In February this year the Fotomedia crew flew over to New Zealand to shoot country singer songwriter Steven Jamyes’s new film clip – ‘Can’t Remember to Forget’.
Steven had always wanted to get Fotomedia across the Tasman to shoot one of his film clips. New Zealand’s south island is a landscape of massive proportions, towering hills and valleys with a preserved history in the form of quaint towns and a sense of stepping back in time. The perfect setting for a country music clip.
The Idea
The concept and story for the clip was based around this location in New Zealand where Steven grew up.
Six generations of my family hail from here, and I did spend a good part of my youth wandering those hills. The old Stone cottage was built in the 1860s by my great great grandfather and to validate that I did choose the right place for this video, Peter Jackson was shooting the Hobbit 4 miles down the same road, That Road ? well I guess you will just have to go there to find out, and for those that may know where that is, there are enough hints in the video.
- Steven Jaymes
Steven Jaymes next to the old stone cottage his Great Great Grandfather built
The Equipment
The goal with ‘Can’t Remember to Forget’ was to extract as much emotion out of the scenes as possible. With that goal in mind and the aim to travel light, the entire clip was shot on the canon 7d in 720p mode at 50fps.
…the beauty with slow-mo is it takes the reality out of the images, the edit becomes ethereal, and the story was retrospective so it worked well.
- Fotomedia’s DOP Lincoln Williams
Fotomedia DOP Lincoln Williams filming in New Zealand
The majority of this clip was shot hand held. This was to create that deconstructed look that is popular at the moment. The grading was kept to a minimum to maintain that neutral vintage look and the colour balance was shot a little cooler to match the temperature of the location. The 7d was running between 4500 kelvins and 5500 kelvins depending on the location.
The Result
Check out the final product and let us know what you think!
► Steven Jaymes – Can’t Remember to Forget (Official Music Video)
With more than 50 clips under our belt, fotomedia have had a long association with the music industry even going back to Pete Murray before he moved to Melbourne and hit the big time. A music clip these days is considered just as important as the music itself with all the television outlets and social media platforms. With the new wave of DSLR camera equipment, we have been able to create a cinematic look to all our recent clips with shifting focus and minimum depth of field, mimicking the 35mm format.
Rollerball
The Rollerball clip was shot on Digital Betacam. The reason for this is we used a 13ft jib arm and the motors and gearing required a Broadcast Lens. DOP Steve Isaacs was kind enough to donate his gear for the shoot. He operated all the crane shots and Director Lincoln Williams shot the cutaways after the jib are was wrapped. Fleet lighting supplied the lighting equipment, 2 x HMI 2.5k par lamps with a heap of atmos smoke. The location shots were in Pinkenba, that hidden suburb beyond the Brisbane airport. The Band required a gritty desaturated product to suit the style of the music and we believe we achieved that with “we always slide”.
► Rollerball – We always slide (Official Music Video)
watch the video
Steven Jaymes
Steven Jaymes is a dedicated singer/songwriter based in Brisbane. In Steven’s live shows he mixes up the dynamic drafting in talented session players for each of his shows. The idea behind “Things get better” was to show the lighter side of playing with an ensemble. The clip was shot on the Canon 5D with minimal lighting, 1 x redhead with CTB to match the daylight spill from the windows. We wanted to capture the mood by using the majority of available light within the location.
► Steven Jaymes – Things get better (Official Music Video)
watch the video
Princy
Princy wrote this great track in his home studio, and in conjunction with soundrevolution (Daniel Fowler) auditioned and hired EX Australian Idol contestant Kayla Vanzetta. Fotomedia were involved early in the process brainstorming with the guys to work out the locations and shooting times. The idea was to select iconic locations around the gold coast as the clip was funded by RADF (Arts Queensland). To fulfil their requirements, we had to promote the destination, therefore the beach, the hinterland, the city lights all became part of this catchy colourful clip.
► Princy feat. Kayla Vanzetta – Go! (Official Music Video)
Behind the scenes with video production crew Fotomedia:
Traveling as a production team is always an adventure. It’s essential to make sure you have all the gear required, as some places you visit do not have the luxury of hiring or selling base plates! (no, we haven’t been put in that situation but man that would stitch you up!)
You want to make sure you get that gear in country! Cut to Jude & Robyn negotiating the storage of the gear with a big man, with a bigger gun and a pretty heavy attitude… and maybe even a little glint in his eye that makes you think… “will he be selling this stuff back to me tomorrow?”
Locations are always a fun challenge too! The countries we work in are developing countries, resources like power can be a luxury. These countries are full of people, so when shooting in a busy market, the art of capturing sound, lighting situations, and directing scenes (through an interpreter) equals good times. Traveling on the road to the next location is a perfect time to capture… although I wouldn’t recommend it in some parts of Africa, as dust and gear are definitely not compatible.
