Deserted Norwich

A short film documenting the deserted streets of Norwich city centre during the UK lockdown in March 2020.
At 8.30pm on March 23rd, 2020, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, made an unprecedented address to the nation, introducing measures to put the UK into a state of lockdown. These measures are to reduce the spread of a worldwide pandemic of a novel corona virus known globally as Covid19.

[@andreakirkby]

Wow. Lovely editing. I live in France now but Norwich will always be home, and this really brought a tear to my eye.

[@finefinishdepartment]

Andrea Kirkby Thank you so much Andrea for taking the time to watch my video and for commenting too, it really means a lot to me. Sorry for provoking a tear, but the videos that can pull at our emotions I find are always the most memorable. Hope you and your family are keeping safe, no matter where in the world you find yourselves. Stay safe. 💚

[@peterryland5541]

I like the pigeon going backwards

[@finefinishdepartment]

Peter Ryland He’s a little tinker isn’t he? He must have seen the man over the road. And thought he’d better copy him! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment too, very much appreciated. Take care, stay safe. 💚

[@jamiewilson5679]

Primrose road here! Used to play rat a tat ginger on gas hill.Awesome city.🔰🍺💚💛

[@andresadame346]

As someone who spent a semester abroad at UEA, and who fell in love with Norwich, I'm saddened to see this truly fine city deserted. I have nothing but fond memories of my time there and wish it's people who are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people I have ever met, only the best.

[@JY-uk5pz]

Norwich gets some stick sometimes but I tell you what.. I wouldn’t change a thing about it. The people, the places the scenery. I fucking love you Norwich. Stay safe everyone. We’ll be back. Xx

[@finefinishdepartment]

Well said JY 66. It really is a ‘Fine City’. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment on my little video, it’s really means a lot to me. Stay safe buddy, take care. Ben. 💚

[@JY-uk5pz]

Ben Curtis no worries mate. Keep up the good work and stay safe

[@jamiewilson5679]

Norwich is one of the best cities in Britain. No mistake.

[@diddleysquat6644]

Wow, I love Norwich, that made me cry

[@finefinishdepartment]

Thank you Henry for taking the time to watch and comment on my video, I really appreciate everyone who has done so. Norwich is a fantastic city, and it’s certainly a shame to see it so bare at the moment. I’m sure we’ll all be back to normal soon. Take care, stay safe sir. 💚

[@petejones7878]

Watching this short vidieo , sent a shiver down my spine

[@finefinishdepartment]

Thanks for watching Pete. It certainly does have that affect on people. Take care, stay safe.

[@johncurtis5218]

Awesome video Ben, very poignant, very sad - keep safe

[@britishfilmguy]

Being born and raised here brought a few tears to my eyes, I've never seen scenes like this ever I've documented parts of the city myself very good video mate.. 👌

[@finefinishdepartment]

I too have been in Norwich my whole life, and certainly hold the belief that this is a “Fine City”. Thank you The British Warrior for spending some of your time watching and commenting on my video, I really appreciate it. And thank you for the kind words, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it, (sorry for inducing the tears though). Take care, stay safe friend. 💚

[@katieday2744]

This actually made me cry as the reality really hit. It saddens me to see this. Thank you for sharing, beautifully done.

[@finefinishdepartment]

Thank you so much Katie. I really appreciate you spending your time watching and commenting, really means a lot to me. Take care, stay safe. 💚

[@paulkirkland3263]

Norwich - I'm so happy to be moving back there after thirty five years away.

[@finefinishdepartment]

Paul Kirkland. We’re glad to welcome you back Paul. (And thank you for taking the time to watch and comment on my video, I really do appreciate everyone who does.) Take care Sir. Ben.

[@paulkirkland3263]

@@finefinishdepartment Thank you, Ben. You take care too. :)

[@sharonoconnor5312]

Well done Norwich for staying at home. This film made me feel quite emotional!

