Gordon Sinclair - author of "The Americans"

Well, here I go on my latest endeavor. What exactly is it? Well, I intend to to make a movie – a documentary to be exact. Have I ever done this before? No. Do I know what I’m doing? Not really. Working in my favor however I do have the two most important ingredients required when starting any new endeavor: Ignorance (by the boatload) and arrogance. This is going to be the main focus of this blog. Documenting my progress as I learn about how to make my movie. Some of the topics that I will likely cover in the coming months include:

• Technical Stuff – Like how to use Final Cut Pro. I don’t even have this program yet but I can see the need in getting it.
• Reviews of Documentaries – I’m planning on watching a number of documentaries and I’ll write up reviews and put them here.
• Interviews with other Documentary Filmmakers – If possible I would love to talk to others who have already done what I’m attempting. Even if I can only interview then using iChat or a similar service.

So, that’s what one part of what this blog will be about. How to make a documentary / film. The other? It will deal with the ideas of whatever project I am working on at the moment. The film idea I have currently kicking around in my head will be called “The Americans”. It is partially inspired by Gordon Sinclair’s (somewhat) famous radio broadcast in 1973. You can read about the events surrounding the original broadcast HERE . You can watch a video I made of his original broadcast below:

Can you see where I’m going with this? It is my intention to make a movie that will ask questions such as these:

• What do other nations not appreciate about America? What do they take for granted?
• What do Americans themselves not appreciate about their country and its history?
• What were the factors / values that allowed America to rise to its pre-eminent state in the world today? What happens if it looses those? What will be the consequences for itself and the world?

Why are Canadians so funny? Well, look at it this way. Americans grow up watching television. Canadians grow up watching Americans on television

- Mike Myers on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

I’m not sure if that’s an exact quote, but I think I’m remembering the just of it. In my case however I have always been fascinated with economics and political culture, particularly American economics and political culture. Simply by osmosis I’ve basically grown up watching our neighbors to the south.  I think I’m going to bring a unique perspective to the whole scene. I’m Canadian, but an extremely conservative and free market oriented one. I think I’m going to be able to create something extremely unique. Does this sound interesting to you? If so then buckle up. I’m promising one hell of a ride.

Sincerely,

David Nordmark

PS – If I’m going to pull this off I’m going to need your help. One way you can help is by simply using the social media buttons at the bottom of this post. The other is by commenting on my blog. I’m hoping to use the “meta mind” of the internet to narrow down some of my ideas for the film. Let’s say I post an article on gun control in the States . If you agree/disagree with it please comment! However anything you post please back it up with facts whenever possible.
PPS – And just so you know I’m NOT mindlessly anti gun. Although I don’t necessarily like the idea of people being able to buy bazookas I also question the wisdom of the state taking away a citizens right to defend their own homes – even with deadly force, if necessary. But that’s a topic for another day.