Lads of the Third Maine

My Bucci Productions YouTube channel was getting bogged down by weddings, short films, reenactment videos, vlogs, and promos. This was not all poor material, but the quantity of subjects seemed too much. As my passion for creating films is rekindled and begins to crave fuel, I thought it wise to set up a new channel specifically for my personal matters, like reenacting. Client work is necessary, but having the opportunity to work within the Civil War period is essential for my soul. 

I often get asked why I enjoy this period so much, and it’s hard to say. First, the level of commitment and willingness to sacrifice for a greater good by the men (and women) of the period stands out. Second, I enjoy the simplicity of lifestyles at that time. But I’m still not sure what lies at the heart of it. I’m just fascinated by this period of American history.

Lads of the Third Maine

One of the first things I thought to release on this channel was a collection of shots centered around my fellow reenactors. The vision grew from a slow motion clip of my friend Josh raising a pipe to his lips and drawing puffs of smoke. I raised the camera to level with the pipe, so I think it’s a neat shot. I wasn’t shooting for symbolism or cinematic magic; I wanted to try the slow motion function on my GoPro. Before I knew it, I was finding loads of videos with Josh. As I worked on that compilation, I noticed how much footage I had of others. Thus, “Lads of the Third Maine” was born.

These “portraits” of sorts aren’t interviews or short films. They act as moving pictures, something I expect Mathew Brady would gawk at. They are candid moments from the hobby of reenacting during moments of laughter or intensity. These images capture the people rather than the battles. I think that’s important to showcase. I didn’t realize how much footage I had at my disposal, and I’m so happy to have the documentation of these events. 

Looking Ahead

I’m looking forward to this summer, which holds plenty of opportunities to capture more content. In addition to these “portraits,” I’d like to film a Civil War short film and a proof of concept for a larger vision. My passion for making films is back, especially to highlight this period of American History. I want to share part of this hobby with others. The only risk in this endeavor is that I want to pick it up as my profession again, and I’m worried about burning out (again) in the process. So, for now, it’s a hobby like reenacting.

Consider another post on reenacting: Of Drying Canvas