16. Thanks! DU is actually running an article I wrote yesterday about--

the "neighbors" theme. Should be up on the homepage over the weekend.

[Mythsaje]

26. Congratulations!

That's great news!

[Katherine Brengle]

32. thank you--

it's really short, but hopefully sums it up pretty well in a succinct fashion.

I've been reading all of these books and articles about how Democrats focus too much on policy initiatives during campaigns when they should be showing the public who they are and what they stand for in a far less clinical fashion--it makes a lot of sense.

If you compare Rep speeches and commercials and ads with Dem versions, you can see the difference. Republicans show you images of "family values" instead of saying, "We have family values, really, we really do--look at all of these policies we've supported that have to do with family values!"

Meanwhile, Dems continue to stand up and tell Americans about what they want to do without telling Americans who they are.

People aren't computers--we want to feel something about a candidate--who they are, what they believe, not what policies they plan to enact if they win (of course, some of us like this stuff, but it isn't good marketing).

[Mythsaje]

34. I agree completely...

I think taking the concept you came up with on my thread and running with it is a GREAT idea. DU really does operate sometimes as a liberal think tank and I'm proud to be a part of it.

[Katherine Brengle]

38. Amen--and I owe you a thanks for starting that thread--

I didn't realize that you did--silly me!

I have definitely been able to come up with a few gems bc of all of the idea bouncing that goes on here.

[Nitrogenica]

10. UNITY! America is weakened when we are divided.

Who will again unite and heal our great Country!

[waiting for hope]

12. Perfect!

:applause: That would help our perceived low numbers in the Family Values area. Why that is, I still don't understand.

[Lefty48197]

15. Excellent

We'll lock up the numismatist vote too. Mad dash to the dictionary? Nevermind. It means "coin collector".

[Generic Other]

17. Contact bpilgrim or Symbolman

They have made some great flash videos, and might be able to help you figure out how to make one yourself. I thought your images were very effective!

[Katherine Brengle]

18. Thanks, I am going to check and see if I have a program that can--

handle it, but I will definitely keep those names in mind.

[Katherine Brengle]

19. self-kicking for more feedback. n/t

[Katherine Brengle]

20. one more time for the late-night crowd..... n/t

[gilpo]

22. Don't you mean full of "facts" and "truths"?

I like the idea-NP

[Katherine Brengle]

24. lol -- good distinction -- i am usually all over the "..." lol

[Mythsaje]

25. Great!

You've done some exceptional work here, Katherine.

My hat's off to you.

[Katherine Brengle]

30. thanks--i'm trying to figure out how to put into the right format now--i

picked out some music that has a nice feel to it--just an acoustic guitar, but really beautiful.

i think it will be more effective when it's all put together, but i am total newbie at this type of computer work, so i'm feeling my way around in the dark for now, lol.

[Old and In the Way]

27. Republicans use diversity against our best interests.

Dividing us and turning one group against another....while they help themselves to our commonwealth. People are starting to figure it out, I think.

great ideas!

[Katherine Brengle]

28. they sure do--we can definitely do better than that, lol. n/t

[philarq]

29. Everything--but....

Whats the pic of the guys pushing the truck sideways down the hill?

Have a few pics of people going to church and a pic of a couple good old boys out hunting---that would freak them out.

[Katherine Brengle]

31. hunting and church--good idea--i'll add them in if i can find some good

ones--i didn't even think of that!

[fob]

33. That's really good. And I'll bet there are more than a few stations

that would reject the ad. So that would be the place to start. Maybe the sinclai stations that wouldn't show the Ted Koppel reading bush*s death list in Iraq but couldn't wait to get the Kerry hit piece on the air. That way when they reject the ad, the one small buy will turn into a bigger story and the ad will get shown many more times for free.

[Katherine Brengle]

36. thanks--i'll keep that in mind today--doing a little tinkering and

i need to get in touch with all of the photo owners to see if i can have permission to use them or need to find new ones.

we'll see...

[Katherine Brengle]

39. bueller? bueller?

Okay, I am downloading Flash bc I don't have it and God-only-knows how long it's going to take, so hopefully within a few days I will have something more polished to show off, lol.

Once again, if anyone has any ideas (I am adding a church pic and a soldier pic, bc those are notably lacking) please pass them along.

Thanks.

[helderheid]

40. Fantastic!! This is really wonderful stuff! Are you in advertising? If not

you should be! :yourock:

[Katherine Brengle]

41. nah--just opinionated and motivated, lol. thanks tho!

[Poiuyt]

42. Check your messages

[Katherine Brengle]

43. Got the message -- you around?

Thought maybe you might check back here...

Thanks for the PM--sent a reply a little while ago.