A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Hong Kong Tattoo Documentary

Jessica sent me the following email, asking for feedback on her high school media studies project.

I’m a 17 year old piercing apprentice studying in Hong Kong, and I intend to pursue a career in film and television. I combined my two passions together and for my final film project, I created a documentary about tattoos and piercings in Hong Kong.

As part of the project, I’m looking for feedback both from people involved and interesting in the subculture. I was wondering whether it would be possible for you to tell me what you think of it, or even help me post this somewhere so I can gain some criticism that isn’t the youtube “lol datz good”?

Happy to help! Here it is; let her know what you think.

 

Comments

140 responses to “Hong Kong Tattoo Documentary”

  1. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    hey everyone,

    thank you so much for all your feedback, it’s brilliant! there was a significant amount of complication during the process of creating this documentary and all the things that i personally saw as ‘problems’ were all pointed out here, so i fully appreciate your honesty andfor spending your time to watch and comment on it. =)

    i’m taking a gap year between graduating highschool and university and i’m definitely considering remaking this, i’m really not satisfied with what i’ve created, but with all this feedback i can definitely try and make it much much better. thank you all so much!

  2. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    hey everyone,

    thank you so much for all your feedback, it’s brilliant! there was a significant amount of complication during the process of creating this documentary and all the things that i personally saw as ‘problems’ were all pointed out here, so i fully appreciate your honesty andfor spending your time to watch and comment on it. =)

    i’m taking a gap year between graduating highschool and university and i’m definitely considering remaking this, i’m really not satisfied with what i’ve created, but with all this feedback i can definitely try and make it much much better. thank you all so much!

  3. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    hey everyone,

    thank you so much for all your feedback, it’s brilliant! there was a significant amount of complication during the process of creating this documentary and all the things that i personally saw as ‘problems’ were all pointed out here, so i fully appreciate your honesty andfor spending your time to watch and comment on it. =)

    i’m taking a gap year between graduating highschool and university and i’m definitely considering remaking this, i’m really not satisfied with what i’ve created, but with all this feedback i can definitely try and make it much much better. thank you all so much!

  4. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    hey everyone,

    thank you so much for all your feedback, it’s brilliant! there was a significant amount of complication during the process of creating this documentary and all the things that i personally saw as ‘problems’ were all pointed out here, so i fully appreciate your honesty andfor spending your time to watch and comment on it. =)

    i’m taking a gap year between graduating highschool and university and i’m definitely considering remaking this, i’m really not satisfied with what i’ve created, but with all this feedback i can definitely try and make it much much better. thank you all so much!

  5. allison Avatar
    allison

    i havent read the other posts, but i actually really enjoyed it. i thought the band performance seemed slightly out of place, probably just because the sound was so horrible on it… but aside from that i liked it. also loved the afi ‘all hollows’ ep on the wall in the background of the one studio. 🙂

  6. allison Avatar
    allison

    i havent read the other posts, but i actually really enjoyed it. i thought the band performance seemed slightly out of place, probably just because the sound was so horrible on it… but aside from that i liked it. also loved the afi ‘all hollows’ ep on the wall in the background of the one studio. 🙂

  7. allison Avatar
    allison

    i havent read the other posts, but i actually really enjoyed it. i thought the band performance seemed slightly out of place, probably just because the sound was so horrible on it… but aside from that i liked it. also loved the afi ‘all hollows’ ep on the wall in the background of the one studio. 🙂

  8. allison Avatar
    allison

    i havent read the other posts, but i actually really enjoyed it. i thought the band performance seemed slightly out of place, probably just because the sound was so horrible on it… but aside from that i liked it. also loved the afi ‘all hollows’ ep on the wall in the background of the one studio. 🙂

  9. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    It’s definitely a solid documentary. There’s a lot of good B roll footage that she cuts away to during interviews that works well.

    I’ve read some of the other comments about the narrator’s voice being a bit jarring and I would agree with that but the other thing I would suggest would be that next time she record an audio wild track (shooting nothing) for the length of the film so that when it comes to editing the film it’s easier to make the sound flow between cuts/

  10. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    It’s definitely a solid documentary. There’s a lot of good B roll footage that she cuts away to during interviews that works well.

    I’ve read some of the other comments about the narrator’s voice being a bit jarring and I would agree with that but the other thing I would suggest would be that next time she record an audio wild track (shooting nothing) for the length of the film so that when it comes to editing the film it’s easier to make the sound flow between cuts/

  11. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    It’s definitely a solid documentary. There’s a lot of good B roll footage that she cuts away to during interviews that works well.

    I’ve read some of the other comments about the narrator’s voice being a bit jarring and I would agree with that but the other thing I would suggest would be that next time she record an audio wild track (shooting nothing) for the length of the film so that when it comes to editing the film it’s easier to make the sound flow between cuts/

  12. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    It’s definitely a solid documentary. There’s a lot of good B roll footage that she cuts away to during interviews that works well.

