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. Shannon Avatar

    Second half is better I think (starting at about 7:30 with the interview with the tattoo artist).

  2. Shannon Avatar

    Second half is better I think (starting at about 7:30 with the interview with the tattoo artist).

  3. Shannon Avatar

    Second half is better I think (starting at about 7:30 with the interview with the tattoo artist).

  4. Shannon Avatar

    Second half is better I think (starting at about 7:30 with the interview with the tattoo artist).

  5. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    Good variety of information. It’s always an interesting perspective hearing from the people doing the work.
    The narrator talked too fast in a couple of parts, and the shaky camera was a little frustrating. Other then those small things, I think the video was well done!
    Kudos Jessica and thanks for sharing!
    🙂

  6. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    Good variety of information. It’s always an interesting perspective hearing from the people doing the work.
    The narrator talked too fast in a couple of parts, and the shaky camera was a little frustrating. Other then those small things, I think the video was well done!
    Kudos Jessica and thanks for sharing!
    🙂

  7. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    Good variety of information. It’s always an interesting perspective hearing from the people doing the work.
    The narrator talked too fast in a couple of parts, and the shaky camera was a little frustrating. Other then those small things, I think the video was well done!
    Kudos Jessica and thanks for sharing!
    🙂

  8. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    Good variety of information. It’s always an interesting perspective hearing from the people doing the work.
    The narrator talked too fast in a couple of parts, and the shaky camera was a little frustrating. Other then those small things, I think the video was well done!
    Kudos Jessica and thanks for sharing!
    🙂

  9. emma Avatar
    emma

    The narrators voice is somewhat hard to hear in some parts, but overall it was really interesting and cool to watch. 🙂 Sorry if my comment doesn’t really.. contribute much. Haha. But nice work.

  10. emma Avatar
    emma

    The narrators voice is somewhat hard to hear in some parts, but overall it was really interesting and cool to watch. 🙂 Sorry if my comment doesn’t really.. contribute much. Haha. But nice work.

  11. emma Avatar
    emma

    The narrators voice is somewhat hard to hear in some parts, but overall it was really interesting and cool to watch. 🙂 Sorry if my comment doesn’t really.. contribute much. Haha. But nice work.

  12. emma Avatar
    emma

    The narrators voice is somewhat hard to hear in some parts, but overall it was really interesting and cool to watch. 🙂 Sorry if my comment doesn’t really.. contribute much. Haha. But nice work.

  13. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    I loved the background information on the tattoo gun too (towards the end.)

  14. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    I loved the background information on the tattoo gun too (towards the end.)

  15. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    I loved the background information on the tattoo gun too (towards the end.)

  16. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    I loved the background information on the tattoo gun too (towards the end.)

  17. eternalsunshine Avatar

    Nicely done Jessica! You must have worked on it for a long time. You obviously put in some decent research to make a really informative story. Especially with all the the hystorical references. Also I liked the part about the new shop being created.

    There is one part in the beginning where there is no voice-over which i didn’t like too much. I have the feeling it doesnt add much.

  18. eternalsunshine Avatar

    Nicely done Jessica! You must have worked on it for a long time. You obviously put in some decent research to make a really informative story. Especially with all the the hystorical references. Also I liked the part about the new shop being created.

    There is one part in the beginning where there is no voice-over which i didn’t like too much. I have the feeling it doesnt add much.

  19. eternalsunshine Avatar

    Nicely done Jessica! You must have worked on it for a long time. You obviously put in some decent research to make a really informative story. Especially with all the the hystorical references. Also I liked the part about the new shop being created.

    There is one part in the beginning where there is no voice-over which i didn’t like too much. I have the feeling it doesnt add much.

  20. eternalsunshine Avatar

    Nicely done Jessica! You must have worked on it for a long time. You obviously put in some decent research to make a really informative story. Especially with all the the hystorical references. Also I liked the part about the new shop being created.

    There is one part in the beginning where there is no voice-over which i didn’t like too much. I have the feeling it doesnt add much.

  21. gaz Avatar
    gaz

    i really liked it 🙂

  22. gaz Avatar
    gaz

    i really liked it 🙂

  23. gaz Avatar
    gaz

    i really liked it 🙂

  24. gaz Avatar
    gaz

    i really liked it 🙂

  25. erlsalot Avatar
    erlsalot

    i thought it was well informed and interesting, the sound of the voice over was a little muffled, and more time should be given to the client and their reasons for the artwork, but on the whole a good piece.

