Tommy Jones

The current stage of my film work has its basis on Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, Wales. As a sharp contrast to the urban streets of Cardiff, trips to the Brecon Beacons have become the possibility of escape; To free ones self completely from the constraints of a citiy's infrastructure and to submerse oneself in the outdoors. To stand on top of a mountain the world can seem like such a calm, peaceful place, with all but the wind loudly swirling around your existence. To view ones surroundings in such a beautiful landscape I am forced to wonder why trips to such places are not more frequently taken. Therefore, I aim to produce a film that encapsulates some part of the Brecon Beacon's character that generates its 'genius loci' (sense of place). A certain story of Pen Y Fan's past, once told to me on my first encounter with the mountain as a child, has significance to this film/series of films. The story of Tommy Jones lost on the mountain side and who's body was found weeks after his disappearance suggests a sense of foreboding danger for those who do not follow the (now) clearly worn paths of the area.

The story of little Tommy Jones < Link to full story.

Here are some of the images taken from my first scout... Two paths, joined at the summit, now present an accessible route up and down Pen Y Fan. By standing at a certain point one third of the way up the mountain it is possible to clearly follow, by eyes and by camera lens, both paths. Having made my first scout with two friends, pictured below (Lucy Wright and Owen Lawrence), I was able to make a judgement as to how to formulate any filming that may take place on this mountain. Although it is most likely impossible for anyone to get lost (as long as the paths are followed!) it is clear that as soon as anyone reaches the top of the mountain the camera (positioned at the lower point) will lose sight of them. If microphones were attached to anyone walking then it would be possible to hear them, but this idea of getting lost is something that will have to be less obvious... Less clear... More of an underlying inspiration of the film, which coincides with the story of Tommy Jones.

MORE SCOUTING IS NEEDED.

The following collection of footage was taken on the first scout in February 2010, showing the wide angle of stunning landscape that could potentially be a beautiful backdrop to a film that explores the notion of 'genius loci' - Pen Y Fan's charater, or a sense of place.

Scout #1 February 2010, 2mins 48

Scout #1 from Lucy Thompson on Vimeo.

With thanks to Lucy and Owen for accompanying me on the climb! One thing is for sure - I know many willing people who would help me on such a project in this open landscape!)


The following film was made in 2008 for a site-specific project. Again I used my (crap) Flip Handycam on a group outing to the Brecon Beacons. It documents the decisions made on our climb to the top of Fan Fawr (directly opposite Pen Y Fan).

Brecon Beacons 2008 November 2008, 10mins 46

Brecon Beacons 2008 from Lucy Thompson on Vimeo.