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Time Machines |
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What would it be like actually to capture a memory? To see it again, to feel it, to touch it, to relive it at will? What would it be worth, a time-machine to transport us back to an incredible experience, an unforgettable place, or a precious moment? In 1895, H. G. Wells envisioned such a device:
Such a description fires the imagination and has spawned countless imitations and retellings. Sometimes, I think time travel is possible. Truthfully, I don’t need to be in a machine for my clock to move, in what seems the blink of an eye, from ten to three! And I swear, my children grew up over night! I’d give anything to revisit some moments in my life. But time travel? It’s just a dream. Or is it? Never in the history of the human race has the ability to touch and hold onto the past been as great as it is now. The ability to "capture" images with little "time-machines" of one kind or another has been around (and developing!) since the early 19th century. But the last half century--it’s been incredible. Sometimes it is hard to remember that Television was barely underway by 1950 and that the first VCR was put on the market in 1969. And it’s unnerving to realize that, because of so many technological developments in so many areas, the video revolution, still in full swing, is itself fairly recent. Imagine this: The hall is rented. Family and friends are gathered. Laughter, love, and friendship fills the air. At just the right time, all huddle around the TV and share a very brief but moving video tribute to the two special honorees of the day, your parents! The video lasts maybe four minutes. You've put together on video a collage of pictures and selected video clips from your parents' childhood to their adult life and have set it all to touching music.
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This last example sounds like a strange blurb from TV-Guide! But this flick, "The Fried Green Detective Agency" is the brainchild of your 15 year old son who took this as a project over Christmas break. He is the star and only actor in the mini-movie (15 minutes long), except for his fuzzy little co-stars: Ewoks decked out in bandannas, eye patches, and ugly little hats. You helped shoot and edit this little piece, but primarily you were a consultant and friend (no longer just a parent!) to a boy in the midst of adolescence who still wanted to be around you. Does all of this sound impossible or too difficult? Perhaps, if you’ve never done this sort of thing before. But it really isn’t so unthinkable. And it can be a lot of fun. The big question is not whether you have the "technical expertise" to do this kind of thing; the question is whether you can catch the vision of what this is all about. In reality, this is not primarily about cameras, acting ability, or "raw talent," even though these may need some attention. Instead, this is more about memories, about living, about loving your children and wanting to do something special with them and for them. It is about creating lasting family memories; about sharing a family bond; about dreaming together, playing together, being actively creative together; and about teaching important values like love, patience, cooperation, hard work, good play, strong character, the importance of "story," and positive lessons on confidence and self-esteem. This is more like taking an unforgettable family journey than learning how to "act" or becoming a "pro" at aiming a camera. But the first thing you have to do is decide to do it! So what are you waiting for? Gary is founder and co-owner of CamerasRolling. The present article is adapted from chapter one of the CD, Making Movies: With Your Kids |
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Copyright © CamerasRolling 1999-2011, All rights reserved. |
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It’s
your parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. Your video tribute highlights
the day. It wasn’t professionally done and it has a glitch or two in it,
but it still looks very nice because you knew what you were doing.
And that makes it all the more special. It was a gift of love.
And you did it! The tears and the smiles are all of joy and amply
justify the time involved in putting this little piece together. And
oh, by the way . . . you'd better have some extra copies made, because
your closest family will want to take this home and cherish it!
Or,
a radiant rose fades into the sprawling landscape of your old homestead:
the house, the barn, the rolling hills, a beat-up old car, the cat, a tree
falling. As the lyrics of the subtle, but beautiful song speak of
family love, you see your mother and father, your sister, your uncle, and
others at play or at leisure. Some of it makes you laugh, some of it
dampens your cheek every time you see it. It is the way it works. And your
heart is lifted.
Or,
private detective Marvin Fried opens his door to three furry little
trick-or-treating munchkins only to discover they are a band of kidnappers
after one of his furry little clients. Fried is led on a journey of danger
and intrigue as he follows the wee gang to their hideout to rescue his
little friend.