Apted's UP Series
Well, I suppose this could go under Non-Ioan's, but since it involves Michael Apted, I decided to put it here. Just wanted to know if anyone else on the site has viewed Michael Apted's incredible UP Series Documentary. I have been watching since 28UP came out many years ago and every seven years since. About two years ago, I viewed the whole series. The series started from a 1964 BBC Documentary where they filmed a group of 7 year olds from various social backgrounds with the premise of that by the time a child was seven, you could see what kind of adult they were going to be. Michael Apted was part of the crew. Seven years later, he went back as Director and has continued filming most of the group every seven years. A few have dropped out, some left and then came back. Much can be learned from it about social classes, the maturing of people, how small choices made can effect lives in a big way. Most important the people participating become people you care about, you want to know if they have divorced, have had children and for some that they have even survived the seven years. Since the people in the series are right around my age, it also makes me very reflective of where my own life is going and has been every time I view it. If for nonethingelse, Michael Apted has made his mark in film history with this series. For anyone who has not viewed it; I recommend taking the time to watch it highly.

I forget just when our local pbs station aired it(not very long ago), but it had already started so I missed a little of the beginning. What caught my eye was the cuteness of the little boys, and then suddenly, showing them all grown up----and I found myself staying with it to the end. It was quite thought provoking throughout and I'd like to know what further happens to the participants. Very unique program, but I minored in sociology in my college days , so guess that's partly responsible for my piqued interest.

Watching them in sequence is quite interesting, particularly as they start to get older - you can see patterns which are important from a socialogical aspect. At seven - they are open and excited, sharing much of their life. At fourteen - More self-conscious and nervous. Full of dreams At twenty-one - Neurotic, smoking, worried about the future or feeling they have it all planned out, some saying they will never marry. At twenty-eight - Idenity -Some are married with kids or still finding themselves and a little lost as some dreams have been crushed. At thirty-five - Settled for most At forty -two - Rethinking Life Just incredible to watch. Hope you get a chance to see the rest, Shippy. Those little kids are just so funny, especially Tony, a bundle of energy who you can barely understand when he talks.

Yeah, weren't they sweet? Maybe pbs will run them again sometime, I'll have to keep an eye out for 'em. That's the kind of thing I used to totally absorb when I was in school, so compelling,and it was around then too, wonder how I missed it? Too much ELSE going on back then, I guess.

Got that! I remember when going through school, professors would say you have all the time in the world to investigate and read about topics in the library. My answer - when? Between 16 units, Homework, making, editing or writing films, 24-32 hours of work and a 40 mile commute, not time for much else back then.

The "proffs" had all the answers, didn't they? Please don't get me started.........hahahahahaha!