Initial brainstorm:
Group: Milo, Esme, EB, Liv, George
Upon forming our group, we decided to expand on my idea of centering around a graveyard groundskeeper for our documentary. Liv suggested a location in Basingstoke known as the Holy Ghost cemetery, introducing ideas about urban legends, fogotten graves and historical architecture. They also suggested we talk to a funeral director, which would give a broader coverage of the whole topic. Esme proposed we go with a day-in-the-life approach to the groundskeeper's average day or shift, exploring their inner thoughts on the goings-on and their personal routine.
In our first meeting (with the absence of Liv), we allocated roles; some looser than others in order to maintain a collaborative, democratic and skill-sharing approach. We also began working towards a direction for the film, agreeing on several things, including:
- Potentially a slightly faster pace to engage the viewer more with the topic
- Strong structured narrative with some poetic elements to illustrate the philosophical overtones of the subject matter (death, liminality, spirituality, etc.)
- Use of observational mode in following the cemetery caretaker around, editing maybe three days worth of footage into one chronologically cohesive day-to-night framework
- Using voiceover interview to accent footage.
We agreed that there was some great visual B-roll potential, which Esme and George will be primarily responsible for capturing as the camera operators. We also agreed that the observational, continuous way we planned to film meant that the edit was crucial for bringing the film to life and interpreting it in the most effective way possible, which will be my role. EB will record and control sound, also working with Liv to tackle the production pack.
My first job is to conduct research to further develop our idea for the film. To this end, I've listed some potential locations we could contact, asking to talk informally with their respective groundskeepers. Details and notes are listed below.
- St. Andrews Churchyard (town centre). Easy transport, relatively small area, used by pedestrians as throughroute. Contains Farnham legend William Cobbett's grave. Dates back to the Middle Ages.
- The Bourne Old Churchyard. Apart from lychgate, no buildings, many monuments accompanying monuments, biodiversity, conservation group manages since 2008, heritage. More info here: http://bourneconservation.org.uk/theoldchurchyard/
- Upper Hale Cemetery. Two small twin chapels derelict, in process of renovation, undecided future use.
- Aldershot Military Cemetery. Run by Ministry of Defence, war burial ground, 'Lighting the Graves' on Remembrance Sunday yearly activity since 2018.
- Green Lane Cemetery (Wrecclesham). On a hill, views, military burials, divided into sections.
- Brookwood Cemetery (London Necropolis). Largest cemetery in UK and one of the largest in Europe - big maintenance team, history of the necropolis railway (train to visit & transport the dead from special station), designed with horticultural attractiveness in mind. May be difficult to access. More info here: https://brookwoodcemetery.com/
Following this, I read various articles on and accounts of working in a cemetery/graveyard in order to gain a preliminary understanding of the job's nature, practical and emotional. Key points:
- Oftentimes duty of a council-employed landscaper, or church sexton.
- There is a historical gravedigger stigma of "doing the dirty work" as a lower class job, which is ironic considering that the job itself is inherently societally and for some, spiritually, vital.
- Despite the "depressing" stigma, some remark that the work is "pleasantly quiet", giving one a chance to enjoy weather and connect with people (e.g. mourning visitors, funeral attendees), "opportunity to honour the deceased". "You can see a wide variety of people's reactions to grief."
- Higher education is normally not required, training on machine use & repair.
Sources:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-it-like-to-work-in-a-graveyard-How-does-one-get-qualified-for-such-a-job
https://www.quora.com/What-is-it-like-to-work-as-a-cemetery-caretaker
Next, I plan to watch some relevant documentaries for narrative, aesthetic and thematic inspiration.
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