Duck Tape - Pass It On
The Sharp Agency in Huddersfield came up with a witty and inventive take on how to dramatise the myriad of uses for Duck Tape. There's something that all the family will use it for, so this isn't a DIY product that will sit around at the back of a cupboard and not be used. Shot in one day on location in Buckinghamshire, the idea was to finish up with an ad that was fast moving, vibrant and fun. Nic Morris shot on the full frame sensor Sony F3, with British (!) Cooke Lenses. Off line editing was by Rob Edney and post production, 3d FX sequence and sound design at Editz, Manchester. If you like it... pass it on!
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Unibond Minis - Amelie
Filmed at Halliford Studios in Shepperton over one day, the brief was to create an 'Amelie' type feel for what could have been an otherwise run of the mill product demonstration commercial. We built four sets and shot on super 16mm film, grading at VTR. A fast moving and inventive edit from TVC Soho's Mark Aarons, coupled with a memorable and quirky music track made the ad and the products a great success.
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Simple Choice Funerals - Plan
One of our many TV ads featuring Sir Michael Parkinson. We shot a dozen versions of this in one day on location in West London. Shot on HD, we reverse planned the shoot around the long track of Sir Michael, designing a neat cutaway at the end to allow us to drop in alternate phone number versions. We post produced at Golden Square in London and graded at Prime Focus. Music was by film composer Guy Farley.
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RSPCA - The Only Ones
Never work with children or animals. So the saying goes. We combined both in the film for the RSPCA, shooting dogs, cats, donkeys and children in a two day, super 16mm shoot with Geoff Boyle as DP. Animals were provided by Animal Acting Agency, children by the director - as they are his daughters! Voice over from legendary actor Bernard Hill was recorded at London's Molinare post production facility.
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Sun Life Direct - Annette Theatre
Nic Morris, BSC brought Bristol's Old Vic Theatre to life with his amazingly cost effective lighting set ups. We choreographed complicated tracking, extras action and scenery rotation to make the ad, starring Annette Crosbie of 'One Foot in The Grave' fame. Mark Aarons edited out of TVC Soho and we finished at Golden Square in London.
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LACA - Thanks
Commissioned by the Local Authorities Caterers' Association, the commercial was shot on Super 16mm film over one day at a working school. Actors were brought in for key roles and mixed with real-life people to create a stylised look at an everyday situation. Production was fast, furious and fun, utilising a Jimmy Jib crane with remote head operation and a rather nervous producer who needed to stand in front of a whole school and explain what was going on! Scanned at 2k and graded and post produced at Molinare D'Arblay Street and voiced by Fay Ripley at London's Sound House
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St Mungo's - Street
A direct response ad for one of London's foremost charities for the homeless. We produced this commercial on a budget of only £18,500. Shot overnight entirely on location on the mean streets of London's Elephant and Castle and at a St Mungo's hostel by a shoestring crew and Director of Photography Nic Morris, BSC, on Hi Def Video, we graded at Molinare to achieve a grainy, documentary feel. And, for those of you who think you might be seeing things, that IS Ad Agency Creative Director Nick Couldry playing (all too convincingly) the homeless man on the stairwell.
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RSPCA - A lifetime of laughter
A conventional, 'walk and talk' appeal, brought to life by a narrative storyline, judicious use of children and animals, and some beautiful lighting by Nic Morris, BSC. Shot on location in West London on the Arriflex D-21, Mark Aarons cut the film and we post produced at Molinare in London. The ad has been phenomenally successful.
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Sun Life Direct - Centre of Excellence
We wanted to bring more of a fluid feel to our Sun Life ads, yet still feature Sir Michael Parkinson. The call centre offices in Bristol were are location and our 'extras' are, in the main, all Sun Life Direct employees. Shot on RED by DP Vincent de Paula, the film successfully demonstrates the 'people' behind the phone numbers and gives viewers a further incentive to make that call! Post produced by our regular SLD editor, Danny Etherington, out of Golden Square Post Production in London.
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Morrissons - Montage
We're really proud of all the work we've done for Morrisons over the years. Trolleys, wine, food, packaging, champagne, beer...you name it, we've shot it. Studios vary but we're usually working on two or three sets at a time, prepping the next as we shoot. Top quality Directors of Photography and Home Economists are a must, as well as sensitive grading of all the food and wine shots. Everything you see was shot on either 35mm film or HD, with computer effects provided by Editz in Manchester.
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New York Bagels - Bag a Bagel
Close up food photography shot by Nic Morris, BSC. Ovens built by Model Solutions and shot with simple overhead rig and skillful grip. Shot on 35mm to ensure high quality food sequences over one day, including all studio and location sequences. End graphic by Rob Pickard's team at Editz. A retro-hip music track by Kula Shaker makes for a memorable ad which forced its way into Marketing Magazine's unprompted recall list for TV spots.
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Compensation Group - Crash
A great script from Agency BDH/TBWA's Chris Lear and Doug Laird parodied the cringe-inducing, ambulance-chasing ads of the genre. Shot for the most part on Digi Beta, we switch to 16mm film during the whip pan that signifies the beginning of the crane shot at the end of the commercial... subliminally establishing the quality values of the client. Post Produced at Editz in Manchester. The commercial won awards at The Roses and The Cannes Festivals.
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