My Mom's Motorcycle: My Rode Reel 

I don't know what you're competing for, but in a world of talkers you're a thinker and a doer. You get the SmarterEveryDay endorsement. I encourage every SED subscriber to watch this video, internalize what the intent of it is... and go vote for it. www.rodemic.com/myrodereel/watch/1001 I also encourage Rode to give you more than whatever their little contest said you would win if you did a good job. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm typing this message from an old swing handing from a cedar tree in front of my late Grandfather's house. It's now time to walk inside and get the .22 rifle that he left me off the gun rack and walk out back and shoot some pinecones out of the tree... which is how he taught me to shoot.

I never knew either of my grandfathers. This moves my soul. I come back to this film regularly. Thanks for making it. Thanks for sharing it.

Of all the amazing packed into this short video, we still think your shot on the basketball hoop is underappreciated. Here's to hoping you win!

I LOVE this video, great job on everything, so much fun. One of the few videos online that I actually sat through and listened/watched instead of clicking away after one minute. Congratulations on such a great job.

Still one of my favorite videos for my inspiration. Thanks Douglas.

I can't remember ever being more impressed by a video. Outstanding.

man after all these years this shit still holds up one of my favorites on Vimeo back in the day

that was cool

Wow, THANK YOU for sharing! Congratulations on telling such a compelling story! Great, now I am going to sit back and contemplate my 34 years of life.

At 46, I can relate to your grandfather. Like him, I'm an engineer with a little workshop of my own, and involve myself in so many thing there's not enough space in this little chat box to go through all of them. Honestly I loved your video. First, as a project you did a wonderful job, and secondly, it should make some people think about the time we're given, and how it's best spent. Grats man, you have my vote. Peace

What a beautiful video. Being the proud owner of a vintage scrambler, I was secretly hoping your Mom would be riding that thing in the last scene. Very touching words. Awesome work Douglas.

Doug, I could watch this over and over and it still wouldn't get boring. I love how you portrayed Grandpa. You sir are a master of your craft.

I wanted this to go on forever. You have some amazing grandparents.

Very inspiring. I'm 17, almost 18 in a month. I guess it's not too late for me to change

This made me cry. I remember going through the things my grandparents had packed away, and how they were like pages of their lives that they would never feel are important enough to tell us about. I have my grandmother's sewing box, crochet hooks, her costume jewelry, an old bandaid box full of marbles and the handmade wooden game they went with. I have the pocket bible my grandfather carried into world war II, even though he died before I was born. I miss them so much.

Great biographies of your grandfathers. Maybe I am just getting old, but every dad and grandpa seemed to live an interesting life.

Did not see that ending coming

That video isn't done yet. I hope you know that. I'll be cheering for you to keep writing, filming, and producing Part II.

Brilliant Douglas, your Grandfathers are smiling down on you. Made me think of my dad…..thank you.

I look to this video all the time for inspiration- you tell a story and it has such a clear structure but at the same time it's quite nontraditional. Incredible

Was a good video until the motorcycle was no longer loved :(

Enjoy this feeling hipsters, of seeing this video at sub 1,000 views. This will absolutely hit millions, beautifully done!

One of the best videos I have ever seen. So meaningful. What a great tribute to his father, his grandfather and times past.

Amazing story telling....you kept me captive for 5 minutes...and now I want more....fantastic.

"I'd be wearing a helmet." Next shot riding, not wearing a helmet..

That was truly incredible. Very well done!

I am continually amazed at what kind of stories your belongings can tell. The lists of things in this video are truly lovely.

I'm almost 36 years old the technology change since I was little is mind boggling. I think technology is possibly causing people to stop thinking for themselves due to too much time watching and listening to others. Your video outlines how creative people can be from their own thoughts and ideas. The examples of your grandfathers, yourself and your mother portray exactly that. An inspiring video.

If you like the video, you should vote for it; link in the description.

man that was hipster lol

Stumbled on to this video without actively searching for it, read the title and took a chance; man am I glad I did. Great job!

