Our collaborations with pianist Alexander Chapman Campbell have used the extra power and reach of film to help communicate his music.
The concept for the film of Where Now A Dark Wood Stands involved the logistical challenge of taking a piano deep into a tightly planted conifer forest in the Cairngorms! Answers on a postcard about how you think they did that…
Hugh’s storyboard played with the contrast between the plantation ecosystem and the freedom and light of a more natural and biodiverse woodland, using the film’s grading to help the message.
The tracking shots, following the performers through the forest, were accomplished using a Sony FX6 and our special dolly on a bespoke track, created out of timber by Alexander the day before shooting. The natty Sony ZV-E1 compact camera, plus gimble, was also great for capturing the action and moments of sunlight through all the trees.
Watch the film here:
We mixed and mastered the recording of Where Now a Dark Wood Stands from Jura, using our hybrid analogue and digital production environment.
Our on location artist photography and social assets are being used to gain valuable PR for the project and its cause.
This is the first time Alexander has had vocals / words in his music, so we were delighted to also work with Julie Fowlis, icon of the Scottish Folk Scene.
We first worked with Alexander at Crear in Argyll, in 2014, when we made a music video for his Song of the Evening, which is still seeing good traction, with more than 120K views.
It’s great to contribute to the work of an independent artist like Alexander, as he cuts an original path through the industry and its genres, driven by his own musical ideas and sense of purpose. His is a free spirit; we’re happy to help it resonate.
Read more about the problem with plantation forests on Alexander’s website here.
