Short Historical Documentary by Peyton Triplette
The Truck That Built A Town
Overview
My short historical documentary will focus on the nearly-forgotten history of the Republic Motor Truck Company. From its humble and small beginnings, to its advertisement success and success in providing for the war effort of the first world war. We will explore what led the Republic Company to be the world's largest producer of trucks. As well as the company's sudden decline with the crash of the stock market and its ‘fizzling out’ as a whole. We will see how the Republic Company is still impacting our community till this day by bringing families together, such as Joe Butcher and his family, to seek and restore these long forgotten trucks.
Purpose
My documentary's purpose is to inform and educate the local community on the legendary history of the Republic Motor Truck Company. The documentary will also show how the Republic Motor Truck Company is still impacting our community and world today. The documentary will be stored as a physical copy in the Alma public Library for the use of the community for years to come.
The Process
Research
First I Researched since fall through the Alma Public Library, Alma Digital Repository, St. Louis Historical Society, numerous online archives of journals such as the commercial car journal.The next step consisted of creating a script as well as gathering archival images and music that was in the public domain.
Outreach
Then I Reached out to people to find someone who had a truck. Once I found Joe Butcher I set up times with him to record and interview.
Recording
I recorded footage and interviews with Joe, more than was needed, and learned a bunch from him.
Editing
Then finally began editing things in the timeline, started with archival images, learned ken burns effect techniques to give them an interesting look
Feedback
Lastly I gathered feedback from peers, and professionals of republic truck history(library, joe butcher), To get even more feedback I posted videos to linkedin, reddit communities of classic cars, trucks, michigan history, youtube, facebook.
Analytics
Joe Butcher shared the video with his Facebook friends and received 1000 views overnight from the Alma community and places where republic trucks are prevalent, Norway, New Zealand, and Britain. Amassed 46 likes on YouTube, and Lots of impressions
Senior Biography
Peyton is a senior History major and a New Media Studies Minor.
After college he hopes to work in digital archiving or public television, a dream job would be for the History Channel or Smithsonian.
