Lights, Sound, Camera, History

In the vast realm of public history, where the past comes alive for everyone, film emerges as a potent tool, capable of weaving narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. This blog post explores the multifaceted ways in which film can be harnessed by public historians, utilizing the poetry of emotion to engage audiences through museum programming for children, social media initiatives, and museum exhibits. We are looking beyond documentaries and historical dramas because the medium that is film can be used for a lot of things.

In my opinion, a film's main purpose is storytelling, and telling that story through emotion visually and audibly. and when you combine this intentionally with history it makes some subjects easier to digest (because it is a story that has been told engagingly). Museum exhibits take on new dimensions when infused with cinematic elements. Film excerpts, audiovisual displays, and interactive choose-your-story stations enhance the visitor experience, making history more accessible and engaging. Public historians can curate exhibits that seamlessly integrate film to evoke emotions, inviting visitors to connect with the past on a personal level. There is a different experience that someone has reading about an event/person rather than seeing footage that came from that event/person. In some ways, this can be seen in how you can use old photos and postcards that slowly move combined with soundscape for what this image presents or provide a narrative for what these images relate to. The fusion of history and film can spark curiosity and a passion for the past.

Another fun way to use film is with Green screen technology offering an exciting opportunity to transport into historical settings. This could be done this providing a digital environment that represents a historical one that with a Green screen you can "place" visitors in the past. To take this type of interaction further you can provide workshops and interactive programs, public historians can guide kids in creating their own historical narratives, fostering creativity, and a deeper connection with the subject matter. The green screen becomes a canvas for imagination, blending history with the art of storytelling.  (I have been calling this idea green screen adventures for a while now, and it reminds me of past programming that involved a Play that children ages 6-9 created from the ground up. There was so much glitter everywhere but those children had so much fun as they talked about how they created a story.)

We all know that in the age of digital connectivity, social media serves as a powerful platform for raising awareness. Public historians can leverage short films, trailers, and snippets to distill complex historical narratives into bite-sized, shareable content. This is a complex process however with an active promotonal team, historians can effectively capture the attention of diverse audiences, fostering a collective appreciation for history and its impact on the present.

As public historians, we continue to explore innovative ways to bridge the gap between history and the public, because I believe that the public is interested in history it's just that they don't want it to feel "stuffy" or only academic. For me, film evokes emotions, and connects with audiences of all ages. This makes it an invaluable tool in museum programming, green screen adventures, social media campaigns, and immersive exhibits. By embracing the poetry of emotion and storytelling that is woven into the film, public historians can unlock the potential of film to captivate hearts and minds, ensuring that the stories of the past resonate with generations to come.

What is a fun way you think film can be used to interact with the past?