Advice needed on historical video

[Richard Herd]

Sounds like your proposal is going to be rather large because you will need to film recreations, because there is no photography to find, because the camera had not been invented yet. If you have access to the audio, then consider using it to develop a shot list and budget for a production and post production.

[Todd Terry]

Another possibility/option would be to budget for an illustrator… illustrations might be helpful since, as Richard said, real archival/period photography will be nonexistent.

This is one of those projects that I always feel is done backwards… I’m always harping on writing (or concepting) something around the images that you know you can get (or already have), rather than the other way around. You’re obviously stuck though, having to produce to their existing soundtrack.

I know neither Richard nor I even remotely answered the actual question that you posed… but do have a couple of other things to think about.

T2

__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com

[Nick Griffin]

I don’t have a particularly good solution either, but here goes. Illustrations do sound like the simplest way to go. You could also supplement them with period paintings. Now… WHERE to find the historian who would know the period and its paintings. I’d advice that you start with the least expensive things first and work your way up. Where I live our public library has a “research desk” which is able to provide a surprising amount of information for free. They could probably also provide referrals for historians. From there you might try the Library of Congress in Washington, DC and see what you can get for free.

Not sure, but I think it’s reasonable that there may be no copyright issues on stuff more than 100 years old. Possible that someone has renewed copyrights over the years, but not likely.

My two cents on a multi-dollar project.

[Shane Ross]

There may not have been cameras, as those came just before the Civil War, there are plenty of paintings and other art. And yes, you’ll need to hire a researcher and license the images. Some can be found in the US Archives, and most of those are free. But you need a researcher and clearance person to know for sure.

Where are you located? I can recommend people here in L.A. Not sure about rates, as I’m the editor and they are the researcher and payroll is handled by the accountants.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Greg Ball]

Hi Shane,

I’m located in South Florida, but the historic site is in Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh). I was thinking about illustrations or paintings, as I would really not have any other choice.

I’d appreciate any names even in LA that might steer me in the right direction.

Thanks

[Greg Ball]

Thanks Richard. I’d love to film re-creations, but the client has said that this should not include any video shoots. I’m aware that photography equipment wasn’t invented yet.

I can budget based on a shot list, but the problem is, can I get the shots that I’ve listed?

[Greg Ball]

Thanks -An illlustrator sounds like an interesting idea. Wonder how they would know what to draw based on the time period.

Yes this is absolutely backwards. Write the script based on what images you can find is always better.

Thanks much.

[Greg Ball]

Thanks Nick -Great ideas!

I’ll check the library out. I probably haven’t been in a library for about 20 years…LOL!

[Joseph W. bourke]

Another great place you can do online research is another well-known library – The Library of Congress. There is an immense online archive which is available to all of us (our tax dollars at work – for once for something worthwhile!):

https://loc.gov/

I have found stuff here that has just boggled my mind, from architectural drawings to historical photographs, to art and period political cartoons…you get the idea. Good luck with the project!

Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com

[Ned Miller]

Hi Greg,

For quite a few years in a row I used to shoot for The History Channel and we would go to local historical societies/museums. They usually preferred we didn’t remove anything so the producers would bring an oversize scanner. Also an easel and shoot a RAW stills with a DSLR and small soft light, so the editor could pan and do moves. By using them it’s free and they’re very helpful, often retirees who are volunteering. So that approach could provide a wealth of visuals, especially maps, platt surveys, etc. captured in DSLR stills.

I do know there are services that look for public domain visuals where rights clearances are already taken care of. Even shooting from a book you would need to have a copyright clearance from that publisher, even though their source was public domain. Plus, working on a government contract I would expect a clause that your company would be responsible for any errors and omissions, especially if it’s the Feds such as the National Park Service.

For historical pieces I would budget for some nice antique graphic maps with animation. I think if you look online at what other visitor’s centers have done with that time period, in terms of no original videotaping, that would be a good starting point. Google anything Daniel Boone, French & Indian War, etc. plus Park, Visitor Center.

Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
www,bizvideo.com