I Filmed This Kid Genius Director In 1967. My Movie Won 30 Blue Ribbons. A Joy To Watch
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2022
- This is 13 yr. old Timmy Page. I spent a day with him in 1967 filming at his house in Storrs, Connecticut while he directed one of his grand movie adventures in 8mm. When I was done, I thought but it would make a humorous short subject but had no idea that I was capturing a moment in time in the evolution of amateur video/filmmaking-really the dawn of the RUclips creative video maker. The film won 30 Blue Ribbon film Festival awards and helped advance my career as a documentary filmmaker. Timmy & I appeared on national television. A Kodak commercial was made with Timmy-I made it.
I was a young documentary film maker in 1967. At the time, there were new opportunities to film everywhere as hardly anyone had ever been filmed and television was just beginning to show ordinary people's lives rather than just "big-time news." I had a grant from the United States Information Agency (the USIA) to travel around New England and capture little stories of American life. The agency would then show them across the globe at various film festivals etc.
Timmy (Tim) Page called for a "film shoot" and my cousin was one of the characters who got together at his house to make movies. 8 mm silent films that Timmy created, directed, scripted, and edited. He was extraordinarily verbal and seem to have a very deep understanding of himself including his high level of anxiety and peculiar hand movements and facial expressions.
One of the reasons that my film was so popular 1968 and 1969 is that it revealed a movement in our communications history when thousands and then tens of thousands and now with RUclips, tens of millions of creators made user generated films - now user generated videos. It didn't take much to begin - creativity and a camera and audio recorder and an editor, and you could make movies. That is partially why touch so many - because what Timmy was up to matched what others were up to at exactly the same time. And it is surprising how many of the up and coming young filmmakers at that time producing films of all styles from pure art to super realism, were under the age of 20 years old.
Background:
Tim Page struggled in school even as his musical abilities matured and his interests in literature and film, especially silent film, deepened. He recruited his siblings and classmates in his early efforts in filmmaking; in 1967, Page and his films were the subject of my documentary titled A Day With Timmy Page. It was screened at the opening of the 1968 New York Film Festival.
The adult Tim Page became an American writer, music critic, editor, producer and professor who won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for his music criticism for The Washington Post. Other notable writings by Page include his biography of the novelist Dawn Powell, which is credited for helping to spark the revival of Powell's work, and a memoir that chronicles growing up with undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder.
Page revealed in a 2007 essay for The New Yorker that he had been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, "in the course of a protracted effort to identify - and, if possible, alleviate - my lifelong unease." The essay led to the publication of his book-length memoir Parallel Play, published in September 2009. In a review for The New York Times, Janet Maslin wrote that the book is "not about Asperger's, but it is intensified by the peculiar nature of Mr. Page's Asperger-governed perceptions. Tirelessly logical, sometimes agonizingly so, he lives life in an extra dimension, with a sense of time that irrevocably links past and present, living and dead, ardent love affairs and broken ones."
I was very fortunate to be there that day with my wife at the time Iris Hoffman (who tried her best to record the audio) and, after a short meeting, just roll film - 16mm black and white film - of Timmy and his classmates creating another movie.
My film, "A Day with Timmy Page" won more than 30 top awards at American and European film festivals including Chicago and New York. Timmy/Tim went on to become a nationally recognized music critic and author. I went on to make hundreds of other documentaries. Tim has shown this film to his grandchildren and I hear that they found their granddad fascinating. That satisfies me.
Thank you Timmy Page.
If you enjoyed or found meaning in any part of this video, please consider clicking the "Super Thanks" button to the right below the video screen. It supports my efforts to continue presenting clips and stories from my more than 60-year-old career/passion.
Thank you for the consideration
David Hoffman filmmaker
We don't really have screen tests but it gets them off my back 🤣🤣🤣
I love that line.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Tim Page knew what he wanted and did it. Great film to watch and interesting to hear what happened to him later in life. His parents must have been supportive.
