Little Giants DVD

I am cross posting the following message from the Yahoo RGS group in its entirety as I thought it would be of interest to readers here on the NGDF.

1a. The Little Giants DVD is available
Posted by: "Dennis Larson" denzack@comcast.net DenZack
Date: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:58 pm ((PST))


Per our discussion on the RGS Yahoo group last November, I’m pleased
to announce that “The Little Giants” documentary DVD is now
available. I'm posting this again on the list because some e-mail address I
received then have been bouncing.



“The Little Giants” DVD is available for $12 in the U.S. and
Canada; $14 for others outside North America. The price includes postage and
packaging.



To order, please send a check or money order to:



Dennis Larson

12680 Windy Willows Dr. N.

Jacksonville, FL 32225



I prefer checks or M.O.s. However, if you prefer to pay via Pay Pal,
you can send payments to denzack@comcast.net . Please note that because
there are additional fees associated with PayPal, I will invoice you
for a total of $12.60 ($14.60 outside North America). Please anticipate
some turnaround time as I am managing this project alone!



I apologize for the length of this posting. However, before you order
“The Little Giants” DVD, please read the following:



This 58-minute program was researched, written and produced in 1963 as
part of a graduate level TV project. It was aired on Nebraska
Educational Television.



It is black & white, and uses historic still photos, graphics and stock
and amateur film footage to look at the “…romance and history of
an era long past,” as my narrator says. It features some footage shot
by Bob Richardson on the RGS and the Alamosa to Durango line, other
film from D&RGW archives, and a film interview with Dr. Robert Athearn,
author of the corporate history of the D&RGW ("Rebel of the Rockies,”
1962).



There is film of the last SG run in heavy snow on the C & S high line
from Leadville to Climax. Another neat sequence is Richardson's film of
a cattle extra rounding Ophir Loop, shot from the caboose. His
Galloping Goose shots are nice, too.



(Note that in this overview of Colorado railroad development the RGS is
featured for about 10 minutes in the first ½ hour and shows up in
other spots in the second ½ hour.)



The project was recorded on Ampex 2" video tape, the broadcast standard
at the time. It was produced Live-to-Tape with a 3-camera studio crew,
live audio mix, and two film chains. Because of technology
improvements, no one does documentaries on-line that way anymore. To preserve it
in 1963 I had a 16mm kinescope copy made as that was the method for
archiving a lot of TV programs.



This past December, after 44 years “in the can,” the film was
carefully converted to a digital format by Debenham Media Group in PA. A
Rank Cintel Telecine machine was used to produce the best possible picture
resolution.



Viewers need to realize, however, that the kinescope original
represents several video "generations" which reduces the overall resolution.
Some scenes are dark, some look like 8 mm film and it certainly doesn’t
look like HD. Think of the old news film you’ve seen of the Nixon-JFK
debates and you’ll have a good idea of the limitations of technology
then.



I think today's audiences are spoiled by excellent color video tape,
often of HD and digital quality, and of the "look" possible with computer
editing. Because of that, I was concerned that this production may
not hold the interest of today's rail fan.



Despite the age of this project—or maybe because of it--when we
started discussing the documentary online, more than 50 rail fans said they
wanted to see it. Seven on the RGS group shared most of the costs of
the digital conversion. Others offered to contribute, too, if needed. The
seven investors have previewed a DVD copy and those I’ve heard from
already have found it interesting, worthwhile, and urged me to offer it
to the group.



Testimonials:



“Must viewing for any Colorado narrow gauge fan interested in the
history of that era.”



First, your writing and editing are great – very professional (for a
young guy in the 1960s, or any time, for that matter) and the narrator
was very good, with a great voice (so young, so young!).



As a narrow gauge fan (albeit a relatively new one, but a long time
railroad fan) I loved it. You have pointed out the quality and viewing
difficulties quite well in your explanation, and I would assume that
something like that would accompany the DVD (and perhaps could be added to
the beginning on the DVD itself so that people know what to expect).
But they are great films, lots of good information, great editing.”




