Elvis and friends

This promo - ‘Elvis’ by DFGW (now Freud) for BBC Radio 2 was a massive hit around the world on You Tube winning 17 awards for director Steve Cope. The production company was Red Bee Media. The footage covered many decades and offered up many challenges.

BBC Radio 2 - Elvis

I looked at possible footage that would be available with the Steve and the editor. From my perspective there were lens flares and filters, the residue of unknown generations of duplication, different frame rates and TV line frequency and camera tube 'lag' on the oldest footage. The key was to have an open dialogue between myself Steve and the editor - if any one of us said a particular clip wouldn't work then it was out.

The Sugababes were the only artists to be filmed - I suggested a 1970's studio camera should be used - why try and be clever in post when the camera will do all the dirty work. Background elements were also shot as we had to remove objects/people from the Elvis plates too.

While the promo was being cut I was looking at techniques to separate the artists from their backgrounds and other compositing issues.

I decided the best technique - in order to give us the best chance when compositing - was to roto each field of the clips - with the knowledge that if the clips were composited in fields then delivered for broadcast in frames - to some degree the elements would begin to integrate themselves.

Some shots had gentle 3D camera moves added in Flame in order to further integrate the footage.

Following the publicity I did a talk at Promax. Below is a 'making of' clip I showed at the presentation.

The making of BBC Radio 2 - Elvis

And here is the dream team who took on the roto tasks - they are the true heroes!

Dave, Chris, Dave, Steve, Anne, Saf, Me, Yola.