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The importance of capturing memories and saving family stories before they are lost or forgotten is the driving force behind a new venture from a Warkworth filmmaker.
Jon Waters has been crafting films and documentaries for more than 20 years, including Bullrush & Mud Pies about the history of Warkworth Primary School released last year.
He says that process not only captured heartwarming recollections of many locals’ schooldays, it also showed him that not everyone could remember things clearly, prompting him to start Memories on Film in a bid to capture people’s stories before it was too late.
“The documentary for the school was a taster for me. There was quite a bit of history there, but I noticed there was a difference between older people who had very good memories, such as one lady who could clearly remember her first day at school, and others who had gone past that point and struggled a bit,” he says.
“I wanted to give people the ability to remember their parents and grandparents while they were lucid and able to remember all these things, and get that across in a relaxed, respectful and professional way.”
Waters says while most people understand the importance of family history, it is one of the things people don’t think about too much until it’s too late.
“I really regret not talking more to my own father,” he says. “And every time I see my mother, she comes out with a different story – we really need to preserve all that.
“Those stories are gold, but they’re the ones we’re losing every time someone dies. Too often, we realise too late that there were many questions left unasked and stories left untold.”
Waters understands the importance of local history better than most – his mother is Warkworth Museum archivist and former Mahurangi Matters history columnist Judy Waters, and he lives in the same Hill Street home that belonged to his great-grandparents, grandparents and parents before him.
He says with Warkworth and the surrounding area expanding so rapidly, it’s now more important than ever to preserve the history and character of the region and its people.
“It’s partly about preserving family heritage, but I also see it as a way of recording local history before it’s lost.
“It’s important that we hold on to that through change – to know where people have come from and appreciate it.”
Memories on Film is designed to help capture the life stories and legacies of locals and their loved ones in documentary format.
“The idea was to have something people could hold onto – real people talking about their real experiences – rather than just a box full of old photos that people never get around to sorting out.
“I film relaxed interviews that gently draw out the memories that matter most – childhood adventures, life lessons, family milestones and all the little details that make someone who they are.”
Waters says the filming process is easy, taking no more than half a day to a day, and tailored to each person and their family.
“I do the interviews, or a family member can, keeping things friendly and informal, with laughing, crying and a little bit of everything about their lives – it’s their own documentary.”
The cost varies depending on the length of each film and the time taken to edit and add any extras, such as photos, archiving or a printed transcript.
“I want to create something that people feel has a value, but I can go from very affordable up, just to make sure they get it in the can,” he says.
Waters also offers a high quality slideshow service for funerals, birthdays, anniversaries and so on.
Jon Waters has one free introductory premium Memories on Film video package to give away to someone who has led an extraordinary or surprising story. To enter, go to https://memoriesinmotion.nz and leave a brief description of why this story deserves to be told. (Please note, the winning video may be shared by Memories on Film to illustrate and explain its documentary process.)
