Archive for the ‘Features’ Category
Watching An End Of An Era
The video journal “Last call for haircuts” on spokesmanreview.com is truly like someone’s journal in motion picture form. The video works like a mini guestbook list providing insight into the long-standing relationships formed between the Haines barber brothers and their regular clientele. The video is unpretentious and as personable as the twin barbers are themselves. The viewer sees the inside of the barbershop, which is simple and unadorned. The customers are honest and visibly heartbroken over the “end of an era” as the barbers prepare to close up shop for the last time.
The video succeeds with barber-client interaction where print media would fail. In one scene, a Haines brother cuts his client’s hair and utters simply, “Yeah… Yeah… Yeah… Yeah….” In text, this looks awkward, but onscreen it highlights the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere of the shop.
Perhaps broadcasting this story through the radio medium would achieve an even greater old-fashioned feel. One could still include buzzing sounds and other audio effects to create the ambience of the barbershop, with multiple voiceovers of the various clients.
All in all, “Last call for haircuts” works well, if not best, as a video. The concluding handshake between one of the Haines brothers and a long-time client is more emotional visually than writing out, “And they shook hands for the last time,” or an inaudible handshake that wouldn’t be perceived through radio.