Sherman’s March

sherman's marchFollowing  the advice of my friend Mark Fason, a talented film editor, I watched the movie Sherman’s March. This 1986 documentary has little to do with the military career of William Tecumseh Sherman and more about the filmmaker Ross McElwee‘s relationships with women. He is poised to shoot the documentary about Sherman’s famous march when his girlfriend breaks up with him sending him into a search for a new mate. He follows Sherman’s path and films the people he meets along the way.

The film inspired me in several ways. Most importantly, it appears to be shot entirely by McElwee himself. As a lover of the D.I.Y. ethic, I found this an amazing feat. Sure, I would love to have 2 chase vehicles and a helicopter capturing me on carbon fiber EPIC-M Red Dragon cameras for the show, but if I can’t raise any funding, I now know I have the ability tell a compelling story while shooting the show myself on a GoPro.

Another element from the film that struck me was that even non-famous people are interesting. McEwee points the camera and let’s normal people talk about their lives and experiences. Gathering different perspectives from these unknowns is compelling reality television before that became a buzz word .

Lastly, I was moved by the director sharing his vulnerability so openly in the movie. He has had a lot of trouble maintaining relationships and watching him work through the process of seeking a new mate provided for a good story.

With Sherman’s March, McElwee proves what can be done with one guy, an idea, and a camera. Great inspiration.