When Barak Obama was campaigning, he published an image film on his website entitled “The road we've traveled”. Tom Hanks speaks. Barely Obama. Because it's about People to touch.

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The message: Powerful and energetic

Because the winner of the presidential election will not be whoever has more arguments. The winner will be whoever touches more people. emotions make presidents, like emotions are crucial in other situations. Does the film manage to create the right emotions?

The film's dramaturgy is classic. With the question “What do we remember?” the viewer is transported into a cheering scene from the 2008 election campaign. But immediately afterwards, Obama is confronted with the harsh reality after the victory.

Generate emotions

So also in the movie. The stock exchange, the banks, the real estate! Film excerpts, photos, statements by contemporary witnesses and pictures of Obama will be shown. He is shown alternately in two poses: thoughtful and powerful. The message: Obama acts carefully and then energetically!

Exactly after the first quarter of the movie follows the first plot point (turning point). This is classic for feature films. In this case, a graph is shown in which the employment figures in the last months of the Bush era go down drastically. The color of the bars is red, like that of the Republicans.

The heroic journey: Obama, the lone warrior

Now the ups and downs of the hero, which is important and usual for an exciting dramaturgy, begin. After Obama took measures to increase employment (e.g. bridge building) successfully started, the next one follows Crisis: The car manufacturers are asking for Money. The lights go out dramatically in a factory hall. The situation is serious. Even former President Bill Clinton has his say.

Because everyone else is doing nothing or not wanting to do anything, it is Obama, the heroic lone wolf, who is saving the auto industry. Also a speech excerpt and a picture of the young Obama between his grandparents, who taught him how important it is to have a job. Obama saves the auto industry. But the next one is already there Problem to: the healthcare system.

Turning point in the middle of the film

A topic since Nixon – and Clinton has his say again. With a graphic, the exploding Costs shown, however this graph does not have that Significance the employment graph. It is interesting that – as in classical dramaturgy – it is shown exactly at the center of the film.

There will also be a photo of Obama Mother shown who died of breast cancer and who could have lived longer with a better funded healthcare system. For the first time, Obama himself speaks briefly. And his too Ms. Michelle.

The second plot point

After that, it is about foreign policy: Iraq soldiers could be brought home. Bin Laden's death is also listed on the credit side. Obama refers to his feelings in this situation and supports Bill Clinton's comments. And as a proof of the correctness of the killing, a picture of Obama at the Ground Zero monument is shown.

And again, as if by chance, but for experienced presentationEyes clearly recognizable: after three quarters of the film the second plot point. The last four minutes are about the direct benefits for the citizens and thus voters. Now it will be listed what each of Obama's achievements has to offer.

In the end: Obama's performance instead of crises

It goes up. No more crises. Solutions. The pictures: first the affected people, then big personalities like the Dalai Lama, presidents etc. and then people cheering Obama.

Shortly before the final sentence the climax. That too is classic. The employment graph from the first inflection point is now continued with blue bars (the color of the Democrats). In doing so, she keeps going up to prove for the last time what Obama has done.

Even the auto industry does not stop again after less than two years and invests all around. Here are news pictures. A true highlight! While Obama is now being cheered on by workers, children and voters, there follows a strong conclusion and then the logo of Obama and Biden, his deputy.

Even the words convince - and generate emotions

When it comes to the choice of words clear on what is the central message of the film. Obama makes decisions. And the right ones. Especially when others don't know what to do. Or possibly doing the wrong thing. Obama, on the other hand, makes the right decisions, which gives a sense of security.

The first part is about: “Not since the days of Franklin Roosevelt has fallen so much on the shoulders of one president.” The subject is dramatized with this meaningfully emphasized statement. Obama is shown in black and white pictures, thoughtful and statesmanlike. The music is accordingly supporting.

Everything is about decisions!

It is not only spoken of decisions, but above all of the fact that in the beginning the first one decision was which decision had to be made first, what to start with in the first place. Because of this game, underlined by statements from contemporary witnesses, the word “decisions” is mentioned very frequently.

Consequently, the final sentence also revolves around decisions. About decisions that were not made for the election campaign. Decisions that are also in Future have to be met. From Barack Obama:

“Time and time again we would see rewards from top decisions he had made. Not for quick political game, but for long term and enduring change. So when we remember this moment, and consider this president, then and now, but remember how far we've come, and look forward to the work still to be done. ”

Conclusion: Emotional film with lengths

It is fascinating to analyze how the findings and Methods of the doyen of tension, Alfred Hitchcock, which I described in my presentation book of the same name, can be used not only for presentations but also for this type of political image film and act.

The emotions carefully planned in the arc of suspense come across clearly in the video. However, the film is very slow despite all the dramaturgy and emotion. This underlines the thoughtfulness and robs him of the superficial advertising of the election campaign.

Successful movie with lengths

But there is a clear risk that a large proportion of people will switch off prematurely. Especially since the film not least in the Internet should be looked at. Then all the Hollywood quality is useless.

Final conclusion from the point of view of a presentation expert: Very successful in terms of structure and due to the perfectly thought-out dramaturgy, but could be tighter and tighter in some places to really keep all viewers in the mood until the end of the film Stange to keep.

A film showing Obama's strategy

It won't be the only film. Since the Republicans their Candidates not yet finally nominated, not a word is said against an opponent. It will be like this for sure there will be more films that support or try to dismantle Obama and Romney.

The film “The Road We've Traveled” is so important because it opens Obama's election campaign and his Strategy shows. After “Yes we can!” Obama is now the man of decisions.