Posts Tagged ‘Robyn Robertson’

Fotomedia on location around the world

Monday, February 13th, 2012

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.

Video Production in Philippines

Friday, January 27th, 2012

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)

watch the video

Video Production in Ghana and Uganda

Friday, January 27th, 2012

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).

Video Productions in AfricaBoth 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.”

Ghana

► Opportunity International – Savings & Loans

watch the video

Uganda

► Opportunity International – Uganda

watch the video