Camera takeover of public spaces

A pathway blocked for the perfect shot, a park bench occupied for aesthetics, or unwittingly becoming a part of a stranger’s video — the influencer culture has left its mark on public spaces across the city.A viral video of a physical altercation between two women at Cubbon Park, allegedly over shooting reels, has placed the spotlight back on the issues that arise when one person’s use of a public space interferes with that of others.What bothers the publicFor some, public spaces are synonymous with family time, while others come to such spaces seeking peace. The issue does not seem to be content creation itself, but the disruption that the process can sometimes cause.Kritika* (name changed to protect identity), who enjoys hanging out with her friends on Church Street, feels ‘badgered’ by creators who ask people to participate in vox pops. “Many of these videos are edited to suit the creators’ narrative, leaving those featured vulnerable to online hate,” she says. Kritika* (name changed to protect identity)“Many of these videos are edited to suit the creators’ narrative, leaving those featured vulnerable to online hate.”Rohit Sunish Nair recalls a close escape on Church Street when a couple of creators suddenly popped up in front of his vehicle. “If I had not hit the brakes at the right time, it would have been a catastrophe,” he says, adding that safety is also a concern with filming in public spaces.Rohit Sunish Nair If I had not hit the brakes at the right time, it would have been a catastrophe.Once upon a frame | You know KH Road. But do you know why Bengaluru calls it Double Road?Jayanagar resident Megha Gopinath notes that a 2-km stretch of lush green parks in the locality is a popular spot for content creators, making it tough for walkers to enjoy the space undisturbed. “Even while driving, I find it distracting when people are filming on the road,” she says.Unwritten rulesFor Selwyn D’souza, who regularly shoots content around colleges, consent is key. “I make sure people are comfortable, and that I am not getting in anyone’s way,” he says. Kruthi K H, a comedy content creator, chooses to film in less-crowded areas. “In case I shoot in residential areas, I take permission and play music at a volume that’s only audible to my team and me,” she says.Selwyn D’souza, Content CreatorI make sure people are comfortable, and that I am not getting in anyone’s way. In case I shoot in residential areas, I take permission and play music at a volume that’s only audible to my team and meAuthorities from the Department of Horticulture at both Lalbagh and Cubbon Park maintain that while their security personnel constantly monitor any disturbances that occur, they cannot control the filming of content on mobile phones since there are no restrictions on the same. Shivaraj, a security personnel at Cubbon Park, shares that the team tries to supervise content creation in the park, with at least one person posted every 300 metres. “We also encounter cases of wrongful or non-consensual filming, and are trying our best to keep an eye out,” he says. Kiran, another security personnel at the park, notes that while there are restrictions on commercial shoots, it becomes harder to curb issues caused by shooting on mobile phones, especially when the park’s footfall is more during the weekends.Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, founder of Heritage Beku, a citizen-led movement and advocacy group, opines that the focus is not whether public spaces should feature in people’s content, but how they engage with them. “Why not make Cubbon Park part of our mobile backdrop? It’s perfectly fine,” she says. “One should not look at shared spaces as something to use, but as something to participate in and engage with,” she adds.On the flip sideThe Vixens Crew often films in and around Cubbon Park.City-based all-women dance team, The Vixens Crew, often films dance content in spots in and around Cubbon Park. They ensure to shoot early in the morning so that they don’t disturb others using these spaces. “Although we follow all the rules in public spaces, we are often catcalled and people pass lewd comments over our outfits,” the crew tells Metrolife. The women recall an instance where a group of men interrupted their shoot, and one of them charged at one of the members when questioned. While they are mindful of filming content in public spaces, they find it unfair that they are subjected to constant harassment and objectification.

Source: Deccan Herald