Open CallOpen Call: Rough Cuts
Sonny's Letters From the War (Rough Cut) (3:37)
Alex Rapp | Cambridge, MA
Pvt. Walter “Sonny” Pyrih, as remembered through his sincere and touching letters to family. Born in 1923 in Ansonia CT, son of Ukrainian immigrants, Sonny was just turning 20 when he was drafted into the army. As s devoted family man, he wrote home as often as possible, sending a wonderful collection of letters filled with anecdotes, and personal reflections about family, friends, and of course, the war. Consistently upbeat, he was more concerned with reassuring his worried mother than with his own plight. Sadly, this outlook proved overly optimistic. He died in action on October, 1944 in northern Italy, leaving just his letters behind.
Alex has 10 years experience in the local film and television business. He has written, directed, and produced hundreds of TV commercials and marketing videos, and several short films. Alex received his MBA in 2003 from Boston University, and during this time helped organize Investing in Media that Matters, a groundbreaking conference which brought together investors and media professionals at the Sundance Film Festival, to discuss socially responsible media. He also helps organize the Woods Hole Film Festival each year. Alex began working in Boston at WHDH-TV 7 and New England Cable News, where he eventually served as the On-Air Promotion Manager. Alex drives a Toyota Prius and has an unhealthy obsession with recycling everything in sight.
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It’s very hard to tell a story just through letters - so we appreciate the challanges here. That said, the text bubbles were hard to read and had a bit of a cartoonish quality. That’s underscored by the jaunty VO – which perhaps makes it a little too “light”. I was hoping for some archival photos or family film – mom and pop, Sophie – that would help with the pacing and make the story more dynamic and personal. The telegraph at the end is very difficult to read and need to be enhanced in some way.
Simon Kilmurry
Executive Director
American Documentary | P.O.V.
ps:
ps: I really like the material and think that there's a great historical document in this!
some visual relief?
Alex,
I was re-watching your piece today and was thinking that I'd love to see a bit more visual relief for Johnny's letters. Given the small format of the internet, the text bubbles are difficult to read, so perhaps giving us some photos or graphics as relief against the words would be valuable? Perhaps using a WWII-era map as a motif so we could see the places that Johnny was and his movements?
Just a thought...