Category: News

As the largest bridal retailer in the UK, WED2B knew it was time to say yes to TV advertising.

With 30 second advertising slots booked throughout June during shows such as Say Yes to the Dress, the challenge was on to create a TV commercial and get it cleared for broadcast in a matter of weeks.

With 30 second advertising slots booked throughout June during shows such as Say Yes to the Dress, the challenge was on to create a TV commercial and get it cleared for broadcast in a matter of weeks.

Wanting to reach the modern bride, Bruizer created an ad which included social media as a key part of the story. With women up and down the country announcing their engagement online, we wanted to capture that excitement which inevi­tably leads to dress shopping with friends and family.

When a quick turnaround is needed, it can be easy to miss something simple. Storyboarding is a key part of any project, but even more important when the job needs to be planned, filmed and edited in a short amount of time. To ensure filming went without a hitch, and to aid in reducing the amount of time spent editing, WED2B’s TV commercial was fully storyboarded and signed off before production began.

With the story set it was time to start planning a wedding! Our production team quickly got to work casting three brides and their entourages, sourcing props, scouting filming locations, and ensuring the ad adheres to the broadcasting code for TV by going through the Clearcast process.

Thankfully as production began on location, our crew weren’t left standing at the alter as all three of our beautiful bride’s-to-be turned up ready to find their perfect wedding dress!

As well as filming the TV commercial, several clips were also filmed at the same time to create content for WED2B’s social channels. Designed to sit alongside the campaign, these short clips were ideal to share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to show just a few of the wedding dresses, and bridesmaid dresses, available at WED2B. This extra content provides added value and aids in creating even more content for the campaign.

The commercial has proved successful and reached new brides-to-be who may not have been aware of WED2B. Their website saw an increase in traffic immediately after each broadcast of the TV commercial and the social media posts also proved popular with high engagement on each post.

Now you’ve had an insight into the filming, check out the final TV commercial below…

Filming coastal locations can be tricky, but with years of experience at the helm we’ve learnt what works and what doesn’t.

You may want to film at sea, or capture a bird’s eye view of the coastline, but what do you need to consider when trying to get that perfect coastal shot?

Don’t Fall In

You may think that one of the trickiest obstacles to overcome whilst filming at sea is the fact that you are actually at sea and that means bopping up and down on a boat. However, the power of technology, and more specifically, camera stabilisation, means we can film in this environment and the footage captured will appear stable as though shot on land. Awesome huh?!

Contrary to the title of this blog post, you don’t necessarily need a big boat to go and film out on the water. But, do consider the amount of equipment and crew members you have and ensure the boat you will be using has sufficient space. With our rib, which is big enough for 12 members of crew, we can film large scale projects which require more equipment, as well as any smaller projects.

One of the biggest considerations when filming out at sea that you need to be aware of is the weather. It may be a lovely day on land, but it can quickly turn as soon as you are away from the shoreline. Keeping an eye on the shipping forecast, not just the regular weather forecast, is crucial for safety as well as knowing if you can get that perfect shot or not.

Another factor to bear in mind is the tide. The water may have been perfect when you went for that afternoon recce, but will it be there for your 5am sunrise shoot? Making sure you can get out to sea and get back to land safely is crucial and potentially easily overlooked.

And finally, the golden rule of filming out at sea… don’t fall in!

A Bird’s Eye View

Filming from above can provide stunning visuals, both photographic and in film. Using a drone for aerial filming provides unique views of a location that may have not been seen before. But, as with filming out at sea, there are some considerations to be thought about, as well as drone regulations which need to be adhered to.

With any drone flying, the biggest aspect to consider is the wind. If the winds are too high, or gusts are forecast, the drone cannot fly, instantly putting an end to your filming plans. Filming along a coastline can also prove even more tricky with the added off shore wind. It’s worth considering that you may be able to fly your drone out over the sea, but if the wind is pushing against you on the way back to shore, it may be bye bye drone! However, as you can’t fly over people in a public place, flying out over the water and looking back at the coast may be the only option to get the shot, just with added risk.

