Grandfathers & Grandsons

As another one of the projects for the Sony Dads project we were loaned a Sony HDR-XR500V to create a “heritage time machine” that would capture a family story. There were no more guidelines and each of us was left to go with it as we saw fit.

The storyteller in me went into high gear and I realized that I wanted to sit down with my father and my father-in-law and get them on camera. Neither of them were all that excited about getting in front of the camera, but I hope they are happy with how it turned out. Since this site is about Dads I wanted to hear them talk about being a Grandfather, a father and about my son. I made sure to get Dylan into the mix as well. Here is my story.

The camera performed as advertised. I’m really happy with how all the footage turned out. This was all shot with natural light indoors and outdoors. The auto focus is faster then others I have seen and the camera has a built in hard drive so you can record hours of footage without worry. It is a bit bulkier and heavier then my Canon HF11 but still performed awesome. i was worried about the placement of the microphone on top of the camcorder, but I was satisfied with the results.

On the video front, it was something that I’m very proud of. It is the first thing in a long time that I’ve conceived from start to finish. Having been on plenty of sets in my Random Foo Pictures days, this really sparked the old bug that has been hibernating for a long time. I even did all the editing and music myself as well which was a huge confidence boost since neither of these are things I’m very good at.

Watching the playback for the first time I got very emotional. I wasn’t ready for that to happen, but it reminded me that I captured the story I wanted to tell. I dedicated the story to my grandfathers who are no longer with us.

I hope you enjoy the story and I’d love to hear what you think.

This post is part of series called the “Sony DigiDads Project” by Sony Electronics where a group of dads, including C.C. Chapman, Jeffrey Sass, Max Kalehoff, Michael Sheehan, and Brad Powell, have been given the opportunity to test and review Sony gear. If you want to know more about this project, head on over to the Sony Electronics Community.

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Tags: digidads, emotional video, grandfathers, Grandparents, grandsons, sony, sony electronics, sonydads

C.C. Chapman is a father of two (a boy and a girl) who loves the outdoors, creating media and playing with technology. When not on the computer he can most likely be found cooking or taking photos. He is also the co-founder of The Advance Guard and a busy public speaker.

Keith Burtis

CC, This is a great video. I was never actually able to meet either of my grandfathers, but I still have a very close attachment to them both. I was at my cousins wedding last month and one of my mothers cousins couldn't stop staring at me. He said that I reminded him so much of my grandfather on my mothers side that it was uncanny. I have since chatted more and more with him to learn more about my grandfather and we are so alike it's crazy.

As for my fathers side, I am currently living in and restoring the house that my grandfather and grandmother lived in for 45 years. My grandfather on my fathers side was a carpenter and a NY state archery champion for 5 years running. He made his own arrows and handcrafted his own bows. Sound like anyone you know. :)

I seem to be a deep cross-section of both of my grandfathers and I can't tell you how much I wish I could talk and learn from them. Fathers can tend to be a bit quiet about their experiences, work and life. Make sure you learn everything you can from them.

_keith

David

I loved this video, I can understand the significance that this will have on the generations to come. Really great work

Ray Hartjen

Nice video, CC, and a great story to share with your family (and others!). It's the perfect thing for us to do with our video cameras, yet we so often don't. Your story has inspired me. Who know, maybe my future stories will inspire others :).

Nicely done.

Ann Handley

I got emotional, too... and I don't even know these guys!
: )

Very well done, CC. I just loved it. I think a wonderful thing about the world we are living in is that so much of this "story" can be captured in the way that you did here. All I have of my own Dad -- who died when I was 17 -- is a single cassette tape with his voice recorded on it. I'm not even sure my own kids (who obviously never knew him) would find it all that compelling, so I've never played it for them. Compare THAT to.. well, THIS.

Nicely done.

sukhjit

CC, your video got a couple of us at the Sony office teary eyed! Thanks for sharing stories from your Dad, Dad-in-Law and your Son. I think it’s safe you’ll inspire quite a few people who watch your video, not just to call their dad, but to take the next step and capture these kinds of moments with generations of their own families.

Sukhjit
Sony Electronics

Chel

It's a beautiful story to hear from your dad and father-in-law about their experiences. So touching and so important for the kids to hold on to this piece of video for the future.

Thanks for sharing C.C.

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Grandfathers & Grandsons