New York as you know it.

November 7, 2011 10:47 AM

A Year of New York in 5 minutes. Cameraman Andrew Clancy lives in New York City, and was in the habit of shooting footage of what was going on around him whenever he was out. This is a compilation of life in the city, from the point of view of a New Yorker.
posted by Phire (21 comments total)

I admire the patience and dedication it took to edit out all the shots of being harassed by clipboard-toting assholes in charity-branded polo shirts.
posted by griphus at 10:50 AM on November 7, 2011 [4 favorites]

It really takes some work to make New York look and sound like a Ford truck commercial.
posted by DU at 10:54 AM on November 7, 2011 [5 favorites]

I am surprised he managed to film the inside of Grand Central and in train stations without getting arrested. I'd like to see the outtakes with cops telling him "You can't film here"

Truly the center of the universe.I guess people have a right not to live here, but they sure are missing out.
posted by Ad hominem at 10:58 AM on November 7, 2011 [2 favorites]

At last, an artist gives us his impression of NYC.
posted by Legomancer at 10:58 AM on November 7, 2011 [17 favorites]

Is that 5 standard minutes or 5 New York minutes?
posted by yeloson at 10:59 AM on November 7, 2011

No, if you want to see an impression of NYC, watch Eyes Wide Shut.
posted by griphus at 10:59 AM on November 7, 2011 [1 favorite]

Fancy camera does not a photographer make.
posted by thescientificmethhead at 11:05 AM on November 7, 2011

I get most nostalgic when I see the subway. It epitomizes how the city can be dirty and beautiful at the same time.
posted by iamck at 11:06 AM on November 7, 2011 [1 favorite]

I get the sense he lives in Queens, or at least works there a lot.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 11:21 AM on November 7, 2011

So much hate for the big apple. You can admit it... you're jealous.
posted by crunchland at 11:22 AM on November 7, 2011

I, for one, wish that more people would fall in love with their city and try to show the world that love.
posted by Phire at 11:23 AM on November 7, 2011 [3 favorites]

Truly the center of the universe.I guess people have a right not to live here, but they sure are missing out.
posted by Ad hominem

Oh give me a fucking break. I love New York City, but it ranks around #77 of places I'd love to live.

For the record, New Orleans being number 1...
posted by justgary at 11:25 AM on November 7, 2011

Some rough edges but overall Fantastic! It's a time capsule to look back at and remember what life looked like here.
posted by rjc3000 at 11:29 AM on November 7, 2011

Some would say NYC is dirty and harsh and whatever other negative adjective you would like to insert. I love it. I've been living in NYC for over 35 years, I wasn't born here and this is not the only country I've lived in. Great video. Thanks for posting this, Phire. I heart NY.
posted by Yellow at 11:39 AM on November 7, 2011

Why do these kinds of films always use the same sappy indie song? How much more effective would this have been with just ambient sounds?
posted by swift at 11:52 AM on November 7, 2011 [1 favorite]

Yeah, I liked the slice-of-life footage a lot, but the song made me feel emotionally manipulated. It would have been neat to have a version with the original sounds--the Rangers game, the taxis honking, etc.
posted by janerica at 12:58 PM on November 7, 2011 [3 favorites]

If you haven't lived in NYC, you aren't even capable of hating it as much as someone who lives here does. But we love it even more.

Also, I liked the song.
posted by etc. at 1:22 PM on November 7, 2011

Seems to jive with my memories, since they are kind of half-drunk flashbacks, interspersed with subway platform waiting, bridge crossings, and buses splashing sooty slush.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 3:18 PM on November 7, 2011

I liked it. It was exactly what it said it was and that's what made it cool. Cities are amazing. They are us.
posted by moneyjane at 1:08 AM on November 8, 2011

Got some things, yeah.

For those looking for a less-sentimental palate cleanser: I was reminded this year that in 2001, immediately following the WTC attacks, one of the big charity fundraising concert things asked a few filmmakers to make short films of their own for the occasion -- and one of them, of course, was Woody Allen. Woody's three-minute tribute to New York is quintessentially Woody Allen, but dammit, I have HEARD conversations like this....
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:07 AM on November 8, 2011

As a born and raised New Yorker living abroad, there are times when I miss it terribly and times when I don't. That video landed me firmly in the former. Well done.
posted by Hickeystudio at 5:58 AM on November 8, 2011