The unprecedented times
On March 1, 2020, the first confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus were announced in the Czech Republic. 11 days later, a state of emergency was declared for the first time in the country’s modern history. The next few months played out like a dystopian movie: borders shut down, strict curfews were established, and social distancing became the new normal.
Capturing an eerie, empty city
Usually bustling with tourists and vitality during the spring months, Prague, the “heart of Europe” and capital of the Czech Republic, lay quietly under the grip of COVID-19. With my camera and drone license in hand, I wanted to capture the strange feel of deserted city streets and what life looks like in the middle of a pandemic. The challenge was to produce an artistic, yet thoughtful video of scenes from the “new normal.”
Going viral
The final video reached over 20,000 viewers on my Youtube channel and was picked up by one of the largest online magazines in Prague, where it gained another 60,000 views. This project tested my ability to make evocative and meaningful content that deeply resonates with online viewers. I’m especially proud to have created a moving video that respectfully reminds audiences to stay safe and close to one another during such difficult times.