It’s amazing how many of these little places there once was. The people who own them and their passion for something that still exists and yet has disappeared from the physical world is the part that gets me.
If you have the time this weekend watch the video version. I feel like that’s what got the most of my effort this month.
Read, and now watched. Warning, rambling comment ahead.
The video really brought the article to life. It's great to be able to put a voice to such excellent writing and storytelling.
It made me remember something else- my daughter has a collection of VHS movies at my mom's house in Ms...a few dozen. A few years ago, I mentioned that maybe we could donate them and she just about had a fit, lol.
In a month or so, she'll be graduating college with a degree in mass communications with a concentration in filmmaking. She just got her first movie job as location manager for a full-length indie film being shot here in Asheville, NC...(at least most of it is being shot here). Ultimately she wants to write and direct.
Seeing it all brought together in the video...and your reverence and appreciation of the art form from several angles...just, so well done.
I'm forwarding it to my daughter.
Also wondering...how did you get the cars to go backwards in the end? Lol
It's so strange, the VHS thing. The medium went through a period of being considered useless, but there's something truly authentic about them now. History is peculiar that way. Glad your daughter stopped you from donating them!
Also, congrats to her -- that's a major accomplishment. And let me know if she ends up enjoying the video. I plan to make one for each One Word moving forward. I'm excited to explore moving pictures more... I do love it.
That last scene I shot like normal and then reversed the footage while editing. The only stock footage in the video is the Muybridge horse. The rest I shot within the month of March!
Don’t see this comment until now. I’m in the process of digitizing VHS of my wife’s family. Something about that era of home video carries a lot of power today
The video was exceptional! I truly can tell you cared about what you filmed and edited. There's so much more visceral life when we see video. I can be swept away and transported to another world that plays like a film when I read, but there's something about video...
I've never been someone who wanted to dive deep into video, but knew its power. It REALLY hit me after mom passed away and I found a video from the hospital where I saw way in the background a single finger move for a split second. I gasped! She was right there, alive!
It had been over a decade since she had allowed photos or videos of her, so I regret not sneaking to take any while she did her thing out or around the house. Tried to make up for it when we learned grandpa had a limited amount of time left to live, and now I have videos of him being his old self before his decline and death.
I love video for that.
Thanks for your perspective and study of video! And the creation of this work!
This is such a thoughtful reply - thanks for sharing your experience with video. I'm right there with you. Video has a power to it that seems to grow over time. Documenting a moment seems so silly. People in the shot tend to stiffen up or act strange, and there's a general sense of "hey why are you doing this?"
But years later, that same silly, trivial video becomes essential. I love how you described the feeling of seeing your mom's finger move. Alive! That's definitely how it feels.
Talking to people about video this past month made me realize how important it is to keep recording, and hopefully one day my children will find use for it.
I'm just now getting caught up with notifications and saw your Notes reply first, and went in deep with a reply.
Essentially though (in case it's hard to find), I thought of you when I was using the app 1 Second Everyday. You can upload pictures, but video is way more impactful (of course) but what you do is record (or extract from an existing video) 1-1.5 seconds from every day and it becomes a slideshow project.
It's been such a cool thing to look back on (I started mine around March, but had clips from around February to add to it too) and I thought you'd really enjoy an app like that. It's definitely keepsake material to see how your life changes and evolves or hits rough patches or whatever!
Here's the link (and there's an example video toward the bottom too): https://1se.co/
One of these days I will have to find a VCR player and even more so a way to digitise my Super8 film reel, pity I do not have the audio tape for it anymore. Your video made me quite nostalgic, I could almost smell the tape plastic and while we did not have Blockbuster around here, we had this electronics store that put up a video rental corner and it became indeed a meeting point for many years, now long gone, there are none left, even the electronics store its gone, no cinemas, no bowling alleys and even the number of pubs decreased drastically and from over 25 local breweries, 2 are left and they barely survive. Much to ponder, in this our brave new world of always online.
Totally agree. It's as if there was a glass of water, and we can pour it into the physical world or the digital. But the more we pour into one, it leaves the other. I think there's this concept that we have infinite potential - it's just not true. Look around us, as you mention here, and you see how much is now missing.
I enjoy our conversations Alexander! I feel like we see the world in similar ways. Looking forward to reading some more of your work later today or tomorrow!
Hey the store in OWEN SOUND is having a 50% OFF SALE - movies and games and some classic cd's too. They even have a section of random Albums = it's worth the drive
Happy to discuss this in more detail for sure. You have enough traction I believe to start. Heck I always urge any of my "writer referrals" to turn on paid right away. It does wonders for motivation, signaling what works, and engaging with your more loyal fans.
The paid creator journey incentives you to offer layers of value outside of your usual routine and habits, it enables you to think of the reader experience in ways you wouldn't have otherwise. There is a learning curve, but easier to start sooner than later.
You're very right. I've been thinking of turning paid on soon. To prepare, I started writing a secondary piece of content and recording audio versions of older posts. Essentially, making sure I could handle the work load if I decided I needed to offer something more to paid subscribers.
