Detroit Filmmakers Produce Barack Obama Videos with Nothing but “HOPE”

by Nev Muftari

May 2nd, 2008 in Creative, Detroit, Talent

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Local Detroit director Qasim A. Basir partnered up with fellow colleagues in a bi-coastal effort, pulling together their resources to produce three videos in support of the Barack Obama campaign, all done completely through donations from friends.

Qasim had been thinking for several months about how he could help the Barack Obama Presidential Campaign.

“I couldn’t send them a million dollars, so I wanted to do something that could potentially make a significant difference,” said Basir.

So late one night, sitting in his NY apartment, he received a call from Michael Lynch, a long time schoolmate who’s also a filmmaker in Los Angeles. Coincidentally, Mike had also been thinking the same thing. With that inspiration, the fire was lit. Basir stayed up the whole night constructing different concepts that align with the theme of “Yes We Can.”

The next morning, he called Mike to tell him of the concept. Mike liked them, so they began working. There was one problem: They had no money for production, and Mike was in LA while Qasim in NY. Determined, Qasim got on his computer, and emailed a number of friends asking for donations to help with the Obama video project. With small contributions and a modest budget developed by Producer James Yi, they were able to raise the necessary funds to start the project. Days later, Qasim was in LA casting the characters.

“The way everything came together was just amazing because of the amount of people willing to help just because it was for Barack,” says Basir. From the initial phone call to casting to shooting, everything was donated. Cameras, equipment, catering, make-up, locations, music, editorial and services were all provided for free. They shot for two days, edited for a week and a half and a product was made.

The initial release of the videos is on YouTube, but the group hopes that the Obama campaign takes notice and starts to use them for broadcast. “The inspiration we had to come together and do this is very significant because its reflective of Obama’s ability to bring together a Nation.”

Check out all three “Yes You Can” videos. Immigration, Housing and College, as well as a behind the scenes video can be watched online.

A Social Media strategist located in Metro Detroit, Nev Muftari works with entrepreneurs and businesses to harness the power of Social Media in their day-to-day activities. You can visit Nev's blog at idUnited to check the latest in ideas + design, plus learn more about how he might be able to help you or your business.