Performance in Passing
Performance in Passing is a film about the use of public space, namely the BART system (Bay Area Rapid Transit). However, here, one sees not merely the transit but rather expressive, diverse and interactive performance that make the BART system more than just a means of transportation. Performers are attracted to their passing audiences - commuters, who both share and interact in the same public space. Performance in Passing is a glimpse into the BART as a center stage filled with diverse musical instruments, multiple performers and passing commuters. This film entails a personal encounter with the BART system and performers that strive in its provided space. It is a collection of music and looks, where each look is attached to a certain experience and a place with a distinct expressions of individuality.
How it got started
The process of navigating the direction upon which documentary film is going most definitely entails process of change. At first, film conceptually started around the idea of how people transform and use public space. I wanted to create a visual juxtaposition between those who commute and those who see BART as a stationary place of employment and performance.
In the beginning project started with the visual exploration of architectural and communal distinctions between BART stations. We tried to see how community and people shape and transform publicly used space. However, as we progressed and embarked on our journey through different stations that had different feel to it, different surroundings and communities around it, the focus has shifted: from space to individuals who use that space. Encounters with individual performers and their reasons for singing and playing at the BART stations is what helped us to shift the interest towards individual performers. Musician interaction with commuters and other musicians helped us to document how those creative people manifest themselves in BART provided environments. In the film BART train is a structural connector: it takes people to places, and provides infrastructure for people to gather and connect.
The Passing train is a transitional device in the piece used to reinforce the idea that it is in the BART provided infrastructure where "performance" takes place. The BART train entering and leaving the frame serves as a visual metaphor of movement and constant change in people's lives.
Film's structure is thematic and as well as temporal; it conveys the fact that one is moving through space from exterior station environment to the train itself. It also documents the action inside the stations. This film tries to hit themes such as performance, encounter, feedback, appreciation, monetary incentives, and space sharing. Most importantly, it tries to convey distinct characteristics of each performer.
Performance in Passing shows that each performer has different reasons for being in the BART station. It tries to reveal characteristics of individual performers via direct interview, voice-over, and their own made up signage such as "Music not crack" or "Jazz is alive."
The film tries to capture unique signifiers that help to reveal individual performer's identity in this public setting. Each character and the music they play communicates something about what they do, why they do it, and what motivates them to play in the BART station. Just like the BART system is composed of many different stations each with distinct architectural character and community, each musician playing in those BART stations bring into it something distinct of their own.
By Aiste Siauryte
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- Shot in NTSC mini DV (Digital) and Hi8 (Analogue) formats.
- Running time 15:35 min
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