[@finefinishdepartment]

Thanks for watching Sharon, and for taking the time to comment. Emotion provoking videos really are the best aren’t they? Take care, stay safe. 💚

[@sharonoconnor5312]

Ben Curtis I don’t live in Norwich anymore but most of my family are still in North Norfolk and I am usually visiting my mum in Coltishall on a regular basis. I’ve always followed Norwich pages on FB like Secret Norwich to keep in touch. This film is really special! Particularly at this time when friends and family near and far have to stay apart. Everyone making tremendous sacrifices and following guidelines to #stayathome WILL make the difference x

[@jeanettegillings7202]

Great video…well shot. Brought a tear to my eyes though 😥. We are in Australia and desperate to visit family and friends in Norfolk. I love Norwich…it is, indeed, a beautiful city… I only hope the world can recover from this horrible virus. Take care

[@lindabalfour]

I want to know why the man was walking backwards?

[@finefinishdepartment]

Crazy times make people (and pigeons) do crazy things 😂! Seriously though, I questioned myself for ages about that shot, and how/if I could cover it. It was all about making the transition work into the next location using the two yellow elements. In hindsight, I should have rearranged and reversed the other (Intu Chaplefield) shots where necessary. I’ll know for next time. 🤦🏼‍♂️. Thanks for watching though, and paying close attention.

[@sharonoconnor5312]

And the pigeon to the left!!

[@TheOldBag2012]

Thanks for sharing - Beautifully shot 😪😇🌈 #TogetherAtHome

[@finefinishdepartment]

Thank you very much TheOldBag2012. Really appreciate you spending your time watching and commenting. Many thanks. Take care, stay safe.

[@ClumsyMumsy]

Wow, it may look eerie but I do like seeing deserted cities/towns, I saw one a few weeks ago of London, so strange to see the streets so empty. This is a keeper, one to look back on in future years, good film.

[@finefinishdepartment]

Thank you so much Louise for taking the time to watch and to comment. It really means a lot to me. Take care, stay safe.

[@kkrreddy4322]

Everything will be fine soon✌️Norwich is one of my favourite place..

[@finefinishdepartment]

KKR Reddy Thank you watching KKR Reddy, as well as taking the time to comment. Very much appreciated. So glad to hear you enjoy Norwich too. Take care buddy, stay safe. 💚

[@garycooper8387]

0.42 - 0.47 - man & pigeon walking backwards!

[@finefinishdepartment]

😂. Oh sir, you wouldn’t believe how many times I nearly cut that shot. I wanted the ‘yellow’ transition to work, so elected to keep it in. In hindsight, I should have just reversed the shots around Intu Chaplefield. Hey ho, we live and learn. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. Take care.

[@garycooper8387]

@@finefinishdepartment Brilliant film though!

[@angelauttley139]

Still beautiful xx❤❤ we will be back xxx

[@aym1012]

Lived in Norwich for five and loved it so much. I am back home now and miss Norwich so much. So sad to see it so empty like this.

[@finefinishdepartment]

Hi there AYM. Im so glad you enjoyed your time here in Norwich, and who knows, maybe you'll get to come back again some day! Whereabouts in the world do you call home? Im so intrigued when I look at the analytics for this video, and I see that so many people from all over the world have watched it. It blows my mind that there are people in Malaysia, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, etc', all watching my video of Norwich in England. It's such a wonderful and diverse city, and Im very proud to have been born here. Also, thank you so much, for not only taking the time to watch my video, but to go to the effort of sending me a comment. I can't tell you how much that means to me. Well, wherever you are now, I hope you, your family and friends are keeping well and staying as safe as can be. All the best, Ben.

[@aym1012]

@@finefinishdepartment Hi Ben. Thanks for having the time to look at my comment and then replying to it so kindly. This is so much Norwich like. I am from Iraq and did my postgraduate study at the lovely UEA. I will never forget this wonderful city and all the nice people there. Norwich was HOME for me for over five years. Thanks again for your nice wishes. I hope you and your family and loved ones are safe and well. All the best

[@LeanneRubyy]

I'm currently stuck in quarantine in Lincoln and can't come back home to Norwich. This is such a sad video but comforting that people are finally following the advice of the government. Sadly here people aren't listening. Stay safe

[@finefinishdepartment]

Leanne Etheridge Thank you for watching Leanne. I really appreciate your time to comment as well. Hopefully you’ll be back home here again soon. Take care, stay safe 💚

