House Democrat Eric Swalwell Teams With Showbiz Insiders to Craft Meme-Friendly Political Ads: ‘This Election Is About Freedom Over Fear’

As a political enthusiast, I find Congressman Eric Swalwell‘s journey to be both inspiring and intriguing. Born and raised in Dublin, California, he seems to embody the spirit of his hometown – resilient, adaptable, and always ready to take on new challenges. His life experiences, from being a prosecutor to serving in Congress, have equipped him with an unique perspective that sets him apart from many of his colleagues.


In less than half an hour, we completed the final scoring phase. The sole point of contention left unresolved: Whether the initial foreboding sound should play prior to or subsequent to the unveiling of Trump’s appearance.

On August 5th, David Grae (writer-producer), Michael Lim (editor) and W.G. Snuffy Walden (composer) met with Representative Eric Swalwell from California via Zoom. Their purpose was to review a version of a politically charged advertisement that was part of a broader effort aimed at preventing former President Donald Trump from regaining the White House.

Experienced movie producers from Hollywood noticed that a crucial part in Walden’s score for the 30-second ad required some fine-tuning. Swalwell admitted that Walden, who won an Emmy for his work on “The West Wing,” faced a challenging task.

He noted, chuckling, that you’re transitioning from a cheerful tune like ‘Here Comes the Sun’ to something more ominous, such as ‘Jaws.’ The video under analysis showcases a character portraying Donald Trump behind the wheel of a school bus.

“On occasions, rushing things can make you miss the mark, as Walden put it. He added, ‘If you’re not careful and act too quickly, you might leap before you look.'”

cheerful tunes filling the air, painting a pastoral scene, as a mother and her child head towards the school bus stop on their first day. Upon opening the bus door, the driver turns out to be Trump, boasting about his plans to rule like a dictator and overturn Roe v. Wade. The mother reacts with surprise, then glances at her daughter. “You know what, sweetheart? I’ll drive you today,” she says. The advertisement ends with Trump slamming the bus into garbage cans while typing out a tweet proclaiming himself as “A Very Stable Genius!!!!!”. The closing tagline: “Wouldn’t trust him with your child? Then why would you trust him with our country?”

The video is set to debut across popular platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and others a few days prior to the Democratic Party’s national convention in Chicago (August 19-22). This initiative is part of an ongoing information battle waged by Swalwell and other Democratic congressmen who believe the party needs to better communicate core political issues and its values to younger voters. Swalwell, aged 43, along with members of the Dem’s Future Forum caucus (established in 2015 as a result of the influx of millennials into Congress), understand that there’s a more engaging, humorous, and meme-friendly approach to resonate with TikTok and Instagram audiences.

As someone who has spent over two decades in the political arena, I have witnessed the evolution of the media landscape and its impact on elections. My early days were filled with traditional strategies, such as buying TV spots during prime-time news hours to sway public opinion. However, my recent experiences have shown me that this approach is no longer effective.

Swalwell emphasizes the importance of focusing on the individuals running for office rather than their policies, suggesting that we should share personal stories to make the election more relatable and less about lengthy debates. In other words, he’s saying that candidates’ human qualities are essential in a campaign where time is limited.

House Democrat Eric Swalwell Teams With Showbiz Insiders to Craft Meme-Friendly Political Ads: ‘This Election Is About Freedom Over Fear’

Due to the continuous chaos surrounding this year’s presidential election, Swalwell’s team is under increased pressure to act swiftly. With President Joe Biden stepping down from his candidacy on July 21 and passing the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats have little time left to mobilize American voters to cast a blue vote in November.

As a movie buff, I can say that these advertisements are intended to shake up the audience and make them understand the real consequences of Harris vs. Trump, as well as what a second term for President Trump under a Republican-controlled Congress might entail. They’re not your typical politically charged ads with flags everywhere; instead, they’re crafted to appeal to a younger demographic – reaching them right where they hang out online on social media platforms.

In some battleground states like Michigan, certain spots are being broadcast and will persist on local television channels. These advertisements do not explicitly endorse a particular candidate or matter. Instead, they concentrate on delivering a single, powerful message: Trump poses a threat to your fundamental liberties. The intention is to persuade reluctant voters to exercise their right to vote by instilling a sense of fear.