  26. erlsalot Avatar
    erlsalot

    i thought it was well informed and interesting, the sound of the voice over was a little muffled, and more time should be given to the client and their reasons for the artwork, but on the whole a good piece.

  27. erlsalot Avatar
    erlsalot

    i thought it was well informed and interesting, the sound of the voice over was a little muffled, and more time should be given to the client and their reasons for the artwork, but on the whole a good piece.

  28. erlsalot Avatar
    erlsalot

    i thought it was well informed and interesting, the sound of the voice over was a little muffled, and more time should be given to the client and their reasons for the artwork, but on the whole a good piece.

  29. OPFA Avatar

    Sorry to say that, but I dont really like it. Its correct, but I think its a bit “on the surface” and “cliche”…

  30. OPFA Avatar

    Sorry to say that, but I dont really like it. Its correct, but I think its a bit “on the surface” and “cliche”…

  31. OPFA Avatar

    Sorry to say that, but I dont really like it. Its correct, but I think its a bit “on the surface” and “cliche”…

  32. OPFA Avatar

    Sorry to say that, but I dont really like it. Its correct, but I think its a bit “on the surface” and “cliche”…

  33. OPFA Avatar

    emmmh I didnt want to be rude…
    Its pleasant to see and relatively weel done.
    Its just that the chosen subjects seems too easy for me to be impressive, remarquable or “out of the box”.
    I think its quite boring to see again and again the metal band/tattoos-piercing association.

  34. OPFA Avatar

    emmmh I didnt want to be rude…
    Its pleasant to see and relatively weel done.
    Its just that the chosen subjects seems too easy for me to be impressive, remarquable or “out of the box”.
    I think its quite boring to see again and again the metal band/tattoos-piercing association.

  35. OPFA Avatar

    emmmh I didnt want to be rude…
    Its pleasant to see and relatively weel done.
    Its just that the chosen subjects seems too easy for me to be impressive, remarquable or “out of the box”.
    I think its quite boring to see again and again the metal band/tattoos-piercing association.

  36. OPFA Avatar

    emmmh I didnt want to be rude…
    Its pleasant to see and relatively weel done.
    Its just that the chosen subjects seems too easy for me to be impressive, remarquable or “out of the box”.
    I think its quite boring to see again and again the metal band/tattoos-piercing association.

  37. Phro Avatar

    The cinematic and sound aspects seemed solid to me–especially for a 17 year old (not that I would do any better). Some people have noted the “quietness” of the narrator already. I think the historical aspect, while interesting, were not always relevant. I don’t think you should necessarily take them out, but maybe a history lesson and then the contemporary? I say this mostly because the connection between historical piercing and tattooing seemed to be irrelevant to the people interviewed.

    While no one in the film impressed me with their thoughtfulness in regards to…anything, there is gripes I have. Not with the film makers, but rather the interviewee. In particular, the Pilates instructor seemed about as thoughtful as a brick of salt. A question I would have liked the film to pose is: how is getting your tongue pierced an act of self expression or individuality? This lady seemed to think having her tongue pierced made her unique and artistic, but, to me at least, she simply looked moronic. And, even after the lengthy explanation that stretching an existing hole is not a piercing, she says, “It was the easiest piercing I’ve ever gotten.” Don’t take this a criticism of the film makers, as I think they’ve exposed, quite succinctly, one of the lesser points of the community.

    So good job! But now I have another question: is everyone in Hong Kong who is involved with piercing and tattooing a westerner? I imagine not. Is there a reason you’ve focused on mainly western artists? I think this ought to be addressed in the film as well, otherwise we get the impression of a bizarre, colonialist experience, where the foreigner comes, settles in, and then peddles his or her “wares” on the unsuspecting indigenous population. This is, of course, an exaggeration, but I think a brief statement of why there is such a strong focus of westerners instead of native artists.

  38. Phro Avatar

    The cinematic and sound aspects seemed solid to me–especially for a 17 year old (not that I would do any better). Some people have noted the “quietness” of the narrator already. I think the historical aspect, while interesting, were not always relevant. I don’t think you should necessarily take them out, but maybe a history lesson and then the contemporary? I say this mostly because the connection between historical piercing and tattooing seemed to be irrelevant to the people interviewed.

