Today’s topic is a bit heavy, but it’s something I feel really strongly about – making a video for Transgender Day of Remembrance. This day, it’s like, we gotta take a moment to remember the folks we’ve lost to anti-trans violence. It’s a big deal, and I wanted to do something meaningful.
First off, I started brainstorming what I wanted this video to be about. I knew I wanted it to be respectful and impactful, but also accessible. I did a bunch of reading, looked up past memorials, and watched some videos other people had made. There’s a lot of sadness, but also a lot of strength in the community.
Getting My Thoughts Together
- Figured out the core message: We remember, we honor, we keep fighting for a better future.
- Jotted down some key points I wanted to touch on – the violence, the resilience, the need for change.
Next, I started pulling together visuals. I didn’t want anything too graphic, but I needed something that would really hit home. I found some powerful photos from past vigils and protests. I also looked for artwork by trans artists – there’s some seriously amazing stuff out there.
Putting the video together was a whole other thing. I’m not exactly a pro editor, but I managed to get it done. I used a simple program, laid down a basic timeline, and started layering in the images, the text, and some music. I wanted the music to be somber but also hopeful, you know?
Putting It All Together
- Chose a royalty-free track that felt right – not too sad, not too upbeat.
- Spent hours getting the timing right, making sure the images and text flowed well.
- Added some simple transitions, nothing too fancy.
The hardest part was probably the voiceover. I wanted to sound genuine and heartfelt, but not like I was trying too hard. I wrote a script, practiced it a bunch, and then recorded it in my closet (best acoustics, believe it or not). It took a few takes, but I think I got it to a place where I was happy with it.
Finally, I uploaded the video. I added a description explaining what Transgender Day of Remembrance is all about and included some resources for people who want to learn more or get involved. I’m not expecting it to go viral or anything, but if it touches even one person, then I’ll feel like I did something good.
This whole process, it really made me think about how much work still needs to be done. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much violence and discrimination against trans folks. This video, it’s just a small thing, but I hope it can be a part of something bigger.
