Gift of the Gab

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ideasbynet1Ideasbynet wanted to redesign their website to include demo videos for 37 of their best selling products.

So over the course of two days I filmed Carla doing her very best QVC style presentation. I used two camera to save time, and synced them up in post production. I also created opening and closing graphic stings with sound effects.

 
 
 
 
 
 

The videos are all live on the website, but here’s an example:

 

Harrowing Harrogate

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coppice_dental1Another Yell job today…
Coppice View Dental Practice in Harrogate was the scene, where I faced my fear of dentists and got down to business.

I helped the interviewees with their words, trying to keep things natural sounding and without them worrying about keeping to the script. Here’s the link if you dare…

Flagging already?

flying_colours1Yet another quirky shoot for Yell today. This time for Flying Colours Flag Makers in Knaresborough.

I directed this on the hoof, deciding to get the staff outside holding a Union Flag. The time-lapse of the flag being made had to be orchestrated to happen in less than 5 minutes, when in reality it takes many hours to make.

It seemed a nice idea to get the staff involved again, by having them holding various flags up to camera. They all obliged, as I encouraged them to dance around draped in their days work.

Here’s a link to the final video.

Never work with Children? Bah!

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We’ve just finished four nights at Magna – the children’s science park in Rotherham. It’s based in an old foundry, 350 metres long, 3 floors, painted black inside with very atmospheric low lighting. Bert Agency in Manchester kindly asked me to shoot the commercial for their client, so together with Vic McCullagh on lighting we took on the challenge.

After a screen test session a few months ago, the final actors were chosen, the lead part taken by Finlay:

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The Science park has four zones, Earth, Air, Fire and Water (as well as a nice Cafe). Bert had a storyboard to work from, and I suggested additional areas to film in each zone to make the most of our time there. Safety was of the utmost concern, we were working in the dark a lot of the time, as well as being surrounded by water, flames, and dozens of child extras and their families.

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The gloves are on… Vic means business

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Finlay hosing the camera in ‘Water Zone’

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I rigged the camera on the Jib, and behind a sheet of perspex, held up by magic arms.
It worked great, but I couldn’t keep my feet dry.

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The turbine in ‘Air Zone’ recreates a hurricane,
and I’m sat in the middle of it…

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Getting additional setups. Funny.

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After the second burger, he was full.

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Duncan and the Chris’s from Bert

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Fully operational mini JCBs in ‘Earth Zone’ = NOISY!

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The commercial ends with Finlay sleeping in the back of the car on the way home… Shhh!