Ron Paul needs help with live productions

[Matt Collins]

After seeing pics of the Philly rally, Ron Paul needs a dedicated production guy. This person would handle all of the technical aspects of the production and ensure things get done right.


- First off, the stage was waaaaaay tooo small.

- Secondly, it was too low to the ground. It did not provide enough visibility for the size crowd that attended.

- Third, there should not have been a black backdrop.

- Fourth, the speakers should've been hung from the roof of the stage so they could get as high as possible to be able to throw the sound the farthest distance possible.


I ran the sound at the Nashville rally, and I am a professional live audio engineer. I do concerts and events for a living.

[framecut]

After seeing pics of the Philly rally, Ron Paul needs a dedicated production guy. This person would handle all of the technical aspects of the production and ensure things get done right.


- First off, the stage was waaaaaay tooo small.

- Secondly, it was too low to the ground. It did not provide enough visibility for the size crowd that attended.

- Third, there should not have been a black backdrop.

- Fourth, the speakers should've been hung from the roof of the stage so they could get as high as possible to be able to throw the sound the farthest distance possible.


I ran the sound at the Nashville rally, and I am a professional live audio engineer. I do concerts and events for a living.

Agree with everything here. Especially the stage, it should be higher.

[Energy]

After seeing pics of the Philly rally, Ron Paul needs a dedicated production guy. This person would handle all of the technical aspects of the production and ensure things get done right.


- First off, the stage was waaaaaay tooo small.

- Secondly, it was too low to the ground. It did not provide enough visibility for the size crowd that attended.

- Third, there should not have been a black backdrop.

- Fourth, the speakers should've been hung from the roof of the stage so they could get as high as possible to be able to throw the sound the farthest distance possible.


I ran the sound at the Nashville rally, and I am a professional live audio engineer. I do concerts and events for a living.

Definitely let the campaign know. We need all the edge we can get.

[couvi]

The campaign has the money to spend at this point. When there is a very public event with plenty of media attention such as this, it is not the time to be frugal (perception is important).

I really hope that they actually spend all of the money that we are giving.

[Cali4RonPaul]

right guys i think Dr. Pauls campaign is going through growing stages, they are trying hard to keep up with our pace!! haha. I know they are hiring more and more specialists time will tell.

[American]

I think he needs a speech writer really badly, not to change the message but to make it more palatable to the masses. Not everyone has the time to spend to research RP and his positions which are very unique to him.

[couvi]

right guys i think Dr. Pauls campaign is going through growing stages, they are trying hard to keep up with our pace!! haha. I know they are hiring more and more specialists time will tell.

The fact of the matter is that they would hardly even have to hire someone. Make the needs of the campaign public and there will almost certainly be a passionate Paul supporter who would lend their expertise at absolute minimum cost.

[margomaps]

I think he needs a speech writer really badly, not to change the message but to make it more palatable to the masses. Not everyone has the time to spend to research RP and his positions which are very unique to him.

I agree he could polish up his delivery a bit. I don't mind it, but I know others do. The campaign could hire one of the more eloquent 'grassrootsers' to help with his speeches -- and they'd do it for peanuts.

[margomaps]

The fact of the matter is that they would hardly even have to hire someone. Make the needs of the campaign public and there will almost certainly be a passionate Paul supporter who would lend their expertise at absolute minimum cost.

You can say that again. :D

[Dlynne]

I think he needs a speech writer really badly, not to change the message but to make it more palatable to the masses. Not everyone has the time to spend to research RP and his positions which are very unique to him.

I totally, 100% agree with this. It has nothing to do with changing the message. But he needs help with editing and sound bytes. If we are in it to win, then we need to play with the big boys.

[me3]

I think he needs a speech writer really badly, not to change the message but to make it more palatable to the masses. Not everyone has the time to spend to research RP and his positions which are very unique to him.
Quoted for truth. There were some parts of his speech in Philly where he seemed to lose direction and cover the same point twice. Dr. Paul's best speaking is when he is responding to specific questions. I wish they would construct his speaking engagements that way. Point by point.

[couvi]

I don't think he needs a speech writer, per se. More direction and organization would be helpful, but someone giving him exact words to say would, in my opinion, be counterproductive and a very bad idea. He has thrived off of speaking the truth from his heart and mind--don't let anyone put words into his mouth. I'm comfortable, though, because I don't think that he would allow it.

[wealeat]

The fact of the matter is that they would hardly even have to hire someone. Make the needs of the campaign public and there will almost certainly be a passionate Paul supporter who would lend their expertise at absolute minimum cost.

Exactly, just take a look at all of the self made Youtube videos. We have supporters with real talent and skills in production. Those individuals need to be utilized by the campaign.

couvi, I sent you a pm.

[Cowlesy]

Great comments on this thread. It's hard sometimes to state these things as we all love Ron, but (and again, an unpopular thing to say) the campaign really needs to step it up and hire some heavy-hitters with track records to really polish up the delivery of all things Ron Paul.

