Democratic Nat. Convention 1976 (pre-show)

This tape is basically out-takes from indie coverage of the Convention called "Five Day Bicycle Race." (see below) Fifty or so video people volunteered to create this cable coverage. Andy Aaron and I were junior members of the team. (Except when he appears on camera, Andy is on the left, I'm on the right and at at the start of the tape). I kept the raw tape, recently transferred it and assembled these high-lights.

Speaking here purely for myself, my interviewing is pretty lame, partly nerves interviewing star reporters. I clearly have technology on the brain. It was a signature of that time, especially within the indie video community, often referred to as "video freaks." What's funny is that 30+ years later "technology on the brain" is back in vogue, to wit the coverage of protest in Iran. It's pretty obsessive, just as I was then. Lot's of parallels between early video 1.0 and the Internet Revolution, but that's for another time.

Finally I'll add that I miss this generation of correspondents and offer this behind the scenes video as a nod of respect. They're very seasoned and were tolerant towards us and the tech-obsessive interview. That didn't prevent them from having some fun with us c/o their deadpan put-ons. (It was pretty novel then to have a video camera, so that was our foot in the door, blazing a path for the bloggers;-)

Five Day Bicycle Race
A documentary made at the 1976 Democratic National Convention in New York City, which was produced as a live 3-hour cablecast for five days during the convention. It was subsequently broadcast on WTTW and other PBS stations. It chronicles the events in and around the convention, and includes interviews with various delegates, politicians, members of the media, and people connected to Jimmy Carter, including Rosalynn Carter and Jeff Carter (Jimmy's son). It also includes footage from the convention floor and demonstrators outside the convention, led by Ron Kovic.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• politics
• porta-pak
• coverage
• video
• freaks
• TVTV
• New
• York
• City
• broadcasting
• network
• veterans

[stinkystu1]

Excellent post!! Thanks.