Puddle

Flashless? (Click to view.)

Length: 0:56

Our old front walk collected water every time it rained. Or whenever the boy asked to bring out the hose. August 2006.

Run VII

Flashless? (Click to view.)

Length: 1:22

Two reasons I post so infrequently are, I'm realizing, just one reason. First, the single unedited shots that make up the majority of my posts (about the boy, anyhow) are tough to capture. They require patience, and a lot of wasted footage waiting to see if something is going to happen. Second, I am acutely aware that these kinds of videos ask for a certain level of patience from the viewer, to wait and continue watching to see if this is the kind of single-take video that ends with a narrative payoff, or one of those that's all about the journey. My concern for the viewer makes editing take longer than one might imagine, as I nudge the starting and ending points by a few frames to get the feel of the transitions just right.

As time has gone on, however, and I browse back through the history of Matchbook Films on my iPhone, I realize that the videos I return to again and again are the ones that are less about storytelling and more about momentshowing. And I remain convinced that within these videos there is something revealed that is about more than how much I adore my own kid.

Perhaps I'm deluding myself. But until my audience drops down to one, I intend to keep sharing these favorite moments, like this one I'd forgotten about from August 2006. Lake Calhoun, Minnesota. The boy has gotten out of the water and into a dry diaper, when he suddenly decides to run off down the path.

Story Time #3.5: Oh, The Thinks You Can Think

Flashless? (Click to view.)

Length: 1:01

A reading moment in the middle of the kitchen floor. From back in July of 2006, when his diction was a lot less clear.

The Gingerbread Man II (Mirror VIII)

Flashless? Click to view.)

Length: 2:03

For a few of you, this may seem excessive. (In the comments for the last video like this I posted, my brother made a wisecrack about New German Cinema.) Believe me, I watched this multiple times, looking for ways to cut it down.

In the end I decided to go with the cumulative effect of the boy checking to see if the book that the boy in the mirror is holding is, in fact, the same one that he is holding himself.

One. page. at a time.

The Gingerbread Man

Flashless? (Click to view.)

Length: 1:46

Back in April we flew down to San Diego, to celebrate my dad's mom's 90th birthday. On two previous trips to my Aunt Julie's house, the boy had read (and subsequently remembered) a small picture book adaptation of The Gingerbread Man. This time, however, the book became not just a vehicle for reading and memorization, but a toy. And one that created an opportunity for him to play with my aunt, who is positively brilliant at engaging with kids.

I often wish he had more adults like her in his life.

Also: this video features a forgotten method for descending carpeted stairs that I wish I wasn't too oversized to employ myself.

Dent Numa Numa

Length: 1:06

The boy and his cousins sing a spontaneous version of "Dragostea Din Tei" (the "Numa Numa" song) while goofing off with Photo Booth effects. We may have a YouTube minihit on our hands.

Carousel

Flashless? (Click to view.)

Length: 0:24

Digging back into the vaults for moments I'd missed in the crush of work. This one's from a trip to the zoo from almost exactly a year ago.

Mirror VII

Flashless? (Click to view.)

Length: 0:36

Photo Booth in Leopard now records video. Here the boy plays with the "Mirror" effect.

Two Man Band

Flashless? (Click to view.)

Length: 0:59

A bit of free jazz from the boy and his friend Oliver.