trademark productions in partnership with Khurrum M. Sultan have created this stunning new brand film for the new Aston Martin Cygnet. The film was launched on the Aston Martin facebook page and is already ramping up the views on youtube.
As you’ll see from the making of film the entire shoot was a great challenge, but trademark productions ably managed to bring togethers actors, equipment, tracking vehicles and locations to make this film a success.
Numerous car websites and magazines have picked up on the launch, a selection of their quotes can be found below:
[London based Sultan] “made the film for his final project, and although it looks like a big commercial for the Cygnet, we like his thinking here. He made a classy film, Aston publicised its car, terrific.” (motorward.com)
[Khurrum] “took his creative eye to the Cygnet to see how he could make it appealing. You know what? We think he’s managed.” (carbuzz.com)
“Fresh from my return from Innsbruck I blogged for the Ski Club of Great Britain at the first ever Winter Youth Olympics. The weekend in Austria saw me spectate the opening ceremony, Super G, biathlon and a medal ceremony. With Singapore hosting the first summer youth games was in 2010, this is was the first meeting of 14-18 year olds competing in winter sports. I provided three blogs along with exclusive photos, one of which the Ski Club of GB even used for their facebook profile picture.
I also managed to track down the Chef de Misson of Team GB, Sir Clive Woodward, for a quick interview. Along with two of Britain’s young hopefuls, Rachelle Rogers and Paul Henderson – who were both very excited to be representing their country in Innsbruck.
It was a fantastic experience and one I will never forget – I thoroughly enjoyed filming and tweeting at the Olympics- it really whetted my appetite for the summer in London.
My latest BT Storytellers’ assignment saw me travel to The Olympia in West London, where over 2,100 people crammed into the vast hall to raise money for Team GB, at the 2011 British Olympic Ball.
The event saw past and present Team GB legends, as well as the great and good, grace the red carpet (which was actually gold) and show their support for next year’s summer games. The event was hosted by Stephen Fry and Miranda Hart while Tom Jones headlined the various music acts.
As the sun set, the intense camera flashes seem to get brighter and there was a time in the middle where the organisation just wasn’t possible as so many athletes and celebrities were just flying through. So much so that Seb Coe and the Princess Royal seemed to sneak past seemingly unnoticed after the obligatory photos.
During the pandemonium I was swiftly ushered out by Anthony, the official BT photographer, to jump over to the other side and be in front of the camera to have my photo taken with the various BT Ambassadors. Standing next to legendary paralympic basketball player, Ade Adepitan, whom I’d grown up watching on TV; and the Brownlee brothers, who as a novice triathlete myself, I gather a lot of inspiration from – it was just great feeling. I also had my photo taken with Lee Pearson who I had met a couple of weeks earlier, who was just as happy and welcoming as before.
You can watch my full film featuring the likes of Steve Redgrave, Sally Gunnell and Colin Jackson to name but a few.
I was as shocked as anyone when I turned to page 54 in today’s Daily Mirror (Nov 25th) to find that I had a full page spread on my TwoWheelDocs series…and I’m loving the James Bond image too, although I feel my cover may have been blown! Thanks to Laurie Hanna for the excellent article.
Over a year ago I signed up to become a volunteer at the London 2012 Olympics, and only a few weeks ago I was granted an interview for the role of “Spectator Entry Team Member”. Even though I would have preferred a role within the media side of things, being any kind of “gamesmaker” for the Olympics would still be a fantastic experience. I made a film about my day and you can find it below:
The uniforms for the ‘gamesmakers” have been released too. I hope there’s not a Sainsburys on the Olympic site…things could get very confusing!
As a BT Storyteller, I put myself forward to cover numerous events – the latest adventure was a trip to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich to interview fellow Storyteller, Arun Ghosh. A very charismatic man who with his band made for a night full of surprises and excellent music. The film can be found below. I also photographed the event where the images can be found above.
After studying Media Production at the University of Lincoln for three years, I was delighted when the prestigious Lincolnshire Echo asked me to write two columns for them about my BT Storytelling adventures. They included my experiences with meeting Lee Pearson and my red carpet filming at the British Olympic Association Ball in October. The BOA Ball video is currently in production but you can watch my interview with Lee Pearson right here.
trademark productions’ documentary “Hear Our Voices” has been long listed at the Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival in Paris. More details to follow and fingers crossed for the nomination.
trademark productions were recently approached by legendary performers, Clive Webb and Danny Adams, to photograph their latest characters for a TV show idea. Clive and Danny are renowned for their touring circus show, “Circus Hilarious” and annually headline the Theatre Royal Pantomime in Newcastle. Clive Webb, of Tiswas fame, is joined in the photos by his three sons including actors Danny and Mick Potts. The TV series is in production at the moment and will see the family renamed in the comedy sitcom. trademark productions ably set up this shoot, the photographer was Tom Mallion, TM provided all equipment and even a facilitated a central London studio; the excellent “Studio 66″ in Warren Street. A range of selects were provided within 24 hours. trademark has a network of photographers around the country to cater for your every need, so don’t hesitate to get in contact with your photographic project.
Being a BT storyteller is very much like being a secret agent on a mission – you’re never quite sure where or when they’re going to send you next.
I am one of one hundred storytellers tasked with bringing the stories of London 2012 to life, be it through short films, creative writing or photography, to name a few.
On this occasion with three days notice, I was told I’d be meeting Lee Pearson, nine-times Paralympic dressage champion, at his stables in Leek in Staffordshire.
For my storytelling so far I have traveled around on my bike, so packing light is the key, especially for the ride out to Lee’s countryside house. So my Digital SLR lends itself very well to this situation. I charged my batteries, cleared memory cards and set the alarm.
Early on the Friday morning I jumped on my bike – en route to Euston station to catch the train to Stoke.
My “TwoWheelDocs” series episodes always start with my journey, so I’ll try and film as much of me on the move as possible, getting plenty of intros recorded and actuality of me in the saddle.
When I got to Stoke, I thought I had a good idea of the directions, turns out I took a wrong road, ended up cycling a good eight miles out of my way – but eventually found Lee’s stables, albeit a bit more out of breath than I had intended.
When I turned up at Lee’s farm an official BT photo shoot was in full swing. As soon as I arrived he seemed very comfortable – he was at home after all – but even despite being mid shot Lee was incredibly welcoming, greeting me with a big ‘hello’.
Lee posed for photos in various outfits, but kept hinting he wanted to get out and ride one of his horses. The photographer announced it was time and Lee went to mount his extremely well trained animal.
Born with a condition called “arthrogryposis”, which means his muscles didn’t grow correctly, when Lee posed for photos, he was always relying on his crutches, but when on his horse it looked effortless. As he galloped around, and managed to control the horse into whatever position the photographer asked, it was evident that both he and the horse had become one and both performed with the utmost professionalism.
I was able to stand right inside the training arena or “manege” throughout the session and it was thrilling to be so close to the action.
After the photo shoot I was able to do a quick interview with Lee, where I asked him all about being part of Team GB and what it means to represent his home country. He was very relaxed and seemed glad to have a chance to sit down.
Lee Pearson was a really nice bloke, the setting was perfect and it made for a fantastic experience…and after some advice from the man himself, the bike ride was a lot shorter on the way back.
If you would have told me less than three months ago that I’d be standing in a “manege” being circled by a nine-times gold-medal-winning Paralympian, I just wouldn’t have believed you – so my thanks goes to BT and the team for the opportunity. I have a great passion for documentaries and the Olympics, so to make these films is a true privilege.
Please do check out my short film of the day and if you have a London 2012 story that needs telling then please do get in touch.
