[Video Essay] Fast City

 

Synopsis

This video is trying to convey a message that COVID is putting a lot of stress or causing a lot of changes to people and the city, because I am arranged to convey this message through the MTR passage I figured I would use the MTR station and passage that are near my home as I am more familiar to this place and I truly know what impacts have this pandemic brought to the place that I have a lot of memories in it. So I decided to film this place and try to show the audience by dialogue that it is indeed depressing that COVID is tearing our lives apart.

 

Method of Research

I used primary data research by going to the site by myself to observe which spot can fit my film the best and to convey my message effectively. There are a lot of spots that can be filmed but by considering the length of the video needs to be 2 minutes, some spots need to be sacrificed, although it feels bad not being able to show more spots of the MTR passage but I think it should be enough for the video.

 

Video

This video consists of 4 main shots, and the main editing or the style of this video is hyperlapse, as I want to show the busyness and how unresting the city is. The first shot is at the bridge where this connects my home and the MTR, this bridge plays an important role because without it I would not be able to get to the MTR and start my day, at the same time it shows how busy the bridge is as a lot of people need to take it in order to start their day too. The second shot will be me walking to the platform, it shows how I usually walk to the MTR platform with some dialogue supporting it. The third shot will be filming the trains passing by, showing how busy the MTR stations are and people getting in and leaving from it. Everyone has different purposes when they get on the train. Lastly, we are back to the bridge but this time the meaning is completely different, where people are getting back home instead of leaving it, although it is the same place it serves different meaning and purposes at different times, and also to join head and tail, this video starts at the bridge and ends at it too.

 

Objective

I want to convey a message that this pandemic has caused a lot of stress to people and changes to the city, but still, we can not be beaten down and we need to tough it out and fight together to get through this pandemic.

 

Reflection

I feel a bit sorrow when this pandemic strikes us, a lot of stuff is changed, and are forced to make adjustments because of it, a lot of plans have vanished because COVID, even the place that I am so familiar with does not look the same anymore after this pandemic, so I hope I can bring out this message with this video.

 

Angus Lam Yee Yin, 3035743041

 

3 thoughts on “[Video Essay] Fast City

  1. dannywo5 says:

    I was interested in seeing your interpretation of the “fast city” title and was pleasantly surprised by how different yet similar your approach towards fast city was in comparison to mine! Content and text wise we both seek to convey the idea that our respective cities are still fast – but the striking contrast is that in Hong Kong the city wants to be fast despite the pandemic whereas in Taipei the city is fast because there is no pandemic (until a few days ago). I enjoyed how emotionally provocative your script was with the way it reminiscences on the past about the old man and busking, it did a good job conveying your sadness and longing for the return to normality. Therefore I was a fan of your overall script and narration. I thought the second shot was a little too long/boring/uncreative although your justification and fundamental idea behind executing it was understandable, in addition your narration kept it interesting but I think perhaps faster cuts would have kept the viewer more engaged instead of just filming you walk the whole way. The time lapses are visually pleasing and does a great job expressing the fast city.

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  2. u3574076 says:

    Hi, your video is very interesting as the questions you asked helped the audience to think deeply about the current situation. Also, it was great to see how people are moving fast in MTR station since this seems to show how life goes on even though we are now facing a pandemic. Although this is already a great video, I think you can improve more on your camera technique and maybe clear narration next time. Once again, Thank you for the great video:)

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  3. Noella Kwok says:

    The video is presented as more of a reflective piece which is able to adequately identify the most critical aspects of the theme/place and exhibit a competently articulated analysis and interpretation of the topic. Further research on the effects of pre- and post-COVID would further benefit the assignment and show a more powerful contrast. I enjoy the stylistic visuals of your video and the comical ending. It is Innovative in regard to methodologies and use of research and/or fieldwork materials. You maintained a good control of techniques and organisation of the form/content and narration. The written and verbal articulation are of competent academic standard, and adequately integrated into
    the overall presentation.

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