Behind the lens

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Take a look behind the scenes on our new campaign video

The video for our new WITH campaign was created by a team of staff and students from Bath Spa, and is one of the most ambitious marketing videos ever undertaken by the marketing department in the External Affairs Unit. You’ve seen the video, so now we’re going to take you behind the scenes for a closer look at what it took to create the finished product.

From its inception, the video was designed to encapsulate as much of the Bath Spa experience as possible in just over one minute. With a cast involving over 50 students and staff to the whole storyboarding, filming and editing processes taking place in-house, the video demonstrates the talent and skill of the Bath Spa creative community.

Against the backdrop of Covid restrictions and inclement spring weather, read on to see how we did it!

Shooting secrets

There are some pretty cool shots in this video, but how did we achieve them? All of the effects created were practical, including the sweeping opening and closing shots outside the Main House on Newton Park campus. Filmed in April, assistants manoeuvered a partial set of two pieces of “wall” on cue as the camera panned up from the actor checking his phone. The magic can be seen in this footage from the drone filming above in the opening and closing shots.

Another highly effective shot shows some nutrition students cooking up a storm in a lab. By placing the camera on a tea towel and carefully choreographing the actors’ moves to keep the shot interesting and dynamic, we were able to slide it along the table top and get a fantastic tracking shot.

In visiting the Holburne Museum in Bath, we were able to bring a bit of Bridgerton to the video. The stunning location is one of our cultural partners, and students and staff are able to access its artistic exhibitions as part of the partnership. The location is also famous for its inclusion in many period costume dramas!

Introducing Eve Betts: interview with the director

We interviewed Eve Betts, the resident videographer and photographer in the Bath Spa marketing team, about the importance of this campaign being done in-house using the talents of the community in the University. She told us about the successes of the video and challenges of working with Covid restrictions. 

What were the first steps of the video?

When the script idea was brought to me, we workshopped ideas for the structure and shots for the video, as well as the feel of it. We knew we wanted to capture as many different angles of the University as possible. I took the script away and storyboarded it, considering transitions between scenes, logistics of shooting and how we could show that Bath Spa is about working with each other to create amazing things. We also made the active decision to not show students wearing face masks, as although we ran a Covid-safe set, we are hopeful the video will outlive these restrictions.

“Bath Spa is about working with each other to create amazing things.”

Who helped with the video?

There are too many people to name, but I was really fortunate to work with two Film and TV students - Thomas Kennell and Chessie Sharman - who acted as runners and production assistants on the shoot. It was really good to be working with students on the ground across the different campuses and locations.

We initially reached out to the Acting courses to look for the on-screen and voiceover cast, but quickly realised we wanted a broader spectrum of students, so put call-outs on social media and in the internal newsletters to get more people involved.

Where did the filming take place?

Mostly across the Bath Spa campuses, but we were incredibly fortunate to book location shoots at the Holburne Museum and the Thermae Bath Spa. The Holburne is one of our cultural partners, so it was amazing to feature the location in the video, plus lots of people will recognise it from period dramas such as Bridgerton!

We used many locations on the Newton Park and Locksbrook campuses, from pottery and metalworking studios to the television studios and nutrition laboratory. We filmed in student accommodation and in the Students’ Union building.

We are really fortunate to have incredibly beautiful campuses that lend themselves well to filming with a drone. I really wanted to showcase the campuses from the air as they are beautifully landscaped. We had to be mindful of the local wildlife and the livestock around the site, as well as the flight path from Bristol airport. As a licensed drone pilot, I had to keep to the drone flying code of conduct and seek the relevant permission to film in some areas.

How did you manage filming during a pandemic?

Covid safety management was our number one priority so we had to make sure that our sets were all Covid-safe. I gained a Covid-safe production certificate recognised in the UK film production sector, and we ensured all restrictions and regulations were met. All cast tested before arrival or on-set every day, and we adhered to social distancing. We also shot mostly outside or in well-ventilated areas, wearing masks when not shooting and wiping down all surfaces.

Sadly, because of Covid-19, we were not able to shoot in classrooms or lecture theatres with larger casts, but we were able to get larger group shots with the sports teams as they were required to test before training. We also had to manufacture every single scene and curate the action, whereas normally we would use a mix of constructed scenes, interviews and B-roll footage.

“I really wanted to showcase the campuses from the air as they are beautifully landscaped. We had to be mindful of the local wildlife and the livestock around the site, as well as the flight path from Bristol airport.”

What are you most proud of?

I am so proud of the entire cast and crew. It was a big job and difficult at times, but I think we ended up with a fantastic video. Everyone stayed safe, had fun, and produced some really exceptional work. I love the practical shots in the video, from filming underwater in the Thermae Spa to flying the drone at Pulteney Weir, we really show the diversity of Bath and the University. Hopefully, the video will encourage the next generation of students to join us at Bath Spa!

Key stats about the WITH Bath Spa video