The non-news:

MTV stuff

True Life: I'm Rallying to L.A.
I recently learned that people like to drive fast, and for no particular reason sometimes. In my first job for MTV I served as a field and segment producer for an hour-long documentary about a road rally race from New York to Los Angeles. The race was intense and included about 50 cars. We focused on three teams to really try to get inside the minds of these people as they weave in and out of traffic at 150 mph during rush hour! The coolest part for me was hanging from the ski of a helicopter shooting the final leg from above as the crew sped through Death Valley from Las Vegas to L.A. Click here to see the MTV web info about the show.

Other stuff

Video the Vote
I didn't vote. I know, I know, how un-American of me right? Well, it was a tough call but at the end of the day I decided to take advantage of a cool opportunity to help the voting process where it counted, Ohio. Michael Moore bussed 20 or so filmmakers from New York City to Cleveland in order to stand outside polling places to document any "odd" or "harassing" activity. It rained all day and wasn't comfortable but I did feel like we made a difference because there were some strange patterns that developed throughout the day. One of the filmmakers on the trip cut together a five-minute segment from all our footage, an posted it on the BoinBoing blog website. Click here to check out the story and the footage.

The news:

CNN stuff

Edwards Speaks at Columbia
To kick off his New York campaign for Super Tuesday, Senator John Edwards spoke to students at Columbia University. I covered the event fly-on-the-wall style and talked to some students to get their reaction. Click here to view the 12 meg mp4 file. You will need Quicktime or Real Player.

Heard But Not Seen in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is the traditional political playground where the partisan meets the populous. And in the days leading up to the nation’s first presidential primary, candidates canvas the state to meet voters and refine their message, but, this message couldn’t reach the masses without the help of an extraordinary sound man who uses his skills to make sure history gets heard. In November, I had the pleasure of following Bob Molloy around for a few days as he set up various candidate speaking engagements. The piece aired on NewsNight with Aaron Brown in January. Mac users click here for a 20 meg Quicktime file, Windows users click here for a seven meg Windows Media file.

Advocacy Group Moveon.org Sponsors Grassroots Political Ad Contest
Faced with the challenge of producing a one-man-band political story in less than two weeks to hit air before the ball dropped on 2004, I got an idea from a friend who took part in Moveon.org's ad contest Bush in 30 Seconds. The rules were to "tell the truth about Bush" and the entries were, well, to say the least a bit Bush-bashing. What caught my true interest, however, was what this contest really said about how far technology is influencing communication and the role that can play in a national political race. For the first time ever, regular "Joes" who have access to a video camera, computer, and Internet connection can get a home-produced commercial played on the network level. On December 30, 2003, my story aired on CNN's Inside Politics: Click here for the video (note: this is a 10 meg mov file, you will need Quicktime or Real Player to view).

Merrimack Restaurant Serves Food and Presidential History
When asking a New Hampshire voter who they like in the campaign, many will reply, "I've only met the candidates five times each, I'm still undecided." And though this sounds outrageous at first, upon closer inspection, it's more true than exaggerated. This is because candidates make it a point to stop into local hangouts to shake hands and take the time to talk with regular Joes. One venue that's never missed is the legendary Merrimack Restaurant, located in downtown Manchester. I caught up with the two sister owners to learn the secret ingredients to their success. Click here for full story (Windows Media player file).

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In Early October, I was sent to cover the California recall election from an "alternative" angle. The first story I cut was about a legendary, cooperatively owned bakery in Berkeley call the Cheeseboard. The next piece was a sights and sounds montage of what it was like to ride the on a bus from San Diego to Sacramento with the Arnold campaign.

Cheeseboard

Arnold bus

While completing a Masters Fellowship at CNN, I was sent to Buffalo, NY, to cover the Young Democrats National Convention "one-man-band" style. See below for the link (it's in MP4 format, which most new video players should be able to view).

YDA.celebrity

Also while at CNN, I recorded an anchor audition. Please see below.

CNN anchor audition

Other stuff

Sarah Foley Live
I have a friend who really wants to be an on-air reporter. But, like many starting out in the business, she was caught in that vicious circle where in order to get a job, you need a reel, but you can't really make a reel without a job. So, since I have a background in TV news, one spring day in New York, we decided to head out and produce our own package.

Sarah Foley for Long Island News 12

The commercials:

While at KVIA-TV7 in El Paso, TX, I wrote, directed, produced (and sometimes starred in) many local commercials. It was fun to be an auteur, but I will mention one disclaimer: I had no budget for any of these. I guess desperation breeds inspiration, you be the judge.