SEEING THE WOOD AND THE TREES.
Scouts Scotland came to us in need of a series of short promotional videos to showcase their facilities across Scotland. They had to be far more vibrant, uplifting and befitting for 2023 and beyond – showing adventure, friendship and kids having a brilliant time overcoming challenges.
One overview film along with site-specific videos were scripted in-house, and all had to sell the idea - an idea of what to expect - to teachers, parents and children alike.
The footage was destined mainly for school presentations, as well as social media and website use, so it had to be shot in a way that made it easily ‘cuttable’ for long and short durations. It had to convey that Scouts Scotland are experts in outdoor education, that they help young people to develop vital life skills, and do so in a safe and reassuring environment with great facilities. We also had to get across the diverse range of activities on offer – as succinctly as possible.
When it came to the filming, we covered every eventuality in the juggling act that is capturing kids in a fast-paced outdoor setting all day in Scotland – timetabled with SAS levels of planning. Their collective energy and teamwork had to translate into an energetic style of footage, while showing them coming out of their comfort zone. What unfolded was a blend of precisely choreographed scenes, interspersed with seizing the moment and capturing the priceless reactions of kids having a great time in new experiences.
In order to capture all of the key activities, we had to think a bit outside of the box and put a machine where humans dare not go. So, the RC camera buggy came in handy for the underground tunnel sequences and some dizzying inclines, while our drones did a grand job of taking in the scenery. The woods were also alive with the sound of shutter clicks, with every shoot documented in detail to capture an abundance of imagery for future internal and external communications.
The process of editing over 100 hours of footage was a balancing act to achieve short and long versions for each site, while getting all of the elements mixed correctly for the general film. Animations were created first from the script, with each clip then pertaining to it alongside on-screen copy and synced to the music. The dynamism came from selecting a variety of angles and perspectives to deliver the engagement factor.
