STATUS: ACTIVE
TIMEZONE: ACDT
PROJECT_FILES // ORIGINS
CONCEPT ORIGINS
I chose Happy Valley Reservoir as the 'place' for my video because it is somewhere I walk regularly and know well. Most days it feels peaceful and familiar, but on overcast days, when the sky is heavy and there are hardly any people around, the landscape takes on a very different atmosphere. The quiet paths, thick trees, and mist that sometimes settles over the water can make the area feel strangely isolated and almost unsettling. That contrast between a calm public space and the eerie feeling it can sometimes create inspired the idea for my video The Path. I wanted to explore how an ordinary place can shift in mood and perception, and to create something a little different from a typical location piece by leaning into the sense of mystery.
The story centres on the fictional disappearance of two teenage girls who were last seen near Happy Valley Reservoir. Rather than presenting events directly, the narrative is communicated through the environment, using empty paths, still water, and quiet spaces to suggest absence and uncertainty. Colour plays an important role in shaping the emotional tone of the story. The video uses a restrained palette of cool blues and greys to reinforce emotional distance and underlying tension.
TECHNICAL_LOG // PIPELINE
DEVELOPMENT
My creative process began by firming up the idea of the story of two girls going missing in the reservoir. I wasn't sure if I was going to have it as 'found footage' style or as a police evidence video. Considering my target audience is intended to be younger Australians who enjoy thrillers, I figured a mix of both would work best.
From there, I considered the overall aesthetic direction of the project by identifying a limited colour palette that best suited the intended mood. The visual approach focuses on deep blues, cool greys, and desaturated tones. Rather than developing a detailed mood board, I used reference images of overcast landscapes, reflections, shadows, and empty public spaces to guide my visual thinking. These considerations informed creative decisions around pacing, framing, and sound, helping to maintain a consistent atmospheric tone throughout the video. Finally, I wanted to make use of the many abandoned pipes and tunnels found throughout the reservoir.
Inspiration
The video draws inspiration from detective and thriller series that use place as a central storytelling device. Shows such as Broadchurch and The Killing inform the slow pacing, muted colour palette and focus on small environmental details.
These works demonstrate how familiar environments can be reframed to feel unsettling, which translates well to the atmosphere of Happy Valley Reservoir. By borrowing these strategies, the project aims to create a quiet, lingering unease within an otherwise ordinary public space.
Challenges
One of the main challenges I faced while filming The Path was trying to capture the right atmosphere. Because the tone of the video relies on a darker, more mysterious mood, I needed overcast conditions to achieve the look I had imagined. However, this proved difficult as filming took place during one of the driest and sunniest summers in a long time, which meant waiting for the right weather and adjusting filming times. Another challenge was the number of people using the reservoir walking trails. Since the concept depended on a sense of isolation, I often had to pause filming or retake shots when people walked through the frame. In some cases, after reviewing the footage later, I realised certain shots didn’t quite fit the theme and had to return to the location to reshoot them in better conditions. These challenges ultimately required patience and flexibility throughout the filming process.