Digitizing Swampscott: From VCR to USB, Fleetwood Video Transfer preserves Swampscott memories one video at a time

By: Adriana Dias

Wayne Terminello is no stranger to the business of recording people’s lives. He made his livelihood traveling around the county recording all kinds of conferences from A-Z , capturing the ebb and flow of professional dialogues and milestone gatherings with his company, Fleetwood Video Productions.

Nestled in Lynn, just off the bustling Lynnway, Wayne's business is a beacon for those looking to keep their memories alive in the digital age. However, it's not just his business acumen that's garnered attention; it's his heartfelt dedication to preserving personal history for the Swampscott community and beyond.

Fleetwood Video Productions, located at 202 Blossom Street Extension in a convenient strip mall with ample parking, is where Wayne and his small, dedicated team work magic. They specialize in converting cherished yet obsolete video formats—VCR, VHS, projector reels, camcorders, and 8 MM films—into crisp, durable digital files, whether on USB drives or online platforms such as Youtube. This service ensures that precious family moments, from weddings and birthdays to casual home videos, are not only preserved but enhanced with clearer video and audio quality.

Wayne stumbled into the niche of digital preservation somewhat by chance. "It wasn’t something I ever thought about doing.”Originally, his primary business revolved around recording and live-streaming conferences. He and his team would travel across the country, capturing these business events and ensuring that the moments were preserved for future viewers. Medical conferences, professional seminars you name it - Wayne recorded it. However, when the pandemic struck and the world of conferences ground to a halt, he discovered a new purpose. “We're a small company with just a few employees, and suddenly, not much was happening," At a standstill in his professional business, Wayne reflected on the unexpected shift in his career path.

Everything changed for him following a personal request from his brother-in-law to digitize old VHS tapes. One day, his brother-in-law came to him, saying, "Can you convert VHS tapes for me? They're from the basement of a local church—years of recordings of the community's beloved pastor." The pastor was deeply cherished by everyone in the community, and his sermons, which spanned over a decade, were of immense value. "I had the equipment and the technology needed; I'd just never done it before," Wayne admitted. He successfully converted all these treasured sermons and uploaded them to a YouTube channel, allowing private access for community members. Recognizing the broader potential impact of offering this service, Wayne identified an opportunity amid the pandemic's enforced downtime. With plenty of time on his hands, he immediately began working. What began as a simple act of kindness transformed into a mission: to preserve the personal histories of his neighbors by protecting them from the inevitable decay of magnetic tape.

"So, I started running some ads in the Local Swampscott Neighbors paper, and suddenly, members of the community began pouring in with requests," Wayne recounted. The transition from capturing formal conferences to intimate family moments has brought an unexpected joy to his work life."When I finish someone's video, I’ll send the file to them by email, and they’ll come some time later to pick up the original hard copy. Often, they'll call me up or come in, sometimes in tears. They're so thankful and emotional because it's so real to them; it's their personal life—I'm taking something that they have no idea what's on it, stuff that hasn't been seen for years" Wayne explained, highlighting the profound impact of his work." One guy came in and brought me two bottles of wine," Wayne recalled with a chuckle. These reactions underscore the emotional value of Wayne's work, which goes far beyond the technical service he provides.

Despite the resurgence of his conference business post-pandemic, Wayne has continued to provide video conversion services. He is committed to fair pricing, aiming to serve his community rather than to maximize profits. Aware of the large, well-known companies already existing in the video conversion niche, Wayne focuses on delivering personalized, local services to community members. "Something so valuable to people—they appreciate being able to come in and hand it off to me face to face. It’s that personal touch, knowing your videos are safe, not just being mailed off to some anonymous person across the country," he explains. Many of Wayne's clients are older individuals, and he goes the extra mile for them. "I'll even go to their house and pick everything up—just to help them out and accommodate them," he says, emphasizing the level of personal service he provides. His dedication to affordability and quality has made Fleetwood Video Productions a beloved part of Swampscott and the surrounding communities.

Wayne's dedication extends beyond his business. He is deeply involved in the local community, often receiving glowing compliments and heartfelt thanks on social media. His work is not just about converting tapes; it's about enriching lives by safeguarding memories. Through Fleetwood Video Productions, Wayne ensures that the personal legacies of the North Shore are not forgotten but are instead celebrated and shared with future generations.

"The best part about this is that it becomes permanent. Videotapes disintegrate, flake, get lost, but once they're converted, they never expire. It’s important to get them out of the basement before it’s too late. I converted tapes of my sister’s wedding video for her, and in it we found footage of our mom and our aunt who have passed away.” These tapes are more than just magnetic tape; they hold irreplaceable memories.

Fleetwood Media Production
202 Blossom St Ext Ste 1, Lynn, MA 01901
(781) 599-2400

www.fleetwoodonsite.com