This is my second post to this blog but my first actual video that I have uploaded to this blog. I really enjoyed working on this video because I am beginning to enjoy the editing and creative side to video production although I haven't actually learned anything yet. This is all done on my lap with movie maker.
This video is a collage of pictures and art work featuring African-American fathers and daughters. I thought about doing just all black and white but as I was looking for pictures I stumbled across some beautiful art work that told the story I wanted to tell in this three minute video.
This video features a few celebrities with their kids. I found a lot of them but I didn't want to just make it about celebrities. I wanted some people on here that no one would probably recognize. I wanted some to be faceless. I wanted some cartoons. And then I found some beautiful African art and paintings that just fit so perfectly.
I wanted music in the background so I chose Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole "Unforgettable". It's definitely a recognizable and classic song that fits perfect with the mood that I wanted for this video. It says so much with very few words.
A fathers love for his daughter is truly unforgettable. Its a love that you never forget or that can be replaced. Of course its a different kind of love than what you receive from your lover or mother or friend, but its a special kind of love that all girls need, but sadly all don't have.
I started this video just because I was reflecting on my own relationship with my father who is deceased now and has been since I was 11. I was just basically thinking about all of the memories that I have and cherish and all of the things I won't be able to experience such as my wedding (whenever I get married). There are a few wedding shots that I love in the video.
The video is also special because sadly this is something you don't see much of. I actually had a hard time finding images of African-American girls and women with their fathers even for weddings. There are definitely a lot more Caucasian pictures than there are of any other races. But unfortunately the lack of images reflects the real worlds lack of dads in the lives of their children boy or girl. So I wanted to just make this video as sort of a tribute to the beauty of a father.
The pictures are very simple. It shows a father brushing his teeth with his daughter, and at the grocery store, or just smiling tenderly at her. Those moments are so important to a little girl. It's always the simplest things that mean so much. I love the pictures of the father holding the girl up on his shoulders. Its one art piece that shows the back of the father and how strong he is, and its because we all look at our fathers as this strong man that is around to protect us and lift us up. Then there is a picture of a father with his arm around three (sisters) I believe and it says so much to me. Its a very protective portrait that it paints in my mind. Its another way of saying that one role of the father is to be shelter and protector from all things that can harm you.
When a girl doesn't have those things there is something lacking that I cannot describe. There is a vulnerability. There is an awareness, a fear that never really goes away.
This video was a way for me to express a lot of emotions. I hope everyone that watches it enjoys it.
Candace