The message in the ads are good, but even a reporter noted (one I can't stand) and I happened to agree with him they looked amateurish. That really nicely done flyer mis-spelled Reagan (I'm sorry, I'm a business where presentation is EVERYTHING and lack of using spellcheck or proofreading is grounds for a reprimand) and the policies, even after lots of harping by supporters, have seemed to receive no clarification on the website (which most news sites use as a source of getting his talking points on issues). Ron's so smart that doesn't even need notes to give a long speech, but even I sit and listen and sometimes see him start to ramble----having a well organized speech is critical to get masses of people have a high probability of "getting it".

When Lew Moore says "We're in it to win it", I hope he really means it as I know personally that I would never sacrifice any blood or treasure if I didn't wholeheartedly believe we stood a chance.

[Man from La Mancha]

All HQ has to do is before any major videos, ads or rallies is to ask us and they will get some very good hotly debated and scrutinized advice by a wide range of amatures and pros for free.

.

[Ron LOL]

I'm a mechanical engineer, but I'm not really familiar with stage production, so I'm not sure how I could make myself useful here. I do agree that RP could benefit from having his speeches massaged a bit by a talented speech writer, though. RP is great off-the-cuff and in responding to challenges -- he's a really quick witted guy -- but he has some shortcomings as a speaker.

[ronpaulfan]

If you can lend your professional expertise to Dr. Paul, here is the link:

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/join

[misconstrued]

I think he needs a speech writer really badly, not to change the message but to make it more palatable to the masses. Not everyone has the time to spend to research RP and his positions which are very unique to him.

I was thinking the exact same thing when I was watching the rally...

[Mark]

I was thinking the exact same thing when I was watching the rally...

Yeah..going from virtually NO support

to 4.3 million in one day

and live coverage of a rally on CNN

REALLY isn't working...

[ronpaulhawaii]

I'v been a professional in the corporate event industry for 20 yrs. I've been everything from a lighting puke to a TD. I've left Hawaii to do everything I can for the next year to help RP in any way I can, I'd be glad to step into such a role for room and board...

Whatever, for now I just pedal and talk, pedal and staple, and pedal and pedal, and pedal (LOL)

El Paso ROCKS, just getting going here but they broke the cherry with the media today, was in a Clear Channel studio for an hour and a half and got about about 20 minutes of solid RP in, could really use an audio engineer (Matt;)) to edit the following links.

http://www.naturalsolutionsradio.com/media/111007EliAlGarcia.htm
Short plug ~1/4 way in, segment ~1/2 way, segment ~3/4way
http://www.naturalsolutionsradio.com/media/111007EliMikeSistrunk.htm
mostly 2/3 way in till end,

Some entertaining comments throughout but whole thing is 2 hrs, host was quite the character

m

[couvi]

I'v been a professional in the corporate event industry for 20 yrs. I've been everything from a lighting puke to a TD. I've left Hawaii to do everything I can for the next year to help RP in any way I can, I'd be glad to step into such a role for room and board...

Whatever, for now I just pedal and talk, pedal and staple, and pedal and pedal, and pedal (LOL)

El Paso ROCKS, just getting going here but they broke the cherry with the media today, was in a Clear Channel studio for an hour and a half and got about about 20 minutes of solid RP in, could really use an audio engineer (Matt;)) to edit the following links.

http://www.naturalsolutionsradio.com/media/111007EliAlGarcia.htm
Short plug ~1/4 way in, segment ~1/2 way, segment ~3/4way
http://www.naturalsolutionsradio.com/media/111007EliMikeSistrunk.htm
mostly 2/3 way in till end,

Some entertaining comments throughout but whole thing is 2 hrs, host was quite the character

m

Have you approached the Paul campaign with your credentials and an offer to donate your services?

[ronpaulhawaii]

Have you approached the Paul campaign with your credentials and an offer to donate your services?

I filled out the "join" sheet back in April or May, and I think they know what I am up to. Will mention it again when I get a chance but am not the type to add to the flood of e-mails / calls that HQ has to process each day. Was actually hoping someone from there might be reading this ;)

[Matt Collins]

Dr. Pauls campaign is going through growing stagesPun intended? :D

[Matt Collins]

All HQ has to do is before any major videos, ads or rallies is to ask us and they will get some very good hotly debated and scrutinized advice by a wide range of amatures and pros for free.

I think that the asinine FEC laws prohibit coordination of this type. :rolleyes:

[VRP08]

I agree. You sound like the perfect candidate to do the job! http://www.mazeguy.net/expressive/scratchchin.gif

[Primbs]

Did that set up look like it would cost 140 K like some people had said?

[DeadheadForPaul]

I totally, 100% agree with this. It has nothing to do with changing the message. But he needs help with editing and sound bytes. If we are in it to win, then we need to play with the big boys.

Agreed. Dr. Paul is so used to talking to people who tend to either passionately agree with him (us) or passionately disagree with him (those on the hill) that he's not used to "converting" Joe and Jane America. He just need to have an objective voice let him know how to more effectively communicate what he's saying. No need to change the message - just where to place emphasis. For example, he needs to address healthcare more often and explain how our free market approach is superior - often this subject gets left out yet it's one of the top 3 most important issues to voters

[Matt Collins]

I agree. You sound like the perfect candidate to do the job! http://www.mazeguy.net/expressive/scratchchin.gifIf the campaign called me and was able to pay me a living wage, I would drop everything and do it tomorrow!

