[Field-Homework 3] Nostalgic City: Tram Tales, Hong Kong Island

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/Aeg-HXAcwPc

Hong Kong has a high population density and skyscrapers, along with its unique architectural environment, make urban connections complicated. At the same time, Hong Kong has a diverse public transport system, including the MTR, tramway, buses, ferries etc. Within these various types of transport, the tramway has a special role. It is the world’s largest double-decker tramway still in operation, and it is a popular tourist attraction, transporting around 200,000 passengers every day. The tramway has always been a common symbol in Hong Kong‘s stories, and is one of the city’s most representative images.

Discussion

The Hong Kong tramway has a long history and has witnessed Hong Kong’s development and changes. It started in 1904 with 26 single-decker trams. After more than a century, there are now 165 double-decker tramways in Hong Kong. In 2010, the seventh generation of trams was introduced, and this model is still in use today. It is a tram that combines modern and traditional design, keeping up with the trends of the times while retaining the nostalgic charm of the tramway. The iconic white and green logo and the vintage decorations inside the tram make it distinctive. The tramway’s unique appearance has attracted filmmakers’ attention and is often featured in literature and movies, leaving a deep impression on people. These creations have drawn many tourists to Hong Kong to take the tramway. The tramway provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the cityscape and experience the local lifestyle and cultural atmosphere.

In addition, Hong Kong’s tramway plays a significant role in shaping urban structures. It creates connections within the city and links different buildings, spaces and places. The tramway operates in densely populated areas, travelling through the eastern and central-western districts of Hong Kong Island. It passes through busy areas and narrow streets, harmoniously adapting to Hong Kong’s unique spatial layout and landscape. Furthermore, it contributes to pedestrian mobility by facilitating people’s flow along the connected streets. The tramway offers convenient alighting points and a relatively short distance between stops. This allows passengers to alight close to their destination, enhancing their travel convenience.

However, the tramway has been attacked before. Some have questioned its value due to its relatively slow speed, arguing that it should be phased out. Nonetheless, such views have received major opposition from citizens. Aside from its accessibility and affordability, the tramway reflects Hong Kong residents’ collective memory. With strong opposition from local residents, the tramway continues to operate today.

Overall, the tramway plays a crucial role in Hong Kong’s cultural and historical significance, transportation and urban structure. It connects people, architecture and spaces and is a witness to the transformation of Hong Kong. Whether as a means of transportation or as a cultural symbol, the tramway provides a unique way for people to experience and connect with local communities. With Hong Kong’s interplay between tradition and modernity, past and future, it moves with the city.

Methodology

To convey the theme of disappearing objects, I conducted extensive online research before my field visit. I focusing primarily on old photographs and historical information about tramways. These resources helped me observe tramway changes during my field investigation. After gathering these materials, I conceptualized the video direction, including the shots and content to be captured. For this filming project, I used a smartphone and a DJI Pocket 2 to shoot footage.

While filming on location, I wanted to demonstrate the evolution of the tramways by identifying the places depicted in the old photos. So I took pictures of the same spots. In this way, I was able to show the passage of time in a more tangible way. Additionally, to give audiences a comprehensive overview of the unique appearance of the tramways, I also experimented with shots from multiple angles. I used high, low and parallel perspectives to capture the dynamic movement of the tramways. I also took close-ups of the different decorations of the various tramway models to highlight their features. Furthermore, I captured the interactions of the passengers to provide audiences with an insight into the daily operation of the tramways.

For video production, I used CapCut. I integrated clips filmed from similar angles as the tramways passed through different areas into the video and edited them together for transitions. Considering the varying interior designs of the tramways currently in operation, I merged certain shots together to create a visual contrast between the different decorations. In the video sequence, I arranged the shots from daytime to nighttime. This allowed audiences to follow the video’s progression and observe the contrast between tramways and cityscapes in daylight and darkness.

Through the filming and editing techniques described above, I tried to create a logically structured and coherent video that shows the historical development of the tramways. I have also tried to present their interaction with the urban environment. Using this approach effectively conveys my research topic on disappearing objects and deepens the audience’s understanding of tramway transformations.

During this assignment, I also encountered challenges. Firstly, filming presented the initial challenge. Tramways tend to sway and create instability while in motion, posing difficulties in capturing steady footage. To address this issue, I adjusted the camera settings to stable mode and checked the footage quality multiple times after filming. Furthermore, video editing was challenging. With a substantial amount of video footage collected, organizing, selecting, arranging, and structuring them required a lot of time and effort. Additionally, during the initial editing phase, I discovered some gaps in the footage. To address these omissions, I conducted additional on-site filming, further adding to the complexity of the work. However, this experience also brought numerous discoveries. Despite occasionally riding the tramway before, I rarely had the opportunity to pass through every station. Through this filming project, I rode the entire route for the first time and discovered many previously unexplored places and buildings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as I reflect on the challenges I encountered in producing this video essay, I realise how complicated filming and editing is. This experience provided me with valuable learning opportunities and new perspectives on things. It also enhanced my understanding of Hong Kong’s urban landscape and culture.

Bibliography

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Hong Kong tramways: Fun facts about the century-old Ding Ding: Hong Kong tourism board. Hong Kong Tourism Board. (n.d.). https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/explore/attractions/hong-kong-tramways.html 

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–– Hung Hiu Yi (3036141147)