Surprises in store — Why it is important to have a video archive?

There are times when we wish that we had video footage of the stories and adventures we share with others. We might search through our phones and computers, or maybe even ask a few friends who were there at the time. We might also perhaps ask the younger ones - surely with their social media habits they should have at least some videos, right? Yet, more often than not, compared to photos and verbal recollections, video memories are harder to find. And if any were to surface, their quality would likely not do justice to the stories told.

While my profession as a documentary storyteller gifts me with the position to be present in the moments of others, I've never had the lens pointed at me as I work. Sure, there are a couple of incidental photos over the years (of which I am extremely thankful for as I have used them repeatedly for media opportunities), but I’ve never had video footage of myself working. And to be honest, I am also quite uncomfortable with having someone film me as I do my work. It's not exactly the thing that I would like to have when I am focusing on the task at hand. As such, recounting my working experience had always been a ‘tell, can't show’ kind of affair. In some circumstances, that would simply count as a matter of inconvenience. But in a few key instances, the lack of footage is crippling.

Recently, I was surprised with an opportunity to be featured on a video about media freelancers. But regrettably, due to a lack of footage of my behind-the-scenes work, I had to watch that opportunity pass me by. While I understood such opportunity costs, and so did my recent documentary subject. In the weeks prior to a partial lockdown here in Singapore (the proper term being ‘circuit breaker’), I was in Malaysia with Yonah, a start-up that was in the crucial phase (both financially and technologically) of establishing an autonomous drone network to connect remote communities with its healthcare systems.

I joined them on their trip out to get some first-hand preliminary research done as well as to get some preliminary footage of their onsite operations. This was meant to be the start of a long pre-production process, but it would also be the first time that their onsite operations were filmed by a professional.

While COVID-19 has since halted any further progress since that time, Yonah was able to pivot and saw this ongoing global crisis as an opportunity to do some good with the technology that they had developed over the years. On short notice, the hours of high quality footage archived in my system was ready to answer their call and utilised in their revised pitches. Beyond these closed door meetings, the video also became valuable for some of their partners such as DBS and National University of Singapore, who repurposed them to share Yonah's story with their respective communities.

So, when the curve flattens enough for filming to resume, it is wise to perhaps keep in mind the surprises held within a video archive. There are plenty of people who have tools in their pocket with the capability of capturing video, and even greater ones if that tool is met with some level of technique and experience. If your budget allows for it, perhaps the seasoned perspective of a professional to capture your moments would be perfect to have.

Opportunity presents itself to those who are prepared. So remember to have a few videos of your moments - you will be pleasantly surprised when you need it.