There’s a few clients over the years that we’ve been incredibly lucky to work with over a series of campaigns and years, seeing them grow and evolve and in some small part hopefully helping with that growth. NewDay is one such client and we’re hugely grateful to them for working with us again. This is our third commercial we’ve Directed for them through the fantastically creative bunch at venturethree and our production partner Framework. As an evolution on the hero animated Aqua card character from the previous commercials, we now also have its presence in the form of the Aqua glow that visualises how Aqua is there to support and empower customers throughout their day. We worked with some of our favourite crew again including the always superb Franklin Dow as DOP and Adelaide Turnbull as Art Director. All Post production and grading done by our good friends and sister company wash. Creative - Victorian Plumbing/WE
Director - WE (Jon Evans & Tim Wetherall)
Production Company - Framework
Producer - Tim Wetherall
Shoot Producer - Yvette Farmer
Art Director/Stylist - Adelaide Turnbull
Lead VFX - Jon Evans
What happens when you turn up Christmas to 11. This does! Literally dripping in Christmas; our new spot for the awesome Dobbies that we directed with the very talented bunch at craft films through the equally talented and lovely bunch at Elvis. We had the pleasure of having the most awesome Franklin Dow to DOP and the ever effervescent Adelaide Turnbull to wrangle the Art direction on this Mammoth Christmas Explosion. WE loved this project both to work on and the end result. Happy Christmas! All Post production and grading done by our good friends and sister company wash.
Director - WE (Jon Evans & Tim Wetherall)
Producer - Phil Myers
Art Director/Stylist - Adelaide Turnbull
Editor - WE
Post Producer - Tim Wetherall
Lead VFX - Jon Evans
Little Box had its first incarnation over 10 years ago when WE were a different entity entirely. In the original form it was a Cinema campaign but alas never featured on TV. No though, our little cardboard friend is making a comeback in this eye-wateringly adorable 30 second version for TV and online. This was a joy to work on 10 years ago and a joy to have him back again he’s back. We’re super privileged that Leo Burnett asked us to recut this and hope that it raises awareness of the wonderful work that Ronald McDonald House Charity does for families across the country.
Director - WE
Producer - Tim Wetherall
Lead VFX - Jon Evans
Post Production - Wash
Continuing our work with Victorian Plumbing and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, here is the latest slice of craziness. Loosely based on a quality control concept but taken to the next level of silly, this commercial explores the stringent levels the Laurence will go to, to ensure that Victorian Plumbing’s products live up to his exacting standards. Whether that be the classic “Ahhhhh factor” of being in on of their baths, the catwalk stylishness of taps or simply how envious your neighbours will be at the sight on a new Victorian Plumbing bath being delivered. As ever, Laurence was the height of professionalism and the taps behaved themselves too…. We Directed and Produced this and used our sister company Hack & Mash for the Edit and Post-Production, along with the help of many of our absolute favourite people in the industry.
Creative - Victorian Plumbing/WE
Talent - Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
Director - WE (Jon Evans & Tim Wetherall)
Producer - Tim Wetherall
Shoot Producer - Yvette Farmer
DOP - Franklin Dow
1st AD - Barry Coldham
Art Director - Georgia Shelton
Stylist / Wardrobe - Adelaide Turnbull
Makeup - Hannah Wing
Editor - WE
Post Production - Wash
Lead VFX - Jon Evans
Grade - Wash
A question on all our minds is what it looks like inside an eye…. Right….? Well, we were intrigued anyway…. CDM came to us through Framework with a super interesting script for Bayer and we jumped on it. We used a clever mix of CG and stock footage to create a moon or mars like landscape with the end reveal being one huge pull back. It was certainly a technical and creative project that we could really get our teeth stuck into. The result blew the client and agency away and to be honest we are incredibly happy with it too. Question which body part will be next….
