Description
The focus of my video is on the concept of the slow city, with promenades as a key element. In our fast-paced and dynamic city of Hong Kong, spaces that encourage people to slow down and take a breath are all the more precious. Through this video, I aim to showcase the unique and calming qualities of promenades in contrast to the bustling energy of the city.
To contextualize the fast pace of Hong Kong, the video looks at the urban environment from different perspectives, including the people, transport, and city. What’s noteworthy is that all these three spaces are shaped and occupied by human activities. The frenetic pace of human activity is reflected in footage of people rushing around, busy traffic, and operating construction sites. These scenes were shot in various locations around the city, including Causeway Bay, Des Voeux Road Central on a tram, MTR stations, and Kennedy Town.
Conventionally, promenades are depicted as walkways next to the sea, but in this video, I explore the idea of defining a promenade by the speed of people’s movements. Just as human activities shape and transform the city space, the pace of people’s movements can also influence and define the character of a promenade. To showcase the peace and serenity of promenades, the video includes footage of the Belcher Bay Promenade and the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade, capturing the overall environment and human activities taking place there.
In conclusion, this video highlights the importance of promenades as spaces for people to slow down and take a break from the fast-paced city life. By showcasing the unique qualities of promenades in Hong Kong, we can appreciate the value of these spaces as a source of peace and tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Through the use of different perspectives and locations, this video invites viewers to reflect on the relationship between human activity and the urban environment, and the role that spaces like promenades can play in creating a more livable city.
Production
The inspiration for the theme of the slow city with promenades as the subject comes from my personal experience in these spaces. To begin the video-making process, I conducted fieldwork at various sites to observe the environment, atmosphere, and human activity. Once I found a site that matched my desired atmosphere, I identified the unique characteristics and phenomena that contribute to this setting. This included factors such as the physical settings of the promenade, as well as the emotional and behavioral reactions of people who visit these spaces. With this information in mind, I began capturing footage with my phone to showcase the special qualities of promenades in Hong Kong.
To highlight the contrast between the fast-paced city and the slow, precious quality of promenades, I decided to capture footage of Hong Kong’s hastening energy as a comparison. Using three perspectives – people, transport, and the urban environment – I aimed to show how the city is always in motion, regardless of scale. When thinking about how to represent these three elements, the first images that came to mind were the iconic scenes of rushing crowds, busy traffic, and construction sites, which can be ubiquitously taken in MTR stations, Causeway bay, central and Kennedy Town.
During the editing stage, I drew inspiration from a variety of sources to create a visual style that would complement the theme of the slow city and promenades. In particular, I was inspired by the music video for We Don’t Talk Anymore by Charlie Puth and the trailers for the movie Begin Again, both of which feature shots of people navigating through the city. By incorporating similar techniques, such as tracking shots and time-lapse footage, I aimed to create a sense of movement and flow that would capture the energy of the city. In addition, I utilized the split screen approach, with the deliberate use of dark and blueish colour tone on the intense urban life to contrast the density, speed, and space of the fast-paced city with the calm and secluded atmosphere of the promenades. By juxtaposing footage of rushing crowds and busy traffic on one side of the screen with tranquil scenes of people strolling along the promenade on the other, this technique highlights the stark contrast between the two environments and encourage audiences appreciate the spaces that offer a respite from the frenetic energy of urban life.
Through careful choices of shooting techniques and editing styles, the special qualities and essence of the promenades are showcased with the contrast with the fast-paced urban environment. Thereby encouraging viewers to appreciate spaces that offer a respite from the hectic nature of city life and prioritize the well-being and happiness of residents.
LEE Chin Lok [3036078405]
Reference
Time Out Hong Kong. (2022, September 8). 10 Alternative places to view Hong Kong’s skyline. Retrieved May 6, 2023, from https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/alternative-waterfronts-to-view-hong-kongs-skyline
HarbourFront Commission. (n.d.). Belcher Bay Promenade. Retrieved May 6, 2023, from https://www.hfc.org.hk/en/hss/belcherbaypromenade.html
HarbourFront Commission. (n.d.) HarbourChill, Wan Chai. Retrieved May 6, 2023, from https://www.hfc.org.hk/en/hss/belcherbaypromenade.html
The Hong Kong Institute of Planners (n.d.). Belcher Bay Promenade. Retrieved May 6, 2023, from https://www.hkip.org.hk/smithfield-bbp
Architectural Services Department (2021). NEW PROMENADE NEAR WAN CHAI FERRY PIER. Retrieved May 6, 2023, from https://www.archsd.gov.hk/archsd/html/report2021/en/case-study-8-wan-chai.html
HK01 (2021,November 26). 灣仔海濱渡輪碼頭畔近5萬呎新主題區！海景+多個打卡位+寵物公園 Retrieved May 6, 2023, from https://www.hk01.com/%E6%97%85%E9%81%8A/705358/%E7%81%A3%E4%BB%94%E6%B5%B7%E6%BF%B1%E6%B8%A1%E8%BC%AA%E7%A2%BC%E9%A0%AD%E7%95%94%E8%BF%915%E8%90%AC%E5%91%8E%E6%96%B0%E4%B8%BB%E9%A1%8C%E5%8D%80-%E6%B5%B7%E6%99%AF-%E5%A4%9A%E5%80%8B%E6%89%93%E5%8D%A1%E4%BD%8D-%E5%AF%B5%E7%89%A9%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92
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Hello Chinlok! I think your video captures the fast and slow pace in Hong Kong very well with contrast. The beginning part of the video conveys Hong Kong’s hastening energy and the following part about the promenade conveys an entirely different vibe. Showing how the people are interacting, relaxing, and entertaining on the promenade really gives a slow, relaxing vibe. I also like the way you use tracking shots and time-lapse footage to make your video visually pleasant, like a music video. The blueish-grey colour tone of the scenes also echoes your theme of the promenade.
Your video investigates the pace of urban life in the centre of the city vs the periphery of it at the promenade. I appreciate your alternative definition of these spaces being measured by the speed of movement, and your split-screen successfully shows a comparison in terms of transportation, recreation, and wider spaces. Your choice of music is not too fitting for your video, I think just using ambient noise of the street will help demonstrate the contrast you are showing in a more effective way. It will also be beneficial if your text explains the development of the promenades and some analysis of the site rather than repeating what is already presented in your video.