SCRIPT
OST – On-screen text
INTRO
Still videos of children playing in playground.
TITLE Public City: Playground
OST Playground is claimed as a public space.
END INTRO
SCENE 1
Deserted toddlers’ playground with only a resident passing by.
OST Yet, barrier exists.
END SCENE 1
OST Amidst Covid-19
SCENE 2
The fenced playground prohibits people from entering.
OST Entry is prohibited for social distancing.
END SCENE 2
OST At the same time, there is an invisible barrier.
SCENE 3
Contrasting the childhood (daytime) and the adulthood (nighttime). In the daytime, children are playing joyfully, enjoying their childhood. In the nighttime, the playground become deserted, representing the dullness of adulthood.
Cut to the zoom-in and out of the regulation.
END SCENE 3
SCENE 4
Protagonist swinging along in the nighttime.
OST Why is adult excluded from playground?
Cut to the front view of the protagonist.
Protagonist disappears from the swing when poking smartphone, showing the disappearance of public space due to enhancement of digital technology.
Cut to first-person view of the protagonist swinging up and down, breaking into the daytime.
END SCENE 4
OST Adulthood does not define who you are. Beat the stereotypes!
OUTRO
Time-lapse of playground during sunset
[Credits]
[Bibliography]
Music from freesound.org.
End of Script
DESCRIPTION
I have chosen the playground in my neighbourhood as the set since it symbolizes my childhood in a nutshell, whereas I believe it is the collective memory of our childhood. Playground, as a ‘’public space’’, should be open and accessible to everyone regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age or socio-economic level.
In fact, there are barriers which block entry into the playground. In the midst of Covid-19 pandemic, a physical barrier is implemented when the playground is fenced to ensure social distancing. According to the research, these measures may hinder the development of a sense of attachment and intimacy between children and public places in the city where previously associated with their emotions and feelings. Children might then become less attached to these places, eventually grow more accustomed to online isolation. As a result of digital technology advancement, public space is disappearing in the city. In one of the scenes, the protagonist disappears suddenly when playing with her smartphone. On the other hand, reappearance of public space stems from the renewed appreciation and gratitude towards its existence.
Besides, another barrier is age. Public space is a place which embodies equity and inclusion. However, “this play equipment is for toddlers or children” is always stated in playgrounds. This raises the question – are adults prohibited from playing in this “public space”? Why are adults excluded from the place claimed to be inclusive? When I was queuing for the swing, I heard the child asking her mother why I, as an adult, had been queuing there too. Apparently, it is about the stereotypes of adults. When stepping into adulthood, we are kept on being told to be mature, not to be childish and silly while girls are exceptionally told to be ladylike and elegant. But why is it the case? In my opinion, childishness is not only applicable to children but also adults. I depict the daytime as the childhood whilst nighttime as the adulthood. The contrast between the vibrant childhood and dull adulthood is intended to convey the struggle between the two. Last but not least, I have used the first-person perspective to film the protagonist playing on swing in the last scene. The transformation from the nighttime to the daytime symbolizes the breakthrough from the stereotypes of adulthood, blurring the cut between childhood and adulthood.
METHOD OF RESEARCH
First of all, research is based on observation on playground. I can barely see an adult playing in the playground. Adults are just sitting aside, poking their smartphones while waiting for their kids. Then, I researched from the Internet more about the relationship among playground, humans and pandemic.
RFLECTION
Filming is indeed a new thing to me. It is a bit awkward when filming in a playground. Children and parents kept staring at me, being curious of what I was doing. I remember when I was filming, a mother came to me and asked if there was any event going on at the playground. Yet, whatsoever, after a few times, I have learnt to concentrate on my own stuff, not being affected by the surroundings while filming. Moreover, I think this exercise provides me with the chance for self-exploration. It is a high time exploring a new interest. Meanwhile, self-learning is required during the video editing.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
UNESCO. (2017). Inclusion Through Access to Public Space. Social and Human Sciences. Retrieved May 14, 2021, from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/themes/urban-development/migrants-inclusion-in-cities/good-practices/inclusion-through-access-to-public-space/.
Pietro, G. (n.d.). Public Space: Think Piece. UCLG Committee on Urban Strategic Planning. https://www.uclg.org/sites/default/files/uclg-public_space-think_piece.pdf.
Jordi, H., Isabelle, A., Vincent C., Carolyn, D., Cecil, K., Jill, L., Vrushri, M., Michael, M., Arturo, O., Emilia, O., Ulises, S., Maged, S., Xueqi, T., Erick, V., Oscar, Z.& Mark, N. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on public space: an early review of the emerging questions – design, perceptions and inequities. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23748834.2020.1780074.
Besser, Howard. (2001). Intellectual Property: The Attack on Public Space in Cyberspace. UCLA School of Education & Information. http://besser.tsoa.nyu.edu/howard/Papers/pw-public-spaces.html.
WONG Lok Yu Angel 3035794375
The contrast between day and night in terms of sound, light, crowdedness is a very powerful comparison, however it would be more desirable to emphasise even more how adults are ‘barred from entry’ (the video shows an absence of adults at night, but not active avoidance). Overall I find this an interesting video that explores the hidden implications of ‘public’ (albeit slightly dizzying at the end).
I really enjoyed watching this video. The extension of “barrier” from the Covid physical sense to the normative sense demonstrates your creativity and thoughtful engagement with the location. This extension is cleverly narrated via a transition into the contrast between daytime and nighttime (the part where a first-person perspective on the swing switches from night to day is especially well-executed, although I was unsure what meaning this shift conveyed – I thought it meant going on the swing made you feel like a child again and expected the following parts of the video to be shot from a child’s angle), making it easily comprehensible even without textual explanation. I also find the video to be aesthetically pleasing with well-positioned angles and a clean palette. One concern is with the overemphasis on the mental barrier for adults to enjoy the playground, and even though it is an interesting topic, I feel that its connection with Covid-19 is not readily apparent.
Overall, excellent job!
Hi! I really like your video. Both filming and editing technique is enjoyable. The transitions from one scene are always really smooth, making it quite an enjoyment for watching. Moreover, the scenes keep switching between daytime and nighttime while the main characters gradually change from children to you. The above scenes create comparisons and contrasts, under which I can reveal both the physical barriers and mental barriers between you and the playground. All scenes eventually form a story. In the end, you sat on the swing and bring the whole story to the end by showing you finally conquer the barriers. The whole video is quite attractive and I really appreciate your effort.
Lin Wei Alex, 3035767554
Appreciate your attempt to challenge the “stereotype” of adulthood (I can assure you, regardless of the responsibilities, it is still super fun and not as dull, though!). So, why have the adults been excluded from using the facilities in the playground? What have you discovered throughout your investigation? As far as I know, the playground facilities are usually designed for kids’ size (height, weight), and hence the recommended age range. Therefore, the exclusion of the adults might be more of a safety reason. Adults are physically bigger (taller, heavier, and have more energy/power) compared to children.
For more rigorous research to support your argument (which I assume was “adults need a playground to play, too”), maybe it would be more constructive to focus on one or two elements of the playground. For example, you could focus on the swings and/or the sliders. Comparing how they are built at different playgrounds (the materials, the heights, the dimensions, etc) and see if all the playgrounds are using the same materials. If they are not, you could argue which of them can be used by both children and adults, and therefore more inclusive in that sense. Even better, you could investigate even more about a playground for adults. In so doing, not only you could demonstrate a more solid argument, but there’s a big chance you are going to encounter interesting discoveries along the way.