Happy Easter and Passover from the Aubrecht family. God bless.
This week I'll be busy writing a series of pieces for Mort Künstler’s upcoming release, updating the National Civil War Life Foundation website, and filming the 3rd installment of The NAKED Historian. I also have an interview coming out this week in The Pittsburgh Writer's Project eZine and a private tour this weekend with the Warren family from Roanoke. Stay tuned for postings as my to-do list is completed.
New side-gig
Guess who accepted an invitation to host a history show on our local TV channel. Yep! A popular tourist publication was granted 3 hours a week on Fredericksburg's cable-access and asked me to host one of their segments. I believe I will be filmed at historical sites of interest. These will be broadcasted on local programming channels and in the hotels. Stay tuned and keep yer' fingers crossed. I'm learning as I go along.
Explain yourself
Someone emailed me last night asking “What’s up with the ‘NAKED’ title in your videos?” Clearly I’m clothed (thank goodness). Perhaps I should have explained that this little side-project, an unscripted and ultimately fun way for me to share some of our local unknown sites, is a take-off from my favorite TV show The Naked Archeologist.
TNA stars Simcha Jacobovici who according to his bio is: “Fast, funny and irreverent (think Ali G. meets Indiana Jones), Jacobovici asks the questions we all want to know the answers to: Why is it so bad to be called a Philistine? Was Jezebel really that sexy? What do you do when you find a 2,000-year-old palace under your house? And where do you stop for a good falafel when you’re on your way to find the real Mount Sinai?”
Jacobovici's archeological theories in some cases have come under fire from Biblical scholars. As a devout Christian, I am firm in my own theological beliefs, which obviously differ from his. That said, I think a similar approach to his can be taken with history. My ‘angle’ is to introduce others to historical places that are off the beaten path. Millions of tourists come to our area each year and the majority of them have no clue the places I’m covering even exist. Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll get some real equipment and some software. Until then, please enjoy these installments, missteps, mistakes and all. I am literally turning on the camera and improvising. What you see, is exactly what I see, no cuts, no edits, hence the use of the term 'naked.'
House Hunting
The Naked Historian: Episode 2. Sterling
This installment presents a glimpse at one of the overlooked antebellum plantation homes located along the “Stonewall” Jackson Ambulance Route. Most people who drive this country road never take the time to look between the trees. Next episode: “Cemetery at Loriella Park.”
8 minutes long, but you'll love the ending
The Naked Historian: Episode 1. The Forgotten Marker
UPDATE: Thanks for all of the positive emails and comments. I had no idea the ‘pilot’ would work. As I said, this is a low-budget production that will hopefully improve with time. (I am actually using the ‘video’ function on a standard still-photo digital camera.) In response to Robert Moore’s insightful comment on leaving breadcrumbs behind, I have added a links area in the side-panel to make access to each episode easier. I am already looking into Episode 2, so stay tuned. You never know what may happen.
Robert Moore has a great post on video blogging that you will want to check out too. In the comments section, I discuss the mindset behind this project and my desire to connect with my readers in a completely unscripted environment.