    While no one in the film impressed me with their thoughtfulness in regards to…anything, there is gripes I have. Not with the film makers, but rather the interviewee. In particular, the Pilates instructor seemed about as thoughtful as a brick of salt. A question I would have liked the film to pose is: how is getting your tongue pierced an act of self expression or individuality? This lady seemed to think having her tongue pierced made her unique and artistic, but, to me at least, she simply looked moronic. And, even after the lengthy explanation that stretching an existing hole is not a piercing, she says, “It was the easiest piercing I’ve ever gotten.” Don’t take this a criticism of the film makers, as I think they’ve exposed, quite succinctly, one of the lesser points of the community.

    So good job! But now I have another question: is everyone in Hong Kong who is involved with piercing and tattooing a westerner? I imagine not. Is there a reason you’ve focused on mainly western artists? I think this ought to be addressed in the film as well, otherwise we get the impression of a bizarre, colonialist experience, where the foreigner comes, settles in, and then peddles his or her “wares” on the unsuspecting indigenous population. This is, of course, an exaggeration, but I think a brief statement of why there is such a strong focus of westerners instead of native artists.

  39. Phro Avatar

    The cinematic and sound aspects seemed solid to me–especially for a 17 year old (not that I would do any better). Some people have noted the “quietness” of the narrator already. I think the historical aspect, while interesting, were not always relevant. I don’t think you should necessarily take them out, but maybe a history lesson and then the contemporary? I say this mostly because the connection between historical piercing and tattooing seemed to be irrelevant to the people interviewed.

    While no one in the film impressed me with their thoughtfulness in regards to…anything, there is gripes I have. Not with the film makers, but rather the interviewee. In particular, the Pilates instructor seemed about as thoughtful as a brick of salt. A question I would have liked the film to pose is: how is getting your tongue pierced an act of self expression or individuality? This lady seemed to think having her tongue pierced made her unique and artistic, but, to me at least, she simply looked moronic. And, even after the lengthy explanation that stretching an existing hole is not a piercing, she says, “It was the easiest piercing I’ve ever gotten.” Don’t take this a criticism of the film makers, as I think they’ve exposed, quite succinctly, one of the lesser points of the community.

    So good job! But now I have another question: is everyone in Hong Kong who is involved with piercing and tattooing a westerner? I imagine not. Is there a reason you’ve focused on mainly western artists? I think this ought to be addressed in the film as well, otherwise we get the impression of a bizarre, colonialist experience, where the foreigner comes, settles in, and then peddles his or her “wares” on the unsuspecting indigenous population. This is, of course, an exaggeration, but I think a brief statement of why there is such a strong focus of westerners instead of native artists.

  40. Phro Avatar

    The cinematic and sound aspects seemed solid to me–especially for a 17 year old (not that I would do any better). Some people have noted the “quietness” of the narrator already. I think the historical aspect, while interesting, were not always relevant. I don’t think you should necessarily take them out, but maybe a history lesson and then the contemporary? I say this mostly because the connection between historical piercing and tattooing seemed to be irrelevant to the people interviewed.

    While no one in the film impressed me with their thoughtfulness in regards to…anything, there is gripes I have. Not with the film makers, but rather the interviewee. In particular, the Pilates instructor seemed about as thoughtful as a brick of salt. A question I would have liked the film to pose is: how is getting your tongue pierced an act of self expression or individuality? This lady seemed to think having her tongue pierced made her unique and artistic, but, to me at least, she simply looked moronic. And, even after the lengthy explanation that stretching an existing hole is not a piercing, she says, “It was the easiest piercing I’ve ever gotten.” Don’t take this a criticism of the film makers, as I think they’ve exposed, quite succinctly, one of the lesser points of the community.

    So good job! But now I have another question: is everyone in Hong Kong who is involved with piercing and tattooing a westerner? I imagine not. Is there a reason you’ve focused on mainly western artists? I think this ought to be addressed in the film as well, otherwise we get the impression of a bizarre, colonialist experience, where the foreigner comes, settles in, and then peddles his or her “wares” on the unsuspecting indigenous population. This is, of course, an exaggeration, but I think a brief statement of why there is such a strong focus of westerners instead of native artists.

  41. Absinthe Avatar

    I quite enjoyed it, as has been said it’s not terribly innovative, but I actually don’t really think that that was the point of the piece. Maybe I’m wrong? Anyway, for someone who doesn’t spend their time on Modblog and isn’t tattooed or pierced it would be an informative and interesting watch I think so well done!

  42. Absinthe Avatar

    I quite enjoyed it, as has been said it’s not terribly innovative, but I actually don’t really think that that was the point of the piece. Maybe I’m wrong? Anyway, for someone who doesn’t spend their time on Modblog and isn’t tattooed or pierced it would be an informative and interesting watch I think so well done!

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