The take-off and landing location also need to be considered and possibly prepped. If the surface is uneven, a stone or sandy beach for example, as well as on an embankment, you risk damaging the camera on landing. Ensuring you have a flat surface to take-off and land is crucial for any drone flying.

Although filming away from the security of having land under your feet can be intimidating, it really can produce some amazing results in both film and photographs.

Sound has the power to make or break a film…

If used correctly, what the audience hear can heighten a mood, emphasise emotional impact, establish location, and allow the audience to feel as though they themselves are in the scene. Choosing the correct music, voice over artist and sound effects are all as equally as important as filming at the right location and selecting the right cast.

The Perfect Beat

With so many styles of music to choose from; dance, folk, acoustic, pop, orchestral to name just a few, it can be quite the mind field deciding which (electric) avenue to go down. You may have fallen in love with a track, but is it the right fit for your film and your brand?

Music should add another layer to the audience’s experience. You want it to heighten their senses and draw out the emotion you want them to feel about the film, and your business. Visually, your film should already align with your brand, so the music should too. If the film is to promote a world-renowned golf course, it’s very unlikely you would use a heavy metal track, unless the aim is to be ironic of course!

Keepin’ it Real

Depending on the style of film, music may not be the best sound option. Using ‘real’ sounds captured from the environment, or sound effects, can be very effective in bringing the scenes to life for the viewer. In our series of films for tourism board, The Suffolk Coast, we used only natural sounds which complement the visuals the viewer is watching. Hearing birds tweet in the forest and waves break at sea all help in transporting the audience into the world they are watching on screen.

Sound, or lack of, can also build tension and create a feeling of suspense. For example, hearing a creaky floorboard, but not seeing anyone on screen, immediately builds anticipation as to what is going to happen. These sounds allow the imagination of the viewer to begin to wonder who, or what, caused the sound, adding to the suspense.

They say silence is golden and sometimes hearing nothing can be just as powerful as hearing sound effects or music. A sudden change from hectic music to silence can be a shock for the audience and aid in building up anticipation and tension.

The Voice

Don’t worry, we’re not referring to the singing show!

Imagine watching a film that is dealing with a serious, hard hitting topic. Rather than hearing a non-descript voice over artist who adds gravitas to the content, you hear a light hearted, upbeat voice you may expect to hear on a commercial for your local supermarket. It just doesn’t feel right does it? Your attention is immediately drawn to this out of place voice and not the message that is being communicated.

Finding the right voice over artist can sometimes feel like a challenge, but it is a crucial one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Many voice over artists can change their style to suit different types of content. Be sure to listen to a number of examples of their work to decide if they can record the right voice for your film.

When choosing a voice over artist, there are few aspects to the voice you should consider:

• Are they male or female?
• What age range suits your film?
• What type of accent should they have?
• Will your target audience understand them?
• Does their tone of voice suite the message you want to communicate?

Choosing sound for your film shouldn’t be rushed or treated as an afterthought. It is simply another layer to be considered and thought about to create the best possible film for your needs, and your brand.

So, the time has come for you to dive into the world of video (hurrah!), but what do you do now?

With video content only becoming an increasingly important part of marketing strategy, there is no better time to create original and engaging video content for your brand.

You’ve got ideas and you know what you’re hoping to achieve from it, but what’s your next step? If you don’t have the resources in-house, you may need to work with a video production agency to bring your ideas to life.

Finding and working with a new company can be daunting, especially if it is within an industry you don’t know much about, so finding the right company that you trust is essential.

Do your research

The power of Google can put an abundance of search results (over 50 million in fact) at your fingertips, so you won’t be short on choice.

When you start looking at a few companies you’ll notice most will have a showreel you can watch straight away with their best work. This is a great introduction, but only shows you brief moments, so be sure to check out their portfolio for a more in-depth look at their work.

Do they tell a great story? Are they memorable? Is there a variety of work?