“Swalwell’s statement emphasizes that the primary strategy is to maintain the spotlight on Trump. This advertisement aims to contribute to a larger story about why Trump is harmful, and why Kamala Harris represents the future, despite her not being mentioned in the ad.”

Representative Eric Swalwell, who entered Congress in 2013 and hails from one of California’s most liberal districts near San Francisco, finances the production of these advertisements using funds from his own campaign account. Swalwell is married to a small business owner, Brittany Swalwell, and together they have three children – Nelson, Cricket, and Hank – all under the age of 8.

The intensified effort to quicken the delivery of Democratic messages during election seasons stemmed from the activities of Future Forum. This initiative led to interactions with screenwriters, directors, and other professionals in Hollywood, which happened following a candid discussion between Representative Swalwell and screenwriter Billy Ray at a fundraising event.

“Billy said to me, ‘Eric, I’d be glad to offer some assistance. I can introduce you to my network,'” Swalwell remembers. He further stated, “‘If you leave this conversation without incorporating insights from people like myself and the world’s top storytellers, you’re missing out on valuable opportunities.’ Swalwell also mentioned that ‘He has shared similar advice with numerous other colleagues, but many of them don’t act upon it.'”

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been fortunate enough to rally some of the best minds in the industry for this project. The talented Ray, Nasim Pedrad, and Jon Schroeder have penned some incredible scripts, while Doug Robinson, Tracy Falco, Hilary Shor, and UTA partner Shani Rosenzweig have all lent their producing skills to bring these ideas to life. Robert De Niro and Sean Penn have graciously offered their insights on themes and tone, making this project even more compelling, I must say.

The ads are created for relatively small amounts, operating covertly outside the framework of major political action committees or the Democratic Party. Their primary aim is to offer a straightforward perspective on pressing issues, such as advocating for a nationwide abortion ban, restricting access to birth control, abolishing no-fault divorce, repealing Obamacare, and other similar policies that align with far-right ideologies. These ads are blunt and unapologetically confrontational in their approach.

While tackling his projects, this congressman from the East Bay city of Dublin, California – a place he mentions was part of his upbringing among Republicans – has discovered an unexpected truth: Crafting top-notch videos turns out to be quite challenging.

In one instance, he found himself puzzled about something that seemed amiss in an earlier location until Grae highlighted the absence of background music. When it comes to crafting the school bus advertisement, selecting the perfect tune will be essential for effectively conveying our message.

During the scoring session, Grae noted that “The scores reflect the surprise we’d feel if it turned out to be Trump.”

Swalwell, previously a prosecutor for Alameda County’s District Attorney’s Office like Harris, later moved on to Washington. His legal background as a litigator shapes his strategy in the competitive field of elections. He believes that Democrats have been too cautious when dealing with challenging topics. Instead of emphasizing “reproductive rights,” he suggests it’s more impactful to highlight the issue of “abortion.” This is why one of his early campaign advertisements this year portrayed a haunting scene where a pregnant woman and her husband are stopped by a police officer before seeking medical help at a hospital.

As per Swalwell’s statement, Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader from Brooklyn, has articulated a distinct perspective on the contrast between the political communication strategies of Democrats and Republicans. In essence, Jeffries suggests that Republicans focus on making bold, attention-grabbing statements (often found in headlines), while Democrats tend to implement their policies more subtly, typically in the finer details (which may be less prominent but still vital).

Now, the congressman wants to change the font size.

Swalwell finds Harris’ presidential campaign particularly inspiring, not just because she held the position of Alameda County prosecutor before him. With Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, Harris has the opportunity to create history for the nation and simultaneously safeguard it from the political chaos instigated by Trump’s MAGA movement.

“In his view, this election is all about choosing freedom over fear. As Democrats, we’ve not emphasized freedoms much in the past, but with them being under such threat now, it’s crucial to do so. I believe that freedom should be our main message. Cast your vote for your liberty.”

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2024-08-14 20:18