[Matt Collins]

Did that set up look like it would cost 140 K like some people had said?No. That event shouldn't have have cost more than $50k AT MOST! If they paid out more than $10k for what they got then the production company ripped them off.

[piotr1]

I think that the speakers on the sides were too far forward, you couldn't see dr. paul from the sides!

[Matt Collins]

I think that the speakers on the sides were too far forward, you couldn't see dr. paul from the sides!That's why they should be hung, not stacked. Plus you get a LOT more distance from them when they are hung.

[ronpaulhawaii]

That's why they should be hung, not stacked. Plus you get a LOT more distance from them when they are hung.

A1's can be so demanding ;).

Without doing a site survey I can only judge by pics, but do not see the venue having the depth necessary for the increased cost/time issues of hanging line arrays.

Wings, perhaps?

(and that pun thing WAS funny)

m

[Matt Collins]

A1's can be so demanding ;).

Without doing a site survey I can only judge by pics, but do not see the venue having the depth necessary for the increased cost/time issues of hanging line arrays.

Wings, perhaps?
Absolutely not, you ALWAYS fly the PA no matter what!

The farther up from 100Hz you get the more directional the sound is. That means that if you do not have line of sight to the speakers, you won't hear much of anything other than low end mud. This is one reason why the speakers must be flown. Secondly, when they are stacked, you can't get the proper angles for the correct coupling the line array is designed for. That is bad for a whole host of reasons beyond the scope of this post.

Also, due to a thermal layer that will build over top of a crowd, if the angle of incidence of the incoming acoustical energy is not steep enough, rarefaction can occur and most of the sound can skip right over the heads of the crowd. This isn't just theory, this is reality.


Then of course there are the space saving issues and the line of sight issues to clean up the stage by not having stacks.

There are other technical reasons too but again I won't go into that because everyone here will end up cross-eyed lol :p

[Revolution9]

After seeing pics of the Philly rally, Ron Paul needs a dedicated production guy. This person would handle all of the technical aspects of the production and ensure things get done right.


- First off, the stage was waaaaaay tooo small.

- Secondly, it was too low to the ground. It did not provide enough visibility for the size crowd that attended.

- Third, there should not have been a black backdrop.

- Fourth, the speakers should've been hung from the roof of the stage so they could get as high as possible to be able to throw the sound the farthest distance possible.


I ran the sound at the Nashville rally, and I am a professional live audio engineer. I do concerts and events for a living.

Some Bose PAS would be ideal. They have a 1/2PI falloff as opposed to inverse square and a 170 degree coverage. Clear and natur;l as could possibly be. Linear arrays are the way to go for projection and clarity.

Best
Randy

[Matt Collins]

They have a 1/2PI falloff as opposed to inverse square and a 170 degree coverage. \Huh? All sound has an inverse square law loss of energy (assuming no atmospheric anomalies).

[Matt Collins]

Bump

[constituent]

excellent constructive criticism. have you added it to the "constructive criticism for hq" thread yet?

[constituent]

Absolutely not, you ALWAYS fly the PA no matter what!

The farther up from 100Hz you get the more directional the sound is. That means that if you do not have line of sight to the speakers, you won't hear much of anything other than low end mud. This is one reason why the speakers must be flown. Secondly, when they are stacked, you can't get the proper angles for the correct coupling the line array is designed for. That is bad for a whole host of reasons beyond the scope of this post.

Also, due to a thermal layer that will build over top of a crowd, if the angle of incidence of the incoming acoustical energy is not steep enough, rarefaction can occur and most of the sound can skip right over the heads of the crowd. This isn't just theory, this is reality.


Then of course there are the space saving issues and the line of sight issues to clean up the stage by not having stacks.

There are other technical reasons too but again I won't go into that because everyone here will end up cross-eyed lol :p


see... now this is the ronpaulforums.com i've been missing.

[cyrax]

I think he needs a speech writer really badly, not to change the message but to make it more palatable to the masses. Not everyone has the time to spend to research RP and his positions which are very unique to him.
A-freakn-MEN
Delivery and wording are everything. I think Ron's biggest flaw.

[Matt Collins]

see... now this is the ronpaulforums.com i've been missing.You're welcome :p

[expatinireland]

Matt,

Did you watch the Manchester Townhall meeting?

It was watching this event that told me the official campaign doesn't know what it is doing.

Now I can't claim I am a professional, just some course work in political communication and a little bit of work in tv commercials, but imo the staging at the Manchester event was just awful.

Ron Paul was in a grey suit standing in front of a grey background. The image on the
screen was very poor and definitely not Presidential.

It made me wonder whether the campaign manager has the tools necessary to do the job.

[Matt Collins]

Did you watch the Manchester Townhall meeting?No I did not but I have read some very bad things about the production value of it on here.