As a seasoned veteran of live events production, I can confidently say that this Democratic National Convention was nothing short of extraordinary. The energy, passion, and determination that filled the air was palpable, and it was an honor to be part of such a historic event.
Following their successful stint at the highly-watched Democratic National Convention, where over 26 million viewers tuned in on Thursday evening to see Vice President Kamala Harris receive the presidential nomination, Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss have concluded their duties.
The Emmy-awarded duo (Kirshner oversaw execution, Weiss took charge of direction) orchestrated a four-day spectacle, blending style and substance. While DNC veterans usually opt for speakers focusing on issues, this year it was mostly political consultant Stephanie Cutter and her team who took on that role. However, Kirshner and Weiss played a significant part in shaping the event’s atmosphere and guiding the messages we received. They were also responsible for creating the popular Lil Jon roll-call moment that went viral.
After the event wrapped up, The Hollywood Reporter sat down with the duo to discuss their achievements, areas for improvement, and the persistent Beyoncé speculation. Their dialogue has been shortened and clarified for a concise read.
This year, the Democratic National Convention seemed somewhat distinct – the vibe, the glamour. Was any of that intentional?
RICKY KIRSHNER I believe the joy of reuniting, having been apart for four years due to the pandemic, significantly contributed to our experience. In reality, it’s been eight years since we’ve shared an event like this.
GLENN WEISS The emphasis has changed significantly – we transformed a four-week-old event with a new contender and discarded the old format to generate fresh intrigue and recollections.
How would these telecasts have looked different with a Biden nomination?
WHITE We would have provided an intense experience too, without a doubt. However, the chants and signs were distinctly different; the material was dissimilar. I believe that the entire feel changed significantly when we shifted towards a consolidated party in this new direction.
Did you pivot at all during the week too?
One strategy we employed was broadening the application of the DJ setup prior to the final evening, as a reaction to the evolving nature of the room.
That wasn’t planned?
On a Wednesday past midnight, we mused, “Imagine if we had a DJ here tonight, it’d be fantastic!” So, we phoned the Chicago Bulls and inquired, “Do you happen to have a DJ available?”
How extensively are you tailoring your content for social media these days? Balancing a performance that works in the physical space and remotely seems challenging enough; adding the requirement to make it suitable for YouTube videos the following day certainly adds another layer of complexity!
WEISS The recent trend has been about making each performance piece self-contained, rather than thinking about how they can be edited later. Instead of considering, “We already have a wide shot at the beginning of the last hour, so we don’t need it again,” I now focus on every piece as if it’s a standalone unit.
While of course still making sure it flows as one piece.
As an ardent admirer reflecting on the process, I believe we managed to streamline most of the speeches quite effectively. However, during the initial session, things took longer than expected, causing us to overlook a few crucial points. Thankfully, Stephanie and her writing team were instrumental in trimming down the speeches, allowing us to regroup and move forward. In times past, our sessions would commence at 4 PM, with an endless lineup of speakers that stretched on seemingly forever. Today, we must adapt to new thinking strategies.
Do you need to adjust your position significantly within a room, or does it feel like everything at a convention follows a predetermined plan, yet the most memorable instances are completely spontaneous?
Ricky and I have built our professional journey around live television, taking great pride in our agility to adjust to an ever-evolving environment. This is reminiscent of the improvisation principle, often referred to as “Yes, and…”
Like the Gus Walz moment — how planned was that?
WEISS Not planned at all. I just saw what was happening and said, “Let’s cut to it.”
Many found it heartwarming when he wept, declaring “that’s my dad,” but there were also criticisms from some on the right…
WHITE I believe this distinction clearly portrays both parties involved. It reveals much more about them, rather than him.
What other moments surprised you with their virality?
KIRSHNER The Georgia roll call featuring Lil Jon stood out for me, it started off small but ended up being quite a sensation. We simply wanted to liven up the atmosphere, yet when we woke up the next day, it was like “oh my goodness!” Even some people from other states weren’t interested in joining us, but Lil Jon really took the initiative and got involved enthusiastically.
WEISS I knew Lil Jon would work when Sean Astin got up [for Indiana] and people started chanting ‘Rudy, Rudy.’ But it’s important to remember we don’t want every moment to be an in-your-face DJ moment — we also want something that’s touching. What you want is to craft a show where the hands are clapping but also the tears are flowing. That’s a big point of what we do — the flash and dazzle is great but if we can have your heart and emotion, that’s what we really want.
The speech delivered by Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the father of the detained young man in Gaza, appeared to stand out among many convention speeches before it. It echoed in an unusual yet compelling manner compared to most past speaking engagements.
As a gamer, I’ve steered countless scenes, but none compared to the one where emotions took over. I found myself unable to command the camera, so overwhelmed was I by the depth of it all. Our aim is to let viewers experience that raw emotion, and I believe we succeeded in doing just that.
KIRSHNER “Wow, it’s tough for me to breathe because this event is filled with so many new faces and unfamiliar speeches. In contrast, during a show like the Tonys, we’re well-acquainted with everyone and all the lines. Here, however, it’s as much of a surprise to us as it is to the audience.”
Speaking of surprises….
KIRSHNER (laughing): Oh no.
Hey there! Let me ask you something. Was it really a surprise that Beyoncé was performing last Thursday? Or did something unexpected unfold instead?
KIRSHNER We’ve never released any information about Beyoncé. Each time the media inquired, we firmly declined – despite the fact that some members of my team didn’t trust this claim. I was constantly receiving messages from news outlets asking, “When will Beyoncé make her appearance?” But honestly, we have the most prominent figure, the Democratic presidential nominee. Why would we divert attention from that?
WEISS (PARAPHRASING) The Internet was behaving as if it had a mind of its own, causing people to accept rumors as truth, such that individuals in my booth were asking me, “Is she arriving? Can you tell me?” To which I would respond, “I have no idea if she’s coming.” And they would reply, “No information means there is something to know!” It was quite astonishing. In the end, even TMZ, who initially reported it, had to issue an apology.
It’s true that you had many other famous figures alongside you, but there appeared to be an ongoing debate about how prominently they should be showcased.
Our primary objective is to disseminate information about the Democratic party, and celebrities assist us in achieving that goal effectively. However, we must always remember our main purpose. For instance, we recently had Pink perform on Thursday. She was fantastic, but she didn’t appear out of nowhere; she sang a wonderful song instead. Her performance was perfectly timed and complemented the occasion wonderfully.
What was the best political moment from where you guys sat?
KIRSHNER Michelle killed it, obviously. And Doug’s speech. It was so warm and human.
Do you think a convention moment can change anything voting-wise? Are you trying to do that?
As a passionate gamer speaking, if TikTok trends inspire just one or even a hundred folks in Georgia to cast their votes, I firmly believe we’ve managed to make an impact. Similarly, our aim with the Tonys isn’t merely about watching a Broadway show, but about rallying support for the right candidate when election time comes.
ALTERNATIVE VERSION To me, this isn’t simply a performance. It represents a purpose I am deeply committed to. I’m merely seeking to employ my abilities in support of that cause.
If you do this again in 2028, how much will you keep iterating on what you did here?
If we were to repeat this process in 2028, one significant difference would be figuring out the appropriate method for conducting a retrospective on President Harris’s term over the past four years.
So on message!
WEISS (laughing): Of course.
I’M HOPEFUL FOR A MAJOR CHANGE: I wish the Television Academy would introduce a new Emmy award category, recognizing the Best Political Live Event.
It could happen.
KIRSHNER (laughing) You never know.
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2024-08-27 04:55