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Brothers in Valor Series

Wide Awake Films embarked on a special project in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust, visiting three historic battlefields alongside living recipients of the Medal of Honor.

This unique endeavor aimed to create a modern-day connection to the past, allowing these extraordinary guests to walk in the footsteps of Civil War-era recipients who fought under similar circumstances. The stories were brought together by the Trust for a special issue of Hallowed Ground magazine, with the invaluable assistance of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

In partnership with our client, The American Battlefield Trust, and veteran film producer Jeff Griffith, we worked to develop a project plan and set of scripts designed to convey the powerful subjects at hand. Thorough pre-production was crucial to ensure the success of the interview shoot. Hours of research were dedicated to understanding the biographies and actions of each of our featured Medal of Honor recipients. Each crew member was provided with this information to exhibit the utmost respect during production. To reinforce the importance of reverence, we assembled a trusted and experienced crew, openly discussing the requirement for respectful conduct on location.

Over a span of ten days, our crew traveled from Charleston, South Carolina, to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and finally to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Prior to each interview, we meticulously scouted locations to ensure complete preparedness for any situation. Multiple interviews were conducted with each recipient, capturing both formal sit-down discussions and walk-and-talk moments. Our director faced the challenge of directing real-life talent, aiming to evoke genuine emotions and capture the recipients experiencing their surroundings in an authentic manner. We kept our crew size small, allowing the recipients to immerse themselves in the historic battlefield and envision their presence there.

Recognizing the limited live-action footage available beyond the interviews and footage of the recipients on the battlefield, we relied heavily on sourcing archival material from various sources, including our own library. Our skilled editors employed a combination of animation, sound design, archival footage, and carefully crafted live-action B-roll to recreate these visceral stories for our audience. As seasoned storytellers, we understood the unique challenge of working with limited existing materials, and our team rose to the occasion to deliver a compelling narrative.

Featured Episodes:

Walk Gettysburg with Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams

Medal of Honor Recipient Melvin Morris walks in the footsteps of the 54th Massachusetts

Stand on the Slaughter Pen Farm with Medal of Honor Recipient Britt Slabinski