Introspection is not taught in schools, nor is rhetoric, or heroism, or selfless generosity. Your short video was insightful and inspiring. I'm glad that you didn't settle for a "motorcycle" experience. Please check in again ten years from now so that I can find out what DID fulfill you!

This made me re evaluate my life I've been struggling with this too, living in an age where we look at screens all day, im going to out and experience life, thanks for the great video

Great video Douglas, and even better story telling. I completely appreciate the effort it takes to tell a great story. You've crafted a magic mix of nostalgia, humour, pacing and, most of all, a story with heart and a message. Great stuff.

My teacher has shown this in class over 10 times. Everyone loves it, good job!!

10 years on and still a gem to watch!

All this taught me, shit was real back in the day, and now I need a motorcycle.

Beautifully put together. Hillarious ending

I wish I saw this video back in the time you posted.. Loved this short film so much!!!

This has just become one of my most favourite videos of all time.

Great story! Loved the ending hahaha

Are you Wes Anderson?

Wonderful composition, shot framing and presentation. Equally awesome monologue which told a palpable and conclusive story, not dwelling on any one thing for too long but staying coherent throughout. You, sir, are a lucky man to have grown up in such a family of movers, shakers and doers, who raised you with such an outlook on life. Hats off to you, sir. I will pass this along to friends and family. Good luck in the competition!

What's good about this is it has meaningful thoughts but beautifully integrated plot-twists!

Great video, Brother...thanks for sharing!

I'm a Hipster But Don't Hate Me for It: The Movie

This video was recommended from my book in college, about closing the gaps in generations. Beautiful video

Douglas, this video is a gym. Although my grandpa on my dads side is still alive, I live far away. And I won't be there for them when they're in terminal care. I watch this when Miss them because I can't telephone them and dementia has reduced their ability to read my letters. Your work here is One of the first videos I liked on RU-vid. I don't like many. I have like a total of 30 liked videos in like 15 years. RU-vid clouded a lot of my likes with my music when they blended RU-vid music with their other service. But even 10 years later, I'm only up to like 50. Watch a lot of RU-vid. Maybe like 8 hours a day every day bc my job pays well but has a lot idle time... and whenever. I'm really sad i go back to your words to remind myself that this video eventually will help me write the eulogy of my surviving grandpa mohrmann. Because beyond giving me life he gave me a purpose the whole family his vision a complicated maverick no one understood. Seemingly like your grandpa's put together minus a lot of cool stuff in rhe video because no individuals the same. Years ago when I was a much younger man it wasn't the words that struck me but the visuals. I wanted a cool motorcycle and my dead grandpa's were about as far and the rear view as me getting into an accident. My mother just like yours wouldn't want me to have an awesome little 100-150cc bike. But I was completely captivated by your visual style when I was young. Now that I'm old and video editing has changed and I'm no longer pursuing photography, it's the poetry. The words you chose that keep me watching. I always notice something visually new like in your flat lays. This video have a budget or you just did it with camera stuff sitting around? Xoxox San Antonio tx

Artisan coffee? Craft beer? Overall hipster vibe? I almost like this video as much as I like Nutella!

Now that's good film making my friend. Damn.

I never get tired of watching, and sharing, this video. Love it.

This is wonderful. I had an amazing grandfather too. That was a grander, matchless generation of men and women. I don't think people with that amount of character and selflessness will ever live again.

Wow. Just Wow. This must be the contest for all around awesome videos. I'll have to see the other entries, because this one was so great! By the way your grandfather seemed like an all around good guy. I hope you got to spend a lot of time with him.

Well made! Thanks for sharing it

I know this video is a few years old but I happened to stumble upon it now. And may I just say this is one of the best videos I have ever seen here on this platform. Absolutely amazing work of art. Hats of to you my good sir.

How can anyone dislike this! Feel like you've just helped me decipher the meaning of life... giving, not having!

