Local filmmaker chronicelsummer trip across America
Most people have fading recollections of their final summer before starting college, but a local filmmaker has beautifully encapsulated the memories of four teens in the new documentary “Along the Way.”
Walker County native Geoff James is putting the finishing touches on the film he shot this summer of four recent high school graduates traveling cross country to visit national parks.
“It was crazy and beautiful,” James said.
The film follows the journey of Jess Aldridge, Dallas York, Vincent Keller and James Russell as they learn a lot about themselves and each other during the crosscountry trip.
The quartet and James loaded up in a van and spent 36 days traveling the country seeing some of the most beautiful places America has to offer.
“We took off for 36 days and shot a little movie,” James said. “We left from LaFayette on June 6, drove down to Baton we also spent a lot of time in campgrounds of national parks. There we were, all five of us in a tent together. … We probably spent 70 percent of the trip camping.”
James said the crew experienced great places, great people and unpredictable weather.
“We had every kind of weather you can imagine,” James said. “Our first night camping was in Texas and it started raining. Everybody was polite to each other and nice, and then the conflicts came when we had to get that tent up quick. It was only like the third day of the trip, so it was pretty funny. We were out there putting a tent together in a wind and rainstorm. … There was a German couple that knew what they were doing near us and they were definitely laughing at us.”
James, who co-owns Cindicate Productions with three other North Georgia natives, says the coming-of-age film began with the teens wanting to see places they’d never been and evolved into them learning a lot about life and gaining some of their own independence.
“We shot footage everyday and took pictures constantly,” James said. “It was great for them. … I’d interview them and have them tell the camera a little something about where we were that day, where we were headed. … I’d film them going to do stuff and experiencing the different places. We’d shoot whatever situations came into play.”
The film came about after LaFayette High School teacher Tom Langford introduced James to Aldridge.
“I had Mr. Langford at Ridgeland and