Production Company : Framework
Director: WE (Jon Evans & Tim Wetherall)
Producer: Tim Wetherall
Lead VFX: Jon Evans
This project came to us through the lovely people at The Leith Agency in Edinburgh. The basic concept was to take well known advertising slogans and repurpose them so they fitted with the Advertising Standards Authority message. This of course meant working with multiple brands and agencies for sign off. Although complicated on the face of it, the amazing team at Leith navigated this deftly so we were able to concentrate on the creative and production. There are 4 films altogether, a Marmite 20 second with 10 second cutdown and a Churchill 20 second and 10 second cutdown. The challenge in Lockdown was to maximise the creative and budget while minimising risk. So, challenge accepted we decided to do a mini shoot for the Marmite film and repurpose existing footage for the Churchill film. We Directed produced, animated and even made the tea for the Marmite shoot at SLV in south London while keeping 2 meters form each other and regularly catching up through Zoom with the agency and client. We created various rigs that looked like some form of perverted torture for crumpets, but are essential for animating them (and secretly I think the crumpets enjoyed it). Once we had all the various takes we needed, we released the crumpets and they went on their merry way. We did all the editing, clean-up and post production and voila. A tale of two crumpets. The Churchill film required more CG and 8bit animation along with editing which we also did ourselves. Hopefully proving that WE can be jacks of all trades and masters of…. well some I hope….
Client - Advertising Standards Authority
Agency - The Leith Agency
Director - WE
DOP - Franklin Dow
Producer - Tim Wetherall
Post Production - Wash
Lead VFX - Jon Evans
Old school cinematic techniques in full effect on this one! All the scenes were shot to encapsulate classic cinema. Romantic, Crime, Horror etc. At the crescendo of each each scene a surprising and sometimes surreal event is revealed. This was hugely enjoyable to film as we got to shoot against projected backgrounds and have fun with art department and costume. Basically all the post done on set like it was in yesteryear, none of that fancy green screen malarky….. Here is a small selection of the 25 Sponsorship Idents that we had the pleasure to direct for Casumo through Arthur and Martha.
Client - Casumo
Agency - Arthur & Martha
Director - WE
DOP - Franklin Dow
Producer - Tim Wetherall
Art Director - Georgia Shelton
Stylist - Adelaide Turnbull
Hair & Makeup - Hannah Wing
Post Production - Wash
Lead VFX - Jon Evans
Victorian Plumbing asked us to direct and produce this series of Sponsorship Idents for ITV's Through the Keyhole featuring Keith Lemon. We have had a lot of shoot days with many talented people but none as hilarious and sureal as this day at 'work' with Keith Lemon!
Creative - Victorian Plumbing/WE
Talent - Keith Lemon
Director - WE
Producer - Tim Wetherall
Shoot Producer - Brigitte Leicht
Art Director - Nigel Howlett
Stylist / Wardrobe - Heather Macvean
Editor - James McCavana
Lead VFX - Jon Evans
Grade - Jon Dobson
We love it when a client and agency come back to us, especially when we get to bring back a character we loved animating. Aqua were very happy with the previous commercial we did for them and wanted to bring the character “Aki” back but with a wider scope of locations. Covid has made shooting a pain, both logistically and financially so we suggested the best way to do this and maximise the budget would be to use stock footage and animate around the footage. This meant a truly collaborative approach with us and venturethree, as the script had to evolve based on what footage was available. The result though works a treat and meant we could have even more fun animating Aki (who knew he could skateboard so well?!?!) Once we’d edited, animated, and composited this together our hugely talented friend and long-time collaborator Jon Dobson at Wash brought it together in a fantastic grade. Hopefully this does as well as the last one and we can revisit Aki again. This time maybe snowboarding or base jumping?
Agency - Venture Three
Director - WE (Jon Evans & Tim Wetherall)
Production Company - Framework
Producer - Tim Wetherall
Post Production - Wash
Lead VFX - Jon Evans
Grade - Jon Dobson
Its as easy as riding a bike….. well not for the kids who haven’t done it yet! These spots explore the ridiculousness of what parents could do to ensure the safety of their little sweethearts and how there is another way! WE directed these great little spots through JWT London for HSBC / British Cycling new campaign ‘Ready Set Ride’. Their new website helps guide parents to help them teach their kids how to cycle.
Client: HSBC/British Cycling
Agency: JWT
Production Company: Hoi Polloi
Director : WE (Tim Wetherall & Jon Evans)
DOP: Andrew Flemming
Producer: Pete Shuttleworth
Lead VFX: Jon Evans
Agency/Production Company: Blac Ionica
WE directed this series of Commercials forfor the enormously popular site notonthehighstreet.com. These films show the care and attention that goes into creating the personalized gifts available on their site.
So your dream is to snowboard while eating pizza and holding a cat?!?! Well why the heck not. These fast-paced, irreverent Commercials for Cadbury announced the beginning or their ‘Joynormous Surprise’ competition. WE directed these lo-fi fantasies with a fantastic cast who threw themselves into it.