As the production team we also have the task of post production, this is when you kiss the outdoor adventures goodbye and spend some quality time in the bat cave editing and for some projects, subtitling.
Check out some photos of the Fotomedia team on their travels, and keep an eye out for all our traveling blog updates.
Fotomedia’s creativity was put to the test with this project, funded by AusAID Innovations Grant in partnership with Opportunity International Australia and APPEND, to produce a 10 unit financial literacy DVDs for distribution in the Philippines.
Our brief was to make the content fun and engaging for the audience, as the Philippine culture embraces entertaining performances in a light hearted and fun style. Research showed games shows were very popular in the Philippine market, so under the direction of Project Manager, Robyn Robertson, Fast Eddie was created as host of the show with two roving reporters …. Eddie, Get, Set and GO!
In a one week shoot – our crew filmed and recorded talent, sound and overlay for the 120 minute educational DVD. The DVD incorporated teaching pieces, vox pops (word on the streets) and game challenges were used as metaphors, in order to communicate basic financial principals to populations with low literacy rates.
Our proven workflow post-production strategies were implemented, including the full transcription and translation of all interview content and the final production of English subtitles.
► Philippines – The EddieGet Set & GO Show! Romulo Gadia – Client Story (Navigating the unexpected)
Fotomedia’s international work extended to Fiji in 2006 with the execution of Advertising Agency Latitude’s creative with the Twisties campaign. The series of 4 commericials shot in and around Suva was Directed, Filmed and Post Produced by the Fotomedia team.
Still frame from TV Campaign advert
Technically all the lighting equipment was sourced and aquired in country and the Production Team flew in all the Camera equipment. After an initial creative briefing with the client in Suva, the shoot comenced and was completed within the production timeline.
Fotomedia designed the newsprint style of the TV campaign, with the Agency, employing the same style for all their print material including outdoor and product packaging.
Fotomedia’s capacity to deliver multimedia editing services under challenging post-production conditions is exemplified by work on an unusual commission from global charity Opportunity International UK (OIUK).
Needing a trusted supplier for the project, OIUK turned to Fotomedia, who had previously been engaged by the group to produce and direct similar DVDs in Ghana and Uganda.
Fotomedia’s work in Ghana and Uganda had, according to OIUK project manager, exceeded the agency’s expectations, making them the obvious choice for a ‘salvage edit’ on the Malawi project.
“Fotomedia is the absolute best multimedia company I’ve ever worked with”, says OIUK project manager. “They’re as great with guys in Africa as they are with corporates.”
OIUK delivered more than 180 minutes of raw footage to Fotomedia, along with a list of required changes, including structural edits and fresh subtitling.
Work on the Malawi-shot footage proceeded at Fotomedia’s Gold Coast studio, with sections of the re-edited video delivered online to OIUK for approval and feedback.
Fotomedia’s edit included new menus for the DVDs and duplication of more than 400 hard copies. The final edited product proved fit for purpose and exceeded client expectation.
Fotomedia’s capacity to create compelling content that crosses cultural boundaries is perhaps best exemplified by a commission to produce financial literacy DVDs for distribution in Ghana and Uganda.
The work, for the global charity Opportunity International UK (OIUK), was won on tender by Fotomedia ahead of competing bidders from the UK, the US, Australia and Africa. Funding supplied by Financial Education Fund (FEF) and DfID (Department of International Development UK).
Both 60 minute educational DVDs were produced and directed by Fotomedia and incorporated pieces to camera, vox pops and choreographed drama scenes, in order to communicate basic financial principals to populations with low literacy rates.
Scripts were worked up in English by Fotomedia alongside OIUK project manager Robyn Robertson, then translated into Twi and Lugandan. Clear visual storytelling, designed in consultation with locals, was employed to communicate key messages across dialects.
“We used a lot of metaphor to explain finance, so instead of talking specifically about ‘loans and borrowing’, we used ‘juggling’ to indicate managing a budget,” says Fotomedia executive producer Peter Crossley.
Fotomedia’s crew overcame the complex logistics of transporting all required production equipment from the Gold Coast to Africa and shooting in some very challenging environments, where security and electrical power were uncertain elements.
Detailed post-production strategies were also implemented by Fotomedia, including the full transcription and translation of all interview content and the production of English subtitles.
OIUK’s Robyn Robertson calls Fotomedia ‘the absolute best multimedia company I’ve ever worked with’.
“They ran exactly to budget, they delivered great value-add suggestions – which saved edit time and our money – and turned around both finished products within four weeks,’’ she says. “Fotomedia are as great with guys in Africa as they are with corporates.”
Fotomedia has been fortunate enough to develop strong professional ties with several clients in Papua New Guinea.
Each relationship has been built on Fotomedia’s reputation for professionalism, creative flexibility and capacity to create compelling video content that crosses cultural boundaries.
PNG NRL Bid
Fotomedia’s first PNG commission was the creation of an emotive four-minute promo film in support of the country’s bid for a franchise in Australia’s National Rugby League competition.
