for YouTube. The analogy for our idea was similar to The Deadliest Catch. Most people didn’t know about crabbing before that show but now there is such an awareness and appreciation, and it’s done a lot for that industry. So I said, let’s make content that is not only entertaining, but also brings people into the world of auto recycling and they get to see it.
After we pitched it to ARA, it was decided that Vince and I should work on it together. VINCE: We both knew that our chemistry was going to be effective. But I don’t think we realized how fun it was going to be until the cameras started rolling.
AR: So the mission is to build awareness of the industry while you guys have a good time? VINCE: Exactly. The word we use to describe it is ‘infotainment.’ AARON: It is made to be entertainment, but it is important for us to put the industry in an accurate and good light. People want to watch it because it is fun – but it has a high value for the ARA because it is making people aware of what this world is and the difference it can make it their life, in the world and in the environment.
AR: So we see the finished product but I’m sure there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Tell us what it’s like to shoot an episode. VINCE: Before we get to that, I want to point out
where Aaron is pulling double duty on Totaled Treasure. Everyone sees Aaron on camera, but he is also the creative
Automotive Recycling
mind behind Totaled Treasure. You have no idea how hard his brain is working because he is thinking in front of the camera but also what he wants it to look like for the viewer.
I woud also point out how hard he works in creating the story while doing double duty. AARON: Thanks Vince. I’ll send you the money later. The show starts when we secure the location and we get an automotive recycling facility owner who wants to do it at their location. So, if someone is a member of ARA and wants to be part of the show, get in touch with us. We’d love to do it and honor these places and tell their stories. There are a couple of weeks of pre-production and we always try and schedule things a couple of months out. I find out what is unique about their location, what they do and the routines that they have that are unique. It is about finding those story lines that we can use to create the backbone of the show. I also create a loose outline and a loose script. We know where we are going and who we are meeting, but we have no idea what we are going to find. That is all real. We have a three-day shoot so we usually do what we
call the “big search” on the first day so that we have a day and a half to come up with an ending. We don’t usually have an ending planned and that is important to make the show feel alive.
September-October 2021 // 33
Top: Aaron Stone, Keith Smith from Cocoa Auto Salvage, and Vince Edivan are preparing for the treasure hunt at Cocoa Auto Salvage in Cocoa, FL.
Bottom: “Are those Uggs?” exclaims Shan McMillon, owner, as the team presents the treasure findings. Response: ”Yes, they are my favorites; it’s like walking on clouds.“
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