    I’ve read some of the other comments about the narrator’s voice being a bit jarring and I would agree with that but the other thing I would suggest would be that next time she record an audio wild track (shooting nothing) for the length of the film so that when it comes to editing the film it’s easier to make the sound flow between cuts/

  13. Archetype Avatar

    I liked the part when the guy talks about getting new blood into the trade and really gets into how it takes pretty much your heart and soul to do the job and that if you don’t have it, don’t bother.

    I just wish some people would realise that.

  14. Archetype Avatar

    I liked the part when the guy talks about getting new blood into the trade and really gets into how it takes pretty much your heart and soul to do the job and that if you don’t have it, don’t bother.

    I just wish some people would realise that.

  15. Archetype Avatar

    I liked the part when the guy talks about getting new blood into the trade and really gets into how it takes pretty much your heart and soul to do the job and that if you don’t have it, don’t bother.

    I just wish some people would realise that.

  16. Archetype Avatar

    I liked the part when the guy talks about getting new blood into the trade and really gets into how it takes pretty much your heart and soul to do the job and that if you don’t have it, don’t bother.

    I just wish some people would realise that.

  17. screamalovesongx Avatar
    screamalovesongx

    I agree, it was really great but the sound quality wasn’t so great on the narrator’s bits 🙂 x

  18. screamalovesongx Avatar
    screamalovesongx

    I agree, it was really great but the sound quality wasn’t so great on the narrator’s bits 🙂 x

  19. screamalovesongx Avatar
    screamalovesongx

    I agree, it was really great but the sound quality wasn’t so great on the narrator’s bits 🙂 x

  20. screamalovesongx Avatar
    screamalovesongx

    I agree, it was really great but the sound quality wasn’t so great on the narrator’s bits 🙂 x

  21. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    i heard some deadstar assembly inn the back round! =)

    It was a really good video. It kept my attention… and it was informative for those that wouldn’t know a lot about tattoos and piercings.

  22. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    i heard some deadstar assembly inn the back round! =)

    It was a really good video. It kept my attention… and it was informative for those that wouldn’t know a lot about tattoos and piercings.

  23. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    i heard some deadstar assembly inn the back round! =)

    It was a really good video. It kept my attention… and it was informative for those that wouldn’t know a lot about tattoos and piercings.

  24. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    i heard some deadstar assembly inn the back round! =)

    It was a really good video. It kept my attention… and it was informative for those that wouldn’t know a lot about tattoos and piercings.

  25. binary fire Avatar
    binary fire

    I really enjoyed it. good work

  26. binary fire Avatar
    binary fire

    I really enjoyed it. good work

  27. binary fire Avatar
    binary fire

    I really enjoyed it. good work

  28. binary fire Avatar
    binary fire

    I really enjoyed it. good work

  29. starred_and_scarred Avatar
    starred_and_scarred

    First Impressions:

    The song between the 1st and 2nd narratives was really distracting. It was really frustrating to see video of people talking but just hearing grumbly music over top. I would explore using snippets of interviews as the segue way instead of a song. The sound levels in the first half of the film could use some evening out. I though it was really interesting that two people mentioned tattoos and there relations to gangs in Japan. I would love to see that explored more in depth along with more about the differences in design and style of tattoos in Hong Kong vs. other parts of the world. I would have rather learned about that as opposed to seeing the pilates instructor get some new jewelry put in her tongue. The bit about the invention of the tattoo needle felt kind of tacked on in an odd place, perhaps moving it to earlier in the film would make more sense. As for the correlation with heavy metal music – the narrator specifically mentions the tattoo and local HARDCORE scene being linked. I think it’s great to show 2 underground scenes supporting each other. Like it or not, music and tattoos are inextricably linked. It does seem like there are an awful lot of elements to this documentary. Considering the length, it may be prudent to focus on 2 or 3 and devote more time to those. I personally would like to see a focus on the 2 shops and their clients along with a deeper exploration of preconceived notions regarding tattoos that are specific to Hong Kong, Japan, or the current generation.

    Overall, very ambitious. Definitely something to be proud of and very brave of you to open yourself up to the modblog throng. Thank you and I hope if you decide to remake it you’ll share that version with us also.

  30. starred_and_scarred Avatar
    starred_and_scarred

    First Impressions:

    The song between the 1st and 2nd narratives was really distracting. It was really frustrating to see video of people talking but just hearing grumbly music over top. I would explore using snippets of interviews as the segue way instead of a song. The sound levels in the first half of the film could use some evening out. I though it was really interesting that two people mentioned tattoos and there relations to gangs in Japan. I would love to see that explored more in depth along with more about the differences in design and style of tattoos in Hong Kong vs. other parts of the world. I would have rather learned about that as opposed to seeing the pilates instructor get some new jewelry put in her tongue. The bit about the invention of the tattoo needle felt kind of tacked on in an odd place, perhaps moving it to earlier in the film would make more sense. As for the correlation with heavy metal music – the narrator specifically mentions the tattoo and local HARDCORE scene being linked. I think it’s great to show 2 underground scenes supporting each other. Like it or not, music and tattoos are inextricably linked. It does seem like there are an awful lot of elements to this documentary. Considering the length, it may be prudent to focus on 2 or 3 and devote more time to those. I personally would like to see a focus on the 2 shops and their clients along with a deeper exploration of preconceived notions regarding tattoos that are specific to Hong Kong, Japan, or the current generation.

