DNC Day 3 - The Enviros flex their muscles
11:52 PM Aug 26, 2008
I wish I'd brought cooler clothes. I have all these long sleeve shirts and haven't worn one yet. Man it's hot.
The ride and drives continue, but we're spending most of our time now seeking interviews with anyone who we think will have something interesting to say about EVs. As promised by Daryl Hannah's manager yesterday, we got her for a good 15 minutes after she talked at the Denver Civic Center. This was a new venue for us and rich with possibility. I was wondering where all the protestors were hanging, the ones who remind me of my days in Eugene. Well, we found them here and got some decent material, although Daryl's interview might be the only usable one since she was pretty good at articulating the issue. Of course, Chris Paine and his editor will be making the call as to what goes in the film. Sometimes the most articulate isn't the most interesting.
It's great working with Cayenne and Colette. We move fast and can set up inside of 60 seconds when we need to. Colette is quite good behind the camera and handles the interview with ease. Cayenne and I are impressed with how easily she gets people to talk on camera. She has no fear and will approach anyone, anytime.
Last night, Colette split from us to go see a friend. When we got home later, our host told us he saw her on TV at the Michelle Obama speech. The camera had picked her out for a close up. We had no idea she was even going there, much less that she could get in. The Pepsi Center is an easy walk from where our EVs are parked, but you can't drive anywhere near it without credentials, nor can you walk to it, which we found out tonight. The place is secure as any I've seen. We got about 3 blocks away and that's it. Nobody without credentials gets closer.
The highlight of the day, however, came when Cayenne suggested we go to the Clean Tech Leader/New Energy Economy meeting conveniently located just 3 blocks away. It was air conditioned and they had free food and drink. Good call, Cayenne!
Most importantly, the speakers were stellar! Vijay Vaitheeswaran, correspondent for The Economist and author of "Power to the People" and most recently, "ZOOM: The Global Race to Fuel the Car of the Future"; Carol Browner, the longest serving administrator in the history of the EPA; Sen. Carl Levin, senior Senator from Michigan; Representative Jay Inslee of Washington, one of the country's leading proponents of plug-in vehicles; and finally, Robert Kennedy Jr., head of the Riverkeeper organization and one of the best speakers anywhere on the godawful environmental mess we're in. If you ever get the opportunity to hear him speak, take it. He puts into clear context the reasons why the carbon economy has hurt our society and offers viable solutions for reversing the trend.
We got several good interviews after the meeting with Jay Inslee's the best. He has a pitch perfect grasp of the plug-in movement. I only asked him 2-3 questions and he just ran with the answers. Here was someone in Congress who knew as much as I did about this issue. I found myself nodding in agreement and thinking Chris HAS to use some of this interview in the film!
Jay's pushing hard to get plug-in vehicles powered by renewable energy on the market ASAP. He is sponsoring the best legislation in the House to do just that.
Plug In America board member, Dan Davids first brought Jay to our attention since Dan lives in Seattle and has talked to Jay on numerous occasions. When I told Jay we were shooting for Chris Paine's new movie, he immediately asked if Chelsea Sexton would be in it. Sounded like Chelsea had impressed him like she has everyone else.
Colette interviewing a father and son who, as it turned out, were making a video of their own, and when Colette was finished...
They got out their own camera and interviewed her right back.
Turn about is fair play, and Colette is never shy in front of the camera.
Paul