Post #245977 by bigbrotiki on Mon, Jul 31, 2006 6:26 PM

These posts have reminded me of something that I tend to forget myself too often, and that I think your documentary would benefit from:

In concentrating on finding the best Tiki imagery, I forget to show the OTHER side of reality that actually makes Tiki stand out: The everyday-humdrum-mini mall-chain store-middle of the road-America that has developed around us. After all, it was the seemingly absurd juxtaposition of 50s redneck suburbanites next to pagan idols which got me into this in the first place.

To show what an ESCAPE Tiki is today, you should show some of the other side. Though you might think this goes beyond the Tiki Central focus of your piece, the above posts prove that it represents the reality of a large part of the TC community. I am not saying to go overboard on it, but to remind people here and there of the context that the Tiki lifestyle exists in today, and is in contrast to, would intensify the effect of it all.

Which is a challenge. To shoot eye-popping Tiki collections is easy, but to find images that symbolize today's generic-ness in a concise and universal way is tricky.
Wal-mart stores? Starbucks? McMansions?

I you find a good stretch, drive-bys of malls could work...WITH shoppers...in SLOW MOTION! And "Walk-ins" into Tiki environments with a wide angle: To connect the outside reality, find a particularly modern generic exterior (like a stucco apartment bldg) and pan from the exterior to moving into someone's Tiki hideaway in one take.

Sorry, I am not telling you what to shoot, just openly brainstorming. I just always regret to not have photographed even more dilapidated Tiki temples on my expeditions, the intact ones are too easily taken for granted when seen lined up in the BOT. The same thing might happen if you see a whole hour of only Tiki revelry.