Seventy Two
A short film that captures the touching connection of a 1972 Ford pickup to 3 generations of the Cope family. Now in his 40s, Timothy Brown Cope reflects on how the truck and its sentimental value played a key roll in his childhood and preserving the memory of his father and grandfather.
Director/DP/Editor – R. Scott Johnson
Writer/Featuring – Timothy Brown Cope
Music – Amy Seeley (“Indigo Sky and “Gravel Lines”)
Aerial Cinematography – Wollwerth Films
©2011 rscottjohnson.com
Scott, this is beautiful. I want you do a story on our place. I cried when Tim was talking about seeing his father cry. It made me think of my dad. You have a gift from God for crafting touching stories from such normal topics. Keep up the excellent work. Call me. I want you to see our place in the spring (great time to shoot).
I dont like trucks or sappy stories but you had me hooked from the first shot. What an amazing road. Where is that? The production value is so slick. You gave me some great ideas, the way you put the photos on the truck. You should be making films for PRT to show the beauty of South Carolina! But maybe you are… What is your dream project? I know a production company in SC that has the right tools for your skill-set. I can see from the credits that you are doing a great deal with very little manpower. Talk soon…
If you do another project without me there is going to be trouble! I can only say “touching.” Very nice job Scott! Do I have to pay you to be on your next project?
Amazing! Your DP skills are off the hook! Please come to SCAD and show this to my class. I want you to give us a complete breakdown of your shooting technique and color correction process. Once again, you have made a great story out of something so normal as a guy talking about of his old truck. The way you incorporated the pictures into the film was just beautiful and creative.
Great story. Tim looked great on camera! Are you entering this in the film festival? Would be a nice addition. It just screams (or should I say whispers) Lowcountry! Beautiful work as always. I owe you dinner.
Did you make this with that new plug-in called TALENT? Why does your footage look so much better than mine? I have all the same gear you are using. Maybe I need an EPIC! Great work!
Nice film, but what I want to know is: did you color that fella’s beard? When he talked about his grandfather I almost cried. I could see the emotion on his face. Is he single?
What a touching story. God has blessed you with amazing ability and I am so pleased that you are utilizing it. Keep up the good work, my friend!
I love your website! Very nice short film. I have a commercial project in mind for you. Please reply. I’m close to you in Charleston.
Wow! I love it. Very touching. The visuals are beautiful and the music is so perfect. Did she score this for your film? I will have to Google Amy Seeley. Have not heard of her before. Beautiful work!
I watched your movie with no intentions of seeing the entire movie- but it was really good and I watched the entire thing- made a really mundane story very interesting–the main thing i noticed is that you have made some really good strides in your camera work and your editing— the best thing of yours that I have seen–and you still have the knack for picking ready made songs to fit the visuals- enjoyed the entire movie–good job
Really nice piece Scott. Sets a wonderful mood.
Thanks Louis.
Thanks Steve. And yes, I still consider picking and telling a great story to be one of my best talents. Cool cameras and modern production gear only support the “main thing” which is the STORY! All that said, I still love gear and the tech side of it.
Thanks Susan, Amy Seeley did not score the film. I just licensed her tracks “Indigo Sky” and “Gravel Lines.” You can find her work on http://amyseeley.com Her music is amazing. I sent her a copy of the film today. I hope she loves what I did with her music.
I’m excited too! I will be in touch. Thanks for the compliment on my website.
Thanks Gene. I still want to do a project with you. Plantations or Vietnam. Talk to you soon.
Hey Cindy, no we did not color his beard. All natural. I wish mine would do that! Single? I think he’s waiting on a very special woman.
Yes, you do need an EPIC (not really). And then I will rent it from you! But until then, keep making films on the gear you have. I improved over the last 6 months or so by shooting a lot! This project really revealed how much time is lost on gear that is not working up to par. I cant tell you how many bad takes I had because of a sticking slider. So I do feel your pain about gear!
I dont think this will make it to the film festival. The entry date was November 15th. I would have loved to see what kind of reaction it would have received.
