Walid explained: “For The Helix, we are
using a combination of static cameras
as well as some cameras on tracks and
some hand-held work. This will provide
more flexibility when it comes to capturing
and selecting a variety of images. We
believe that the combination of techniques
employed over the duration of a project of
this length has never actually been done
before. It’s the combination of using images
from both static and moving cameras that
make this project different.”
The result from 42 days of filming will be a
million photos of the Kelpies and Falkirk. In
other words, an editing job of monumental
proportions.
Walid’s work came to the attention of
an international audience in 2011 and
2012 when his short film ‘Bra-et Al Rouh’
(Innocence of the Spirit) was screened
at festivals in Cannes, The Hamptons
(New York), Las Vegas, Cape Cod, and
Rennes. He picked up seven awards in
the process. ‘Bra-et Al Rouh’ was also
screened in the Edinburgh Filmhouse as
part of the International Festival of Middle
Eastern Spirituality and Peace in February
this year. During 2012, Walid perfected his
unique time lapse/stop motion technique
during the production of the two Kinetic
Edinburgh films which he used as research
for his up and coming film ‘Avaritia’.
Walid said: “The last year has been a
bit of a surprise. My initial intention was
to research the best way of doing stop
motion/time lapse techniques so that I
could employ them on another film that
could enter the festival circuit. So the
Kinetic Edinburgh films were my research
projects. I never expected to get such
a huge reaction from both a Scottish
and international audience. It has been
overwhelming.”
He continued: “It’s amazing to think that
what was essentially a research exercise
has ended up with my involvement in The
Helix, one of Scotland's largest arts and
regeneration projects. I’m excited by the
enormity of the opportunity and the chance
to create a totally new piece of visual work
which will be internationally accessible. I
hope I can make a small contribution in
helping both the local community and
international visitors to see Falkirk through
new eyes – as an area which pays homage
to its routes as Scotland’s industrial
heartland but one which has emerged as
a vibrant, sustainable and contemporary
attraction which significantly strengthens
Scotland’s tourism offering.”
This is also great news for our film and
media students, as Walid will be feeding
his new-found skills and experience
back into his teaching. It means that
students will be learning from a lecturer
who is also working at the cutting-
edge of a major commercial project.”
❒
Mike King, Project Director for The
Helix, said: “This project will have
a major impact on both the people
of Falkirk and its landscape and
will put the area firmly on the
international map.
We wanted to
capture the entire
build process in a
contemporary, thought-
provoking way and
Walid had the perfect
credentials. The time
lapse production will be
used in lots of different
ways to bring the story
of The Helix and The
Kelpies to life.”
Richard Butt, Dean
of the School of Arts,
Social Sciences &
Management, said: “We
are delighted that Walid’s
creative and technical
talents have been
recognised by The Helix.
We are all very excited
about QMU’s involvement
in such a substantial and
innovative Scottish project.
We wanted to capture the entire build process in a contemporary,
thought-provoking way and Walid had the perfect credentials.
Mike King, Project Director for The Helix
QMYOU / Creativity & Culture / Knowledge Exchange
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