Final Video Essay
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/ecx-PYe84VU
Title: Hybrid City （Campus Building）
Part 1:
The HKU Main Building is an iconic campus building that shows the architectural hybridity of HK. It is not just a physical structure but a cultural and historical symbol that embodies the hybridity of Hong Kong’s architecture. This video and essay will emphasize the colonial Gothic Revival elements of HKU’s main building and explore the influence of hybrid cultures on incorporating architectural style.
The Gothic Revival style emerged in the 18th century and was brought to Hong Kong during the colonial period. It aimed to revive medieval architectural forms. The HKU Main Building is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture in Hong Kong; it features pointed arches, intricate stonework, and ornate carvings. In addition, ribbed vaults and buttresses are also obvious in HKU’s main building. Moreover, the clock tower is another distinctive feature, which rises above the surrounding landscape and serves as a focal point for the campus. Besides, the massive use of red brick was another obvious characteristic, indicating the ideology of conveying Western education to Hong Kong.
The incorporation of Gothic Revival elements into the design of the HKU Main Building was influenced by diverse cultures. The building’s architect, Alfred Bryer, incorporated traditional Chinese theory into the design of the building, such as the use of Feng Shui principles to orient the building towards the south.
The HKU Main Building’s Gothic Revival style was a stamp of Hong Kong’s colonial history, as the style was popular during British rule. Today, the building serves as a symbol of the city’s past and a testament to the enduring legacy of the university. The building has been designated a monument in Hong Kong and is protected under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.
Part 2:
Come to the conduction method, secondary research is used by reviewing online sources. The more important part is the video based on a field visit to the entire building. By combining two sides of the material, the research provided a comprehensive overview of the history and architectural style. The video content aimed to show the hybridity of Hong Kong through a creative way from the first-character perspective story telling of HKU main building.
The video production process of the Main Building utilized various cinematography techniques, including long shots, montages, continuous tracking shots, and low-angle shots. These techniques were employed to capture the beauty and essence of the building and to convey its rich history and stories. To be more specific, the video began with a long shot, allowing viewers to appreciate the building’s grandeur and scale. As the camera moved closer to the building, montages were used to convey the passage of time and the building’s evolution over the years. Continuous tracking shots were also used to give viewers a sense of the building’s space and highlight its unique features, such as archways and corridors.
Moreover, the video’s narration was presented in first-person, allowing viewers to connect with the building and its story. This approach helped create a sense of intimacy and made viewers feel like they were there, experiencing the building’s rich history. In addition, the literary and artistic transcript of the building also created an atmosphere of aesthetic. The addition of movie photo and the corresponding scenery in reality also connect the building with film together, arousing people’s impressive memory of the main building. Historical photo of Sun-yat-sen also proofed the vicissitudes of time.
At the end of the video, imagery, such as the apple to symbolize the building and the fallen leaves to represent its history, conveyed that the Main Building is a timeless gem, enduring despite the time. It also reflects Hong Kong’s hybrid identity, seamlessly blending Eastern and Western architectural styles; however, initially, the two types are like leaves and apples, with not much association; when they come to Hong Kong, a place with magic charm, they finally become gorgeous delineations shown at the end of the video. Besides, Final Cut Pro was used to produce the video, ensuring high-quality output. This software also provided many resources for smooth transitions between scenes, make the whole video more continuous and integral.
In conclusion, the Main Building of the University of Hong Kong stands as a testament to the cultural and historical hybridity of Hong Kong’s architecture, particularly in its colonial Gothic Revival elements. Through the production of a video and essay exploring the influence of diverse cultures on the building’s architectural style, viewers can appreciate the significance of this iconic campus building as a symbol of Hong Kong’s unique heritage. The effective use of storytelling, cinematography, and high-quality editing further highlighted the beauty and cultural significance of the HKU Main Building.
Reference:
Christopher Dewolf, HONG KONG’S COLONIAL HERITAGE, PART V: THE HKU MAIN BUILDING https://zolimacitymag.com/hong-kong-colonial-heritage-part-v-the-hku-main-building/
Hong Kong architecture 1945-2015: From colonial to global
Sam C M Hui, Floor plan of Main building, https://www.researchgate.net/figure/First-floor-plan-of-HKU-Main-Building-Throughout-the-past-90-years-history-of-the-Main_fig2_242148659
THE BEAT ASIA, 10 Most Instagrammable Architectural Buildings in Hong Kong https://thebeat.asia/hong-kong/urbanite/architecture/10-most-instagramable-architectural-buildings-in-hong-kong
Film techniques: Montage | How to Analyze Film, https://www.matrix.edu.au/film-techniques-montage/
StudioBinder, What is a Zoom Shot and When You Should Use One https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-zoom-shot-definition/
七種最常用的運鏡技巧Retrieved from: https://si.secda.info/wp_movie/?p=1307
“HKU Heritage Sights and Sites” unveiled, https://www.miragenews.com/hku-heritage-sights-and-sites-unveiled-894060/.
Allison Adler Inglis-Taylor, What is Gothic Revival, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/architecture/what-is-gothic-revival
MasterClass, Gothic Revival Architecture: Inside the History of Gothic Revival, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gothic-revival-guide
BLOG ARTICLES FROM FORMER SECRETARY FOR DEVELOPMENT, MR MICHAEL WONG – (02/07/2017 – 26/06/2022), https://www.devb.gov.hk/en/home/my_blog/index_id_321.html
Name: Zhang Tianhao
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