We were asked to photograph a fantastic event called Orchestras Live at the Grove Theatre Dunstable. Created to support musical campaign The Wish, Orchestras Live required its young audience members to ‘fix’ a broken orchestra, who were either out of tune or in some cases – asleep!
Using Canon 80Ds and combination of a Prime and Zoom lens, our focus was to record the activities and members of the orchestra and their vast range of instruments, and especially how they engaged the audience through their enthusiasm and talent.
Our photos were chosen to feature on the websites of Inspiring Music, The Wish, various Music Teacher articles and by the great composer – John K Miles.
One of the important requirements of most commercial videos and print media, is to look at the copyright and legal issues in its development and production. For some projects we have developed products with fictional branded names to ensure that they do not infringe on any copyright or trademark legislation.
In preparation for the filming of the Horrible Dolphins music video, we developed a new lager and range of juice drinks that could be used by the band members in the video.
A lager drink designed in a current craft lager style. Use of appropriate fonts to give a fun but rustic feel to the packaging.A simple range of health drinks designed around containing simple fruit and veg ingredients. The packaging gives a contemporary feel but still reflecting the actual ingredients they contain
Development process
Style and ideas were developed around the scenario they would appear in.
Sketches were made to develop ideas of layout and identity and suitable bottles sourced.
Packaging produced in both Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Indesign.
Products feature within the Horrible Dolphins ‘telephone screen’ music video.
We were so pleased to be asked to make a music video for ‘Telephone Screen’ by the punk band Horrible Dolphins.
Following some initial sharing of ideas via email, we met in Colchester to discuss plans. Taking the band’s initial idea of following a protagonist walk the streets of Colchester, we developed this in to a full narrative, with multiple walk-on extra characters and a wide variety of props.
Like most great punk bands, the Horrible Dolphins lyrics are full of social commentary and pathos, regarding the modern consumer of hand held technology. Using visual techniques such as the over-sized and absurd wooden Instagram sign, we draw the audiences attention to the voyeuristic habits induced by our mobile phones.
Character choices were very important. If our protagonist is going to ignore people, which members of society should they represent? We thought environmentalists, the homeless, young family’s, and perhaps most significantly in today’s climate – the right-wing politician. Beginning the video with our youngest cast member – 2 year old Cody – and ending with our most senior member – 93 year old Peter – was important to both give the narrative a cyclical structure, and also highlight the multi-generational targeting of digital technology, a message of the text.
Production The whole video was filmed in a day, on location in Colchester. We used the Canon 80D with a prime lens to get the depth of field required. We also made use of ND filters to ensure a consistent light due to the variable weather of the day, and made use of a steady cam to get a more stable shot, but still conveying the motion of walking.
Together with the Instagram sign, clothes and make-up, we needed lots of props for the exterior shoot. Drinks and cans needed to be created free from copyright, so we created entire drinks brands for the beer (Laughing Llama) and health drink (Fresh) see here – Additionally we created rosettes for our politicians and a fictional news company ‘Plastic Media’…
The final production was edited in Adobe Premiere Pro, with additional editing on Adobe After Effects and Adobe Audition.
