I'm quite sure this is going to be in the wrong place but I'm a film student in Bournemouth (Dorset) and I need footage of a mine and decaying, rotting machinery. Mine exploration sounds absolutely amazing but regrettably I know nothing about single rope technique or anything else that's likely to be of vital importance. But then again, I don't think I'll need to go very deep into a mine or rappel down any shafts, I'll be happy with some tunnels and rusted parts.

Like I said before I have zero experience with any of this, so I wouldn't even know if I'm in over my head. Any advice would be helpful, I'm just trying to figure out a way forward. Also, if this belongs in a different thread, please let me know.

Thank you in advance.

So it needs to be underground footage ? or mine site surface remains? furthermore what era of mining machinery are we talking? do you want footage of rusty old tubs and decaying locos ??

maybe we need to know what the footage is to be used for to find a site that is suitable for you- theres an aditnow youtube chanel which has various footage from mine explorers and archive footage of working mines to give you an idea of what is available 🙂

I'm not sure if this is what you want but this footage of a dive into a flooded part of a mine includes shots of the remains of a pump - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Wntv7AVPc&feature=related 

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The more moving parts, the better. And locomotives are certainly welcome. It can still work, or be frozen with rust. The criteria is pretty ranged.

And I've checked out a lot of the videos on the aditnow channel, pretty wicked, and if worst comes to worst I suppose I can just use pieces of the videos there. But the camera is often too shaky (very understandable), and overall it's kind of more fast-paced than what I had in mind. Plus, it's just always better to go out and film something yourself...

I'm actually stunned by how much is available. I assumed that most disused mines or digging sites would be closed to the public.

The diving in the cavern is really cool, but it'd be better if it was more obvious that it was once a machine. Sorry for being so picky :(

Basically, my plan is go around some factories and record the sounds and noises machines make, somehow mix this together into a very bare rhythm, and play it while showing broken or rotting machinery. I'm going to try to create this hypnotic, almost mesmerizing effect...I can best explain it with another clip.

That's from the 1979 Soviet film Stalker.

So your attempting to set a mood with your footage-perhaps a show mine might be suitable for the project your working on I think honister mine has a mix of old and new equipment on show aswell as offering underground tours ,I think Bigpit Blaenevon also has an underground tour which you may be able to arrange a private visit to obtain the images you seek, sadly most disused mines that have machinery still in situ are quite difficult to access ,if a mine is "easy" access and was abandoned leaving machinery underground -that equipment usually ends up in a private collection or down at the nearest scrap yard, do keep us updated with this project :thumbup:

Honister Slate mine looked perfect, but it's also too far away...Remember I'm in Bournemouth (right on the south coast). I don't know...if anyone has any closer suggestions, those would be welcome. And a big thank you for all the help so far.

Might visit some scrapyards...

Try IA recordings they have a whole catalogue of underground stuff including the South West

Mike

http://www.iarecordings.org/ 

Based as you are at Bournemouth, I am suprised that being so close you have'nt considered spending a day exploring the Isle of Purbeck to see what remnants and ruins, if any, can be found of the former industries of limestone quarrying (some of the stone was mined underground) and china clay extraction? I clearly remember a working clay mine being on the Isle of Purbeck in the early/mid 1960's, it had a small single rail track bringing the clay out of the mine, which was then taken to potteries in Poole, and made into the salt glazed sanitary ware that builders then used in their groundworks.

I have a small book "Purbeck Underground" by David Pushman published by David Pushman, Langton Matravers, Dorset (date not given, but I bought my copy in 1998, so obviously printed before that date). A lot of the writing could be condensed, but the book contains basic information (including a Bibliography at the end) which can be used to explore and discover an area (i.e. the Isle of Purbeck) containing underground workings much nearer to your home than you might have envisaged!

If you do intend a visit to Purbeck, can I suggest that you call into your local libraries both in Dorset and Hampshire and carry out some research, Purbeck has a vast amount of history still awaiting research and exploration - you might be suprised what you discover!

have a copy of Purbeck Underground available

PM me if you would like

Mike

So your attempting to set a mood with your footage-perhaps a show mine might be suitable for the project your working on ... I think Bigpit Blaenevon also has an underground tour which you may be able to arrange a private visit to obtain the images you seek,

Big Pit is classified as a working flame safety lamp coal mine so the only electrical equipment (including photographic - cameras, flashes, etc) allowed underground must be flame proofed to Inspectors of Mines standards or otherwise contain no batteries or electrically charged components (e.g. capacitors - which are the key component in flashes). Photographers of working collieries have successfully avoided the expense and difficulty of flame proofing by using entirely mechanical film camers and by limiting their lighting to cap lamps (which are approved for colliery use) - the late John Cornwell's high quality photography was all undertaken this way.

It would however be more straightforward to contact mining museums that are not classified as working collieries. The relevant part of this website, and the NAHMO website would probably be good starting points.