Description of the theme and subject matter
The Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway (MTR) was first established in 1979 and has since become one of the city’s most efficient and reliable forms of transportation. The MTR consists of eleven lines and 93 stations, covering a total length of over 200 kilometers. It is operated by the MTR Corporation Limited, a government-owned company responsible for the system’s design, construction, and maintenance. The shooting locations of this video are mainly concentrated along the MTR Hong Kong Island Line.
In addition to its practicality, the MTR also serves as a reflection of Hong Kong’s culture and identity. The stations feature a unique blend of modern and traditional design elements, showcasing the city’s rich history and cultural diversity. Each station has unique character and charm, with artworks, installations, and displays celebrating local heritage and culture. As Hong Kong continues to evolve and grow, the MTR remains essential to its transportation network and cultural identity.
Methodology and reflections
Hong Kong is a bustling metropolis and a melting pot of cultures. With its unique hybridity, Hong Kong offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of the East and West. This cultural diversity is evident in its language and customs and the city’s architecture, transportation system, and everyday life. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) stations in Hong Kong are an excellent example of this hybridity. They serve as functional transportation hubs and cultural landmarks that reflect the city’s diverse identities.
I employed several professional filming techniques to explore the cultural hybridity of Hong Kong’s MTR stations. One of the techniques I used was various camera angles and shots to showcase the unique design elements of each station. For instance, I captured the circular arch design of the North Point station, which is one of the oldest stations in the MTR network. This design is primarily for structural strength and stability, distributing and absorbing seismic forces and providing a more spacious and well-lit interior for a better travel experience.
Another technique used was incorporating time-lapse footage to capture the fast-paced nature of Hong Kong’s MTR stations. The time-lapse footage showcases the hustle and bustle of commuters as they navigate their way through the stations. This footage highlights the efficiency of the MTR system and how it has become an integral part of Hong Kong’s identity. The MTR stations are functional structures and spaces where people from different cultural backgrounds come together to commute, socialize, and connect.
To further emphasize the theme of cultural hybridity, I utilized slow-motion shots of commuters from different cultural backgrounds. This technique highlights the diversity of Hong Kong’s population and how the MTR stations serve as a melting pot of cultures. It is evident in the way commuters dress, speak, and interact with one another. Through these techniques, I aimed to create a visual narrative that emphasizes the theme of cultural hybridity and how it is reflected in Hong Kong’s MTR stations.
In addition to these techniques, I used professional editing software to stitch together different shots and create a seamless visual flow throughout the video. The voice-over provided context and analysis of the footage, while the music choice added an emotional depth to the video. The video essay is not just a showcase of the MTR stations’ design elements and functionality, but also a celebration of Hong Kong’s cultural identity.
In conclusion, creating this video essay allowed me to appreciate Hong Kong’s cultural hybridity through a new lens. The MTR stations are not only a mode of transportation but also cultural landmarks that reflect the city’s diverse identities. Through professional filming techniques, I was able to showcase the unique design elements of each station, capture the fast-paced nature of the MTR system, and highlight the diversity of Hong Kong’s population. The video essay serves as a visual narrative that celebrates Hong Kong’s hybridity and how it is reflected in the city’s transportation system.
Bibliography
- Chan, J. (2013). Hong Kong Architecture: The Aesthetics of Density. Hong Kong University Press.
- Hong Kong MTR Corporation Limited (2018). MTR Station Design Handbook.
- Hurtley, J. (2016). Mastering Camera Techniques for Digital Photography. Routledge.
- Langford, M. (2010). Langford’s Starting Photography: The Guide to Great Images with Digital or Film. Taylor & Francis.
- Morris, T. (2013). Cinematography: Theory and Practice: Image Making for Cinematographers, Directors, and Videographers. Routledge.
- Rabiger, M. (2015). Directing the Documentary. Routledge.
- Wheeler, S. (2014). Digital Cinematography. Focal Press.
- Wong, D. K. (2002). The Making of Hong Kong: From Vertical to Volumetric. Routledge.
- Wong, W. K. (2013). Hong Kong’s MTR: A Successful Public-Private Partnership. In Public Transport in Developing Countries (pp. 239-256). Springer.
- Yeh, A. G. O., & Lo, H. P. (2010). Hong Kong: Merging the Spatial with the Social. Cities, 27(2), 111-123.
Bai Qingyu
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I appreciate your idea that the MTR system does not only serve its practical functions of providing transportation but also a reflection of HK’s cultures. I also see your efforts in filming the shots and editing the plots!
Yet, while you have repeatedly mentioned complex concepts such as ‘cultural hybridity’, ‘cultural identity’ and ‘diversity’, I think the submission does not reveal how the MTR system reveals HK’s characteristics in those areas. You have several relevant references included in your bibliography so making good use of them would be helpful to improve your work!