“Jackie Root, an oil and gas consultant from Tioga County PA, is stating her support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign for president in a statewide television commercial. “Kamala is smart and qualified. She’s made statements about fracking in the past and she’s changed her mind about that,” Root said. “Having Kamala Harris as president will not be detrimental to the oil and gas development around here.”
“Local Voices’ opposition to Donald Trump might just be creating a new model for future elections to come (…) An all-star cast of directors have fanned out across the nation to shoot 1-minute ads in support of Hillary Clinton. The ads are tight, to the point, and powerful portraits (…) No bells or whistles but plenty of honest talk and earnest looking into the camera.”
“It hits you not just intellectually but emotionally,” said Political Scientist Dr. Laura Weir, who called the ad different than any other she’s seen. “My response to that was one of great respect for this person,” Weir said. “And for what he said.”
‘The 2016 campaign has recruited some of the top filmmakers working in nonfiction. (They) are capturing the unscripted concerns of reverends, truck drivers and Republicans.” They wrote to IndieWire about their experience and approach to making these ads.
“Well-funded super-PACs have redefined the political landscape by pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into ads that reach voters across states or the country. By contrast, Local Voices thinks it can accomplish more by targeting fewer people and focusing on a key demographic this election: white, Republican-leaning, and largely blue-collar voters who can be dissuaded from supporting Trump.”
“The solidly red county is not the type of place a Democratic presidential candidate would expect to do well. But a group of documentary filmmakers believes their style of campaign storytelling could change that…”
“It felt so authentic to us – having local people talking about local issues. We thought these positive spots would hold meaning for voters exhausted by all the attack ads they’ve been exposed to…”
“Viewing and enjoying Local Voices is a meaningful exercise that will surely lift your campaign-battered spirits. (It speaks in) words and tones that strike a chord without the vitriol that too often clouds the conversation.”