Thanks Gary. I will be happy to show it at SCAD and talk about it. I had the chance to show a fellow shooter today how I color grade the footage and he was amazed at the difference between the native camera footage and the graded version. It is dramatic. Most folks do it, but there is an art to stepping beyond “presets” and dialing in mattes, power windows, etc.
Thanks A.G. I would be honored to work on something with you. I know how busy you are, thanks so much for watching it.
That road is on the way to Hunting Island. As soon as I get my Segway and Steadicam I will be shooting stock footage for PRT. Ha! My dream project is some type of Christian film. Or a film that shows what is good and kind about people. I love what the folks from Sherwood Pictures are doing. So much of what is on TV is focused on strife, hate, lies, deception, killing, etc. I want to make films that families can watch and be touched by. So if you have a script…
I really want to do a film featuring a beautiful plantation. I have not done anything like that yet. What I have found is that so many of the most beautiful plantations in the lowcountry, that have the budget to afford this – don’t really need it to market their places because they are completely booked. I am probably looking for a plantation that simply wants to document the beauty, history and character for their personal sentimental reasons. And a film might be a good write-off!
Are you kidding me! Dollys, Steadicam, Helicopters oh my! Beautiful work! Have you seen the C300 or the F3? What are your thoughts. How about the Tascam DR-40? Seriously, what does it cost to get a Heli shot like your beach scene?
Great work man!!
I really enjoyed it. Specially those slow pans, and how smooth the camera work was.
looks still, but its slowly moving, it creates a mood.
loved the BBQ video too, gonna have to try their pulled pork sometime!!!
David, yes the Heil shot was beautiful! Those type shots can be expensive but worth it. You really should check out Stephen Wollwerth at http://wollwerthfilms.com He has just completed a corporate piece that has some amazing Heil footage in it. I have seen the C300 and the F3 online but have not had a chance to shoot on them yet. Everything that I have seen from the F3 is beautiful. The price for the F3 with the primes kit is less than $20,000. I would like to be shooting 4 or 5K stuff like the Scarlet. I think that the ability to cut in to the 5K frame to get CUs or ECUs would really speed up the production process. Not to mention the ability to stabilize footage and not lose resolution is interesting. The DR-40 is new, but I am interested in it. The DR-100 (what I use) has a clip limiter on it, but it still gives an “over.” I hope that has been fixed in the DR-40.
I just watched the film “Seventy Two” for the 2nd time today. I really like it! You have some amazing shots in there. Your composition and camera motion is excellent. The copter shot was a very nice addition. My favorite was the scene where you had the guy chopping wood in the background while the camera moved in on the picture of his dad with a load of firewood in his hands – very smart! I like your style. I have read your blog and it looks like you favor the Canons. Is that still the case? I have LOTs of traditional (P2/DVC Pro) gear but really want the shallow DOF look that the large sensor cameras give. Recommendations?
I know Susan said it, but WOW! I have been keeping an eye on your web page, and your projects through Tim, and each film is better than the last! My wife and Kiddo both had tears in their eyes as we watched this, over and over again. My personal favorite is the picture of Jim on the steeringwheel with an arm full of wood, and Tim chopping wood through the passenger window. It brought back memories of me and my dad, and inspires me to make memories for me and Eli. I don’t know too much about the technical end of things, but the entire film was beautiful! Scott, you do great work!
Mr. I want a new camera – Thanks for the comments. Yes I really like the Canon DSLRs. If I had to buy one today (for a paying gig) I would get the 5DMKII with a Zacuto EVF, even with the fact that the MK3 may be out in a few months. Hands down it is the best look (full frame). To be conservative you could start with the 60D and make some amazing films. The middle would be the 7D, really great for photography but no tilt screen makes it tough in doing odd setups for video. There are lots of places renting the full line of Canons. Try them out and see what you think.
Van, thanks so much for the comments. It has been 20 years or so since I saw you last. We were recording tracks in Savannah at Steven’s studio. I am going to email you the track that you sang on. Yes, please make a point to make special memories with your family. Tim always tells me about you. He and I have had a blast working on this project. Peace!
i’m sipping my coffee at my kitchen table and just watched your short film …
tears are streaming down my face .
it is something beyond remarkable when i experience my music as the backdrop in the telling/sharing of a visual story that is so moving ….
you told timothy’s story beautifully . the cinematography was incredible … and you captured his heartfelt honesty, which is the grandest feat of all, i feel .
i’m honored .
thank you for sending it my way, it truly made my heart swell this morning .
all the best as you continue to capture and create,
amy
Love the story and the visuals! The aerial shot is amazing. The locations were all so good. The tracks from Amy Seeley fit so perfectly. I was touched, like so many of the other comments above. Keep up the great work.
