I just came across this short film on the internet and wanted to share it. I love seeing work done well, can you imagine what a mess it would be possible to make doing this? and how smoothly and effortlessly these two get the job done. This impresses me as much as a premiership footballers skills, I suspect they are paid less.
The film was made by London designer Tom Williams in the early hours of the morning outside his flat.
He could see them moving down the road painting some other road signs, and knew there was supposed to be a BUS STOP sign in that spot, so he set the tripod and camera up and waited for them to start.
How much wonderful useful work of this kind goes on in the world unnoticed and why is everyone paying silly money to watch footballers?
As I saw the video I thougt: that´s not the first time they´re doing this. Must be the result of doing roadpainting for years and years.
It’s obvious this is not their first time they do this. I expect they used more guides in the beginning but found out it took less time doing this freehand. Being employed in mass production, this is how I would do it.
My golden rule in everything we do is “the first thousand are the hardest”. Imagine you make, let’s say spoons 🙂 When you made a thousand of them, you really get the hang of it, know how the wood responds, know your do’s and don’ts.
This reflects to all kinds of handwork really. Off course “a thousand” sounds a lot, but in reality this means “three a day, during one year”. Or in my job, we reach a thousand in five weeks.
It’s all about practice in the end…
I am just amazed to see a road crew doing anything at all.
Good point Mike!
I hope that their bosses see this. Too often these days managament dont appreciate the skill involved in something so mundane seeming. Like Robin says, I imagine it being very easy to make a complete pig’s ear of it!