Michael McCaffery, Bend, OR





I thoroughly enjoyed it, was fascinated by it and will certainly
be watching it again. It was very much of its time and all the better
for that. The voice over was clear with generally good sound quality.
The script - yours I see - was pretty good and the narrator an
excellent
choice. Only once or twice did an 'americanism'jar (eg 'economical
times' where we would say 'economic times'). The Historian, Mr Athearn,

was rather wooden and prone to some odd facial tics. No retakes in
those
days. What he said though was important.



It is a pity about the soft focus in particular at the beginning,
though
one does adjust to it. Sat in a darkened room the dark/light areas were

not too bad. One wouldn't be able to create a detailed model from the
movies and images, but you need stills of high quality in print form
for
that anyway. There is a great deal of detail about a real railway and
how it operates with train make up, the lie of the land etc etc.
There is relatively little about the RGS but the whole story is told
and
puts everything in context. I am fairly new to the RGS…I therefore
learned quite a bit. The hand drawn maps were an excellent idea.

This is an historical document and I am pleased to be some assistance
in
its preservation. That above all else had to be done and is achieved.
Was it worth my $50? - definitely yes.
Should you make it more widely available? Definitely yes. At $10 it’s
a
bargain.

Reading between the lines of your letters and postings, I think you are

concerned about selling a 'lemon' to avid fans of the RGS. Don't be.
Any
railway fan with an interest in the narrow gauge, not just in the US,
should find something of value in the film. .. However, I'm sure the 50

won't begrudge you $10 for a fascinating piece of railway history.

Thanks for making it available - a satisfied viewer.



Alan Banks, Neston, Cheshire, U.K.

--



Watched your documentary and I was very impressed. It is very
informative and flows very well. In its present form, for the price you are
asking ($10.00?), the DVD would be a welcome addition to the collection
of our group and any other serious student of the Colorado narrow
gauge….



The still photography is very good and seems to blend in with the
narrative. The galloping geese footage seems to have held up well and is
not as deteriorated as the other footage. Dr Athearn's commentary was
very interesting as well. I had read his book recently he provides a good
point of view from the business side of operating a railroad.



As a model railroader…I didn't get that much out of the DVD from a
modeling aspect, but to me, the main purpose of the documentary was not
for getting modeling ideas but for learning the history of the 3 major
Colorado NG lines.



To summarize, knowing the condition of some of the film footage, the
documentary held my attention for its entire length and I feel that you
should release it to the group.



Tom McDonald, Toms River, NJ

--

Rec'd the DVD last night and my wife and I both watched it through. No
futzing around with the picture or contrast etcetera... Her immediate
comment was "that's a nice little video. Kinda hard to watch in
places."

Note she has only a passing interest in my hobby, so I was really
interested in what she had to say. We had been to most of the places
filmed, and she recognised the Animas canyon and high bridge, as well as
Cumbres. I knew what Ophir looked like and she was amazed at the
difference between then and now. And she liked the concise little history
presented.

I enjoyed the video immensely, wishing for sharper movies and
understanding the 44 year gap in technology.

As a railfanning curiosity, it is well worth 10 or 12 bucks. As a
modelling guide or aid, not so much. …I also think it would be of great
interest to the various D&RG yahoo groups, but perhaps less so to the
RGS crowd.



I am pleased to have this in my collection.



Todd Leftwich, Canton, MO



--



Your definition of viewing some nostalgic footage I believe is
accurate. This isn’t Green Frog type of material. I think it is more like
viewing some of the historical footage that is sometimes included in
Green Frog’s material. Like viewing official railroad marketing
footage. I believe you have described it as such and have not attempted to
bill it as anything more.

I think the list members would be willing to spend around $10 for this.
Heck, I spend more than $10 on a single piece of historic railroad
paperwork. It isn’t a modern day production, but more of a historical
look back. And you aren’t looking to get rich, you’re looking to
preserve some long gone era of history. I think you should describe it
as such. In this way, the members will have a good idea of what they
are getting.



Scott McLeod, Roseville, MN



--

I am sharing these reviews in an attempt at full disclosure. I don’t
want anyone thinking they’re buying a Hollywood production.

(Although I have a background in TV production, I didn't begin that
career until 3 years after this documentary was finished!)



Dennis Larson

Jacksonville, FL






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