Style, creativity, beautiful music, splendid use of the photographs and most of all a touching story. Well done mate. Would you be so kind as to detail out your perfect DSLR kit for filming?
Thanks Tomas. There is no perfect DSLR kit, but here goes: Canon 5DMK2, Zacuto EVF flip, Chrosziel Follow Focus, Zacuto Rig, Steadicam Pilot, Sachtler tripod, Anton Bauer Power Kit, Sennheiser G3 wireless, Sound Devices 744T, Tiffen Water White NDs and a 5ft Kessler Cineslider w/full motors set and Oracle controller. But remember: all of that “stuff” cant direct talent and craft an excellent story.
Very nice lowcountry vibe! Scott, you did a great job putting this together. I thoroughly enjoyed it – start to finish. Keep up the good work.
Great!
I just watched your video “Seventy-two”. Great video! Brought back a lot of memories for me of Jim Cope and that blue Ford. I remember that truck beginning back when he was my little league football coach and all the way to when I worked with him at Westinghouse. Mr. Jim was comical as hell and a good man.
Well done. As I have aged, I find myself holding on to some special things that were important to my father. Now they are important to me. This really touched me. Thank you.
ps. Like some of the other comments above, I like the way you used the photographs in the film. Creative.
Very well done Scott, it was a wonderful expression of family tradition. The truck had a special place in his heart and it came out perfect in the video. Great job. Thanks
The Old Blue ‘72
I was driving along in the Old ‘72
My two old dogs and me
Ambling along under skies of blue
On a road lined with Oaks as far as you could see
My thoughts went back to years gone by
To my Dad and Grandpop I loved so well
To when I first saw this truck and it brought a sigh
As their images came, clear as a bell
My Grandpop’s name was Sherlock, and he loved that truck
When we were around we knew what he’d say
“Now that truck cost me a pretty buck,
So stay far, far away when you play”
There are many memories that I could note
Like Sherlock driving me around the farm
Sometimes carrying his old Jon boat
He and I with a fishing pole on our arm
Fishing with Sherlock was the best of times
Carrying a Jon boat in the back of that truck
I brought a self-adjusting cork with my savings of dimes
Hoping it would change my fishing luck
Grandpop laughed and threw it into the woods
As I stood there crushed at the action he took
These being one of many memories from childhood
Him explaining that all you needed was bait and a hook
On the day he passed we were supposed to go fish
Me with my new zebco rod and reel
If there’d been something I could do, something to wish
It would be to make this day not so surreal
This was my first experience with death
And my world came crashing down
To know that Grandpop had taken his last breath
And he was at peace and Heaven bound
My Dad inherited Old Blue ‘72
And it came to symbolize his life
A man of courage and smiles
As if the world around held no strife
He drove that truck for miles and miles
And was a kind man with infectious joy
A man from a generation of smiles
Which taught a lot to this little boy
Old blue has now been passed down to me
And it carries with it a fine tribute
I enjoy this truck and drive it with glee
And it’s a fine specimen and a just a big old brute
So now this tale has come to a close
There’s plenty of things to do and see
Because there’s still wonders from that duo,
Cause Grandpop and Dad are always riding with me.
Bob Etchieson © 3 Dec 2011
Great piece! My name is Wayne Deer and I grew up next door to Uncle Sherlock (country style–1/4 mi.) Uncle Sherlock was a great father to Jimmy, Betty Jean and Kay Francis and husband to Aunt “Rick”. Jimmy followed in his footsteps. I remember the truck and can only imagine all the memories it holds for Tim and his Mom and brother. Great job of “catching” the feelings and emotions of the entire presentation and the music was right on. Several have mentioned the scenery and it certainly was brought out in the film but you have to “ride it” to get it’s real beauty!!
Again great work!