[Five Day Bicycle Race raw #5]

This video contains raw footage shot for "Five Day Bicycle Race," a project comprised of live in-studio commentary and taped edited coverage of the 1976 Democratic National Convention in New York City. Produced by independent videomakers calling themselves The Image Union (including many members of TVTV and Videofreex), it aired on Manhattan Cable for three hours per night for five days during the convention. In this video, Jimmy Carter makes a short address at the Americana Hotel in Manhattan. We also see footage of numerous political groups protesting outside of the Democratic National Convention.

00:00Copy video clip URL This tape begins with a blue and black screen.

00:49Copy video clip URL Cut to a shot of Jimmy Carter as he greets the press at the Americana Hotel. We watch as Carter addresses the crowd. The camera operator gathers footage of Carter and those around him. The sound quality is poor because the videomakers do not have a direct feed to the podium. One of the videomakers comments on Jimmy Carter’s address. “He believes in America. He believes that with his smile, he can control the minds of the people he is talking to. He is confident of his power–his ability to control. He likes himself, and there’s nothing you could ask him that he couldn’t answer. And still, he doesn’t say anything.” The videomaker also paraphrases Carter’s speech for the viewing audience. We then watch as Carter finishes his address and makes his way out of the building. The scene is very chaotic.

05:47Copy video clip URL The screen goes black for about forty-five seconds.

06:30Copy video clip URL Cut to a shot of a large bundle of buttons that read, “The Future is Female.” A woman representing the National Organization for Women is selling the buttons and t-shirts during the convention. She explains that she came into this line of work to make a living after divorcing her husband. She talks about the turmoil on the surrounding streets. She goes on to comment on her hopes for the feminist movement. “I hope as far as I’m concerned that possibly it will raise some people’s consciousness about trying to affect the change in this world to allow the human being to be.” The camera operator then gathers a few more shots of the large bundle of pins.

11:24Copy video clip URL Cut to a shot of a protest sign in favor of socialized health care. One of the videomakers speaks with the woman holding up the sign. The woman talks about the controversy her sign has brought into the area. She goes on to explain her position on socialized medicine and voices her concern over negligent medical practices.

14:22Copy video clip URL Cut to a shot of a Pro-Life activist voicing concern over Jimmy Carter’s stance on the issue of abortion. “How can Jimmy Carter be a man of God if he is preaching the Bible out of one side of his mouth and he is for abortion out of the other? You cannot mix religion and abortion. They’re directly opposed.” The camera operator gathers a few close up shots of the group’s pictures and setup. Some of the pictures are grotesque and difficult to look at.

15:17Copy video clip URL Fade into a shot of a man in front of the Pro-Life booth who states that he doesn’t believe most Pro-Life people are willing to support all the unwanted children if they were to be born. A Pro-Life activist quietly listens to the man as he speaks with the camera operator.

15:57Copy video clip URL Cut to footage of a Pro-Choice activist. “It’s the woman’s right to choose if she wants to abort a child or not, or a fetus, whatever you choose.” He talks about the importance of this issue and his reasons for promoting the cause.

16:56Copy video clip URL Fade into a shot of California Delegate Elijah Turner. The camera operator asks Turner about the number of lobbyists on the street and how it affects the convention. He states that the high activity on the streets is great and a lot of fun. The tape ends shortly afterward.

17:49Copy video clip URL Cut to a shot of two women on the street advertising a performance.

18:18Copy video clip URL Tape ends.