Client: Cadbury
Agency: Fallon
Production Company: Prodigious
VO: Mark Heap
Agency: BMB
Production Company: Blac ionica
These irreverent commercials were designed to be very heavily art directed and hence far more palatable than the normal dry finance related films. WE directed both these films in a single day. A long day but still just one day...
Is there anything in these green verdant lands that is more suave and sophisticated than the legend that is Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen in a bright green suit and boots? I think not my friends! WE directed this enormously fun TV commercial, continuing our long collaboration with Victorian Plumbing and introducing their ‘Star Employee’ as the interior designer and true gent that is Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Client: Victorian Plumbing
Director: WE
Shoot Producer: Yvette Farmer
DOP: Franklin Dow
Agency/Production Company: Blac Ionica
WE directed this series of Commercials for Valentines Day and Mothers day for the enormously popular site notonthehighstreet.com. These films take you on a beautiful journey through a selection of their personalized gift ideas available online.
Agency: BMB London
Production Company: Blac Ionica
WE directed this series of Commercials for Christmas for the enormously popular site notonthehighstreet.com. These films take you on a beautiful journey through a selection of their personalized gift ideas available online.
We wrote, Directed & Produced this Music Promo/short film for Black Black Hills’ debut single ‘The Celebration’.
WE have just written, produced and directed a series of light, fluffy and perfectly risen idents for the hugely popular The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer on Channel 4 with Victorian Plumbing, starring the inimitable Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Deeply filled with innuendo and double entendre, these idents perfectly encapsulate both Bake Off and Victorian Plumbing’s cheeky and quintessentially British tone.
Laurence was (as ever) a delight to direct and channelled his inner Kenneth Williams to perfection. Emmy award winning Franklin Dow (DOP) helped to create the graphic Victorian Plumbing look, where our star Laurence could shine and create a deliciously naughty set of idents that would leave Prue and Paul smirking. After all, everyone prefers a firm bottom to a soggy one.
Credits
Program/Broadcaster - The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer/Channel 4 Client - Victorian Plumbing
Creative - WE
Director - WE
Producer - WE
DOP - Franklin Dow
1st AD - Barry Coldham
Art Director - Nigel Howlett
Home Economist - Henrietta Clancy
Stylist / Wardrobe - Adelaide Turnbull
Makeup - Topaz Knight
Editor - WE
Grade - Wash
Talent - Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
Agency: BMB
Production Company: Blac ionica
This irreverent commercial was designed to be very heavily art directed and hence far more palatable than the normal dry finance related films. WE directed both these films in a single day. A long day but still just one day...
Agency: Brave
Production Company: Blac Ionica
Do you have a Smart Finger? We made these funny spots (affectionately known to us as project ‘Finger Wigs’) for Motors.co.uk, urging customers to put their ‘Smart Fingers’ to work on Tablet and Mobile devices. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to make wigs this size!
Our ten-year-old selves are looking at us in deep awe today as we are able to say we’ve made these LEGO films for Sainsbury’s. These are the projects we get really excited about. Literally bringing LEGO to life!
WE were approached by the lovely people at Gravity Road to direct and produce 4 films for Sainsbury’s to celebrate the hugely popular release of LEGO cards this year. Everyone involved (especially us) really wanted this project to be as authentic as possible and as such, stop frame rather than CG was always going to be the major form of production. All 4 films were hand animated by us, alongside some very talented animators in one of Sainsbury’s newest stores in Tottenham in a single night. This much stop frame in one night is a tall order so planning was key. Every shot was mapped out in CG ahead of the shoot, so we could replicate the moves with minimal procrastination (something we’re prone to if we don’t keep ourselves in check). Our main objective directorially was always to inject as much fun and frenetic energy as possible into the characters. Animating Sam and Lily with miniature rigs allowed them to run, jump and even do somersaults. After plenty of cleanup we added a dash of sound design, grade and some rather fitting music and tah dah! LEGO is real and it has adventures in Sainsbury’s!
Big thanks to @Gravity_Road for getting us involved and of course @sainsburys and @LEGO_Group . @tomhullphoto for amazing DOP skills and @washldn for superb grading as always and all the crew both on the shoot and in post. You all made a great project, really good fun too!
Agency: The Champion Agency
Production Company: Blac Ionica
Food has been sexy on TV for a while but sexy business cards is a whole new thing that we’re very happy to be involved in with Moo.com.
