2008 was an amazing year in these United States – history-setting presidential campaign followed by once-in-a-generation economic meltdown. With the campaign as a backdrop, we gave birth to an idea and have been helping it grow ever since.
We created this 7:00 pilot episode featuring amazing political volunteers and their impact on voter turnout.
More Americans volunteer annually than twenty-five times the combined number of employees at General Electric, Starbucks, and Wal Mart. This volunteer spirit was directed to the 2008 Presidential Campaign in record numbers, and across different campaigns, these volunteers were empowered with more responsibility and accountability than in years past. The 2008 Presidential Election yielded the largest voter turnout in United States history with volunteers paving the way toward change.
29 responses so far ↓
Angie Ryan // April 17, 2008 at 4:33 am |
Great job- you really captured the spirit of volunteering on the campaigns! My Mom was a precinct captain for John Edwards in Iowa so I really appreciate all the hard work that goes into it, and kudos to you for showing that to the general public.
Do you have any interest in doing future episodes on local organizations? Specifically I am thinking of Shanti (www.shanti.org) a non-profit in the Tenderloin that provides HIV support and services to hundreds of people in San Francisco. It’s a really inspiring organization and it’s almost completely volunteer driven. I have been volunteering for them for almost 2 years now and it has been a life changing experience.
Jenn Sedlack // April 17, 2008 at 10:32 pm |
Well done! This was moving, inspirational and bi-partisan. I thought it did a good job of illustrating why volunteers give of their time, how volunteering can make a huge difference (great piece on the increase in voting this year) and how each of us can play a role. It encouraged me to do something and make a change. And I really liked knowing what these volunteers did for “day jobs.” That helped show the breadth and types of folks who come together for a common cause. I’ll definately be sharing this with my friends.
David J // April 20, 2008 at 10:33 pm |
Twenty-five times the combined number of employees at General Electric, Starbucks, and Wal Mart is amazing. It is also more than three times the total number of Federal, State and Local government employees in the United States and almost the entire population of California and Texas combined!
Bob N // April 21, 2008 at 4:02 am |
Great job, full of energy… loved the topic, volunteering, which deserves plenty of coverage and airtime… thank you, and KEEP THEM COMING!
Marissa Viray // April 21, 2008 at 4:36 am |
Nice work fellas! It’s come a long way. I like the flow. Great intro, smooth transitions and easy call to action! Can’t wait for the next episode and to see who wins!
Avi // April 21, 2008 at 5:55 am |
Very nice, shows me that people volunteer when they are passionate about a cause. nice flow and the singer is best.
Russ H // April 21, 2008 at 6:18 am |
Pretty well done, i’d say. Criticism would be that it seems to speak to Dems only, which is OK with me but might lose it universal appeal if that is sought. Also, seems it might need a stronger pitch, more urgency, to get someone to get up off the sofa and volunteer.
Shelly King // April 21, 2008 at 5:34 pm |
I loved this! The passion of the volunteers was so inspiring. I loved the part where the 20-something guy was talking about the “I could have been there” syndrome of his friends and how he’s encouraging them to step up. And I also loved the songwriter. Great film!
Carolyn A // April 22, 2008 at 1:38 am |
Loved the video!!! Very well done!
Fred Sherman // April 23, 2008 at 3:25 am |
Excellent video! It captures the feeling and the energy of “getting involved” and changing the way our nation is looking at politics of today and for the future, hopefully. I think this is one of the big issues driving this year’s campaign, equally with the important issues.
Karen Nelson // April 23, 2008 at 11:54 am |
I enjoyed the video and the perspective you brought to this angle of volunteering. Looking forward to see where you take us next.
Michael J // April 28, 2008 at 10:39 pm |
this is very exciting and beautifully done, congratulation!
Linda Leu // May 13, 2008 at 11:12 pm |
bleh, i look terrible… its like i hadn’t slept for days… oh wait… that is what happened. i love the interviews with volunteers because the obama campaign thrived on the energy and passion of volunteers – i think we just passed the 1.5 million volunteers mark, right? nice job!
