Awards Chatter Ken Burns - 'Country Music'
Jun 22, 2020
Ken Burns, prolific and revered doc filmmaker, discusses his childhood loss that inspired his desire to 'wake the dead,' his unique photographic technique, and why race is a thread running through all of his work. He reflects on the impact of the pandemic, recession, racial tensions, and political leadership in the United States. Burns also talks about his personal background and upbringing, the decision to attend Hampshire College, his various documentary films including The Civil War, and the role of music in storytelling.
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Childhood Loss Shaped His Mission
- Ken Burns remembers his mother dying before his 12th birthday and how that loss shadowed his childhood.
- He connects that trauma to his lifelong drive to "wake the dead" through filmmaking and storytelling.
Bring Photographs To Life
- Use still photographs as active storytelling elements by adding first-person voices, sound design, period music, and careful camera moves.
- Treat photos like living paintings to make historical subjects feel immediate and narrative-driven.
Three Practical Steps For Anxiety
- When anxiety overwhelms, use three simple practices: remind yourself it won't last, get help from others, and be kind to yourself.
- Enforce those truths without 'yes buts' to stabilize emotional crises.