Stand-ins assist in Republican debate prep
Though impersonating a presidential hopeful may seem like a James Bond-esque way to spend a Monday afternoon, the Dartmouth students serving as debate stand-ins left Spaulding Auditorium looking rather bored by their ordeal. Several students who responded to a campus-wide blitz functioned as “height-alikes” for specific candidates, while others sat in the chairs surrounding the table of mock candidates. Mojin Chen ’15 was eating in Collis when he was approached and asked if he would sacrifice a few hours of his time to be a stand-in. He agreed, harboring a secret hope that he might receive a ticket to today’s debate. Instead, he left Spaulding after 2.5 hours with only an empty Milk Duds box and sorely disappointed expectations.
Most participants grew weary of the lack of action on stage and several were spotted reading textbooks or slyly texting friends. Despite his dissatisfaction with the process, Chen is still considering returning today before the debate to resume his stand-in career, since the closer proximity to the actual debate may lead to a bit excitement, though he is very doubtful that he will have the chance to meet the real candidates.
The stand-ins’ purpose was to assist cameramen, the lighting crew and various other coordinators to sort out the logistics for today's broadcast — camera angles, lighting techniques, and spatial arrangement all depend on what people look like on stage.
Toni Sandys, from The Washington Post, worked in Spaulding setting up the wireless network and technology needed to stream images back to the Post’s offices in D.C. There, her colleagues will edit the material and upload it to an online gallery by Tuesday night. Though she believes access to candidates will be severely restricted beforehand, Sandys plans on photographing them during the debate she said. AJ Chavar, also from The Washington Post, lingered around Spaulding waiting for people to interview. He spent Monday afternoon on the Green, shooting video interviews of Dartmouth students he said. He asked several what they expected to see in the debate and what they would like to see in terms of issues discussed.
In preparation for the event, Sandys did a walk-through of the Auditorium a few weeks ago. This is her first project at Dartmouth. Chavar said that since lighting is supplied for this type of event, not much videography preparation is required. Video from the event will be streamed online at washingtonpostlive.com, as well as on WBIN-TV. Chavar is unsure how many people will watch the online video, since he and his colleagues are uncertain of the proportion of cable versus Internet viewers.
Stand-ins are needed again today before the debate, but it is unclear exactly how many Dartmouth students will be disposed to relinquish a rare sunny Tuesday on the Green and patiently sit in Spaulding Auditorium instead.