Don’t forget to check out their social media channels too, their most recent work may not be on their website yet and it may give you a ‘behind-the-scenes’ insight in to how they work and the personality of the company.

Know your budget

The cost of a video varies greatly and is very much dependant on the video you require. For example, a timelapse over a few hours won’t cost the same as a 2-day shoot on location with a 5-man crew, a cast of extras and a (well trained) dog!

Make sure you are honest about your budget with the production company so you are all on the same page. If your idea is bigger than your budget, your agency should suggest alternative ideas within budget and work with you to create a great film.

Ask questions

You want to create an awesome film for your brand and handing that responsibility over to a group of people you’ve never worked with before is a leap of faith. Make sure you meet with them and feel confident that you are in safe hands. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask how the production process works, the timescales they are working to and when you can expect to see the first edit.

Your agency should always ask you questions too. To make the best possible film they will need to step into the shoes of your target audience, understand your brand and the purpose of the film.

Are they asking you questions? Do they understand what you want to achieve? Do they show enthusiasm about the project? Are they passionate about your brand and getting you the results you want?

At Bruizer we love to work with our clients to create engaging video content that gets results. With over 17 years’ experience, we have the knowledge and experience to help you every step of the way.

Whether it’s a structure being built over several months or a few minutes in a city, timelapse is the perfect technique to capture and create unique footage over time.

Timelapse is versatile enough to be a standalone film or as we did recently, cut it in with other footage to create a corporate communications film.

Our crew went to Hong Kong and Singapore to film the latest software release that UBS are rolling out across all their offices. Once on location at their first stop, Hong Kong, the crew filmed several interviews, establishing location shots, the software launch as it happened, as well as several timelapse videos. The crew then dashed across to Singapore to do it all again before heading home!

Check out what we captured below:

People do business with people they trust. But how can you communicate that you are a trustworthy business worth investing in?

We have never lived in such a visual world as we do right now. The days of people reading lengthy documents to obtain information are quickly disappearing; they want relevant information when they want it. Potential franchisees are looking around at the opportunities available to them, so make sure you stand out from the crowd for the right reasons. Be informative and accessible. Ensure that basic information they may be looking for is easy to engage with.

Let’s be honest, in today’s digital age, no one wants to be forced into reading pages and pages of text (we’ll try to keep this short then) or clicking through a boring slide show. Video can communicate key information about your business in an engaging, informative and memorable way that traditional written content cannot.

We recently worked with nationwide dessert restaurant, Kaspa’s, who wanted a better way to advertise their franchise opportunities. We proposed an upbeat and modern film which shows off the brand, communicates key information and includes interviews with current franchisees to build trust with the viewer.

Bold colours, on-screen graphics and an upbeat soundtrack all work together to maintain pace and keep the viewer engaged whilst communicating the initial information about becoming a franchise owner. They key to the success of the video was to introduce the company, whet the appetite of anyone thinking about becoming a franchisee and leave them wanting to find out more.

If you are thinking about using video to increase your number of franchises, there are some key questions to consider:

• Who is your audience?
• What is the key messaging you want to communicate?
• Could animation work better for you?
• Do you have suitable interviewees?
• Where is the film going to be seen?
• How do you want people to feel about your brand?
• How can you stand out and be the one people want to work with?

Put yourself in a potential franchise owner’s shoes. Do you easily provide them with the information they are looking for? Is it engaging? Do you yourself want to watch/read it?

Bad content could be harming your business without you even knowing. Don’t put people off before you’ve even had the chance to speak to them!

Unless you’ve been living in sunnier climates, you may have noticed we had rather a lot of snow recently. ‘The Beast from the East’ made itself known and predictably, caused havoc across the UK.

But in true Bruizer style, whilst others were sledging, having snow ball fights or hiding from the white stuff, we decided that with great snow, comes even greater fun to be had! A rope was tied to the back of the Defender, a willing participant got set up on whatever we could find in the studio that could work as a suitable sledge and off we went…

Did you step inside The Scare Inn?

