It was an inspired idea, I think, but my execution was a little iffy.
A few weeks back, I posted a video hosted originally by the Anthology Film Archives of a walk down West 8th Street filmed sometime in the early 1970s by a noted typographer, academic and avid filmmaker named Lowell Bodger (you can read more about him here). Bodger's 16mm clip captured a tantalizing glimpse of that particular stretch of real estate during a completely different era, and I found it fascinating to watch. I only wished he'd panned about on occasion, but I suppose that can't be helped. It's still a remarkably compelling little film.
In any case, ever since I first watched it, I thought it might be interesting to film an updated version. This morning, I attempted to do just that. Flanked by my two rambunctious little children and armed with a Flip video camera, we stopped on the northwest corner of West 8th Street and Fifth Avenue -- just as Bodger had done some forty-someodd years ago -- and I started rolling.
The original Bodger film is silent -- lending it a further elegant mystique, in my perception. My clip, on the other hand, is cursed with sound. As you'll hear me mention in the clip, what starts out as an homage to Bodger's film swiftly devolves into a demonstration of neurotic, high-volume parenting, as I bark increasingly-harried directives at my children who -- in turn -- blithely ignore them.
Another unfortunate aspect of my video is that three-quarters of the way through it, the viewer may get a little nauseous. Where Bodger's film is buoyed by a seamlessly steady hand, my Flip camera bobs and jostles with every step I take. It almost looks as if I'm bouncing down West 8th Street on a pogo stick. Apologies for that.
In any event, here are both clips for your viewing pleasure. Bodger's is first, and mine is second. If possible, enjoy them both.
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