Some of the films we make have a kind-of epic quality – like the City of Culture bid-winning film This City Belongs to Everyone or the Spencer Tunick Sea of Hull film, others are more personal story-telling films like our How Do You Have a Happy Life series for 2017.
Either way, what we always try to look for is warmth, honesty and emotion in the people and events we cover.
KCOM recently asked us to produce a short film about the Hull FC mascot Airlie Bird – it’s a two minute online film, and we hope it will put a smile on your face.
Ian Whiteway became Airlie Bird 16 years ago after responding to a call-out for a new mascot in the Hull Daily Mail.
Our job was to follow him on a matchday and tell his story.
Holding the attention of viewers is always a challenge. People have short attentions spans when they’re browsing online, if you can keep them watching, entertain them and get the message across then you’ve done the job.
We used a simple storytelling trick of a delayed reveal. We see Ian through the matchday, arriving at the KCOM Stadium, getting into his outfit, greeting fans and cheering on the crowd during a local FC/Rovers derby – but you don’t actually see his face until the very end, keeping the viewer guessing to the end.
Combine this with some slapstick-style music, quick cuts, Ian’s genuine warmth and love of his job and you get a cute story with lots of appeal.
33,000 Facebook views in a handful of days is a great result.
The Airlie Bird film for KCOM was also a team effort for Nova. Interview by Harriet, shot by Josh, audio edit by Matt and final cut and polish by Al – a fine example of everyone playing a part in making sure we exceed our clients’ expectations.