From the beginning he understood the ratio of artistry to budget. His friend wanted a 150 foot film but he guided him to a 25 foot film. Meaning the number of feet of film it took to make a project. Not just stock, but the cost of developing. No wonder young Tim had a posse of 30.
I was trying to do the same thing when I was a kid at the same age, but in 1972.
It was a matter of the expense of the equipment. My mother had a super 8 camera that I was finally allowed to touch when I was ten years old. I was allowed one role of film. I made half of it sight gags, using perspective and props, and the last half was creepy footage of a wherewolf moving around the outside of the house, shot from below. I used that paste on my face and fake hair.
There were unexpected problems with lighting, which would have taken care and more rolls of film to fix.
But all I could afford to develop was the one roll of film.
Many years later, I found it in my parents' attic, and I tried to watch it, but it was brittle and it tore.
Developing film was an expensive hobby for a child in those days, and I had many other enthusiasms, so I left that by the wayside.
Anyway, I love this film. It's a slice of life from my own childhood. Kids were like that back then.
Kids are still great
@@cameronparham5067Yes! Kids are great! I work with 12 to 14 year olds and they are amazing! Not perfect, but amazing!
Awww, I wish it could have been saved, what a treasure that would have been to see. Thanks for sharing this little slice of your life.
This is wonderful. I was 13 in 1967 in rural Minnesota. What a really wonderful time it was. This kid is so bright and so creative. Ty for posting this. Really amazing documentary.
Where? I live in willmar
I know a candy sell
He certainly has his moments! At times he sounds like a well seasoned movie director! This is a total classic, and an inspiring piece of film history!✌😊✌
I can't believe how nostalgic this feels having zero memory of a creative group like this. Really phenomenal kid. And that pipe 🤣🤣🤣
What an intelligent young man at the time, his behavior, body language, etc. This generation’s parents did a great job raising their children. 👍🏽
That is the way it was back then💯 imagination,but he is extremely bright,so funny😁👍
Yes it was a time when kids used their imaginations!
Wow 30 blue ribbons that's great Mr. Hoffman you do a good job filming this documentary, stay awesome 👍🙂🎥 your a talented guy.
Great to see kids being kids I was blessed to grow up in the sixties and gangs of kids were always able to constructively entertain themselves we were so innocent. 😢
This was incredible to watch. His level of conversation with the adult film maker was impressive to say the least 👍
This was fascinating. I love that it shows how expensive film was. Timmy yelled “cut” just seconds after rolling film. He really had a great understanding of film making at such a young age. As a young person, I always had a desire to have my own “show” and now RUclips has given us all equal opportunity to find an audience - even after age 50. Thank you, David, for sharing your experience and history with us all! -Ed
Truly, the Leonardo Da Vinci of Film Making, both of you!
How cool is this!!😃
How frightening it is that most adults aren’t this clear with their thoughts and words...
These days if you mention D. W. Griffith, you get told that he was a monster. He was really a great pioneer, and it's good that Timmy was allowed to see the classic films for inspiration.
@@TinLeadHammer I remember watching silent films on a local TV station back in the 60s with my dad. I fell in love with Rudolph Valentino.
Wow, another gem! Tim Page reminds me of some kids I once knew. We too made Super8 movies, in camera editing as well as our first tape splicer! It served as a rudimentary basis for a much later career in the entertainment/film biz. Though I was more of a production design artist, knowing how filmmaking worked was so inspiring and key to being an effective designer. Seeing Tim and his friends working really put a smile on my face. It was true creativity, love it!😊
OMG! I'm so thrilled to have experienced this! BRAVO to everyone involved, especially you & Tim. 💥👏🏆👍😁✨I was 8 in 67. Timmy is beyond brilliant.
Thanks for sharing! That era brings back memories for me, our (my) world was a lot simpler then. I don't believe your voice is any different 55 years later!
Imagine if it was a young Steven Spielberg ! Excellent !! Your Mo' deserved an award back when too !