[@neilshearer7513]

just how it used to be on a Sunday before shops started opening 7 days a week

[@finefinishdepartment]

I miss those days. Thanks for watching and commenting, I appreciate your time. 💚

[@FlyboyHelosim]

Thought-provoking and tear-jerking. I love Norwich. 😓♥️

[@finefinishdepartment]

Thank you Flyboy, that means a lot to me. Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment on my first “proper” video. Norwich really is a Fine City, proud to call it home. Take care buddy, all the best. 💚

[@FlyboyHelosim]

@@finefinishdepartment No worries and no need to thank me. I appreciate local content creators and we need more of them. It will be interesting to see what else you come up with.

[@GrantBeardsley]

Nice one Ben!

[@finefinishdepartment]

My sincere apologies Grant, somehow I missed your comment. I have strived to respond to everyone, but it appears I failed you. I like to thank everyone for taking the time to watch my video, as well as to go on to comment really means a lot to me. Really appreciate your time Grant, and sorry for not thanking you sooner. Take care sir, all the best. Ben

[@francesmartin5927]

Fantastic...any chance you can make a version with Ghost Town by The Specials...

[@finefinishdepartment]

I’d love to! If you can send me your details, I’ll be sure to send you the bill for the copyright license 😂. Take care buddy. 💚

[@philkfoto]

That was good to see, thanks. Certainly looks forlorn, never seen it ever like this. The man walking backwards reminds me of reverse video in post production.

[@finefinishdepartment]

Thank you so much kfotocam, I really appreciate you taking the time to watch my little video as well as commenting too. Ah, the backwards man. 🤦🏼‍♂️. I’ve had many messages about him (and the pigeon behind the railings). In hindsight, I should have rearranged all my shots and made the Intu Chaplefield shots work in reverse rather than the man/pigeon shot. It was all just because I’d visualised the transition using the yellow elements in that particular order. Many lessons have been learnt making this short film, and ‘shooting for the edit’ has been one of the biggest. It’s all in the planning. Many thanks once again. Take care, stay safe. 💚

[@AexPrEd]

Great vid 😁

[@EdemJansen]

That's cool! I made this exact video - but a couple of people got quite angry at me. I wanted to have something to show my children that will be too young.

[@finefinishdepartment]

Definitely got some strange looks from some people too.

[@jigglestumps]

​@@finefinishdepartment​Probably something to do with the fact that everyone is supposed to be at home, not making videos??? Just a thought.

[@finefinishdepartment]

@@jigglestumps @jigglestumps, absolutely correct. Not sure where you are in the world my friend, but here in the UK, we’re advised to take an hour a day for exercise. From where I live, the city centre and all the filming I need is achievable in two days on my bike. Plus, with no one around, the 2 metres (6 feet) social distancing is easy to maintain too. Take care, Stay save. 💚

[@georginacat7667]

@@finefinishdepartment we are not advised to take an hours exercise .. we are allowed to. Big difference. I don't see any harm in what your doing tho and as soneone who hasnt left the house in 32 days its nice to see the city x

[@finefinishdepartment]

georgina cat My apologies, I was mistaken. Thank you Georgina for correcting me. 👍🏻

[@mf2760]

Amazing video just gives a weird feeling seeing all the places I go to 😂

[@finefinishdepartment]

Toxic Gamer. Certainly is a very strange environment around the city at the moment. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment, a really appreciate it. Take care.

[@shrekinasuit]

Norwich - the only city where pigeons can walk backwards

[@finefinishdepartment]

Crazy times = crazy behaviour right? 😁 Thank you Shrekinasuit (fantastic name by the way) for taking the time to watch my video as well as commenting too, it really means a lot. You were watching pretty closely too, as not that many people notice the pigeon. Well spotted. Take care, stay safe. Ben 💚

[@sarahmallett3443]

Unbelievable a ghost city

[@finefinishdepartment]

It is really weird. Having worked in the city centre for 20 years, being there during morning rush hour and only seeing 5 people incredibly strange indeed.

[@crossoldwasp39]

Very powerful!

[@finefinishdepartment]

Thank you Matt, much appreciated. 💚

[@EdemJansen]

What is this shot on? Did you have to take the rail and everything out with you?

