Idea for practice documentaries

Just had this come in
http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2016/12/world-war-ii-pearl-harbor.html
and
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pearl-harbor-anniversary-20161207-story.html

The point being that these are stories that "everyone knew" well yes 30,40,50 years ago but now anyone who was there is disappearing fast. Whilst you may not have invaded Normandy or Iwa Jima, flown over Berlin or survived Pearl Harbour: socially and historically your stories will be just as important. How many times have you researched the past to discover "the original reason/use/words/construction method is lost in the mists of time...."

People's seemingly insignificant and everyday stories actually have many important details that get lost after 50 or more years.

What is the worst that can happen? No one looks at them. However for worst case it will be worth it for keeping you sane and your mind occupied.
 
Kind of what I am thinking about:

A Kid's Memories

Living room two young people in conversation with old fart (me)

GIRL: What first comes to mind when you think back to when you were a kid growing up in Detroit?

ME: Going to see the Wizard of Oz. The movie theater was only a couple of blocks up the street from my house....
When they closed the Casper I had to go almost a mile up Michigan Avenue to the Senate Theater. Here is a photo...

Cut to PHOTO

GUY: Wow, is that a street car?

ME: Yes, the Detroit Street Railway. That one is headed downtown. I remember...

GUY: You said your dad worked on the boats back then?

ME: Yes he was the first mate on a car carrier.

GIRL: What is a car carrier?

ME: It as a big freighter that hauled hundreds of new cars. Here is a photo of one at the docks where his boat loaded.

Cut to PHOTO

GIRL: That is a lot of old cars.

ME: Yes, I remember... The boat, cookies, the wheel house... etc to he would come home in the winter on the steam passenger train and we would meet him down at Union Station

Cut to PHOTO
...


So what do you guys think?
 
Make your film.

Last year I visited a museum, an old film was projected, a man talking into the camera about the history of his town. He named all the people of the neighborhood and told what they did and thought. No fast cutting, just a man talking, some photo's, actual footage and historic material. Lasted 30 minutes, I loved it.
 
Does maybe sound a bit more complicated than you need. Publimix probably is more on track. Maybe more doable just set up a YouTube channel ("Recollections of an old fart"?), talk to the camera as though it's your friend (hard, easier with practice), and have one theme for a series of short weekly episodes: episode 1, car carriers; episode 2, street railways; episode 3, movie theaters, etc. Only needs you to accomplish.
 
I wouldn't cal it "A Kids Memories" as you will probably end up going through your teens into adulthood with some of it. I don't know about "recollections of an old fart' but it is a good working title :-)

Also I wouldn't script it as tightly. Explain to the young guy and girl the gist of it and let them use their own words. It will be a lot more natural.

Cutting in the images is a Good Idea as it will let you edit and cover up breaks , fluffed delivery etc. and a picture is worth a 100 words. It will vibe better context and understanding to things you are talking about. Remember many of the people you are talking to will have absolutely no idea what it is you a re talking about and not be able to visualise it at all.

Also I would do as Rainer says and plan topics for the first 4 or 5 and see if you can, as all the best soaps and serial films do which is start the next one at the end of the one you are on? "of course we all went home ing the Street Railways but that is a story for another day....."

Finally I would do the first 3 or 4 before loading any of them. Partly because by the time you get to the 4th one you may want to co back and re-do or polish the first one and if you are going to do 1 a week/month it gives you some breathing space of 3 or 3 ready to upas at any time. You may get to a point were it takes a while to get the photos or do some research or heaven forbid you have a domestic /health problem that stops you for a week or two.
 
Some of you seem to think this project is going to be bigger than it is going to be.

Primary purpose is to learn how to make a decent video! Secondary to inform. It is not intended to be particulary about me. The script is not intended as a shooting script, but only as I outline of how I envision the video...

On the secondary it is interesting that there is a ton of info on the web about the streetcars in Detroit, but very little about neighborhood movie theaters, and almost none about those great lakes car carriers. The change in prices is amazing. There were all kinds of things that originated in Detroit that almost no one knows about. Coney Island Hot Dogs???? Yep!

I get things done rather slowly in my old age. A real rough shoot of one subject is next on the agenda. Just to see what kind of time is involved, so I can use that info to start actually planning the video.
 
graywolf said:
Some of you seem to think this project is going to be bigger than it is going to be..
Click to expand...

You say that now..... but give it a year when you feel younger and are turning them out at a rate of now a week to an audience of thousands......:-)
 
Most people seem to be on the hold the catsup side. Me, the only thing I like catsup on is fish and hot dogs. When I was a kid catsup went on just about everything. Now, cheese on a coney, I have never tried.
 
Graywolf, I think, you are over analyzing this. It has been almost 4 months and the topic has turned to catsup! I would stop using the term "old fart" and also stop referring to yourself in those terms. It is a negative and turns people off. The idea of sharing memories are good, but use a better title that does not include "fart." Also just do it. Starting to sound like analysis paralysis. Just start doing it and do not be so concerned with the outcome. Just do your best, then improve on any mistakes. If it is only practice, you need to practice. Look forward to seeing your production.
 
no idea what "catsup" is.

"old fart" may not be a problem, it just depends on your target audience and culture.
In may parts of the world it is a term of endearment.

I agree with DMC above, it's easy to get analysis paralysis, Just record some and put them up here for a critique and improve the next ones.
 
Catsup is justs another way to spell ketchup, different companies. It also translated easily to the very humorous "Cat Soup".

About those 4 months. Health problems. Psych problems. Money problems. Stupid problems. Problem problems (grin).

I have been in a pretty negative space since just before Christmas. Comes from being 73, disabled, A-fib, and currently influenza (no not just a cold).
 
HI Tom, you old fart :-)

Sounds like you should start recording your videos whilst you are still alive! Get on with it!!!!

The first ones will be crap but don't worry abut that. With some feedback you will very quickly improve and be turning out some good and priceless historical social documentaries.

The longest journey starts with the first step so do the first 5 minute one today. Yes you have flu and your voice and delivery may be a bit off but we can comment on the lighting and set in general.

Good luck.
 
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