Hugh and John Zoom interview
Storyline from IMDb:
All Things Bakelite: The Age of Plastic, a film by John Maher, is a virtual periodic table of elements that combine to create a joyous and provocateur of modern plastics”.
In 1907, Leo Hendrik Baekeland, a Belgian-born American chemist, made one of the most transformative discoveries of the 20th century: Bakelite. It was the first wholly synthetic plastic and it ushered in an explosion of new man-made materials that marked the beginnings of our modern industrial age.
Interview questions
- Was there another opening you had in mind or what this it from the beginning of this project?
- List two words to describe this documentary “All Things Bakelite”?
- What was the genesis of “All Things Bakelite”? How did the two of you meet and agreed to do this documentary?
- How did you come up with the title of the documentary? Were there other titles before “All Things Bakelite”?
- At what age did you discovered what your great-grandfather did, that he discovered Bakelite?
- If you were to meet your great grandfather face to face, what is the one question, not related to his inventions, that you would like to ask him?
- If you were to meet Leo Baekland face to face, what is the one question you would’ve love to ask him in relation to his inventions?
- Jeffrey M., the author of American Plastic was in the documentary. Did you ever use his book as a reference for this documentary film?
- Have you ever gone back to visit Belgium where your great grandfather Leo was born?
- Are any one of your relatives following Leo’s footsteps in becoming or being a chemist?
- Does either of you know where Leo’s science workbook and journals are today?
- If you could direct a film-adaptation of any article/ short story/novella/ novel which one would you like to do?
- I like that you include the misuse of plastic in this documentary, what made you decide to do this?
- Do you have your own thoughts on how this issue could be solved?
- Of all the characters you played on TV series and movies, which one was your favorite and why?
- In one word how would you describe your experience working on this documentary?