A Pit-stop for Harrowbeer

 

For my Final Major Project I have decided that I want to create a historical documentary on Harrowbeer Airfield,  previously known as a World War II airfield 'RAF Harrowbeer' 

 

I propose to create a documentary that outlines the history of the airfield, as well as touching upon the areas uses within modern day recreational activities that take place across this stretch of land. 

 

The narrative for the piece will be portrayed using a mixture of stills, archive footage, postcards, maps, documents and additional sources with the aid of RAF Harrowbeer Archives and other outlets.  

 

Not only do I plan to capture the History of RAF Harrowbeer Airfield from 1941 to the present day, but I want to explore into why the airfield was built and the purpose that it served through the remaining duration of the second world war, until it's closure. I am still thinking about the layout for the film and the types of appropriate music that can help to bring my visuals to life.

 

My objectives would be to tackle and explore the following key topics exploring the use of varying creative filming techniques to recreate the spirit and history of the wartime year for the enjoyment of a new generation.

 

Areas that my film could cover include:

 

• Construction - Use of rubble from the blitz

• The first operational unit to employ RAF Harrowbeer as a base was 500 squadron.

• Interest groups

• Ways in which the land has been reclaimed by nature, events, recreational activities etc. 

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A key influence for my project was the archives that I managed to collect through the RAF Harrowbeer Archives, as well as a variety of WWII documentaries that I came across during my ideas generation stage. I am keen to understand more about the landscape, the history of the station, key buildings and employ this information to create an interesting documentary which uses a variety of cinematic techniques and editing styles.