I started film-making in 1965 with a standard double 8mm clockwork Kodak Brownie 3-lens turret movie camera (made in England!), which served me until autumn 1982 when I joined an evening course in television production at the University of Sussex.
It was at this time that I participated in a BBC2 Open Door production on the theme of unemployment in Brighton, shot on 13th December 1982 broadcast on 9th February 1983. I was also involved as a member of a production team in documentaries on the problem of homelessness in Brighton and covering interviews with those advocating the case for nuclear disarmament, which together with unemployment was one of the main issues in the 1983 UK General Election.
By the early 1990s, high-band formats (such as Hi-8 and SVHS) offered attractive options for amateur video-makers on low budgets and I invested in my second movie camera.
A road traffic accident finished my language teaching career in the mid 1990s and I have had to struggle to salvage my mobility. The fight to regain travelling distance and the knowledge that mobility can no longer be taken for granted have made me want to capture bits of life on camera while I am still able to do so. Technology has been kind since it is no longer necessary to lug heavy bits of equipment around. Moreover, the amount of post production editing possible on a PC provides a creative challenge which allows fairly sedentary activity.
A very high proportion of disabled people find that the computer makes a big difference to their lives. I can also understand fully why so many of the people I meet on pavements (i.e. sidewalks) or visiting National Trust properties are disabled. The threat of a sedentary existence from precarious health and difficulty in getting around, fuels the determination to record the sights and sounds of this world. These remain available while unspoilt places still exist and as long as we are still able to make the effort.
Approximately 13 minutes in duration, this covers the 13th annual children's parade held to open Brighton Festival, which took place in May 2003.
Every year, a theme is selected for the parade - the theme for 2003 was "Brighton Streets". Accordingly, the city's schools and community groups made their own costumes and displays depicting Marine Parade, Duke Street, Race Hill, Mount Pleasant, Bond Street, Baker Street, Castle Square, Peacock Lane, Piper Close, Princes Road, Oriental Place, Eastern Road, Heartford Road, Pavilion Gardens, Foundry Street, Ship Street, Royal Crescent and many more of the city's streets.
After weaving its way through the historic North Laine area, Pavilion Gardens and the Lanes, the procession ended up as always on Brighton Sea Front. There are some memorable shots of children who having completed their long march used up the rest of their energy in play on the beach on a very windy day against the backcloth of the West Pier before the fire a few weeks later which settled its fate.
Approximately 7 minutes in duration, this is also from the programme of street events held during the Brighton Festival in May 2003.
It shows four stilt-walkers brightly dressed as members of the 1967 Sergent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, representing The Beatles in their prime. The video begins with a succession of still shots of the stilt-walker's and then homes in on a complete live performance (without any post-production editing) of the Beatles track "I Saw Her Standing There". This is watched by an enthusiastic audience opposite the entrance of The Corn Exchange in Brighton's Church Street. The choreography of "The Big Beatles" was excellent and this was the first time I had seen stilt-walkers perform lifts and high dance kicks. "The Big Beatles" were clearly one of the class acts of the 2003 Brighton Festival.
Approximately 7 minutes in duration and made in July 2003, this documents the interesting part of a journey from Devil's Dyke on the top of a Brighton & Hove no 77 open-top bus. Blended together with the bus trip is footage of a brief circular walk on Devil's Dyke itself. Since one-day Saver tickets can be purchased for £2.40 on the 77 open-top bus, this is a low-cost outing and the purpose of the video is to draw attention to one of the area's most pleasant amenities. During a summer which drew visitors and residents to the Sea Front, the beauty of the South Downs can be taken for granted. However, the video shows what is on offer.
The audio track features a new composition entitled "Summer Breeze" by Veronica Tapp. A ride along Dyke Road on an open-top bus is needed to explain the choice of this music.
Approximately 7 minutes in duration and made in August 2003, this illustrates the plight of an Alicante flat owner who strives to keep her holiday home free of dust, dirt (sand), ants, insects or any other domestic pollutants.
The theme of this video is also prompted by the traditional song chosen as its sound track - "The Housewife's Lament" written by Sarah Price of Illinois at the time of the American Civil War.
Approximately 7 minutes and made in October 2003, this features the famous walkway alongside the port of Alicante and also contains views of the harbour from the top of the castle [el castillo de santa Barbara] just north of La Puerta del Mar [the gate of the sea]. The sequence ends with a very leisurely ride on the new tram between the port and the marina. This offers splendid views of Alicante's extensive beaches to the north of the city.
The tramway has recently been upgraded through the laying of a double track for much of the way between La Puerta del Mar and El Campello [10 miles north of the city of Alicante] and there is now a half hourly tram service on this stretch. A connection to a diesel train at El Campello completes travel as far as Benidorm or Denia.
Approximately 7 minutes, this records part of the October 2003 festivities commemorating the expulsion of the Moors, who contributed so much to the culture and architecture of this part of Spain. Most local children still prefer to dress up as Moors rather than Christians. The parades contain camels and horses and the costumes are so intricate in design that they mark many hours of preparation. Look out for Valencian people in striped pyjamas who will demonstrate how to build and take down a human tower. The displays are punctuated by band music featuring a large brass section, loud kettle-drums and many other percussion instruments.
The scale of the festivities is quite astonishing and even a small town such as El Campello can rival events such as the Lewes bonfire celebrations and can provide a spectacle which get much of the way towards that of the Notting Hill carnival. October visits to this region benefit from low air fares and it is still warm enough to have a dip in the sea most days of the week.
Approximately 16 minutes and made in mid October 2003, this follows the progress of a 4-year-old child on an autumnal visit to Wakehurst Place. This National Trust property with very extensive grounds is technically part of Kew Gardens and offers spectacular colour in the autumn.
There are also many naturalistic games that children can participate in either through their own inventiveness or a little prompting from adults. Pablo demonstrates what can be done, given both space and the stimulus of very beautiful surroundings.