Lights, Camera, History: Volunteering as a Videographer at the Richmond County Fair
The Richmond County Fair wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, whose hard work and creativity bring our events to life! Meet Brandon Paradise, a talented videographer and volunteer, who shares his experience capturing the excitement and energy of the fair on camera.
“The best advice I could give to aspiring videographers is to just reach out! I reached out to Historic Richmond Town and happened to be exactly what they were looking for exactly when they were looking for it. ”
Can you give us a little background about yourself?
I’m a Staten Islander, born and raised. I went to high school at Staten Island Academy and now attend NYU for Film & TV. Film has been my calling for as long as I remember. I feel it’s the art form with which I can express myself best. There are so many elements you can play with, so many ways to tell a story and create a feeling.What inspired you to volunteer as a videographer for the Richmond County Fair at Historic Richmond Town?
Historic Richmond Town has always been a special place for me. My imagination is inspired by how well preserved the town is. I’ve always imagined what it was like to live in this time and place. Because of the quality of Richmond Town’s passionate historical interpreters, all it takes is some clever camera work to travel back in time. I volunteered to cover the Richmond County Fair in hopes of spreading awareness about all the great work this place does, and in hopes of continuing to work with Historic Richmond Town to film their many other events throughout the year.How do you think filmmaking can enhance the way cultural institutions, like Historic Richmond Town, connect with their communities?
Filmmaking can bring Historic Richmond Town into the eyes of people who potentially haven’t seen for themselves how great this cultural institution is. By creating period films and media content Historic Richmond Town can spread its passion for preserving the relevance of Staten Island’s history.As a filmmaker, what are your future goals?
As a filmmaker my goals have always been to find new and exciting ways to tell stories. I aim to experiment with film as a medium as much as I can to create fresh cinematic experiences. Original ideas that speak in some way about the human condition, and include visual challenges to overcome in production. Among these ideas is a period piece that will use Historic Richmond Town as its set, bringing the town back to life within the lens of the camera.Are there any other Staten Island cultural institutions you’re interested in working with to expand your portfolio?
I’d be more than happy to work with any and all Staten Island cultural institutions! I‘m passionate about bringing light to all the great historical and artistic collections on the island. There are plenty of people putting a ton of love and effort into preservation and education, and I think they need to get more credit! To give one example, Fort Wadsworth is another historical landmark I’d be honored to cover further!What advice would you give to aspiring videographers or filmmakers who are looking to expand their portfolios by working with historical or cultural sites?
The best advice I could give to aspiring videographers or filmmakers is to just reach out! I reached out to Historic Richmond Town and happened to be exactly what they were looking for exactly when they were looking for it. Just keep creating and learning with what you have access to. Once you feel confident enough in your abilities, just reach out and do your best work!
Do you have a special skill or talent you’d like to share? Want to volunteer your time like Brandon did? We’d love to hear from you! Visit our Volunteer page and fill out the form to get involved today.