Among all the other things, I love Timmy's accent.
Awesome! The year I was born!! 1967 ❤
You actually look way younger than your age 55 does look good on you
I love the way this group of friends, "the gang", interact with one another. So much kindness and respect. Makes me think about how different people treat each other these days.
I agree with Alex's comment. What a mature kid at 13. Would have liked to see him continue making movies, but trauma can affect dramatic change in one's life.
He's so smart for that age .
Thank you for posting i love your documentaries David!
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Thank you for preserving this moment and making it timeless for future generations. Your work is incredible and appreciated by many.
Love this channel and the people from yesteryear that it has introduced me too like Timmy.I was born in 1967 and if i had a time machine it is the year i would go back to.❤️
Hah little man sounds like he is 30 something 😊
you deserve every penny - your content is great and very interesting , great to look back - Thankyou sir
I was 6 in 67. Great video sir. Thanks
Very interesting. ♥️
Just glorious! Thank You so much!
Welp,
I gotta admit as a kid he was way ahead. This was just enjoyable!
My teenage kids and I love watching your videos together Mr Hoffman. Thank you so much for what you do!
His speech was incredible as was his knowledge! Thank you David!! Amazing! " Screaming lunatic lol!"😂
Great Look back at a simpler time and a youngster with a great background in movies. Thanks Davi\d.
I grew up in the 70s, and knew a family of kids (3 brothers) who made movies like this with their dad's super 8. They were just having fun, though (the movies were hilarious) while Timmy seems very serious about his major film. I can't help but feel bad for him that people were laughing so hard at this. I wonder if it hurt his feelings.
Such a wonderful story David. Thank you ❤️
Fascinating story! Tim’s an amazing kid. I think Clooney and others would appreciate the latitude that he gave to his actors
Awesome piece of history, what a jewel in your box of valuables 💥
Love the exuberance...and the pipe.
Watching kids being kids brings back memories of watching my friends playing. The black and white film makes it more nostalgic to me.
I wasn't allowed to play rough and tumble, but I enjoyed how they pretended to punch and kick each other.
Tim was very clever with his directing technique and the other children were so cooperative. Amazing little film!
I love this video ❤❤❤ I wish you MUCH financial success up here. 🔥💪
Thank you, that was amazing!!🙃👍
Thank you Susanna for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
I love everything about this video. Thank you!
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
In the words of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, I give this film a thumb up 👍 This is a gem of a short film. Tim come across very articulate in this film. after reading your description I plan to do some research on Tim Page. Thanks David Hoffman.
Thank you Drew. I remember that thumbs-up.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker yes a gem of a film, that was most definitely, amateur user friendly, because of home movie cameras for that young boy Timmy, it was funny when he said slap stick comedy was harder to set up and act then his drama scenes, cause I thought it was the exact opposite, he reminds me when I was 7 or 8 in 1987, I didn't have money for a vhs camcorder, so I thought of making a movie by using song lyrics then writing a story movie about the lyrics, so my first idea for a movie was I Just Called To Say I Love You, so thats when I started becoming a writer, nowadays I write everything so quick the paper starts to smoke
Facinating, sorry about his car accident. Thank you for sharing his story🌞 I want to support you & didn't know what a super thanks was so Thank You for mentioning it!!! 🤩💛😎🤑💖🌞
This reminds me of my childhood. A couple friends and I used to make movies like this is the 70s. I was born in '67. Thank you for sharing your wonderful snapshots of bygone days.
This is absolutely wild. thank you so much for sharing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video Mr. Hoffman. I found it fascinating to hear Timmy describe the making of his films. Watching the children reminded me of playing "make believe" as a young girl in the sixties. It's wonderful Timmy captured it in his films. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Fantastic piece of history, thanks very much.
This kid was brilliant
David Hoffman, your films are a national treasure. I support you wholeheartedly!
Jeanne.Your contribution to my efforts is much appreciated as is your comment.