If you were feeling brave, you may have seen our spooktastic video for Greene King’s limited edition Halloween bottle, Old Spooky Hen. With a quick turnaround time of only a couple of weeks from start to finish, the challenge was set to find the perfect pub, cast and props to create the ideal spooky pub. With references to classic horror films needing to be included for an online competition, a number of characters were written into the story and specific props were sourced. And yes, Shaun of the Dead is a classic horror film!

The Hare Inn, located in Long Melford, Suffolk was the setting for our Scare Inn filming. However, with not a cobweb or spirit (the supernatural kind anyway) in sight, we set about transforming the pub into the spooky one we needed. Fake cobweb spray, candles, dead flowers and a stuffed crow were all strategically placed to create the atmospheric feel required for a full advert, as well as some shorter, stand-alone teasers ads.

All footage was shot on our Alexa for superior quality. The Alexa in particular is great for videos such as these as it picks up on the finer details and creates an added depth to the footage captured. Sound was also recorded on the day for authentic, creepy noises such as the pub door creaking open. These sounds were key in creating the atmosphere we wanted The Scare Inn to have.

Take a look behind the scenes to find out just what we did to create The Scare Inn and how we got that bottle shaking!

https://vimeo.com/262348780

Once we were done filming, it was time to head to the editing suite, where the real magic happens. First up, the stand-alone 12 second teasers were put together so Greene King could start sharing them and build up anticipation for the full length ad. Footage was edited and colour graded, tension building sound was added and finally, the spooky bottle eyes were animated for that finishing touch. Check out one of the teasers below:

https://vimeo.com/240816096

These teasers allowed Greene King to share content across their social media channels and build a buzz before releasing the full length advert. A competition was also run alongside the main ad to name all the films referenced which created a third wave of engagement. Recent research suggests that video generates 1200% more shares that text and images combined. With that in mind, it was key that each video was engaging and captured the viewers attention, encouraging them to share it.

The videos are a perfect example of how film, sound and animation can all come together to create engaging and shareable content for social media. The full advert reached 150,000 people on Facebook with 2,300 people commenting, reacting and sharing. In total, The Scare Inn campaign reached a whopping 200,000 people on Facebook and was Old Speckled Hen’s best performing post of the year.

Now step inside The Scare Inn and watch the full length video… if you dare…

According to recent research, 87% of us are influenced by social media in choice of hotel. Unfortunately, the hotel industry appears to be the last to realise this, with most destinations seriously falling behind when it comes to using online video.

With Salthouse Harbour, we made it our mission to change all that.

We’re not a run-of-the-mill hotel, so we don’t want a run-of-the-mill video.

Salthouse Harbour has an idiosyncratic style with unique decor and quirky artwork. It’s boutique interior makes a fascinating contrast to its relatively staid waterfront exterior.

Finding the romance

Online video can be an especially powerful tools for hotels, as customers want to see what the place looks like before they book.
Salthouse Harbour asked us to create a series of emotionally evocative videos that would leave the viewer thinking  ‘I want to go there!’

We delivered emotion by incorporating the location into our shots in unusual ways, so that an aerial shot of the mariner in front of the hotel shows its water pouring into the sleek copper bath in the penthouse suite, for example.

Teasing the emotion

By aiming for a cinematic aesthetic (rather than a flat portrait of the hotel), we created films that awakened curiosity, without revealing the full picture. It means that the viewer sees a reflection in the water rather than a complete exterior. Parts of rooms are revealed in a way that picks out the elements which evoke the senses.

The three films all had a great response online and from the client.

Software giant (and long-standing Bruizer client) EMC wanted a viral video.

As Lotus F1’s technology provider, they were keen to prove how their partnership is ‘redefining motorsports’. A record-breaking stunt was born.

We prepared our stunt-ready runway here at Bentwaters Parks and achieved a Guinness World Record for longest truck jump at 83 feet 7 inches.

The stunt has already delivered 12 million YouTube views and coverage on several major news channels.