Full Body Tan

    In the summer of 2004 I was invited to tape a story at Aurora Gardens in nearbyJacksonCounty. AuroraGardens is an beautiful, sprawling, and isolated campground that caters to “naturalists” –- people who enjoy outdoor nudity. If what you like is a “full body tan,”Aurora Gardens is the place for you.

    You may find nude camping a startling concept. However, inviting a TV videographer to a nude campground is positively . That’s like inviting Daily Show reporters to the Republican National Convention.

   After a preliminary “meet and greet” visit with the campground owners to go over the ground rules for taping, I returned at a later date to actually tape the story. I was greeted upon arrival by said owner sans pants (and shirt and tie). I was then introduced to all the rest of the campers, camera in tow.

   In the course of the next hour I was free to tape whatever I liked with the agreement that whatever I used would be collected at the discretion of all involved and still appropriate for general TV viewing.

   On that day I negotiated what may well be my crowning achievement as a professional videographer; taping twelve naked people playing a volleyball game and editing it together for air without showing any naughty bits. We’re not talking trap shooting here –- back to the camera and all the action high and away.  There’s all that jumping, lunging, and bouncing. The action is coming at you from every angle.

   I also taped a leisurely game of horseshoes, a fellow diligently weaving a basket, and an entire family of campers at their wooded site, including sit-down interview.

   The people were welcoming, warm, stunningly relaxed about the professional grade video camera in their midst, and absolutely devoid of “farmer’s tans.”

   On this assignment I was also presented with one of the thorniest ethical dilemmas of my professional career; to remain fully-clothed during the shoot, or to “blend in?” Of course, the truth is always laid bare to the camera. That’s the nature of good journalism.

   When I returned to the station and edited it all together into a fascinating TV story, I was originally told that “the content was not appropriate for our viewing audience” and that it would not be used.  However, Jerry Gallagher came to the rescue; he jumped at the opportunity to air the story on the nightly news, volleyball game and all. Point, Game, Match.

Posted under Artist? Scientist? Philosopher? Camera Guy?