Sen. Tim Kaine
for Hillary for America
James Kicklighter was responsible for directing, shooting, producing, and editing all content targeted towards Virginia, featuring private citizens, public figures, politicians, explaining policies targeting the state for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential Campaign. Hillary for America carried the state of Virginia in both the popular and electorial vote in the 2016 election.
- Invitation
After Senator Kaine was named the running mate, the campaign needed Virginia-specific surrogate content produced quickly. As the digital filmmaker assigned to Virginia, the work landed on my desk.
- Brief
A digital surrogate piece featuring the Senator, vetted through both the Brooklyn video team and finance before shipping.
- Approach
I produced the piece under the same model as our other HFA surrogate content — a Sony FS5 camera package, wireless lavalier, small crew, fast turnaround. With a sitting Senator, the production window is always narrow, and the work has to feel natural rather than staged. The final cut carried the required "Paid for by Hillary for America" disclaimer and was approved through HQ before posting.