Today’s filming day went really well. We were meant to have our meeting with Robbie but have changed it to Thursday because we needed class time to go to Edinburgh Gardens and retrieve all our footage.
Because planning went really well on Thursday last week, the process of getting the right footage went smoothly as we each knew our aim and therefore exactly what to capture. I had never been to the gardens before, however eventually worked my way around it and found so many interesting things to capture.
Question 1: How does time of day play a part in how people interact with their sacred place?
For this question we set up the camera on a tripod capturing an intersection where the footpaths crossed over. We let the camera run for about 15 minutes, capturing all sorts of movement. From people riding their bikes, walking dogs, running, individually or in groups, it was really great to capture how people use the every day space. We did this three times, over three hours. Setting up the camera in the exact same spot to capture the same shot, just different times of the day. The first shot was at around 11.30am, and it was very cloudy and gloomy. A greyish dark light setting the scene. The weather didn’t look promising, looking like it would stay the same for the entire day. However, the by the time we got next shots, at 12.30 and 1.30, the sun had started to come out. It was still cloudy, however this time incorporated the occasional visibility of blue sky and sun. The same action occurred throughout the three hours. Bikes, dogs and walkers. It was interesting to note there was probably the most action at 11.30, the last two shots not being as frequently used.
Question 2: How does one person’s perspective and interpretation change from another’s when viewing the same space from a different position?
For this one we decided to use the swing set at the playground within the park as our specific object to focus on. We set up three different cameras in three different spots around the swings, each capturing different angles and views. Here, we aimed to explore looking at the same thing from three different point of views, and how that same object then has the potential to be interpreted differently by different viewers. We created movement with the swings by pushing them, then did some shots with them still. For post we are thinking of layering children’s laughing over the top, to suggest the presents of children and how the swing set/playground is their own space, and sacred to them. Luckily enough there was a group of school children playing footy in the park so we were able to record some of that sounds to use. For photography, we took different and interesting shots of the swing set, some super extreme close ups, some of angles where it’s hard to tell exactly what is it. Here suggesting how a space can be transformed by the perspective it’s captured in.
Question 3: How does physical interaction with a place impact its emotional connection and level of sacredness?
For this one we explored how people use the park as a space of their own, and how they use them differently. Possibly to clear their mind, participate in different activities, to have their own space where they can be who they want and do what they want.
One of my favourite footage’s we captured was the skate park. Its purpose is clearly a skate park for people to ride along, however it’s fully covered in colourful graffiti. I love the idea of this space, being the skate park, being used for a completely different purpose to that of what it’s purpose is /why it’s there in the first place – a space where arty people have expressed themselves and their artwork on as well. A space for them to be visually creative. So it’s their sacred space in that it’s covered in their artwork, but it’s also sacred for boarders/bike riders who are able to use the space as a skate park. Interesting. Same idea with the bathrooms – covered in graffiti.
