Preview nearly ready

Our 7-8 minute preview is almost done. We will have DVDs we can share with anyone who wants to see them. We might have the video available for viewing on the blog, though this would require putting it up on UTube. I have mixed feelings about that.

I think the preview is great. It captures the essence of what we are doing. If you want the preview, let me know and I will get one to you. Just send a message to me at casmith@ksu.edu. Tell me a little about yourself and make sure I get your mailing address.

I will post a message on our blog when the DVD is ready for the public. We should have that ready by October 1.

I examined the video we now have and captured about 85 still shots for use in the preview. I might also upload some of those photos here. I need to check and make sure I can do that.

Another homecoming and great video

We had the honor of videotaping another homecoming. I interviewed about six or seven families before the soldiers arrived and than after they were reunited. One family/friends group all had the same t-shirts on with their soldier's name on them. He was significantly touched by their display of support.

In this case we had several politicians present from both parties. The soldiers arrived about 45 minutes earlier than planned and had to wait for speakers to arrive before being dismissed.

But what a celebration when they were dismissed!

Going to Iraq?

There is a possibility that I will go to Iraq to talk with soldiers about their families. There are many hurdles to jump to get to that point (one of them being funding the trip). I care so much about what we are doing and the families that I am meeting now that I am willing to go the distance to make the documentary better than great if being there serves the story we are telling. Ron has decided that he has to remain behind to videotape the families' reactions during conversations with their deployed soldiers. He would much rather go to Iraq too, but he believes what is necessary for our documentary takes precedence.

Of course I have some apprehension about doing this (my family certainly does). But this story we are telling is so important that have to do all that I can to ensure that it is the best we can do. We can certainly adjust to not having this opportunity, though, if going there is not possible. Time will tell.

Preview progress

Work is progressing on our On Our Behalf Preview video (about 5 minutes long). We will use the preview to show potential supporters and underwriters what we are doing and hope to achieve. We have enough video now to put a preview together. Sure is challenging to decide what to include because we have so much great stuff. I think we might have it ready to go in a couple of weeks. I will post in our blog how to get the DVD.

We will not be putting it online for anyone to get. The video is uplifting and celebratory. I feel so honored to be given this opportunity to listen and to young people express what is in their hearts and be present at a powerful homecoming moment. I also feel the heavy responsibility of being careful with what we create. At some point we let it go of course. But now is not that time.

Even so, we do want the preview to be shown and seen. We are just going to be careful of who we send it to. More on this later.