This video was filmed in Hong Kong, a thriving modern city with a diverse and cosmopolitan character. Apart from being one of Asia’s leading financial centres and one of the busiest ports, Hong Kong is also home to many old neighbourhoods. The architecture and landscape of these communities reflect the historical and cultural backgrounds of different periods and are among the witnesses of Hong Kong’s urban development and changes. In recent years, the Hong Kong government and various sectors of the community have begun to pay attention to the conservation and maintenance of old communities, quote from T.F. Hodge “Your life experience is a moving picture, of which you are writer, director, performer, producer and critic.”
which reminds me that my family is also located in a relatively long-standing community in Hong Kong. Kowloon City, where one of the characteristics is that there are many long-established Cha Chaan Ting just a few steps away from each other.
In the past three years, many of Cha Chaan Ting have closed down due to the epidemic. At the same time, because of the changing times, fewer people are joining the industry, and fewer chefs are making the food that is the hallmark of such restaurants. I think Hong Kong needs this kind of food and beverage culture that can provide cultural value.
Apart from using Kowloon City as a starting point for this shoot, I also walked to the neighbouring To Kwa Wan. The rustic and period décor gave me the illusion of being back in the last century. Cha Chaan Ting is a place where people from different social and cultural backgrounds meet, interact and talk, which is difficult to achieve in other places, so this uniqueness should continue to be passed on. This film shows the gradual decline of Hong Kong’s Cha Chaan Ting culture by capturing the laughter of Cha Chaan Ting’s patrons and the inner confessions of Cha Chaan Ting’s masters.
Method of Conducting the Research
Before the shoot, I did some research on Cha Chaan Ting in Kowloon City, and then I chose two relatively distinctive ones among the many, one of which is Lok Yun Cha Chaan Ting in Kowloon City Wet Market, and the other is the Lyun Faat Cha Chaan Ting, which is famous for the quality of its food. I then found out that there is a Cha Chaan Ting in To Kwa Wan which has been in business since the last century, so I thought I should visit it as well because according to the photos on the internet, the décor of Wing Heung Bakery is very nostalgic.
When I was thinking about the design of the video, I planned to add some narration from the person in charge of the Cha Chaan Ting to get the audience’s emotions going. As Stanley Kubrick mentioned “A film is – or should be – more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what’s behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later?” I prepared some questions to ask the person in charge before the visit, questions include What do you think about the future of Cha Chaan Ting and what do you think about the gradual decline of Cha Chaan Ting?
Method of producing the video
At the beginning of the video, I filmed the changing of the red and green lights along with the noise of various vehicles and pedestrians to show the bustling atmosphere of the city, while at the same time showing people’s daily lives, emotional exchanges and figures, showing humanistic care and street scenes. I also lingered longer at the entrance of the market to highlight the details of the street, such as the signboards and railings on the market.
When shooting in the Cha Chaan Ting, I used old-fashioned teapots, milk teas and menus to highlight the characteristics of Cha Chaan Ting. I also make use of the natural light source in the Cha Chaan Ting to enhance the contrast and sense of the dimension of the Cha Chaan Ting’s rather misty atmosphere. I was also able to add some colour to the shots, as the colour palette of a Cha Chaan Ting is generally darker, so I stayed with the brighter objects for longer in some of the shots. I captured the expressions of the people in the Cha Chaan Ting, as they have a variety of expressions. I captured the busy faces of the waiters and the chatting of the customers to show the human touch of Cha Chaan Ting.
During the shooting process, I found that sometimes I would focus too much on the quality of the images and lose sight of the details and the meaning of the shots. Sometimes, a good story and meaning are the most important things, not the beauty of the images. At the same time, I have also found that I need to practise and perfect my shooting skills, such as consistent shooting techniques, proper exposure and focus. Through continuous practice, I believe I can improve my shooting skills and better convey my story and meaning. In addition, during the post-editing process, I find that it takes time to select material and arrange the story, and sometimes a small adjustment can make the whole piece more convincing and dynamic. Therefore, constant self-reflection and practice are indispensable part of the filming process.
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Chong Hoi Ching
Your video serves as a good documentation of the chaa chang teng culture of Hong Kong but it is a pity that the ending is very abrupted. I appreciate your efforts in introducing the chaa chang teng, its logistics, history and the food. But it would be great if you can analyze its spatial qualities more deeply. For example, what are the characteristics of chaa chang teng making it to be a ‘social condenser’ which draws people together and generate activities, communication as well as interaction? You may link your research to the concepts of ‘sense of community’ and ‘communal space’ as they help to deepen your research scope and investigation.