West Wing Week was a weekly web-episode released by The White House about the week's events concerning the President of the United States. The show was created in 2010 during the second year of the Presidency of Barack Obama. The footage was shot and edited by the video team from the Office of Digital Strategy and narrated by White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest; it was initially shot and edited by former White House videographer Arun Chaudhary, who created the series.
Background and key people
West Wing Week was created in 2010 during the 2nd year of the Presidency of Barack Obama. The weekly shows were first proposed by Arun Chaudhary, who served as the Obama presidential campaign's New Media Road Director; to this end, he created an un-aired pilot of the proposed series for his seniors. The series is narrated by Josh Earnest, Josh Earnest said that Arun Chaudhary "is the creative force behind West Wing Week". Chaudhary was the first official White House videographer in history. The West Wing Week Project was part of President Barack Obama's commitment to transparent government. The two individuals who have held the position of official videographer both worked for the 2008 Obama presidential campaign; additionally the White House has declined to provide any information about the costs, salary or budget lines for the project.
Production The show is shot with a Sony EX3 and a 1980s-era 416 Sennheiser shotgun microphone, and subsequently edited on Final Cut Pro. Video footage is recorded throughout the week by the White House videographer. The material is then usually edited on a Thursday and released the next day (usually on Friday at 12:00 AM EDT). According to the Presidential Record Act all footage must be archived. It is stored in the presidential records. The episodes titles are decided by Arun Chaudhary. The music used in West Wing Week is performed by the United States Marine Band. At the end of each episode there is usually a "sting", or unscripted twist.
Critical reception Everything that is posted in West Wing Week is vetted and must be approved for release by The White House Press Office. This has caused some critics to argue that the webcast videos are "nothing more than press releases" some saying it "borders on propaganda".
David Almacy, former White House internet director during President George W Bush's administration, argues that while the idea of West Wing Week is "intriguing", it is an unnecessary expense. Almacy says "It is taxpayer funded and the videographer has the ability to take scenes and edit them the way they wish, and when you have a White House press corps that's a hundred of feet away from the Oval Office," he continues, "The videographer is a federal employee, the power of editing could cause some concerns about perceived propaganda." ... "With average views between 5,000 and 10,000 for most West Wing Weeks (with a few exceptions), one could argue that the costs associated with producing the weekly installments aren't providing much value to citizens, especially in tough economic times when Congress and the White House are looking for ways to cut the budget," adds Mr Almacy.
One unnamed journalist, interviewed by the BBC, said some members of the White House press corps "resent" the access Chaudhary gets, adding that sometimes events appear on West Wing Week that were closed to the press.
Episodes West Wing Week is a weekly released (usually on Fridays at 12:00 am EDT) web-episode by The White House of the weeks events concerning the President of the United States. Episodes are also available via YouTube, The White House website and through iTunes. There are also special episodes, such as Mailbag and Dispatch episodes. Usually before a dispatch episodes is released the White House will release a preview trailer. Dispatches episodes are devoted to a specific topic, for example, in 2011 there was a special "Dispatches from Sudan". Mailbag episodes are released 2–3 times a year and focus on answering questions sent to the President.
2010 No. Week Episode Name Notes1 04/2/2010 "Future Planes of the Future" Friday, March 26: President announces START Treaty Saturday and Sunday, March 27–28: The President's trip to Afghanistan Monday, March 29: President Obama fills out his census form, The President's Seder Tuesday, March 30: Signing of the Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy visits the White House (video only) Wednesday March 31: The Green Hornet, The First Lady plants her vegetable garden with help from DC elementary school students (video only), The Recovery Act Tax Credit Savings Tool Thursday, April 1: The President travels to Maine to speak on Health Care Reform2 04/9/2010 "24 Tiny Marzipan Beaks" This episode of West Wing Week was uploaded from location in Prague, Czech Republic, specifically from the American Ambassador's residence. It contains portions of the President's events over the last week, including: a jobs town hall in Charlotte, NC, the White House Easter Egg Roll, the President's first pitch on opening day for the Nationals, Joe Biden on your recovery dollars, the New START treaty, and more.3 04/16/2010 "The Interpreter's Lounge" This installment takes goes step-by-step with the President as he returns from the Czech Republic, hosts the largest international summit ever held in Washington, D.C., and lays out a new vision for crewed space exploration at the Kennedy Space Center. Also looks the First Lady as she made her first official solo international trip. Friday, April 9 The President at Prague Castle; President on the Mine Tragedy in West Virginia. Sunday, April 11: Bilateral Meetings on Nuclear Security at the Blair House. Monday, April 12: Nuclear Security Summit Day 1. Tuesday, April 13 Nuclear Security Summit Day 2 – Opening; Nuclear Security Summit Day 2 – Closing; The First Lady and Jill Biden in Haiti. Wednesday, April 14: Bipartisan Meeting on Wall Street Reform Thursday, April 15: The President at