There’s been lots of feasting, festivity
and jollity recently, as the local church celebrated its 175th anniversary. There were – and are – various parties,
masses and events, but the one that’s dominated the Gordon-Smith household is
that Elspeth made a film, which was shown at a big party with the Bishop and
other luminaries.
I think it’s really good. She asked people to send in photos, then
linked them together in themes, with an interview from a parishioner played
over the pictures, together with a music soundtrack and the whole thing moves
along at a cracking pace.
That pace came from the editing! Naturally, if people are speaking naturally,
they don’t (usually, at any rate) talk in coherent, polished phrases without
hesitation or deviation. I know; I typed
up some of the transcripts of the interviews so Elspeth could get a script
together and believe me, I know! The
trick is to make it sound natural while cutting out all the bits that would
drive you mental if you had to listen to a recording.
It was an interesting exercise, typing up
the transcripts. I write a lot of
dialogue and try hard to get it as natural as possible. But, like the edited version of Elspeth’s
film soundtrack, it’s an impression of what’s natural rather than the real
thing.
Anyway, take a look for yourself. (As you can tell, I’m bursting with pride
about the entire thing!)
It’s on Youtube and the title is The Parish.
Stalybridge
I hope you enjoy it!
