The guys at Ideasbynet.com created a cool scrapbook,
which together with a variety of props and practicals was brought to life for this fun video.
In the end it took eight of us, and a morning of rehearsal to get the final take.
I found some suitable music tracks, sound effects and light leak flashes then produced the final video in 1080p High Definition.
Over 2000 views and counting…
Another 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…
Yet 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.
SquareiMedia asked us to shoot a TV commercial for their client, Kutchenhaus.
So Vic and I headed out to the Trafford Centre in Manchester with a car full of kit. We filmed on Nikon and Canon DSLRs, mine was connected to my usual 22 inch location monitor. Every shot was moving in some way either tracking, jibbing or both and all shot with shallow depth of field focus pulls.
Some shots were very tricky to pull off, but the end result looks great:
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:
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.
The gloves are on… Vic means business
Finlay hosing the camera in ‘Water Zone’
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.
The turbine in ‘Air Zone’ recreates a hurricane,
and I’m sat in the middle of it…
Getting additional setups. Funny.
After the second burger, he was full.
Duncan and the Chris’s from Bert
Fully operational mini JCBs in ‘Earth Zone’ = NOISY!
The commercial ends with Finlay sleeping in the back of the car on the way home… Shhh!
I spent the afternoon in Dore, Sheffield working with a regular client – Ideasbynet.com who wanted a short viral video for one of their unique and quirky products that they personalise and sell. So we set out to prove that the What?Gravity mobile phone holder can do much more than just hold phones! If you need one in your life you can order it here!
It’s had 61,000 views on YouTube so far…
Nikon’s latest DSLR offering has just arrived at my door.
The D5100 is the latest in a long line of camera offering video shooting capability, but this time with a wider range of frame sizes and frames rates. So I can now shoot 1080p25 to match footage from my main camera: the Sony EX1.
Now I’m not going to say a DSLR can match the EX1 in terms of handling, reliability and features, but they produce pictures with a shallow depth of field which when used in the right way can add value to parts of a production.
Just completed the online edit, then made DVD masters and internet versions of a series of short films charting the history of Irish immigration to Leeds. Earlier in the year I’d shot three days of chroma key interviews. The films were directed and edited by the multi-talented Patricia Doherty. Visit Untold Stories to find out more.