NASA.4 04/23/2010 "Competing the Old-Fashioned Way" This installment follows the President as he hosts the Great Outdoors Conference, holds a meeting of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, meets with his Special Envoy to the Sudan, discusses Supreme Court nominations with congressional leadership, travels to New York City to talk Wall Street Reform, and celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in the White House Rose Garden. There is a clip from a Martin Luther King Jr. Day discussion that President Obama held in the Roosevelt Room. One of those present was Dr. Dorothy Height who died on April 20, 2010, at the age of 98, a figure of the civil rights movement. Friday, April 16 The President's remarks at the Great Outdoors Conference; The President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board meets on exports and job creation. Monday, April 19: The Vice President announces the death of leaders of Al Qaeda in Iraq. Tuesday, April 20: The President's statement on the passing of Dr. Dorothy Height. Wednesday, April 21 The President's meeting with Congressional Leadership on the Supreme Court; The First Lady with Vancouver Olympians. Thursday, April 22 The President speaks on Wall Street Reform in New York City; The President and his Administration celebrate Earth Day.5 04/30/2010 "Doing the Math" This week, follows the President as he attends a naturalization ceremony for some members of the Armed Forces, delivers a eulogy for West Virginia miners, welcomes the World Series Champion New York Yankees, travels to the Midwest as part of his White House to Main Street tour, and more. Friday, April 23: The Naturalization of 24 American Service Members. Saturday, April 24: The President's Weekly Address: Good News for the Auto Industry. Sunday, April 25: The President and Vice President speak at a memorial service for the lives lost in Big Branch Mine. Monday, April 26 President Obama welcomes the New York Yankees, 2009 World Series Champions; The President hosts an entrepreneurship summit; Tuesday, April 27 The President's Bipartisan Fiscal Commission holds its first meeting; President Obama tours the Siemens Wind Turbine Blade Manufacturing Plan; The President's Visit to MogoOrganic; The President speaks at a town hall meeting in Ottumwa, Iowa. Wednesday, April 28 President Obama visits the POET Biorefining plant in Macon, Missouri; Dr. Biden reflects on the Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride; Thursday, April 29: Remembering Dorothy Height.6 05/07/2010 "X.Y.Z." This week, follows the President as he monitors and then visits areas affected by the BP Oil Rig incident, delivers a commencement address at University of Michigan, attends the White House Correspondents Dinner, presents the Commander-in-Chief trophy to the Navy Midshipman, ushers in Cinco de Mayo much more.7 05/14/2010 "Hang on to Your Hats" This week, follows the President as he speaks to the nation about job numbers, monitors the oil leak in the gulf of Mexico, says goodbye to the spring interns, gives the commencement address at Hampton University, swears in his Intelligence Advisory Board, welcomes the President of Afghanistan, congratulates PM David Cameron, visits Buffalo NY and more. Friday, May 7: The President delivers remarks about latest employment numbers. Sunday, May 9: The President gives the commencement address at Hampton University. Monday, May 10 The President announces Solicitor General Elena Kagan as his nominee for Supreme Court Justice; The President meets with Cabinet members to review BP efforts to stop the oil leak. Wednesday, May 12: The President welcomes Afghan President Karzai to the White House. Thursday, May 13: The President talks about the economy in Buffalo, NY.8 05/21/2010 "85 Ton Electric Arc Furnace" This week, follows the President as he honors the nations top police officers, mourns officers killed in the line of duty, meets with top cabinet members about containing the BP oil leak in the Gulf, signs the Freedom of the Press act, welcomes the NCAA Women's Basketball Champs UConn Huskies, travels to Youngstown, Ohio to visit a steel factory, hosts a State Dinner for the President of Mexico, and informs the American people on what Wall Street reform will mean for them. Friday, May 14 President Obama congratulates TOP COPS for being true heroes; President Obama delivers remarks about the ongoing response to the Deepwater BP oil spill. Saturday, May 15: President Obama honors fallen law enforcement officers. Sunday, May 16: The First Lady gives the commencement address at George Washington University. Monday, May 17 President Obama signs the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act; President Obama congratulates the UConn Huskies on their second straight NCAA championship. Tuesday, May 18: President Obama visits Youngstown, Ohio and talks about creating new jobs. Wednesday, May 19 President Obama welcomes President Calderone and Mrs. Zavala of Mexico to the White House; President Obama and the First Lady host the State Dinner with Mexico.9 05/28/2010 "I, State Your Name" This week, follows the President as he signs a memorandum on fuel efficiency, meets with his economic team and Congressional leaders about Wall Street reform, delivers the commencement address at West Point, hosts the leaders of Lebanon and Liberia, plays basketball with Russian students, holds a reception for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, celebrates National Small Business Week, holds discussions with Senate, Republicans, travels to California, checks out some solar panels, talks economics with workers, welcomes NCAA Men's Basketball Champs the Duke Blue Devils and the US World Cup Soccer Team, gives a press conference on the BP oil spill and more. Friday, May 21: President Obama signs a Presidential Memorandum on Fuel Efficiency. Saturday, May 22: President Obama delivers the commencement address at the West Point Military Academy. Monday, May 24