David Hoffman filmmaker
what a kid. wow
Amazing to have captured and saved this, and thank you so much for sharing as well, love it!
so lovely the whole thing had me in tears smiling from the corner of my eyes what a most beautiful capture of light and sound❣
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
I loved this film David.
Brilliant kid.
Thank you. I am very proud of this film.
David Hoffman filmmaker
great work David
Love your work thanks for this amazing movie
This was absolutely delightful. What a precious memory. I really enjoyed your editing between the conversation and the clips of shooting the films. It sure would be wonderful if you could connect with him now.
He has some kind of a brain Illness and has a really hard time communicating these days. Kind of sad.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker oh, that is too bad. What a life he's lived. That was a real whiplash moment in this video going from smiling at the innocence and joy of the relationships, his vision, and what the documentary did for you to the first huge tragedy in his life. Life. Phew.
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker that's very sad.
Really the history that u share about family and creators !!Thx for sharing ur videos !
The pipe lmao what a character!
Awesome. Thank you Sir.
David!!! Good thing im typin cause my jaw is to the Floor.If i werent a person who depends upon her kids for sustenance ...sad story ...You would have my Financial support. So that was you interviewing Tim Page??? wowsy wow wow!!!
The intelligence of these kids .......this is museum Quality stuff...David ..I have so much to say .THANK YOU
Thank you Hedy.
David Hoffman Filmmaker
High IQ certainly
At his age we were playing in tree forts.
Hunting for golf balls to resale.
Fighting
Walking back yard fences
Riding bikes
East side
San Jose
Cheers
You’ve had a great life Mr. Hoffman ✌️
Yes. I have.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Thank you!
This was wonderful! I really enjoyed it. Timmy was incredible!
Thank you,... Just thanks for sharing..
The director reminds me of Peter Draws.
Wow!!! This is great. Thank You for sharing this!!!
Love all your videos. Brilliant as always 😊
great story as allways mr Hoffman
Thank you so much for pieces like this! It is amazing to see such an intimate snapshot of life during that time.
Really like your video clips I was a producer like you only it was about sportfishing on the Carolina coast . I know how hard it could be back in the day when you shot film and didn't know if it usable until it was developed I miss those days...Paul
Love you sir! God bless your work 🙏
In 1967, I was about this age but no where near the intelligence and ingenuity this young man had. Some of us born on earth are already older than our age.
And, David, I wish to support your efforts as a Patreon, but alas, I'm an old fa*t on SS and right now attempting to turn into an artist that actually sells stuff. As soon as I reach a comfortable number with my efforts at making a better living, my name will show up on that list. 😊
Thank you Robert.
David Hoffman Filmmaker
❤ 😂 brilliant..loved it
Hi David. I've been away for a while. Checking out your latest videos. This kid is awesome! It seems rare to see a kid so bright and articulate. Truly a kid genius. It brought a smile to my face seeing these kids work and play together like this. Reminds me of when I was a teenager and did similar things with my friends with the camcorder we had. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you Andy for the support. Good to see you again watching one of my videos. Best regards
David Hoffman filmmaker
More time spent on the people... ❤❤❤
You are brilliant. I am 41, and still passionate about my work but I am fearful of losing my passion one day. I truly look up to you. You are Amazing !
If you do lose your passion look inside yourself and find what you are curious about. No passion. Just curiosity. And follow it. It will lead you back to your passion or maybe to a new one.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker thank you. I needed that today. I used to create crocheted items. I lost my passion for it when I tried to sell my surplus. I enjoyed crocheting dolls but when no one wanted to buy them, it really discouraged me and I quit crochet all together. Again, thank you for your advice.
Thank you for sharing!!!!
When I was a kid (around the same time) we put on short plays that no one but us would ever see, that I doubt any of us remember. Like Timmy, we imitated what we knew. What we didn't have was access to 8mm cameras and film. This kid was pretty savvy (Mabel Normand?🤣) for his age, but how much creativity in so many kids has been stifled by the lack of sufficient means to procure the equipment necessary? Or the encouragement to pursue such activities? Money talks, poverty walks.