    Overall, very ambitious. Definitely something to be proud of and very brave of you to open yourself up to the modblog throng. Thank you and I hope if you decide to remake it you’ll share that version with us also.

  31. starred_and_scarred Avatar
    starred_and_scarred

    First Impressions:

    The song between the 1st and 2nd narratives was really distracting. It was really frustrating to see video of people talking but just hearing grumbly music over top. I would explore using snippets of interviews as the segue way instead of a song. The sound levels in the first half of the film could use some evening out. I though it was really interesting that two people mentioned tattoos and there relations to gangs in Japan. I would love to see that explored more in depth along with more about the differences in design and style of tattoos in Hong Kong vs. other parts of the world. I would have rather learned about that as opposed to seeing the pilates instructor get some new jewelry put in her tongue. The bit about the invention of the tattoo needle felt kind of tacked on in an odd place, perhaps moving it to earlier in the film would make more sense. As for the correlation with heavy metal music – the narrator specifically mentions the tattoo and local HARDCORE scene being linked. I think it’s great to show 2 underground scenes supporting each other. Like it or not, music and tattoos are inextricably linked. It does seem like there are an awful lot of elements to this documentary. Considering the length, it may be prudent to focus on 2 or 3 and devote more time to those. I personally would like to see a focus on the 2 shops and their clients along with a deeper exploration of preconceived notions regarding tattoos that are specific to Hong Kong, Japan, or the current generation.

    Overall, very ambitious. Definitely something to be proud of and very brave of you to open yourself up to the modblog throng. Thank you and I hope if you decide to remake it you’ll share that version with us also.

  32. starred_and_scarred Avatar
    starred_and_scarred

    First Impressions:

    The song between the 1st and 2nd narratives was really distracting. It was really frustrating to see video of people talking but just hearing grumbly music over top. I would explore using snippets of interviews as the segue way instead of a song. The sound levels in the first half of the film could use some evening out. I though it was really interesting that two people mentioned tattoos and there relations to gangs in Japan. I would love to see that explored more in depth along with more about the differences in design and style of tattoos in Hong Kong vs. other parts of the world. I would have rather learned about that as opposed to seeing the pilates instructor get some new jewelry put in her tongue. The bit about the invention of the tattoo needle felt kind of tacked on in an odd place, perhaps moving it to earlier in the film would make more sense. As for the correlation with heavy metal music – the narrator specifically mentions the tattoo and local HARDCORE scene being linked. I think it’s great to show 2 underground scenes supporting each other. Like it or not, music and tattoos are inextricably linked. It does seem like there are an awful lot of elements to this documentary. Considering the length, it may be prudent to focus on 2 or 3 and devote more time to those. I personally would like to see a focus on the 2 shops and their clients along with a deeper exploration of preconceived notions regarding tattoos that are specific to Hong Kong, Japan, or the current generation.

    Overall, very ambitious. Definitely something to be proud of and very brave of you to open yourself up to the modblog throng. Thank you and I hope if you decide to remake it you’ll share that version with us also.

  33. rachel. Avatar
    rachel.

    I’m sorry that I can’t really give you any criticism, however, I would like to thank you immensely. While you were featuring the pilates instructor as she was getting her tongue re-pierced, I decided to, after a month of it being out, put my lower right labret back in.

    I’m very excited to have it back. Thank you. ♥

  34. rachel. Avatar
    rachel.

    I’m sorry that I can’t really give you any criticism, however, I would like to thank you immensely. While you were featuring the pilates instructor as she was getting her tongue re-pierced, I decided to, after a month of it being out, put my lower right labret back in.

    I’m very excited to have it back. Thank you. ♥

  35. rachel. Avatar
    rachel.

    I’m sorry that I can’t really give you any criticism, however, I would like to thank you immensely. While you were featuring the pilates instructor as she was getting her tongue re-pierced, I decided to, after a month of it being out, put my lower right labret back in.

    I’m very excited to have it back. Thank you. ♥

  36. rachel. Avatar
    rachel.

    I’m sorry that I can’t really give you any criticism, however, I would like to thank you immensely. While you were featuring the pilates instructor as she was getting her tongue re-pierced, I decided to, after a month of it being out, put my lower right labret back in.

    I’m very excited to have it back. Thank you. ♥

  37. User Avatar
    User

    The video is gone!!

  38. User Avatar
    User

    The video is gone!!

  39. User Avatar
    User

    The video is gone!!

  40. User Avatar
    User

    The video is gone!!

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