The opening.
I found out that I want to the film to be about transmission — and my mind keeps wandering back to Eugènie Herlaar. I thought it would be an interesting idea to open the film I want to make with a news broadcast, that references Eugènie Herlaar. I am currently trying to figure out the lighting plan and set decor of the NOS Journaal back in 1975 (and other years that she worked there) in order to possibly rebuild that setup.
I have requested with Beeld & Geluid to see if they have any lighting plan formatting that I can look into so get a clearer idea of how the light setup was build. This type of information is also important to me as a visual artist — thinking about how light can be used to influence, shape and manipulate.
How is light used to broadcast news?
And is the news always as clear + bright as the light that is used?
Why are newsreaders called anchors?
As my brain is always referencing other material that I have floating around, I immediately thought of the opening scene of Baz Luhrman’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’ as a form reference.
Romeo & Juliet works in 5 act structure* and I think it’s incredibly interesting that a news anchor is used to interlude this version of the story. How the news often works is to hook our attention so we keep following the story — because we are curious to know how it plays out. But we already know how this particular story ends — tragically.
Lastly, I’m really thinking about how to write / puzzle together the work I want to make, based on the idea of transmission. I keep thinking about my favourite interaction from Romeo & Juliet;
Romeo
I dreamt a dream tonight.
Mercutio
And so did I.Romeo
Well, what was yours?
Mercutio
That dreamers often lie.
This is my favourite interaction because of the way it uses language in the context of dreaming. The ‘lie’ in Mercutio’s line can reference the laying down of one’s body when going to sleep (and then dream) — or it can reference the act of the ‘lie’, which is to intentionally make a false statement (not telling the truth). I know that there is something in this that I can use for the work to come (the notion of lying down / not telling the truth) in relation to the theme of ‘transmission’ that is heavily on my mind, but I haven’t made the connection yet.
To be continued.
* 5 act structure
Act 1: Exposition - Introduces characters, setting, and the main conflict.
Act 2: Rising Actions - Complications and obstacles build tensions.
Act 3: Climax: The turning point; the highest moment of tension.
Act 4: Falling Action: Consequences of the climax play out
Act 5: Resolution (Denouement) : The conflict is resolved and the story concludes.
Connective material
“Kahlil Joseph ‑ BLKNWS ‑ Venice Art Biennale 2019.” YouTube, uploaded by ArtLike, 29 Sept. 2019
25-09Text, Images, Video
18-09-2025