Girl chewing gum is a short video of about 12 minutes, which is directed by John Smith, this piece was created in 1976, on a busy London street. This video is about the influence of media in society during the 70's, which is still the same in modern society.
In this short piece a voice-over is directing what is going to happen, within seconds of the voice making the statement a person or car would pass by exactly how we had just been told it would.
The concept in this experimental video, is very demanding, which gives a sense of direction and order of control.
During the beginning of this piece, we automatically think the voice is someone directiong the scene, almost like a narrator for this film, as they have the obvious knowledge of what is happening, or going to happen next in the scene.
However it becomes evident that the scene is not being directed by this voice, but vice versa. The Street was almost directing the voice.
This London Street had been previously filmed from afar and once the footage had been stored, the "directing" voice was added on top of the video.
By doing this John Smith is able to manipulate the audience into thinking the voice is giving order, or that these events were being predicted. Does this mean everything on television is trying to manipulate us, or is it just how we; the audience, interpret what is being told through the media.
Though in a way, it's not all of John Smith's work which has made us believe what was shown. The audience could have taken another understanding which would have been the truth.
With that being said, is it easier to believe what the media tell us, rather than question society?
My view on this video is what we understand about media and how it's not how or what they tell us, but what we make of what they tell us.
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