the commercial April 2006

When MediaShed members found out about ‘Video Sniffin’ on-line, a term given to the practice of picking up the public signals being broadcast by wireless CCTV, they decided to apply the technology to make a film. Young people from the local YMCA and others used a cheap video receiver from a high street store to ‘sniff’ the streets for CCTV cameras. After finding 24 cameras or ‘hotspots’ they then asked shop owners if they could make a film by acting out in front of their CCTV cameras and recording the signal. The shop owners were very surprised and happy for the young people to create a film this way.

The final film was screened on a ‘video sculpture’ of 16 recycled PC monitors at South East Essex College on 29th April. This display was part of the final ‘Being Here’ event – Southend’s recent arts regeneration initiative. These kinds of projects allow people to see how a common technology that is normally used for the surveillance of the same young people can be repurposed by them for creative activities. The project created great interest from the local council and local businesses who positively engaged with the project.

Made by Ashley, Gary, Jordan, Karis, Lauren, Lydia, Michaela, Terry, Tommy

Music by DJ Hybernation

Project Leader David Valentine

With support from Being Here

With thanks to Heather

Download a compressed version of the final video:

the commercial (Windows Media 7.1Mb)

Download the dance remix of DJ Hybernation’s soundtrack to the film:

CCTV Theme DJ Wes Cliff Remix (mp3 12.9Mb)