The work was referred by the ex-CEO of the Gold Coast’s Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, who had commissioned Fotomedia for several Gold Coast video production jobs before taking a role with the PNG bid team.
Production involved extensive location work in the challenging shooting environment of PNG, where security issues and the language barrier had to be overcome by Fotomedia crew.
The agency also met with government in-country to establish key messages for the bid and conducted full location surveys ahead of production.
The final product became one of the bid team’s most prized pieces of collateral and literally ‘brought the room to tears’ when it screened at the official bid launch function.
“Rugby league is PNG’s national sport and in the video we had kids, seniors and rugby league players all using this line of ‘800 Tribes, One Heart’,’’ says Williams. “It really brought the message home that the whole country was together on the bid, all pushing in the same direction.”
Digicel Cup
Fotomedia produced a high-end 45 second television commercial for the Digicel Cup, PNG’s national rugby league competition. Production involved extensive night shooting, with Fotomedia managing the local fire brigade to simulate rain.
► The Digicel Cup – PNG’s Biggest Rugby League Tournerment
watch the video
Branded Music Video and TVCs
The agency also completed a two-product awareness campaign for, which incorporated a branded music video featuring PNG’s No.1 pop star Honlly Isaac and a 30-second television commercial.
► Citifon – ‘Say Yello with Citifon’
watch the video
“Your job is to capture and create an atmosphere on screen, so it’s really a matter of interpreting your surroundings,” says Fotomedia creative director Lincoln Williams of shooting in new cultural environments.
“PNG is a very tribal, very vibrant destination; it was easy for us to capture a really earthy, colourful atmosphere because the people are so earthy and colourful. And everywhere you go there you find this strong culture of history and tradition, so it was crucial that we represented that in our work.”
We would like to thank you all for a great year! Fotomedia has had the privilege to work on some great projects, special cheers to our valued clients and suppliers. We hope the holiday season brings you much joy!
Here is a staff favourite shortlist of some of our videos from the year.
And before we head off on holidays this year, here is the final comment we got to end our year on; from one of our happy international clients.
“Love it, fast paced and engaging even though I can’t speak the lingo. The props, the actors, actresses and support casts clearly enjoyed the experience. The quality of the video is excellent. A great job by a committed team. …….Fast Eddie is the man. This material will be priceless and will bless and impact many.”Mark Daniels – East Asia Regional Director of Opportunity International Australia
Thanks to everyone for all the great feedback this year and we look forwarded to working with you all in the new year.
Happy Holidays!
Fotomedia teamed up with BAM Media to make some noise (Literally!) in a promotional event that took the 500+ lunchtime Brisbane crowd by surprise.
The Fotomedia crew teaming up with BAM Media
The aim of the event was to raise awareness of this year’s Gold Coast 600, and Fotomedia’s brief was to cover the event and produce a video ready for broadcast and online distribution within a 12-hour turn around. Team Vodafone provided the entertainment, a full-blown pit stop at the bottom of the Queen St Mall. At 1:15pm on the 13th October, The roar of Jamie Whincup in the Team Vodafone’s V8 Holden echoed through the city. The camera team (Directed by Lincoln Williams) was well equipped for the lunchtime arrival with a 11-camera set-up.
Camera break down:
3 x GoPro Hero - Pit Crew Helmet cams.
3 x GoPro Hero Car mounts – Wing, driver, front window.
2 EX1’s
3 Sony HDV Z1p
Spot the GoPro!
The execution from all parties involved was crucial. The planning and communication between the Vodafone team and the production crew was timed to perfection, to coincide with a largely unaware city lunchtime crowd. Lincoln explained,” I think when that first rattle gun echoed through the heart of the city, it was game on, we called action for the camera crew and it all happened very quickly.”
Jamie Whincup hammering down Edward St
Jamie screamed down Edward St (thanks the to Brisbane police) completely silencing the hustle and bustle of the busy lunchtime. The massive crowd watched in awe as the pit crew performed a driver change and a swapped a full set of tyres. Within a few seconds Team Vodafone’s co driver Andrew Thompson was buckled in and roared off into the distance. At this point the entire crowd erupted with applause and hooting still trying to make sense of it all.
Fotomedia Director - Lincoln 'Tough Guy' Williams
Fotomedia had the task to compile all the footage and get the edit started. The crew had a mobile edit suite running two machines in Brisbane and on the drive back to the Gold Coast and into the night. ”The biggest challenge was managing and ingesting all the files from 11 sources, splitting them across 2 machines and also making the files available for the (Bam Media) VNR for TV, as well as producing a high impact viral edit within the shortest time possible.” Lincoln said.
The next morning the public woke to the news stories and this viral campaign from V8SuperCars. Leading up to the beginning of the Gold Coast 600 one week after it’s release on youtube, the video had received in excess of 50,000 hits.