Wes Anderson would be proud

Was there a 5-minute time limit? The ending was so abrupt and rushed.

I don't know what you do at your desk job, but you're a moviemaker and wonderful storyteller in real life. This was really something. Thanks:)

a very very motivating video .. thanks for bringing hidden superheroes' memories alive

The writing is ok, but the message is authentic as it comes :)

I was hoping the motorcycle WAS going to be the answer :-P

Man. I can't tell you how much this touched me. So so good.

With the approach of Father's Day in just a little more than a week away, I appreciate Doug challenging us all to stop and reflect on not only our fathers, but our grandfathers as well, where they are still living or not. Well done, young man, well done.

Wow - great to see people getting behind this amazing entry. We loved it! Good luck and thanks for entering.

This is a really well-done, thoughtful, meaningful video. I recommend it to all my circles. Watch this video! It's good.

"People need real things. They need to connect with reality. I grew up in a time that is filled with fake realities."

I love it! Reminds me of my grandfather. Thank you!

bloody good story. I must say:)

this video is awesome but it just doesnt have the right ending, i was captivated all the way through and then felt let down at the end! Please tweak it and make it great

Your taste in motorcycles is impeccable. That is one of the cooler bikes around.

I really have to say that this video, to me, was monumental. Thank you for sharing this story.

Interesting, though I feel like there needs to be an extra 30 seconds. Did you start giving?

You told your mom you would wear a helmet yet in the video you aren't wearing one ...how can we trust you now ?

I burst out laughing at the end. This is great example of what time on your hands and a excellent hook shot will do for you. Amazing!

Great video! As a 48-year-old American man, I sort of represent the beginning of 2 generations of us who have lost our grip on the old and authentic. My life's collection of nuts, bolts, washers and tools is pitifully inadequate, although I'm old enough to know it. There are remnants of a better age that I retained, but not nearly enough. Time to make the remnants into a tapestry!

LE REDDIT ARMIE IS HERE, UPLIKE FOR MORE REDDIT VIDEOS!

literally you sold your soul to your mom...congratulations

love the grading and the tone! Keep up the work and enter again this year! Cheers from Germany

Beautiful, touching and romantic. I wish for you peace, love and harmony.

Cinematography by Wes Anderson.

what the hell was that ending?

Douglas, I had that same model bike, only mine was blue. My mother also thought the idea was dangerous, and I was struck behind by a truck driven by a drunk driver. Enjoyed this video and the comparison of decades

10 years later and I still come back to this video for inspiration hahaha

I loved it until you sold the bike. You can give through motorcycling. Buy your bike back and make another flick. Make a flick for a charity ride, and give...

I really don't understand what's it about.

What an excellent video. The narration, photography, editing, humor, all around 10/10. Well done.

Excellent! Made me think of my Grandfather. Thank you for helping bring those memories back. Also, very well made. It was moving. It made me feel something.

aaaaahhh WEAR A HELMET

well i must say tough that your mom bought an awesome motorcycle, shame she wont ride it, a terrible way to die for a motorcycle, standing in a garage .

Words can not describe how much I love this!

well, isn't this just about the best video I've watched in a very long time.. brilliant

I miss my two grandfathers. I am 10 yrs old. I too have dreams. My grandpa John loved movies. So I made a couple. My Rode Reel video entry "Crystal - A Short Film" can be seen on Emily Elizabeth Boze channel. Good job Doug.

Great story but the ending just collapsed didn't really see a reason to sell the bike.

Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

That was the best video I've watched in i don't know how long... Sir, well done. You hit all the feels in precisely 4:59. Bravo!

You probably won't ever see this, or it might not even mean much to you. But it's really good, and I appreciate the message. Hope you are doing well.

Amazing video. Reminded me of videos by Casey Neistat. Take my like.

this is one of the best videos I have ever seen in my entire life. wonderful.

It's very rare to find such an awesome video that is put together so perfectly. Great job and very very awesome!