Earth Communications is the personalendeavor of a lifelong documentary and informational filmaker whose enterpriseis to develop a library of quality videos on subjects of down-to-earth,practical value for the enjoyment and utilization of resourceful people.The Residential Building Trades series is the result of that philosophyapplied to the most fundamental of earthly enterprises, the process of constructinga home.
The approach to the series is a departurefrom the traditional 'educational' or 'training' style of presentation whereinformation is abstracted or idealized. These videos are designed for no-nonsenseunderstanding of the process as it goes on in the real world. It is furtherunique in that the sequence of titles follows the same contemporary homefrom the time of first laying out the site, through each step of designand construction, all the way to completionand moving-in day.
The style is documentary, recorded asit happened in the field with broadcast-grade equipment. The contractorsare experienced licensed professionals; the events are edited as they occurredin real time but condensed to roughly half-hour episodes and organized bytrade areas. A spoken narrative accompanies the on-site video: it explainsthe hows and whys, including references as they occur to the pertinent buildingcodes and trade practices.
Where background is required to understanda process or a trade, introductions and explanations are presented in away that assumes no prior knowledge. Individual areas such as plumbing,wiring, and HVAC are provided with introductory segments that start from'scratch' and develop the subject to a basic level of understanding. Inthis way the 'sets'--groups of titles covering each individual area -- canbe used stand-alone to cover the subject generically.
Where concepts are not obvious or difficultto visualize, colorful graphics and animations are used to explain terms,depict processes and show how things interact. When taken as a whole, theseries represents detailed coverage of the entire residential buildingprocess--virtually all the practical information needed to build a contemporaryhome.
Because the programs are intended foruse in supervised educational settings such as vocational schools and highschools with vocational programs, the technical content is up-to-date andgiven in depth. But code accuracy does not mean that the subjects cannotbe treated with a sense of humor about working in the real world. This aspectis one that helps hold the interest of student and lay audiences alike.As a result, these videos are successfully used in adult education and tradeapprenticeship programs nationwide, and by the National Home Builders Institute.
"I found them to be extremely helpfulin elucidating the essential, step by step process of residential construction.They are very valuable as teaching tools and will supplement the more conventionalclassroom techniques...Most importantly, they are clear and systematic...extremelyeffective and useful." Kenneth Schwartz, Chair, Department of ArchitectureUniversity of Virginia
Videos on unique aspectsof Americana not widely appreciated but deserving
of focus ... a deeper understandingof the country's roots in architecture,
family entertainment, andpolitical heritage.
Original works by the author:Stories from Kindlier Times.
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