[@finefinishdepartment]

Thanks for watching Adam. I shot it on an iPhone XR with a variable ND filter, a DJI Osmo mobile 2 and a tripod. Third party app to give full manual control was Promovie Recorder, but I’m now moving to Filmic Pro.

[@finefinishdepartment]

I did think about taking the slider with me, but I wanted to just fit everything into a rucksack.

[@EdemJansen]

But I'm sure you have some slided shots - was that all on the Osmos and your hands? That would be a lot less invasive than going with a DSLR and a bag of lenses etc.

[@finefinishdepartment]

I'm glad that it looks like the shots were taken on a slider. I did plan on taking it, but the one I have is 800mm long, and as I was going out on my bike, all the gear had to fit in my rucksack. The tripod is often strapped to the outside, so I couldn't even utilise the external space on this occasion. When I shoot with the gimbal, I hold it in "flashlight mode" (handle parallel to ground), so that any up and down movement is hopefully absorbed by the gimbal itself. The sideways movement/slide is achieved by shifting my whole body, rather than just swinging the gimbal (again, this just helps eliminate unwanted movements). Another good tip I learnt was to shoot in 60 or 120 fps, as when you slow it down in post production, the unwanted jittering is lost/smoothed out.

[@reddevil1088]

Stay safe and all the best to the people in Norwich!

[@finefinishdepartment]

Chicheung Yuen Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment Chicheung Yuen, I really appreciate it. Also, thank you for your kind words. Hope you and tour family are staying as safe as possible. 💚

[@TheSandiesunshine]

wonderful, but so sad, my poor, Fine City , we will return

[@finefinishdepartment]

Sandie Colley Thank you so much Sandie for spending your time watching my content and commenting too, it’s very much appreciated. Hope you and your family take care and stay safe💚

[@TheSandiesunshine]

@@finefinishdepartment I am housebound in normal times with severe osteo arthritis, but next week am getting a mobility scooter from a local, Norwich charity for which I am so grateful, when I can safely venture out I will be back to see the sites of Norwich again, thank you again for the lovely film keep on making them if you can, it is so nice to be able to see the City of Norwich from my laptop my family and I are fine thank you, keep well keep safe

[@daleleggett1215]

never looked better

[@jamesgreen4080]

A Damn fine city.

[@finefinishdepartment]

James Green It certainly is James. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment on my video, I really appreciate it. Take care and stay safe. 💚

[@jamesgreen4080]

Ben Curtis I'm Norwich born and bred and very proud of the city.

[@melvyndew806]

Haven't been "home" for a long time......its just so creepy.Horrible.

[@finefinishdepartment]

melvyn dew Thank you Melvyn for taking the time to watch my little video, and to comment too, it really means a lot to me. Hope you get to come back to Norwich at some point. Take care, stay safe. 💚

[@hideandgosniff6737]

Hi Ben

[@emlynhill1506]

guy at the cash point at 1:27. he is out to buy essentials but not from a shop

[@finefinishdepartment]

I’ve found it hard in some places to even use cash. Good luck to him. Thanks for watching and commenting though, really appreciate it. Take care, stay safe. 💚

[@sarahsteed1]

Very sad. Maybe we need to reinvent the whole idea of what a "city" is, and is for. Much as the Romans did, but almost in reverse.

[@finefinishdepartment]

I think you’re right Julian, I believe there’ll be a lot of rethinking and reinventing of a lot of aspects of our society. Thank you for spending some of your time watching my content, as well as writing a comment. It really means a lot to me. I’ve had many messages both here and on Facebook, and the range of emotions and thoughts people are willing to share has been amazing to read though. Thanks again, take care. 💚

[@daleleggett1215]

i counted about 10 people

[@zacfortnitexbox2540]

Hi

[@finefinishdepartment]

Kathryn Boulton-smith Hi Kathy, thank you so much for watching and commenting. Hope to see you and the boys again soon. Take care, love to all. X💚

[@daleleggett1215]

LOCKDOWN SHOLD OF BEEN FOR A YEAR

[@warrendavies7313]

creepy and very sad