This was delightful. There are also a couple of interesting parallels: the date of this film - April 18, 1967 - was my first birthday; and like Tim, I grew up with undiagnosed Aspergers (a designation no longer used clinically; now it's Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1). I plan to check out Tim's book. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for your comment. Please consider joining the David Hoffman RUclips Community to receive daily photo posts and monthly entertaining and provocative Livestreams. Click the join button on my channel homepage - upper right corner.
David Hoffman Filmmaker
Incredible story!
Oh, man I wish I was a kid again!!!
Great stuff you are doing. We did this in the 1960s.
I would love to see your films from that time.
allinaday@aol.com
David Hoffman Filmmaker
David Hoffman your film "A Day With Timmy" also capture the innocent of youth during the turbulence 1960's.
I can't help but wonder if your documentary on Timmy Page was an inspiration to Steven Spielberg and his movie "Super 8".
Would be interesting to find out that he made that movie because your documentary.
😆 Now I have to watch Super 8 again! Not that I need any excuse to watch a Spielberg film.
Super 8 was written and directed by J.J. Abrams
I think it's wonderful that you want to sell merch/ do this wonderful Chanel full time and make a living out of it!! I obviously don't always agree with the politics presented in the films, but who says everyone has to agree with everything?
I love this channel and the films/documentaries you made!
Thank you Brian. I struggle to make a living but it is one hell of a lot of fun to attempt that on RUclips as a creator.
David Hoffman filmmaker
David Hoffman Story 13 yrs.old 1957 Timmy Page
Thanks!
Thank you so much Max.
David Hoffman filmmaker
The birth of Guerrilla filmmaking.
In todays era Tim would have been drugged up with Ritalin.
Thanks
Judith. That is kind of you. I appreciated.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Very smart kids if you ask me just can stop reminiscing the good old days
It’s a business. Haters back off!!
So awesome I watched it twice so far! Hey You have something in your store that I can Afford...thank you!!!
Thank you Hedy.
David Hoffman filmmaker
One of the problems with trying to make a living with RUclips is our audience is just as broke as we are. The only way to make money here is change your target audience. As a film maker of 40 plus years I do enjoy your videos here on RUclips but unfortunately I spend every cent I make on producing my crappy films and inspiring others. James Cameron is my greatest achievement. I had a conversation with him in 1977 that changed his direction in life.
Sterling Productions: Are you a subscriber to my channel? A member of my community? A patron? You are putting out quite a bit of energy to make your videos and I totally agree with you that understanding your target audience is the key to success in a searcher environment like RUclips. I am actually quite good at it and have been for most of my career. It's how I have made a living and been hired by so many to help them to understand their target audience(s).
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Subscriber, yes. Member of the film maker community, yes. A patron of the arts, yes. A Patreon member, unfortunately no. I don't have any spare cash. At the end of this video you sounded a bit disappointed that your viewers aren't financially supporting your RUclips channel. I could be wrong. Im just thinking if the rest of your audience is as broke as I am then the only way to make money on RUclips is change that audience. I have the same problem and I'm looking into changing my programing to something that appeals to people with money as my audience has none.
@@SterlingJohnstonFilmsCA Thank you for your response. I am not disappointed by my communities response to my request for support. In fact, it is that support that is keeping me going. Satisfied? Not yet. Making a living? Just about. Thank you for being a subscriber. Are you a member of my community? If so, I hope you appear at the Livestream today at 11 AM.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@TinLeadHammer Very true. I haven't had an offer to sell out yet.
Lol at the one film, the story was man meets woman, woman has baby, stranger steals baby, ending in baby funeral
Wow is he using footage length when referring to the runtime of his movies?
Yeah, well it cost a lot to develop film back then. You didn’t have the supply available on a memory card today. Also he shot in order of viewing to avoid editing, which was a tricky process involving cellophane tape 😅