Production Company: Avalon
This is a 25 second Stop-frame Title Sequence for comedian Russell Howard’s debut TV Show for the BBC. The Title Sequence features a rough total of 150 card cut-out Russell’s, a good humoured Kate Silverton, music provided by Kasabian, and most importantly an upside down Panda smoking a pipe.
It has been an absolute delight working with Innocean on these lovely Sponsorship Idents for car manufacturer KIA. Not only was it a pleasure to work with both the agency and the client on these, but we also had the privilege of working with comedy legend Mark Heap, who provided the excellent quirky voice over for the campaign. These little beauties appeared on Channel 4 before with The Simpsons so keep your eyes peeled... DOH!
Agency: Golley Slater
Production Company: Blac Ionica
WE directed this Commercial for the launch of Mitsubishi's first hybrid SUV, the PHEV. This exciting opportunity, to shoot a beautiful car driving through the interior of the cavernous Excel Center (with some help of set extensions) interacting with some informative motion graphics.
WE directed this serene and beautiful piece for the Cinema and TV campaign of the Citroen C5 Picasso launch in the UK. With only limited access to the car it was decided that the whole film should be created in CG. Shame really WE always wanted to go into space....
Agency: Havas
Director: WE
Producer: WE
Post Production: Hack & Mash
The classic love story of Lady meets credit card, credit card meets lady and they go off happily into the sunset... We Directed, Produced and even did the post production on this film with the lovely folk at VentureThree. Fun times were had on the shoot which continued on into the post production. Who ya gonna call? Aquacard!
Agency: - VentureThree
Production Company: - Framework
These idents were designed with true "Friends" fans in mind. Can you get all the references?
Agency: Havas Worldwide
Production: Company Blac Ionica
We had the pleasure of working with Havas Worldwide to direct a set of dazzling dishwasher commercials for Finish in partnership with various major appliance brands. The campaign showcases Hotpoint, Indesit, Bosch and Beko dishwasher units in a sleek white space, complemented by some clever, quirky sound design, and a VO from the ‘Great British Bake Off’s’ delightful Sue Perkins.
Not just a tasty snack but also naturists too! These naughty little bears realise that not only are they free from artificial colours and flavours but also clothes! This delightful film brings the small anarchic Pom-Bear snack to life in this lovable TVC WE directed. This was filmed on location in a real kitchen with the lovingly recreated Pom-Bears in CG in a Stop Motion style and composited back in.
Client: KP Nuts
Agency: BMB
Director: WE
Production Company: Blac Ionica
DOP: Franklin Dow
Art Director: Georgia Shelton
Voice Over: Cardinal Burns
Agency: Ogilvy
Production Company: Another Film Company
Getting 10 oranges to balance on top of each other in no mean feat let me tell you. Tasty when mixed with Acerola berries though!
This was a direct to client project which was amazingly good fun. So wonderful to work directly with the client sometimes and this was one of those times. This was their first foray into TV advertising and Arctic Coffee were a joy to work with. Much like the ASA job, the lockdown challenge was to create a creative and engaging piece of work while minimising risk. We came up with the creative and utilised stock footage which mirrored a (hopefully) funny script, to create a cohesive piece. The voice over from Stephen Alan-Yorke was absolutely perfect and really holds it all together. We created the CG packs at the end and composited them into another stock shot while giving them a stop frame vibe in their appearance along with some sound design which we also did…. So.. Creative, tick, Direct, tick, Produce, tick, Edit, tick, Post production, tick, Sound design, tick, Arborist, tick (only kidding, we’re awful with plants)
Creative: WE/Framework
Director: WE
Producer: WE
Voice Over: Stephen Alan Yorke
Edit/Post Production: Hack & Mash
Agency: Lowe
Production Company: Another Film Company
Ahh the moving fruit period. This is one of our favourite jobs of all time that WE was lucky to Direct. Produced by Another Film Company, WE feel it perfectly hits the tone of what Innocent Smoothies is about while getting to work with one of our childhood heroes Johnny Ball.
Agency: BMB
Production Company: Blac Ionica
Following on from the success of the Pom Bear Commercial, KP Snacks asked WE to direct this TVC for Hula Hoops. This time in a sunny beach setting our Golden rings chat while soaking up the sun. With the exception of a few clouds everything else was achieved in camera. Special thanks goes out to Nan Studios for their awesome miniature work,
