+ 44 (0) 20 7580 9595
+ 1 917 280 3847
Pretzel were asked to produce a motivational opening film to be shown at Network Rail's Business Briefings 2008. Engaging all of Network Rail's 33,000 strong workforce, from top-level execs to track maintenance workers, the film needed to appeal to and inspire employees to begin 2008 with a world-class attitude and standard of work.
With only two days of pre-production time, the Pretzel team had to work fast. As a valued client, Network Rail's requirements were paramount to the production. Using our knowledge and experience of working with the client, we chose our best resources to ensure that their expectations were fulfilled. Bringing in top director, producer, directors of photography and assistant directors, Pretzel were able to pull together a creative treatment and shooting schedule in a matter of hours.
Once the creative aspirations were in place, three separate film units embarked on a 2 day shoot across Britain. Gathering footage from train stations, offices, railway tracks, training centres, maintenance depots and from the cab of a train itself, it was an action packed, all-hands-on-deck, adventure around the country. Using the Panasonic Varicam allowed for well-composed portraiture, time-lapse and slow motion features, which enhanced the already crisp HD look of the film.
After filming, we had a week to edit the final film and deliver it to our client ready to be shown in briefing sessions across the country on a two week road show. Shooting at variable speeds, we took our rushes to Onsight for frame rate conversion, before offline edting took place. Due to the time restraints, we weren't able to get up in a chopper ourselves, so we used aerial archive footage, courtesy of Skyworks, to add an extra dimension to the film. Our expert in-house colour grading and online editing blends the original and archived footage nicely, to ensure that the visuals are smooth and fluid throughout the film, while the commercial track creates a high impact, fast paced finished piece.
Client: Network Rail
Title: Business Briefing
Producer: Andrew Barratt
Format: Varicam HD
Length: 3 mins
Location: UK