by Vera Hale
On 21 November 2018, the EDP team and workshop attendees came together in the former Benedictine Priory of St James*, the oldest building in Bristol, for our second Design Studio looking at how film can be used as a tool in the design process and for community engagement. The Norman grandeur of the Roman Catholic church built in 1129 was an inspiring backdrop for us to learn about community filmmaking in the design process from Tot Foster, an experienced filmmaker and media producer. The design studio brought together people that lead community projects to improve their buildings, and those who support with such groups, to explore how film can be used in the engagement process.
In practical terms, the day long workshop was a mixture of learning about community filmmaking through several case studies, using scenarios to understand more about storytelling, interviewing, and experimenting with shooting film with our own mobile phones. We also spent some time talking strategies and the basics of filmmaking to understand what might be involved in creating a film project. Tot was keen for people to leave the workshop with the sense that ‘making a film was doable, what are good strategic approaches, how to collect community voices into engagement activities and feel inspired to give it a try’.
The day really highlighted why film is a great tool in the design process. Everybody has a different perspective and ideas regarding the issues surrounding a building design project. Our relationship with building is experiential, activating our emotions and senses. Whilst a report is often just one voice from one angle, film can offer an inclusive way to help many people's voice to be heard and can capture unmediated viewpoints. Documenting several perspectives not only makes for a more powerful film that can show the ‘story’ surrounding a project. This can offer vital information and evidence on the complexity of a project and the need for support, which is what funders look for in grant applications.
The day really highlighted why film is a great tool in the design process. Everybody has a different perspective and ideas regarding the issues surrounding a building design project. Our relationship with building is experiential, activating our emotions and senses. Whilst a report is often just one voice from one angle, film can offer an inclusive way to help many people's voice to be heard and can capture unmediated viewpoints. Documenting several perspectives not only makes for a more powerful film that can show the ‘story’ surrounding a project. This can offer vital information and evidence on the complexity of a project and the need for support, which is what funders look for in grant applications.
Simple zoom edits can change the entire impression
We learnt that the mainstay of storytelling is interviewing, and that this should be approached as you would a conversation. Listening, not just talking, is key and it is essential to plan what you want to capture from a discussion with someone beforehand. Tot's advice was to start small with one person and one question and film and edit the footage before moving on to more ambitious projects.
The main message of the workshop was that film doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. Tot stressed that most of us have the video camera we need in our mobile phones and that free editing software is available online, and we should not be afraid to experiment.In the end, the key is to identify the right idea for the right space, chose the mode of filmmaking that suits you, get the right people involved and work to the budget you have available.Tot explained that whether you choose to make a film yourself or commission one, it's important to know what you want and to have a plan. One third of filmmaking should be planning, one third is filming and the last third is editing. The main stumbling block people come across is a lack of confidence or the feeling they might not be creative enough to engage with filmmaking. But everybody is creative – just go for it! Grab your mobile and give it a try.
* St James Priory is Grade I Listed and is of historic and architectural interest. In 2004 the buildings were in a very bad condition and were on the at Risk Register by English Heritage Buildings. In 2008, The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded The St James Priory Project a £3.2m grant to conserve and develop the buildings, with the work done by Ferguson Mann architects. The £4.4m church reordering included new meeting rooms, café and visitor facilities, interpretation areas, and access improvements. Most of the new spaces were arranged around the periphery of the main church, in mostly existing spaces within the building, with the church restored and maintained as a spiritual sanctuary for the people of Bristol. The surrounding site and buildings of the Priory are now home to The St James Priory Project, a Charitable Trust that offers support for people recovering from addictions.
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