Stephanie // May 14, 2008 at 6:10 am |
This is awesome!!! If Ben’s objective is to inspire people to go without sleep for a good cause, he did a good job!
I’m very impressed. That’s a lot of work, and it looks great. I honestly can’t think of anything to change—VERY VERY well done.
Mary Rossow // May 14, 2008 at 8:45 am |
Hi Ben, Our mutual friend, Anne Hohenberger, encouraged me to check out your work……..nice job! Warm socks, Mary E. Rossow
Louise D // May 15, 2008 at 6:08 pm |
Just plain ole brilliant! Good job Dan and Ben, I loved this episode. I found it dynamic and thought provoking. You really captured a personal side to the volunteers aswell as their commitment to the campaign. I loved the shot of the woman standing barefoot on the chair making her speech! Overall very inspiring, it makes me want to go out and volunteer right now. I can’t wait for the next episode.
Janine // May 16, 2008 at 9:43 am |
You did a fabulous job with your clip. Important issue and thank you for raising awareness!
Molly K // June 19, 2008 at 10:23 pm |
What a great web site! It’s wonderful that the work of volunteers is being promoted in this fashion. And a really well-made video, too!!
Jason Z // June 26, 2008 at 11:11 pm |
I like the shots of inside the volunteer buildings. Seeing what they do behind closed doors is intriguing and enjoyable. The original music and closing minute was very powerful, the encouragement was a great way to finish off. A combination of college campus footage of younger volunteers with what the older folks have to say could have provided an even more intriguing feeling. Overall, a well shot film and actively helpful to encourage people to take action.
Mike Jacobs // July 29, 2008 at 4:10 pm |
Congrats on getting your web series off the ground. This first webisode looks great and has excellent production values!!
Mary Johnson // July 30, 2008 at 9:44 am |
Viewed this segment @ macfilmmakers this evening, Apple Campus! Very well done! Good selection of clips, strong message, clearly presented, engaging editing style and motivating energy! Looking forward to more from this team.
Josh B // August 18, 2008 at 6:21 am |
VN is great, really nice stuff. It feels interesting and potentially powerful. Overall, it’s great, love the editing and the story. There’s a certain quality to the writing and style that reminded me just a bit of SuperSize Me. The piece almost makes me want to run out and volunteer!!
Judy R // September 4, 2008 at 4:23 am |
You captured the pure passion, commitment and energy of most folks who volunteer for a cause they believe in.
Cate Conmy // September 10, 2008 at 3:06 am |
I just watched this, and I think it’s great! Great pacing, great cast of characters. Loved that shot of the one volunteer’s bare feet on the chair and the nice transition from the “dings” in the campaign office to the dinging streetcar. And I liked the little math equation you used to make the numbers clear.
Vicki // September 12, 2008 at 1:24 am |
I really like the concept of profiling volunteering in all it’s different forms.Keeping political or religious bias out of the programming will be very important and you did a good job in this first show even though it dealt with political volunteering.
Michele L // September 12, 2008 at 7:47 am |
great pilot! well done and inspiring!
Lani // September 12, 2008 at 10:04 pm |
Episode one is fantastic. As an ED of a small arts non-profit, i truly appreciate your exposure on volunteerism. Thank you for your good work, and I look forward to episode 2.
Jules // September 13, 2008 at 8:48 am |
Wow ben! The clip is fabulous! Very professional and covers all the bases about volunteerism. It’s always great to see others who are really passionate about volunteering.
Matt W // April 24, 2009 at 10:29 am |
I was so glad to see your trailer for Volunteer Nation and episode on campaign volunteers. Living in first-in-the-nation New Hampshire and having worked as an organizer on issue advocacy campaigns, I have a special place in my heart for the intersection of politics and service. I couldn’t be more excited about your series and its potential to inspire more people into service, a critically important need after the recent passage of the Serve America Act. Brilliant idea!