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Family Movies
Back when I was a kid, Uncle Rex was always making home videos. So was my dad, but his were always centered on holidays -- Uncle Rex's were mostly of me, Arielle, and my cousin Scarlett playing on the front porch. While some of these shots were purely documentary, most of them involved hastily improvised interviews.
Uncle Rex: So what do you want to be when you grow up?
Arielle: Dangermouse.
Arielle, as the youngest, was the cute one. That was her persona -- adorable, and a bit clueless. Her fringe was always in her eyes, her answers were largely non-sequitor, and she spent most of her camera time grinning like an idiot. She was the one who made everyone say "awwww," who never got in trouble for anything, and who mostly got pats on the head.
Uncle Rex: What happened to the toy you were just playing with?
Scarlett: I sold it to a man on a skateboard who said he needed it to join the enchanted circus.
Uncle Rex: Really?
Scarlett: Yes. He had a pet pink poodle, and I thought it was best to take him seriously.
Scarlett was the scene stealer, no question. Best actress, best storyteller, and the funniest. Her segments tend to be the longest, because she can keep going forever, spinning a story bigger and bigger until you just have to sit back and whistle in admiration.
Uncle Rex: What movie did you watch last night?
Romie: (distracted) I don't know. Joe Faces the Mountain, or something.
Uncle Rex: Joe Versus the Volcano?
Romie: (distracted) Sure.
Uncle Rex: Was it good?
Romie: Yeah; I mean, a guy jumped into a volcano. Excuse me. (Runs off).
I always seem vaguely irritated to be on camera. Not uncomfortable -- I've never been camera shy -- but annoyed to be away from my game. My only lengthy appearances are actually in shots of Scarlett -- I'm generally sitting beside her, taking in the performance and quietly laughing at all the jokes.
I'm always the straight man to my family, largely because I can recognize that they're better entertainers than I am. I'm more of a director type -- I guide the conversation so that they can best show themselves off. I'm quite happy to fade into the background -- to facilitate the action, but to let them be memorable.
I miss being offstage, behind the camera.
I need a black and white super 16mm.
Uncle Rex: So what do you want to be when you grow up?
Arielle: Dangermouse.
Arielle, as the youngest, was the cute one. That was her persona -- adorable, and a bit clueless. Her fringe was always in her eyes, her answers were largely non-sequitor, and she spent most of her camera time grinning like an idiot. She was the one who made everyone say "awwww," who never got in trouble for anything, and who mostly got pats on the head.
Uncle Rex: What happened to the toy you were just playing with?
Scarlett: I sold it to a man on a skateboard who said he needed it to join the enchanted circus.
Uncle Rex: Really?
Scarlett: Yes. He had a pet pink poodle, and I thought it was best to take him seriously.
Scarlett was the scene stealer, no question. Best actress, best storyteller, and the funniest. Her segments tend to be the longest, because she can keep going forever, spinning a story bigger and bigger until you just have to sit back and whistle in admiration.
Uncle Rex: What movie did you watch last night?
Romie: (distracted) I don't know. Joe Faces the Mountain, or something.
Uncle Rex: Joe Versus the Volcano?
Romie: (distracted) Sure.
Uncle Rex: Was it good?
Romie: Yeah; I mean, a guy jumped into a volcano. Excuse me. (Runs off).
I always seem vaguely irritated to be on camera. Not uncomfortable -- I've never been camera shy -- but annoyed to be away from my game. My only lengthy appearances are actually in shots of Scarlett -- I'm generally sitting beside her, taking in the performance and quietly laughing at all the jokes.
I'm always the straight man to my family, largely because I can recognize that they're better entertainers than I am. I'm more of a director type -- I guide the conversation so that they can best show themselves off. I'm quite happy to fade into the background -- to facilitate the action, but to let them be memorable.
I miss being offstage, behind the camera.
I need a black and white super 16mm.
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