August 09 i went to work for Treend construction, whilst i was there we got a large job from the BBC tv series Spooks. We were told to build an exact replica of a hotel front in order to blow it up and map the image over the original. We Painted the entire face black so that the special effects team could chroma key it out and just keep the explosions, the reason we didn't use green or blue (traditional chroma key colours), was because using natural light the green or blue would give the smoke a tint, using black retains the white smoke.
It took 1 week to build and paint the set in the workshop, 3days to put it up in location, 1day to blow it up and 6hours to tare down the remains.
The Build
We made Camera Hides to protect them from the debris
Special Effects Equipment - CO2 Canisters, Attached to bins of sugar lass and balsa wood, aimed at balsa wood window frames
Window Blast
Smoke - sped up
Debris
Fire Ball The fire ball was made by placing these charges in the drums and then putting bin bags full of a chemical cocktail ontop, then simply detonate the charges.
Aftermath
In total i worked for Treend Construction for 2weeks and earned £680
I Received this email from the Producer of the Natalie Imbruglia Viral Ads (Nat) asking me to work for them again. Unfortunately I was working with Treend Construction at this time.
The Client Natalie Imbruglia wanted a Promo (Music Video) for her new single "Wild About It". The Promo was to be a party scene with Natalie Imbruglia and her friends living the high life.
Here is the first 2 pages of my 14 page call sheet for 25/07/09
My time at Flynn Productions was coming to an end when this job was confirmed, The Producer Neil asked me if i would like to stay on an extra day to work on the new Natalie Imbruglia Promo and i agreed. I was on set from 7:30 Breakfast until Midnight and in that time i was required to set out Natalie's Room, Protect the floor, move furniture, move lighting, supply power to catering, Lock Off shooting areas, deal with extras and talent, help the art department, walk through shots with the steady cam guy, organise afternoon meal, clean and tidy the set, unload and load the grip and camera equipment, move the dolly and then tidy up after everyone. The day was incredibly hard but also oddly fun, the buzz of a set is unique and one i look forward to in the future.
The Shoot
This is the end result: Natalie Imbruglia "Wild About It"
This is a series of viral ads which was made along side the Promo also by Flynn Productions
At the end of the day Emma Comley Head of Production came to me and said that i had done a great job and that she would love to have me back as a paid runner next time i was in london.
The Client "Stone Roses" wanted a TVC (Television Commercial) for their new 'Best Of' Album. The Advert was to show people in the late 80's dancing in a hacienda style enviroment in black and white then with an explosion of powder paint from the speakers the scene comes alive with colour.
Here is the first 2 pages of my 4 page call sheet for 23/07/09
The Treatment
On the shoot day i was asked to arrange the extras lunch, keep refreshments constant, go and buy 200 meters of black fabric, lay protection on the floors, clean and tidy set, move furniture, dress the set with the art department, unload and load lighting equipment and operate a light for 3 hours in the style of a swinging disco light. For me the working day started at 7:30 breakfast until 22:00
The Shoot
I recorded these 2 videos of the main powder paint explosions emanating from the speakers. The actual cameras used were running on 120 frames per second which allows them to play the footage in standard time showing the explosion in slow-motion, whilst retaining incredible picture quality. i have edited these videos to show the explosions in real time and slowed down.
