I’m writing this from my hotel room near Naumburg, late in the evening on July 19th, 2023. My kit is carefully packed away for tomorrow, and I’ve already begun reviewing today’s footage for our Napola documentary film. My head is still buzzing from everything we saw and filmed today.

We spent hours inside the former Napola school building here in Naumburg—a place that’s now the Bundeswehr Sprachschule. It’s been a long, intense day, and while I’m physically tired, I’m also filled with a sense of purpose. This is exactly why we’re making Napola documentary film: to bring hidden histories out into the light.

This kind of historical filmmaking is an extension of the work I’ve been doing for years, capturing research and personal stories on film. You can see more examples of my work in my collection of academic films, where I focus on translating complex ideas into visual storytelling.

Filming Inside a Former Nazi Elite School

Today, we filmed inside one of the historic Nazi elite schools, known officially as the Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalten, or Napolas. The building in Naumburg stands as a powerful reminder of a dark chapter in Germany’s past. Stepping through its gates this morning felt like entering a space layered with history and memory.

The Bundeswehr Sprachschule now operates here, transforming the building into an active military language school. Filming in such a place required sensitivity and respect for its current purpose, even as we focused on capturing the lingering traces of its original identity as part of the Nazi elite schools network.

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The Piece to Camera

One of the key moments of today’s shoot was filming Helen delivering a piece to camera (PTC) right in the entrance hall of the building.

Setting up took time. The hall’s mixed lighting created challenging conditions, and people were constantly coming and going. More than once, we had to pause as military personnel passed through. Even so, we managed to capture some excellent takes.

Helen’s PTCs are invaluable for Napola documentary film. Her ability to weave complex history into clear, engaging narratives brings depth and context to the spaces we’re filming. As she spoke about the boys once trained here, it felt as though the building itself was listening.

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Discovering New Creative Tools

This trip marks another milestone for me: it’s the first time I’ve filmed with my new cameras—two Panasonic GH6s, replacing my older GH4s.

I’m discovering just how much these new cameras expand what I can do visually for Napola documentary film. The GH6’s improved dynamic range made a big difference in handling the contrasty entrance hall today, helping me balance bright sunlight and deep shadows. The higher resolution gives me freedom to crop tighter shots in the edit without losing quality, and the improved low-light performance helped me capture details even in darker corners of the building.

Filming with the GH6s has been genuinely exciting. It feels like I have new creative tools in my hands, pushing me to rethink how I frame and light scenes for Napola documentary film. I can’t wait to see how this footage will look once we’re back in the edit suite.

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Technical Challenges and Teamwork

Filming in an active military facility brought plenty of challenges. We had to keep our kit minimal and move quickly. For Helen’s PTCs, I used one of the GH6s paired with the Voigtländer 25mm lens and supplemented the natural light with an Aputure MC light for subtle fill.

Dominik, although not interviewing this year, played a crucial role as our driver, logistical support and all round helpful person. He got us to Naumberg, navigated its slightly weird streets, and helped manage the day’s pace. Having him on the team makes complex shoots like this possible.

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Reflections at the End of the Day

As I sit here tonight, I’m reflecting on how powerful these places can be. Even though it’s not my first time filming inside a former Napola building, each one carries its own unique atmosphere. The silence of these corridors feels charged with the weight of history.

I’m grateful we were able to film here today and even more grateful that we captured footage that feels both visually strong and emotionally resonant. The stories hidden within buildings like this deserve to be told, and it’s why we’re making this Napola documentary film.

Tonight, I’ll back up today’s footage (thankfully, the GH6 files transfer quickly) before getting some sleep. Tomorrow, we’re back on the road, continuing this journey to uncover the forgotten voices tied to Germany’s past. It’s exhausting work—but it feels deeply meaningful.