Adk46

My wife and I have inexplicably become excited about preparing video pieces using modern gear (we have some history from the mini-DV era).

For me, it is partly from becoming overcome with the pursuit of gadgetry. Yesterday I received a Phantom 4 quadcopter and an Osmo (a hand-held steady-cam sort of device). I have video-capable 35mm cameras and other things from my photography business.

There is lots to cover. History, interviews with the 928 Notables (perhaps a few 928 Eccentrics), rescues, gatherings, racing, concours, the international flavor. My mind is racing with possibilities - e.g., a fast-moving montage of owners posing with their cars, or wielding wrenches. Perhaps we can get one or two of the Velocity Channel personalities on camera.

We have at least one producer in our midst (Chasing Classic Cars). And probably other people capable of getting good footage of this or that. A music supervisor. With some organization, I think we could collectively produce a professional-looking documentary.

We'd actually prepare a script first! Then go about collecting what's needed, and hope for some serendipity.

Interested? Got ideas? Send me a note.

Daniel5691

Hi Curt !
Hope you are having a great weekend!
This is really a great idea, but at first thought it seems completely overwhelming.
Could you please share some more details of your plan?
I only ask because 'documentary' used to only mean a 30 minute tv show, but now it can range all the way from a 5 minute youtube to a full tv series, etc etc..
Would it be aimed at "us" as an audience, or the general public, or, maybe, 'car people' ?
Thanks in advance for anything you have time to share.

Bigfoot928

This makes me want to look for my DVD where I rolled into the 2009 OCIC.... who made that video?

Adk46

Dan,

You are quite right to bring up the objective and scope of this project. The scope is completely TBD - the rule is that the piece must have a good pace to it. It will be about 928 enthusiasm/enthusiasts; there won't be interviews of Porsche executives or famous race car drivers.

The objective, the target audience, the purpose(s), the desirable outcomes - yes, very important to have these in mind. I like to consider specific scenarios:

A friend comes by, a car guy, you want to show him what 928 ownership is all about. You want him to become interested, too.

You want your spouse to take your interest as something other than insanity. (Maybe yourself.)

You want to sell your car (to make room for another, of course). Your potential buyer needs a nudge, some 928 glorification, encouragement. That he's joining a club with a bunch of good guys.

If you make sure it works for the most important scenarios, it will likely be good generally. Being good generally will mean more respect, higher prices.

But that all needs to be worked out also. I've just started thinking about it.

A common device is to weave the story about a project into the piece. A wreck to finished car would be such a story; without video of it, it would have to be done as an interview with stills, but that might work. If anyone is starting a project like that, take video!

M. Requin

That could be a theme, but is a bit hackneyed perhaps (might end up being to similar to some TV shows), and often ends up focusing one only a single experience. How about something more universal, using the 928's history/timeline as the backbone of the story? Very abbreviated synopsis of the beginnings (some stills req'd.); JD's press car; early 928's in action; Car of the year; Porsche ads (maybe copyright prob?); Holbert; emergence of owners' organizations; ORR and Pikes Peak (good videos here); coupla wrecks maybe like Wilhoit's to show it's superb construction; modern 928 scene with shots from Frenzy, SITM, etc.; interviews with passionate owners/inventors/gurus; recent high-end sales + more modest DD's. Just to name stuff off the top of my head.

There is a ton of stuff out there that could be used to put this together. I wish I weren't retired or I would be able to find enough time to put together a Prezi* to create sort of a thumbnail for the idea!

*q.g. (that stands for see Google)

Adk46

Ain't that the truth. But I'm making you an Executive Producer anyway.

Daniel5691

I have the PERFECT car to use for the project.
Mine !

Oh.. wait a minute. All we would need is a still shot.


No, I take that back.... there are spiders moving around under the car. But that's about all.

Adamant1971

Let's talk, I recently upgraded my CS suite with Adobe Premier.

I also plan on shooting SITM and any other events this year.

M. Requin

I must not have learned anything when I was in the army...

Adk46

Excellent. I also finally submitted to Adobe's ransom demands and have all the CS stuff. I'm ditching my Final Cut Pro orientation, and taking Lynda's courses on Premiere.

zaevor2000

Excellent suggestions all around.


Have scoured the internet for 928 videos, but pickings are slim and none...


Would be outstanding to probably open with a 928 starting up and footage of it driving through a picturesque countryside would be an excellent way to open the piece.


Then give a brief history lesson of how the 928 came to be while mentioning many of the new technical aspects that made it such a departure from the 911.


Followed by a walkaround going through all the distinctive features and the engineering reasoning behind those choices (form follows function). Some of the design decisions were VERY futuristic at the time and the ingenuity behind some of the design borders on brilliant.


Next might be a history of the different models with cherry vehicles from each model (would actually be great to have the owners tell what the model differences were).


Great concept and would be fantastic to finally give the 928 an excellent video to celebrate one of the all time greats.


Good suggestions everyone!


Frank

rgs944

I really like the idea and would encourage inclusion of what the 928 is today. Meaning the great parts suppliers, racers and mechanics along with featuring some really nice 928s that are out there, modded and original.

Adk46

The history and engineering background is needed, and a lot of beauty pictures, but I agree that the piece should ultimately arrive on the subject of current ownership and current owners.

The way that, say, Olympic sports is covered on TV goes way too far on the "up close and personal stuff"; I'm not watching because some athlete plays the saxophone, or his kid brother has an incurable disease. But it's true that people are universally regarded as interesting, more interesting to most people than machines. I think we have some very interesting man-machine interactions to cover here. Thrill of victory, agony of defeat!

RFJ

Curt,great idea and just noticed your not the only one with a bug eye.

RFJ

Curt et al I have a great story about my 85 euro bought new by a fellow in Connecticut. Not sure it would be wise to print it throu.