Thanks a lot Michael for your advice. You've pushed me over the edge, but in a good way. I'll make the move to paid starting in May.
I was born in Scarborough, raised in Richmond Hill and now I live in Burlington. Bolton was where my brother and sister played hockey sometimes - so I know where it is!
I see no other way to tell the truth then to observe, research, and talk to others. And as much as I’m an introvert who would rather stay home, the interviews feel necessary.
A very inspiring piece. Have to confess: it's hard to choose text over video (even for someone who loves printed letters as much as I do), so I watched. Thank you!
Hey Isabella! Totally agree. They are quite different experiences. Glad you enjoyed it. I think moving forward I'll post the video version first and the written version a week later. Give each one it's own space, you know?
As a result of your post, I am now thinking about the little video store that once lived in my hometown of Macon, Ms.
It was owned and operated by a warm and talkative Hispanic woman named Carmen.
Carmen could have been your mom, you sister, your aunt, or your grandmother. Something about her just felt like family.
I LOVED visiting the movie store on the weekends with my mom. I’d be so excited. It felt like such a treat.
The store is long gone now, but I remember.
I’ve been thinking about socializing and gathering, too...and the other end of it...isolation...
I so enjoyed this article- well worth the wait. ♥️
Thanks for sharing Crystal.
It’s amazing how many of these little places there once was. The people who own them and their passion for something that still exists and yet has disappeared from the physical world is the part that gets me.
If you have the time this weekend watch the video version. I feel like that’s what got the most of my effort this month.
You’re the best. Thanks again
Read and watched well done, I am back at our old video shop era 🌟 🤩 ⭐️ 🌠 💫
Thanks Joanne! And what an era it was
Read, and now watched. Warning, rambling comment ahead.
The video really brought the article to life. It's great to be able to put a voice to such excellent writing and storytelling.
It made me remember something else- my daughter has a collection of VHS movies at my mom's house in Ms...a few dozen. A few years ago, I mentioned that maybe we could donate them and she just about had a fit, lol.
In a month or so, she'll be graduating college with a degree in mass communications with a concentration in filmmaking. She just got her first movie job as location manager for a full-length indie film being shot here in Asheville, NC...(at least most of it is being shot here). Ultimately she wants to write and direct.
Seeing it all brought together in the video...and your reverence and appreciation of the art form from several angles...just, so well done.
I'm forwarding it to my daughter.
Also wondering...how did you get the cars to go backwards in the end? Lol
It's so strange, the VHS thing. The medium went through a period of being considered useless, but there's something truly authentic about them now. History is peculiar that way. Glad your daughter stopped you from donating them!
Also, congrats to her -- that's a major accomplishment. And let me know if she ends up enjoying the video. I plan to make one for each One Word moving forward. I'm excited to explore moving pictures more... I do love it.
That last scene I shot like normal and then reversed the footage while editing. The only stock footage in the video is the Muybridge horse. The rest I shot within the month of March!
Impressive!
And will do, I already know she's going to enjoy it. :)
Great article ! This is a great store in Owen Sound, you will not be disappointed.
I went there and interviewed Phil! Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/dI4WdmI_X78
Interview is in the second half of the video
I was being facetious Taegan, I work there too :)
Movies, music and game ~ always a SALE going on !!
Oh very cool!
a little more than a decade ago, my mom had a VHS made of all her family's 16mm films.
i love it . and had to capture it to the modern media of video .
Don’t see this comment until now. I’m in the process of digitizing VHS of my wife’s family. Something about that era of home video carries a lot of power today
The video was exceptional! I truly can tell you cared about what you filmed and edited. There's so much more visceral life when we see video. I can be swept away and transported to another world that plays like a film when I read, but there's something about video...
I've never been someone who wanted to dive deep into video, but knew its power. It REALLY hit me after mom passed away and I found a video from the hospital where I saw way in the background a single finger move for a split second. I gasped! She was right there, alive!
It had been over a decade since she had allowed photos or videos of her, so I regret not sneaking to take any while she did her thing out or around the house. Tried to make up for it when we learned grandpa had a limited amount of time left to live, and now I have videos of him being his old self before his decline and death.
I love video for that.
Thanks for your perspective and study of video! And the creation of this work!
Hey Cierra,
This is such a thoughtful reply - thanks for sharing your experience with video. I'm right there with you. Video has a power to it that seems to grow over time. Documenting a moment seems so silly. People in the shot tend to stiffen up or act strange, and there's a general sense of "hey why are you doing this?"
But years later, that same silly, trivial video becomes essential. I love how you described the feeling of seeing your mom's finger move. Alive! That's definitely how it feels.
Talking to people about video this past month made me realize how important it is to keep recording, and hopefully one day my children will find use for it.
Thanks again Cierra. All the best!
Thank you so much, Taegan!
I really appreciate *your* response.
I'm just now getting caught up with notifications and saw your Notes reply first, and went in deep with a reply.
