Concept
I’ve got a few ideas regarding my hopeful documentation of London –
- Document London’s town centres
- Document ‘my London’
- Write an essay about London & capture moments on film to accompany
To some degree, I have decided to go for all of these options.
There are 239 town centres listed on The Draft London Plan 2017 – a government document that details information on town centres within Greater London boroughs & City of London. The information displayed categorises the towns based on their status of either International, Metropolitan, Major, District, or a CAZ (Central Activities Zone) Retail Cluster. It also includes details of predicted regenerative works that will, or perhaps have already taken place across the wider city, as well as information on which areas have a ‘broad mix of night-time function’. I found this information following what I thought was a simple Google search, and soon decided to make it my mission to film at each one of the listed locations.
In short – I love London, and I’m not exactly sure why I feel a desire to explore and document what I come across – I think this could be part of my explorative journey throughout this concept.
I had already experimented out and about with my camera at various locations, relating to the questionnaire I earlier produced to gain London location prompts for my initial FMP ‘memory archiving’ idea. Using the footage that I had previously gained, I wanted to experiment with voiceover audio, and to discuss how I experience London, as a sort of personal essayistic account.
It felt very much like a practice example of some relatively personal dialogue, although, I had by this point considered and researched the many possible characteristics of an Essay Film. I felt intrigued by the ‘self’ that is represented through exploration of, typically, the director’s chosen topic/s. I don’t perceive myself to be an expert on London, however I argue that I have as much the knowledge, and passion required of someone to discuss a place they are as familiar inhabiting, as I feel I am in London.
Personally, I have lived in sixteen locations within my lifetime (I am 31 years old at present). Of those sixteen addresses, eleven have been within Greater London. I have lived in eight London boroughs, was born in a ninth, and went to school in a tenth. Not to mention of course having worked, socialised, and travelled through many more, perhaps even all of them at one point; there are 32 Greater London boroughs in total, plus the City of London.
Following a discussion with my tutor, I contemplated putting myself into the film visually, perhaps by capturing my own reflection, or shadow. I like the vagueness of this type of appearance, and preferred the idea of myself being almost a hidden aspect of the visuals – a reference that came to my mind a few times in consideration of this was how Alfred Hitchcock would regularly cameo as a silent-extra in the background of his films. I also felt drawn to a half-breaking of the ‘fourth wall’ between the action and the audience – perhaps they would at first think it was a human error for my reflection, or shadow to make it into final, edited footage. I am still considering this idea to a degree, however feel it less necessary to visually include myself in the film as I will also be acting as the narrator, and the dialogue itself, so far, centres around me in London.
When it came to writing the dialogue that I had hoped would loosely accompany the visuals I was simultaneously editing together (as I thought about how I experience London day-to-day), I chose to free-write, first of all into a notebook, before transferring to the Notes app on my phone, so I could access the document I was creating on the go. This had previously been my strategy when it came to the critical writing brief in Unit 2, before I redrafted paragraphs here and there, and added in the appropriate references.
I enjoy free writing, and find it quite cathartic, however I also feel I have to be in the right mindset to sit down and think something other than “I must write something, I must write something, I must write something -” etc. On the subject of London I fluctuate in how much I feel I have to say. It’s usually in defence of London either way, though feel I often lack the energy to stick up for a place that can be so often considered hostile (and unfortunately, this being so frequently backed up with personal, first-hand, accounts).
On this occasion I found the writing relatively easy/ I wasn’t aiming, or expecting to write something that would be anything other than a rough idea. I did however want to encapsulate a slightly jarring feel – where it would be unclear who was leading/ directing the conversation topic, as though I was speaking to an absent interviewer. For this idea I had been inspired by listening to the interview-based podcast Strangers on a Bench, which I enjoy for the candid nature of each interview, but how emotionally involved it can become. I also enjoy the host’s manner in which he interviews people – coming from a place of genuine seeming interest, and obvious respect; even when potentially a bit taken aback by something. I get a sense that Tom Rosenthal (the host) enjoys the conversations, more than he feels the professional/ financial demands to continue with the podcast.
Teaser Trailer
The result of what I put together using my previous footage, and the scripted dialogue I had recorded (using a lapel microphone, when it was as quiet as my home-studio-bedroom ever gets, at 2 o’clock in the morning, can be viewed below.
Reflection
As I have watched this created project back, and showcased it to various peers, and my tutors – I felt a growing sense of achievement, as though I am on the right track with my idea. This was enforced through feedback I received.
One friend commented that they found the ’teaser trailer’ interesting, for the way it pulls you in. I also like this aspect – that the film shows seemingly not much occurring, and yet documents life in London accurately – it is candid footage. I think the way I have edited shots together also supports this. I wanted their to be breaks in the dialogue where other things, visually, were taken into consideration; such as the view from Alexandra Palace ( my personal favourite viewpoint in London, and somewhere that holds many poignant memories for me). The feelings I get when I experience that view perhaps cannot be perfectly conveyed to an audience, through as screen; there is something about physically standing at the top of the hill, looking across all of London, that to me feels literally awe-inspiring. I would like to be able to convey these moments through chosen shots/ editing styles, perhaps even using still-shots to help convey my message. I may also, or alternatively, decide to convey this message of the awe I feel for London through verbalisation, or well-placed silences.
I’m also very interested in the silent moments I can find within London; with as little sound-editing as possible. I don’t doubt that quiet moments will be relatively easy to come across, however I feel I want and need a juxtaposition of energies throughout the course of my Essay Film – in order to keep arguing a for and/ or against.
Another note of feedback/ a recommendation I received from my tutor was to watch How To With John Wilson, a hand-held camera filmed documentary series in which the host, John Wilson interviews people candidly, or at least intends to.
I will also be considering other forms of displaying my work – from mapping out my taken routes around boroughs, to physical interventions in the space. I am reluctant it this stage to stop taking quotes down as I overhear them, despite not being sure what they will potentially become part of. I am enjoying the documentation aspect of this project on the whole, and hope I can fulfil my plan to visit all London Town centres for my FMP.