My name is Charlie Keeler, and I plan to work on a documentary project that revolves around my grandfather, Alfred Paul West. The documentary will follow my grandfather’s retelling of his upbringing in the 1940s.

The inspiration behind this endeavor came from the footage that my mother captured in the early 90s, alongside her brother, while spending time with her grandfather. The stories and experiences shared during that time inspired me to record and document my own grandfather’s life and the events that shaped him.

What drew me towards my grandfather’s story is the unique environment he grew up in. During World War II, his father, my great-grandfather, was fighting overseas, leaving behind a house full of women. This meant that my grandfather was raised in an all-female household. I hope to discover how it was for him to navigate the gender dynamics at play and the expectations that came with being the only male figure in the household. The more I learn about my grandfather’s life, the more I will know about his experiences and how they shaped his personality, values, and beliefs. I have always been captivated by his resilience and determination to overcome obstacles, and his unwavering love for his family, which remains a constant throughout his life.

I have made multiple documentaries over the past four years of high school, some inside of school, and some outside. Taking Stephen Magilivarys “non-fiction filmmaking classes” has taught me the basics of three-point lighting, sound design, and the general structure of a documentary. Outside of school, I have made documentaries about small businesses here in New York City. Those documentaries taught me to be more prepared for interviews and gave me a better understanding of the project I was planning to embark on.

I will be traveling to his home in Paoli Pensilvania to record these interview sessions. I am giving myself two weeks with him to make sure that I have enough time to record everything I need. Starting with several questions to ask will be good in preparing me for the interview, but I expect follow-up questions to be popping up along the way.

As I continue to work on this documentary project, I am excited to uncover more about my grandfather’s past, shed light on his remarkable journey, and showcase his life as a source of inspiration and guidance for others. Through this project, I hope to honor his legacy and keep his memory alive for my family, and generations to come.