Hello everyone! Jon here, returning from an extended, college induced, absence. Now that I am finally in the swing of this new semester, I find I have time to catch up on our behind the scenes blog posts! I begin today with a look at the making of Facebook Privacy: A New Approach.
The idea behind Facebook Privacy did not start as a video idea. One day, while I was daydreaming, I realized that potential enemies would easily be able to discover everything about me if they could somehow get a hold of my Facebook data. This disturbed me… What was I to do? Should I delete my Facebook account and never looked back? Should I unfriend everyone except my closest companions? Then, the thought struck me: in time, my Facebook would become too disastrous for anyone to sort through! Clearly, I should post more often rather than less often! Eventually, I realized that I probably had nothing to worry about and I proceeded with my life, online and offline, as usual. Still, the idea that posting more material on Facebook could actually help diminish the chances of incriminating data being discovered stuck in my head for several weeks.
Fast forward to the weekend of January 21. Gary had just returned to college and Grant had gone with him to send him off. Due to Gary’s college responsibilities, they were too busy to film a video. Knowing this, I had begun tossing ideas around in my head. After some thinking, I came up with a vague PSA-like video, expanding upon my earlier idea regarding Facebook privacy. I began scripting. With help from my girlfriend, I was able to come up with a first draft. Unsatisfied, I made some changes and sent it to Grant. Grant liked it, but thought it still needed some work. I agreed and made more changes.
By now it was Sunday, January 23. While on an unplanned visit to Wal-Mart to purchase salt for my icy driveway (which my dad had driven my car off of earlier that morning), I bought two packets of extra-sticky, neon colored Post it Notes. After putting some salt down, I drove to the residence of my friend/employer, Bruce Cullen, to turn my script into a video.
Bruce is the best wedding videographer I know. Part of what makes his videos so unique is his skillful use of his Steadicam. After spending an hour sticking Post it Notes to the wall of Bruce’s guest bedroom, we were ready to start. Bruce, Steadicam strapped on, filmed me as I repeated my lines. It took me many tries to get the opening monologue, but, after that, the rest flowed smoothly. When we finished filming, we watched the footage on Bruce’s giant TV. I was excited and ready to start editing, but we made sure to record a few voiceovers before I left.
Upon returning home, I got right to editing. It was a simple edit. I had a first cut ready before the night was over. I made some slight changes the next day and had it ready for Tuesday.
Thanks for checking out the Paperclip Films Blog! I’ll be back soon with a behind the scenes look at the making of Facebook: The Status your Status could be like!
Have something to say something about the Blog? Leave a comment below!
