Tips & Resources

To help you get started with your own Obama in 30 Seconds ad, we've put together some of the most useful resources on making videos, the history of political ads, and Barack Obama.

How To Make A Great Ad

Put simply, the difference between low-quality ads and okay ads is good audio and decent lighting. The difference between okay ads and good ads is a clear, novel message idea. The difference between good ads and great ads is a single, powerful visual that connects emotionally with the viewer and tells the story of the whole ad.

Video Producer Resources & Training

http://current.com/producerResources.htm
Current TV has put together one of the best how-to guides anywhere. Check out their A-to-Z video production tips and their training videos on storytelling, shooting, and editing. Their focus is not specifically on advertisements, but the lessons are largely applicable.

Music Resources

Some musicians make their music available under a Creative Commons license that would allow you to use it in your ad for free. You can find more information on that option at http://creativecommons.org/legalmusicforvideos. You can also purchase pre-cleared music that you should be able to use in your ad at sites like http://www.sirgroovy.com/, or download free music for your ad at http://www.mobygratis.com.

Political Ad History

The sites below contain most of the political ads made since the advent of television.

The Living Room Candidate

http://livingroomcandidate.org/
The Museum of the Moving Image has a website with all the presidential ads from 1952-2004. Some amazing stuff.

"Mixed Messages" Political Ads Database

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/politicalads/
Put together by the Washington Post, this video library only covers 2006-2007, but includes races other than president and ads from non-campaign groups as well.

Bush In 30 Seconds

http://www.bushin30seconds.org/
See the finalists from our 2004 Bush In 30 Seconds contest, the first of its kind. Note the amazing creativity and variety of these ads.

Resources about Barack Obama

Check out our list of things to know about Barack Obama.

Barack Obama's YouTube Channel

http://youtube.com/user/BarackObamadotcom
This is just for reference, not to use in your ads, but it contains many of Barack's ads, campaign-made videos, and news clips of interest.

YouBama

http://www.youbama.com/
A site dedicated entirely to online videos in favor of Obama, made by both celebrities and regular folks.

Hope Act Change

http://www.hopeactchange.com
A new site created by will.i.am, Jesse Dylan, and the other creators of the "Yes We Can" video.

Flickr

You can find many pictures of Barack Obama on Flickr, including on the Barack Obama Flickr page. Many of these photos are licensed under a Creative Commons license that allows you to use them for political commercials as long as you give credit to their owners.

 

Paid for by MoveOn.org Political Action, http://political.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. All submissions to the Obama in 30 Seconds contest were produced independently of the Obama for America campaign.

MoveOn.org Political Action is a federal political committee which primarily helps members elect candidates who reflect our values through a variety of activities aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election.

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