Deborah Scranton: Scenes from "The War Tapes"

TL;DR

Filmmaker Deborah Scranton recounts her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to virtually embed with the New Hampshire National Guard and tell their stories from the inside out.

Transcript

Three years ago, I got a phone call, based on an earlier film I had made, with an offer to embed the New Hampshire National Guard. My idea -- and literally, I woke up in the middle of the night, and we've all have those moments. You know, you go to sleep -- I was excited, with this phone call. I was thinking, I just finished making another film abo... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧠 The filmmaker had a unique idea to virtually embed herself with soldiers and tell their story from the inside out, rather than the outside in.
• 📽️ The film was made possible through the use of Internet access and communication with the soldiers through emails, instant messaging, and text messages.
• 🌍 The soldiers in the film expressed a desire to talk about the positive things they did in Iraq, rather than just focusing on the negative aspects of war.
• 💔 There is a disconnect between civilians and soldiers, and a need for open and meaningful conversations about war and politics.
• ❤️ Supporting soldiers goes beyond simply saying one supports them; it involves actively engaging and connecting with them, whether through volunteering or other means.
• 😢 The film captures the emotional toll war takes on soldiers, as well as the guilt and trauma they may experience as a result of their actions.
• 👥 The filmmaker had intimate conversations with soldiers about their experiences, building a relationship of trust and understanding that allowed them to share their stories.
• 🔌 The use of technology, such as cameras and communication devices, played a crucial role in documenting and sharing the soldiers' experiences.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Deborah Scranton to make a documentary about the New Hampshire National Guard?

Deborah Scranton was inspired to make a documentary about the New Hampshire National Guard based on an earlier film she had made about World War II veterans. She saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell a warrior's story as it unfolded.

Q: How did Deborah Scranton communicate with the soldiers while they were in Iraq?

Deborah Scranton communicated with the soldiers through emails, instant messages, and text messages. They would discuss their experiences and share footage and photographs.

Q: What was the soldiers' reaction to Deborah Scranton's proposal to film their experiences?

When Deborah Scranton presented her idea to the soldiers, she faced a hailstorm of questions, including skepticism about her knowledge of the National Guard. However, she won their trust by discussing the history of conflicts and proved her commitment to telling their stories from the inside out.

Q: Why does Deborah Scranton believe it is important to have conversations about war and politics?

Deborah Scranton believes that having conversations about war and politics is crucial to bridge the disconnect between different perspectives. She encourages openness and understanding, even if there is disagreement, as it is the first step toward finding common ground.

Q: What impact did technology have on the making of the documentary?

Technology played a significant role in the making of the documentary. The soldiers' tapes took around two weeks to reach Scranton, but they communicated through emails and instant messages during that time. This allowed for real-time conversations and a deeper understanding of their experiences.

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Summary & Key Takeaways

• Three years ago, filmmaker Deborah Scranton had the opportunity to virtually embed with the New Hampshire National Guard and tell their stories as they unfolded.

• Scranton embarked on a mutual journey with the soldiers, using the internet to communicate and share their experiences.

• The film includes footage from soldiers' cameras mounted on turrets and humvee dashboards, providing a real-time perspective of war.