As a former Combat Cameraman seeing footage from our growing number of war zones hits me on multiple sides. I can see well beyond the propaganda and both understand the situation from both the war fighter and concerned civilian perspectives. When I first joined my Combat Camera Unit I quickly realized I had much to live up to. My fellow teammates and I were the 'technical descendants' of Director John Ford among a host of famous filmmakers and photographers down through the decades.
Though I suspected it beforehand, I found that ours was a unique profession. We were warriors, but our job was 'Telling the Story of War'. I remember talking with some young Marines on a mission and they couldn't understand why I carried a camera instead of a rifle. My answer was, "I carry a rifle too, but if you see me change out my camera for the weapon we're in trouble!"
I passed on the 'torch' years ago and now a new generation is doing what I did by taking the latest technical innovations into the field to tell today's war stories. Shot with the Canon 5DMkII The video "Why We Fight" by Army Specialist Matt Freire and 1st Lieutenant Tyler Ginter gives us the story of one unit of the Afgan Special Forces from their point of view.
Why We Fight from Tyler Ginter on Vimeo.
This is great! Shame MSNBC won't carry stuff like this!
Bruce Paul 7Squared Productions http://www.7squared.com
And I thought I was sticking my neck out doing hunting videos! It's so easy to take American life for granted. Thanks for posting this.
"Shame MSNBC won't carry stuff like this!"
"I thought I was sticking my neck out doing hunting videos!"
In fairness to the embedded reporters who bravely take 'their turn in the barrel' along with the troops they cover, it all depends on the 'suits' back home in the corporate offices as to what gets shown. Quiet as it's kept, the news media in the last few years has been 'brought to heel' on a number of occasions. When some things do get aired, you can guarantee they've been stamped for approval by Uncle Sam. Every time something 'slips out' is when the 'shin hits the fat' and you get your controversies.
My thought at the time was, "If you don't want us to find anything, don't send us." Of course no one with any brass on their shoulders or a 'government suit' on would take that advice from a humble sailor.
H.Wolfgang Porter, Composite Media Producer Dreaded Enterprises Unlimited, Inc. www.dreadedenterprises.com
"... If you see me change out my camera for the weapon we're in trouble!"
Speak of the devil. I was checking out my old unit online and wouldn't you know it, one of the team got awarded the Bronze Star for action under fire....
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27717
H.Wolfgang Porter, Composite Media Producer Dreaded Enterprises Unlimited, Inc. www.dreadedenterprises.com