Zak Michaelwaite

As a post-lockdown project, I went on a search to help a small local cafe by filming a video for both of us to use however we wish. My first time having to direct someone, and the first video project that required a planned out structure as reshooting wasn’t really an option.

After a few hours gaining inspiration from coffee and food related sequences on YouTube, I landed on Daniel Schiffer as the style influence, and like to think it came across quite strongly with my first try keyframing and masking video.

Like a lot of the UK, I was made redundant due to Covid in the early stages of the outbreak. Redundancy comes with its own emotions, initial confusion and upset which can be met with understanding and positivity as time goes on. Being out of work causes some habits that everyone has experienced, altering your daily life to have the optimism of finding new work, seeing constant confirmations, rejections, invitations and some questionable feedback. It’s draining, reaching for something that feels impossible due to the current situation.
I took a break from this altered routine and state of mind to visualise the concept of being redundant, helping me evaluate my end goal. This project gave me a well needed break from staring at job boards and email alerts, reminding me to take time for myself a few times a week, not looking for a job every single day.
Every piece of text in this video is taken from applications, invitations, rejections and some of the feedback that I’ve received in the recruitment process.

Filmed nearly four weeks into the uk’s first lockdown, the aim of this video was to focus on the sounds that many will have become familiar within the first self-isolation period.