In mid-January 2022, c60Media returned to the streets of London to film vox pops for the first time in nearly two years. The pandemic had put this type of street interviewing on indefinite pause, but with restrictions easing, we were eager to see how the landscape had changed.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with the term “vox pop,” you’ve almost certainly encountered them. Derived from the Latin vox populi—meaning “voice of the people”—vox pops capture everyday individuals sharing their opinions on a product, service, brand, or current event. A staple of TV and radio news, they’re often called “man-on-the-street” interviews in the U.S. and have long been an essential tool for capturing public sentiment.
Of course, the very nature of vox pops—stopping and recording strangers in busy public spaces—made them impossible during Covid lockdowns. So, as we set out for our first shoot since early 2020, we had plenty of questions.
• With hybrid work keeping more people at home, would the once-bustling streets of London be emptier than ever?
• Would people be more hesitant to engage, given the lingering presence of Omicron?
• And in the cold depths of January, how long would it take to hit our target number of interviews?

Back on the Streets: A Changed London
Our team—Peter Shevlin (Producer), Megan Wickins (Interviewer), Norbert Varjasi (Camera), and Neil Kanwal (Sound)—set up on Argyll Street, near Oxford Circus. This location, usually a prime spot for vox pops due to its pedestrian-only layout and proximity to major shopping areas, felt eerily quiet. Compared to pre-pandemic times, foot traffic seemed to be down by at least 30%.
Would this be a long, slow day?
Our assignment—filming a vox pop campaign for Women’s Aid and YSL Beauty—centered on a sensitive but critical issue: intimate partner violence. While awareness has grown in recent years, we weren’t sure how many people would be familiar with the term or willing to discuss it on camera.

An Unexpected Response
To our surprise, people were more eager than ever to stop and talk. Within the first hour, we had already recorded half our target number of interviews. The entire shoot, which would typically take 5-6 hours, was wrapped in just three—a record-breaking time for a vox pop session.
Why the sudden willingness to engage? We started to wonder if the pandemic had fundamentally changed the way people interact in public spaces.
Could it be that, after two years of limited social contact, people were craving conversation—even if it was just a brief chat with a camera crew? Were the quieter streets making it harder to ignore a request to be interviewed? Had lockdowns made people more open to sharing their thoughts, given how many social outlets had been stripped away?
A Standout Moment: “London’s Best-Dressed Man”
As the shoot neared its end, we needed a few more male voices to balance our interviews. Scanning the street, one figure instantly stood out—a man in a pink suit and hat with golden shoes, striding towards us like a character from a Wes Anderson film.
As he got closer, we realized we had just encountered Jama Elmi, better known as London’s Best-Dressed Man. Naturally, we had to get him on camera.
Jama didn’t know much about intimate partner violence, but he still happily shared his thoughts and even gave us a glimpse into his incredible personal journey. Originally from Somalia, he had moved to the UK in the ‘80s and become a social media sensation thanks to his bold, colorful fashion choices. One of his most famous moments? Turning up to a job interview in a rainbow-colored suit—and getting the job. What a legend!
With Jama’s contribution and one final interview from a young couple, we called it a wrap—just in time for lunch.

What’s Changed? A New Era for Vox Pops?
Reflecting on the day, we were left with some intriguing questions:
• Why did people seem more willing than ever to stop and talk?
• Had the pandemic made us more open to social interactions with strangers?
• Did the emptier streets make people feel more visible and accountable, leading to more engagement?
• Has the lack of normal social environments made us more eager to share our opinions in new ways?
Whatever the reason, one thing was clear—something had shifted.
What about you? Have you noticed a change in public interactions post-pandemic? If you work in media, has it affected the way you record interviews or approach vox pops?
We’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment and let us know! 🎤🎬
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