Essentially though (in case it's hard to find), I thought of you when I was using the app 1 Second Everyday. You can upload pictures, but video is way more impactful (of course) but what you do is record (or extract from an existing video) 1-1.5 seconds from every day and it becomes a slideshow project.
It's been such a cool thing to look back on (I started mine around March, but had clips from around February to add to it too) and I thought you'd really enjoy an app like that. It's definitely keepsake material to see how your life changes and evolves or hits rough patches or whatever!
Here's the link (and there's an example video toward the bottom too): https://1se.co/
One of these days I will have to find a VCR player and even more so a way to digitise my Super8 film reel, pity I do not have the audio tape for it anymore. Your video made me quite nostalgic, I could almost smell the tape plastic and while we did not have Blockbuster around here, we had this electronics store that put up a video rental corner and it became indeed a meeting point for many years, now long gone, there are none left, even the electronics store its gone, no cinemas, no bowling alleys and even the number of pubs decreased drastically and from over 25 local breweries, 2 are left and they barely survive. Much to ponder, in this our brave new world of always online.
Totally agree. It's as if there was a glass of water, and we can pour it into the physical world or the digital. But the more we pour into one, it leaves the other. I think there's this concept that we have infinite potential - it's just not true. Look around us, as you mention here, and you see how much is now missing.
I enjoy our conversations Alexander! I feel like we see the world in similar ways. Looking forward to reading some more of your work later today or tomorrow!
Hey the store in OWEN SOUND is having a 50% OFF SALE - movies and games and some classic cd's too. They even have a section of random Albums = it's worth the drive
1299 16th Street East
Owen Sound
A lot of my readers are from the States. But hopefully someone drives up. Hope you’re doing well Deb!
One word for you, turn on paid subs.
I’ve been debating it for the last month or two. I definitely respect your opinion (fan of yours).
You think so eh?
Happy to discuss this in more detail for sure. You have enough traction I believe to start. Heck I always urge any of my "writer referrals" to turn on paid right away. It does wonders for motivation, signaling what works, and engaging with your more loyal fans.
The paid creator journey incentives you to offer layers of value outside of your usual routine and habits, it enables you to think of the reader experience in ways you wouldn't have otherwise. There is a learning curve, but easier to start sooner than later.
You're very right. I've been thinking of turning paid on soon. To prepare, I started writing a secondary piece of content and recording audio versions of older posts. Essentially, making sure I could handle the work load if I decided I needed to offer something more to paid subscribers.
Thanks a lot Michael for your advice. You've pushed me over the edge, but in a good way. I'll make the move to paid starting in May.
Let me know how it goes, I'll be all ears. It does push a writer to think like a creator, while it can be annoying the end result can be good.
It's funny you say that, because the creator mindset is where I want to be... Thanks again Michael. Your timing was literally perfect.
It’s super cool to connect with you on notes and then find out you’re also in the GTA!
Yep! Born and raised. Living just north of Toronto now, in Bolton. What about you?
I was born in Scarborough, raised in Richmond Hill and now I live in Burlington. Bolton was where my brother and sister played hockey sometimes - so I know where it is!
Amazing! My wife is from Scarborough. For the upcoming One Word, you’ll probably notice a few spots where I was shooting
Great video. Do more of these.
Thanks GER! Releasing the next one on April 30th
Nostalgia is a helluva drug!!
Hits me the same way every time.
Lets not get down about times gone by.
But build new futures the old you would be proud of.
Agree, but the past can be a powerful tool to help shape the future ahead.
This is good, reflective, journalism.
Hey Harry - thanks for this. I never thought of it as reflective journalism but that’s a great way of describing what I’m doing.
Extensive observation, research, and an interview is real journalism. Commendable.
I see no other way to tell the truth then to observe, research, and talk to others. And as much as I’m an introvert who would rather stay home, the interviews feel necessary.
Can't wai!!
Absolutely LOVED the Video! You really are a poet!
Thanks Celia! That’s very kind. My name in Gaelic means “little poet” so I guess I come by it honestly.
I’m hoping to do a video version for most of the One Words moving forward. Excited for you to see what’s up next!
A very inspiring piece. Have to confess: it's hard to choose text over video (even for someone who loves printed letters as much as I do), so I watched. Thank you!
I totally understand. And to be honest I wrote this one with video in mind, so I think you made the right choice. Thanks for the kind words Mikhail
Such a beautiful piece. My mother passed when I was 9 years old... how I wish there was a VHS tape of her somewhere in a basement. You are so lucky.
Thank you Claudia. It’s true. It’s an incredible gift to have these tapes. My dad doesn’t show up often, but even the few clips I have are special.
Looking forward to reading more of your work.
Thank you, same here 😌
It’s amazing how much the two experiences differ: text vs. video. Really liked the combination of both!
Hey Isabella! Totally agree. They are quite different experiences. Glad you enjoyed it. I think moving forward I'll post the video version first and the written version a week later. Give each one it's own space, you know?