Arroyo Viejo
An exploration of how environmental systems shape everyday experience in an urban landscape. Following Arroyo Viejo Creek from the Oakland hills to the Bay, to observe how water moves through spaces that differ dramatically in land use, infrastructure, and access to nature. Rather than explain these differences directly, the film focuses on shifts in landscape, sound, and visibility as a way of revealing the systems that organize the city. Working with sound and image required slowing down and paying close attention to the place, giving me an opportunity to really observe the subtle changes in water flow, ambient noise, and barriers to access. Editing the film helped clarify relationships between sites, allowing patterns to emerge through sequencing instead of explanation.
The main challenges were planning around the weather, coordinating with crew members schedules and working within heavily engineered environments where the creek is often hidden or difficult to access. Capturing the flow of Arroyo Viejo meant navigating physical barriers and adapting to changing conditions. Another challenge I had was finding a balance between showing enough context and avoiding over-explanation, trusting that a quiet, sensory approach could communicate the findings.