“Far from hectic bustle and clamour of streets of Hong Kong, Castle is still a quiet refuge, if not for the learned, at least for those who are learning.” – University Hall
Enter the enchanting world of University Hall in Hong Kong, as we embark on a captivating cinematic exploration of this vibrant student dormitory. In this documentary, we delve into the theme and subject matter of the architectural heritage of University Hall, immersing ourselves in its rich history, unique design, and the stories of the people who have called it home.
Setting/Places:
University Hall Exterior: The film opens with Castle’s model transitioning into bird’s eye view of the Castle and falling on to rooftop. This showcased its architectural grandeur and its harmonious integration into the surrounding landscape.
Hallways: Through the lens of the camera, it captures the bustling energy and communal spirit that permeate these spaces, showcasing the vibrant social life and common beliefs of the students.
Dining Hall: The Dining hall which was previously used as Church showed that the purpose of communal space is still preserved.
Entrance staircase and French Golden Spiral Staircase (one of Hall’s Three Treasures): Both staircases reflected the journey of the people living in the hall and and how over time even the architecture changes but the stories surrounding them always become stronger.
Components:
Archival Footage: To deepen our understanding of University Hall’s historical background, the film incorporates archival footage. Through vintage photographs of French missionaries and UHall, we witness the loss of Printing Press section during war years, major milestones, and its evolution over time.
Cinematic Shots: The film features cinematography, employing aerial shot, tracking movements, and framing to capture the architectural details of UHall. The camera glides through corridors, capturing light and shadow play, architectural intricacies, and the interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces. Long take (relative to duration of video) was used.
Methodology:
Pre-production Phase:
Research: A thorough research on University Hall, exploring its architectural history, significance, and its transformation into a student dormitory. Application to UHall archive was made. It gave access to architectural blueprints, historical records, book called Bethanie and Nazareth by Alain Le Pichon, and individuals (Tutor and Warden) associated with the building.
Concept Development: Based on the research findings, the best way to capture the Architecture and community was finalized to incorporate lines from Hall Song which did justice under short frame time. The references to people and features of Castle were carefully referenced with relevant phots and clips to show the link between spatial area and community in it.
Planning and Logistics:
Location Scouting: Identification of key filming locations, assessing lighting conditions, acoustics, and other factors that would impact the visual aesthetics of the video.
Scheduling and Coordination: During these days cloudy weather and unequal surface due to topography made movement hinder the potential of photo taking. Capturing rooftop shot was dangerous, and necessary permissions were obtained.
Production Phase:
Filming:
Interviews: Interviews with UHall Archive Group head and students provided insights, experiences, and opinions regarding University Hall.
B-roll Footage: Cinematic shots of University Hall’s exterior, corridors with batch photos, and student life were filmed, focusing on any notable features.
Archival Material: Acquired relevant archival footage, photographs, and documents to supplement the narrative and provide historical context. This involved Outpost Magazines dating back 50 years ago, book by Alain Le Pichon, and photos of people in the hall.
Post-production Phase:
Editing: Selection and assembling of the footage, and archival material to create a cohesive narrative structure. The editing process involved connection between narrations and refining the overall pacing and flow of the video.
Sound Design: The sound track used was The Godfather Waltz because of the similarities of people in Hall about how they maintain themselves as someone living in Castle like gentlemen characteristics showed in the movie Godfather. The strong brotherhood and network effect in Godfather and University Hall resembled. Moreover, next to UHall construction of high rise in progress so noise levels were a problem to be dealt.
Reflections:
The process was exciting and rewarding endeavor. It involved a blend of disciplines, including architecture, history, and storytelling, to create a visually captivating and informative piece which was learning experience.
A comprehensive understanding of University Hall’s architectural significance, its historical context, and the contemporary usage as a dormitory was attained.
During the production phase, sometimes I was able to capture visually striking shots that showcase the architectural beauty of University Hall. The integration of archival material and careful editing would weave together a compelling narrative, bridging the past and present of the building. It seem time travelling back and forth. It showed that living in such place is totally a privilege and provided me chance to appreciate the memories I made here.
By combining technical expertise, storytelling techniques, and a deep appreciation for architecture, effort for bringing University Hall’s architectural heritage to life was made, fostering a greater appreciation for this iconic building and its transformation over time.
References:
Bernard, E. (2022). The Godfather Review: After 50 Years, It’s Still a Movie You Can’t Refuse. Collider. https://collider.com/the-godfather-review-francis-ford-coppola-al-pacino/
MEP Archives. Bulletin de la Société des Missions Etrangères, 1883 p.711.
MEP Archives. Ibid., letter of Fr Rousseille in Nazareth to the Superior in Paris, dated 17 January 1890.
MEP Archives, Ibid. letter of Fr R ousseille in Nazareth to the Superior and the directors in Paris, dated 26 November 1890.
Nino Rota – Topic. (2018, July 23). The Godfather Waltz [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaI5jYU-sPw
Pichon, A. L. (2006). Béthanie & Nazareth: French Secrets from a British Colony. Hong Kong University Press.
See Bard, Voices from the Past, 1842-1918, Hong Kong, Hong Kong University Press, 2002..p. 146
See Bard, op. cit., p 71-JS. Lapraik died in 1893, and it was after his death that his estate consented in selling Doughs Castle to the French Socicty of Foreign Missions.
See: “Outpost University Hall, 1968-69,Volume 12,p.50. Warden of University Hall in 2004.
See: “Outpost University Hall, 1968-69,Volume 12,p.1. Hall Song.
University Hall | HKU | Home. (n.d.). https://www.uhall.hku.hk/
Muhammad Ghassan Jawwad 3035834802
I can see your efforts in producing your work. It is a wise idea to link an architectural heritage to concepts like memories, like what you have illustrated in your video and the text. Your narration and the background music add poetic qualities to the production. it is also great to see that you have included some spatial analysis and archival research through your written submission. Yet, more emphasis on these materials could enrich your research content.