I Can Shoot Better Video than Politico

On Politico’s main page today they had a story entitled, “Economy Hurts Book Parties.”

I thought to myself, “WTF does that mean?” So of course I had to check it out.

What I saw was a crappy video about a small party celebrating author Matt Continetti’s new book, “The Persecution of Sarah Palin.”

It looked like it was shot with a Flip video camera, which is fine, but camera shake was making me sick (should have used a tripod, like I realized after shooting my video on the South End Dog Park with my Kodak Zi8). And it sounded like the cameraman was using the Flip’s on camera mic which everyone knows sucks. And there was no editing to make it look at least a little bit professional. The cameraman just shot it, asked a couple questions and cut it up. It was full of jump cuts.

Basically what I’m saying is that my whole Jo540 Media class can shoot better video than this and many of them learned how to make video news stories from just one 3 hour class.

There was no story to this video, in fact, there was no news. It look like some crappy PR video advertising this book about Sarah Palin. This makes me not want to read it.Why is this even on Politico??? The written stuff under the video is even more embarrassing. The authors of this story ranked different aspects of the party on a scale of 1-5, including a categories like “Booze” and “Fun Factor.” Fun Factor? You’re at a stupid book party for a stupid book about Sarah Palin! ZERO FUN!!!

If this is what it takes to make online videos for a major news website like Politico.com, then my whole Jo540 will have no problem finding jobs when they graduate.

Thaddeus McCotter Rocks Out

When I was on Politico.com and saw that a republican congressman, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), broke a Guinness World Record for shredding the gnar (playing guitar) I had to make a comment about it.

A picture from Politico.com of McCotter playing the axe.

Back in March McCotter played at a benefit concert for the Michigan’s auto industry at AJ’s Music Cafe in Ferndale, Michigan that lasted 288 hours. That’s 12 days!!! The record was for the longest concert by multiple artists.

Dr. Zaius and the Bright Eyes, McCotter’s brother’s band, helped McCotter rock out. And no, McCotter’s brother isn’t actually Dr. Zaius and his back up band isn’t Bright Eyes.

But HEY! If you don’t believe me that McCotter shred, check out his YouTube page: RepMcCotter YouTube

And here are some videos of McCotter jamming out at the benefit concert that broke the world record (all on his youtube page).

He also plays in a group called the “Second Amendments” (wtf?) who are, according to his Youtube page, “a bipartisan Rock/Country Band made up of 5 members of Congress. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Thad McCotter (R-MI), Dave Weldon (R-FL), Jon Porter (R-NV), and Kenny Hulshof (R-MO).” (wtf?!?!!?!) I have to see these guys when come play at the Paradise this winter.
Here’s a video of them playing a benefit concert for Farm Aid:

It reminds me of my high school when the the science teachers formed a band playing Beatles covers and performing them at school functions.

I kinda wish now his brother was actually Dr. Zaius…

But congrats to you McCotter on your world record! You really do know how to rock out over there on capital hill! \m/