MPC - The Moving Picture Company

Ross Cooper and Bugsy Steel from OneInThree have directed the latest music promo for indie/alternative solo act, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. The inventive, simple promo was produced by Leanne Stott for Colonel Blimp.  

The promo, shot in an empty studio, begins with the singer, guitar on his back, entering the shot and setting down a large bag between two yellow pedestrian crossing lamps, before walking to the centre of the room.  The camera fixes on the artist in the centre and starts to continually pan around him from left to right. As it does, we see objects appearing in the background from behind his back, then ‘as if by magic’ disappear as the camera continues to pan round. The objects become more elaborate as the tune grows. From cardboard boxes, we see tents, beds, neon signs, bicycles and finally a huge explosion of fireworks which ends the song.

MPC carried out 2D work for the job, in the main; this involved combining the two separate plates that were shot. The first a ‘left’ plate, with the singer and certain objects, the second a ‘right’ plate, with just a black background. The two plates were then combined and extensive 2D roto-scoping was used to cut around the singer and place him in the ‘black background’ shots.  This approach meant seamless transitions were created with the camera constantly panning from right to left between ‘object’ and ‘non-object’ shots. Extra elements, supplied from OneInThree were also added into the background.

The Telecine grade set the feel of a cold de-saturated moonlit world which very subtly transforms into a warm saturated one, whilst maintaining a consistent look for the artist.
The grade itself involved using many windows to mask and grade the individual elements as they disappear or appear from the screen.

Credits:
Director: One In Three – Ross Cooper and Bugsy Steel
Record Company: Atlantic Records
Video Commissioner: Tim Nash
DOP: Will Bex
Production Company: Colonel Blimp
Production Company Producer: Leanne Stott
Editor: James Rose @ Cut and Run
Post Production Company: MPC
Telecine: Kenny Gibb
Post Production Producer: Ellora Chowdury
VFX Supervisor: Chrys Aldred