48 Hours in America’s Heartland
While presidential races dominate the headlines, South Dakota’s state referendum on open primaries marks a major shift. Political consultant Mike Murphy and Unite America asked StorySquad to produce ads capturing voter voices to advocate for reduced partisan influence.
Primary Day
Production Challenges:
“One challenge was jumping into this just days before the primary,” explained producer Michael “Suds” Sudmeier. “When filming in distant locations, resources can be hard to come by, but South Dakota opened its election sites, giving us an unfiltered view.”
For agencies and advocacy groups seeking impactful, people-centered storytelling, StorySquad brings flexibility, honesty, and fast turnaround to projects in America’s heartland.
Citizenship
Our Approach:
StorySquad’s core team set off to Mitchell, SD, with just three days to capture b-roll and real voter voices on primary day. “Our goal was to capture authenticity and give the client options,” said creative director Casey Sattler. “We ultimately produced nearly a dozen spots, including a long-form version.”
Through on-the-street interviews, we documented voters’ honest frustrations with closed primaries. “Capturing raw emotion takes trust,” noted producer Jay Hamilton.
People Power
A FEW MORE…
Rushmore
What We Fought For
Veterans
Citizens