One of my “First” projects when I started out was shooting video for the FIRST robotics competition. Since then I have shot footage for that event for over 8 years or more – (its starting to haze over how long ago it was) and I am always inspired by the work and message of this fantastic organization. One of the goals I have in my professional life is to work on projects that I have interest in. This program and STEM(or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is one of them. Year in and year out I am renewed by the energy that I see when I attend these events and I am always impressed by the passion of the student, the parents, the mentors and the celebrities that make up this event.
I have always shot more footage than we can use in the short piece that I am contracted to produce during the event. We shoot a lot and the time is short to create my edit, so not everything makes it in our quick cut. Finally the footage I shoot is actually getting used for some very constructive work.
Paul Lazarus at WhiteDwarf Productions is in the midst of creating a new campaign for FIRST Robotics that is trying to inspire new students to join and engage in this event. You can see one of the videos with Morgan Freeman here.
His project is attempting to convert the unconverted, which is a difficult task for anyone, even an episodic Television Director. More often social media, documentary or even corporate work fails to speak to anyone except their own band of converted people – they are “preaching to the choir” to use a worn cliche. This is an epic failure, but happens 90% of the time in media.
All projects intend to speak to the “un-choir” or uninitiated, but often are unable to get outside of their own perspective. This is difficult and I find most documentarians and corporations really struggle with a clarity of purpose when crafting a message. I struggle with it – especially when talking about myself and what I do – but I tend to grasp my clients issues easily. This is true for many people, its always clearer to see someone else’s position rather than your own.
I routinely see this in feature length documentaries, the creators get too close to the subject and loose perspective. The documentaries are difficult to watch for all except the few who already know the issue, or desperately want to know more. This does not further their cause, but instead alienates many who could otherwise learn something new.
It’s also boring as hell.
Balancing both audiences – both the Choir and the Un-Choir – requires a good bit of work and an intimate knowledge of your subject as well as a distance from that subject.
I think Paul’s attempt here is a very good effort, and not because I shot most of it. He removes the jargon that has become both the trademark and the internal language of the program and puts it in simpler terms. He uses energy and well thought out terms to help people make connections quickly. By letting the brain take it in and smoothing the way by some great visuals, as well as Morgan Freeman’s iconic voice, he gets people most of the way there without beating them with a concept.
Having the willingness to let your message sit out without extra information is counter-intuitive to many. But leaving questions unanswered creates a mystery; hopefully one that your viewers will want to learn more about.