Massachusetts was first state in the nation to allow same-sex couples to have marriage licenses. There was a years-long effort to put the question out to a referendum. Equal marriage had lost badly in every state that had grappled with the issue, even the bluest of states. No communication had ever moved public opinion — until this simple, unscripted, authentic one. This spot was used as a model as the movement grew across America.
Yeah, I started a debate on "Morning Joe." Mika was shaken. Barnicle wasn't having any of it. Howard Dean thought the spot was kinda awesome. It's a re-cut of an Obama-Biden swing state ad for the New York governor's race, Cuomo v Palatino.
Every election cycle, the fate of Roe v Wade comes up — and the story is so repetitive that even women voters who really care aren't moved. Was there a way to make the issue powerful again? This spot ran in swing states like Ohio for Obama-Biden. It won best in category from the American Association of Political Consultants.
When Scott Brown won the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in 2010, the prospects of the Affordable Care Act took a hit in Congress. Massachusetts health reform, the basis for the ACA, was "the canary in the coal mine" they said. Look who won in Massachusetts! I made this for a coalition including Health Care For All and Community Catalyst that wanted to set the record straight and stiffen spines in DC.
Safe Connect is a domestic violence outreach first: you can use a simple site tool (which I also worked on) to call, email, or live chat in just about any language. Ultimately, you're referred to local services. Most domestic violence creative work is a failure: survivors will tell you it's not so much the violent event, but the waiting for it. The feeling you can control it. The idea that if you can just be more "perfect..."
I directed several storytelling videos for the U.S. military that didn't so much advocate enlistment (a few focused on other major life decisions), but advocated taking control of your future. Stepping up. Being unafraid. I was behind the camera making subjects comfortable, managing authentic stories from which we'd cut videos of different lengths. This is Josh's whole story.
I "starred" in and produced this very silly video for my friends at WalkBoston, who advocate for pedestrians and others to have a more livable city (I use a wheelchair). It was designed to draw attention to how the City of Boston snowplows bury ADA curb cuts under giant piles. This video got over 25,000 views in social media and landed me interviews on WBUR radio and WCVB-TV evening news.