Vancouverites have been stepping outside each night to cheer for health care workers and first responders from their balconies, backyards, and doorsteps. And the 7 p.m. ritual has inspired a number of other creative projects that express gratitude to front line workers, too.
A new video on social media shares a heartfelt tribute to health care and essential workers in Vancouver. From soaring, panoramic shots of the city to close-ups of colourful murals, a group of health care workers waving to inspired locals banging pots and pans from cars, balconies, and the street, the film offers a glimpse into the spirit of the city during a dark and difficult time.
Keaton Lawlor, a 21-year-old Capilano student who recorded and edited the video, says he first heard the 7 p.m. cheer about three weeks ago, and the passionate tribute inspired him to find out more about how the community was giving thanks to essential workers..
"It was about 3 weeks ago when I first began to hear the 7pm cheers from my window," Lawlor tells Vancouver Is Awesome in an email. "I was studying for my final exams as I was completing my Film degree at Capilano University and became inspired to take a break from studying to try and document the different ways that the community was coming together around the city to show support and appreciation for healthcare and essential workers."
During these difficult times, Lawlor remarks that he felt compelled to show all of the positive things happening around Vancouver. He says he rang up an old classmate, Matteo Welsh, to see if he'd like to help out on the project, and he eagerly agreed.
"For the next week, I would study for my finals during the day, and then set out in the evening to different parts of Vancouver to document the 7pm cheers," explains Lawlor.
"We were able to use telephoto lenses and licensed drones to tell the story while still abiding by physical distancing guidelines and wearing masks and gloves."
As of 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, the video has been viewed a whopping 1,250 times on Instagram. In his post, Lawlor captions, "We'll never forget the sound of 7 p.m."
Lawlor underscores that his hope for his video is to show a new side of the appreciation and support of healthcare and essential service workers that many people do not get to see.
Have a look at the video of the 7 p.m. cheer around Vancouver.
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