Obama and Politics 2.0: Documenting History in Real-Time July 16, 2008

frog design, Fast Company, and NYU’s Tisch Interactive Telecommunications Program present a design mind speaker series event:

Obama and Politics 2.0: Documenting History in Real Time
Arun Chaudhary, director of video field production for Barack Obama, in conversation with Ellen McGirt, senior writer for Fast Company

Wednesday, July 16, 7pm
19 W 4th St. Room 101
(b/w Mercer & Greene)
New York, NY 10012

The National Journal writes that when Arun Chaudhary was a teenager, his father asked him why he didn’t want to get into politics. “I can’t, Dad,” he recalled saying. “I have a funny name.” Now Arun Chaudhary is as close to politics as one can be: He took leave from his day job — professor at the NYU graduate film school — to become Barack Obama’s director of video field production.

After nearly a year on the campaign trail, Chaudhary has posted more than 850 videos on the BarackObama.com website and on YouTube. His short clips from Obama’s town hall meetings, big rallies, and on-the-road moments draw an average of 10,000 viewers each. They have become a cornerstone of a campaign that has brought into the realm of political communication the concept of web 2.0: collaborative formats, micro-crowds, and social aggregation. A new type of political auteur in the age of YouTube, the 32-year-old filmmaker has developed a unique style that is innovative, fresh and—like the candidate—challenges convention. Chaudhary playfully remixes elements of amateur video, polit-documentary, CNN B-roll, TV spots, cinema, and behind-the-scenes outtakes into a vibrant, eclectic, and authentic voice of the campaign.

Ellen McGirt is a senior writer at Fast Company and author of its April 2008 cover story "The Brand Called Obama."

Doors open at 6:30. Beer, wine, and light refreshments will be served. Space is limited, so please RSVP to ensure your spot on the list.

Official Website: http://www.frogdesign.com/events/obama-and-politics-2-0-documenting-history-in-real-time-560.html