BBC Newsnight asked us to create a series of maps and programme graphics for their Middle East Special – Revolution 2011 broadcast on 24th February 2011.

After Effects was used over 2 days working with very tight deadlines. Working with the correspondents and editors as the story evolved and the requirements changed, we worked right up to the deadline airing that evening.

From the BBC Website:

As the world watches the extraordinary outbreak of unrest and protest in the Middle East and North Africa, Newsnight broadcasts a special live programme asking what it means for the region, the West and the world.

The team of reporters look at common strands and differences in the protests, who the protesters are, what forms of government are likely to emerge as a result and to what extent Western relations with those governments will have to be recalibrated.

Client: BBC Newsnight

The BBC had commissioned a new set for the long running series ‘A Question Of Sport’ consisting of a huge wrap around LED screen with animated visuals to be displayed behind the panellists heads. Unfortunately the 3 shot which was to be used heavily in the edit had major problems. The LED lights were a size which interfered with the pixels in the shot creating an ugly jaggy and blocky halo around each of the Sports Celebrities heads as well as a serious colour dulling, shift and desaturation. The shots were deemed unusable, but we were asked to see whether a solution to save the shots could be found. Using Smoke, Mocha & After Effects we were able to rotoscope and isolate the panellists who were all shot interlaced, and re-composite them over an entirely rebuilt background screen exactly matching the original content. Matching the screens original animation was important to ensure the panellists lighting and furniture reflections were consistent with the background. Even with a successful matte to work with the footage still needed to be severely eaten into to eradicate the nasty black halo from the interlaced footage. Take a look at the video to see the before, alpha and after versions of a selection of shots.

Client: BBC Manchester

Avanti is the Italian word for ‘Go’, and it is the mission of Avanti Ministries to get the Gospel to every person in the whole wide world. The ministry of Avanti is headed up by a group of Directors passionate to reach the world, The founding Director is the internationally recognised evangelist Mr. Tony Anthony.

Client: Avanti / Jabez Production

Created entirely using Adobe After Effects, the idents were created separately but were required to work seamlessly together. This was achieved using the light transition. The sound design was then added to complement the graphics, and to work especially well for the ending of The Gospel Message animation which can be seen here.

Eight British teenagers tackle sun, sea and survival in the real life O.C, training at the San Diego Junior Lifeguard School in this 8 part Reality TV show for BBC Switch.

The brief was to introduce each of the kids who were starring in the show, and give them each a different personality, look and style while making them all work together without making the sequence look messy. At the end of the day the animation had to tell the viewer that this was all set in San Diego, California, and that here are 8 kids who are going to learn how to be lifeguards.
Using footage of the guys and girls during their training, along with photography, textures and graphic elements, this sequence was storyboarded in Photoshop and created in After Effects. We also produced a package of graphics for the show including, bumpers and idents, profile animations, straps, credit bed and wipes and transitions.

Client: Rival Media / BBC Switch

Jack Osbourne is back with his Adrenaline Junkie exploits from around the globe, but this time he has managed to enlist various celebrity companions to join him in convoy.
In the first Celebrity series Jack travelled to four different continents, where he was joined by a different group of celebrity friends.
In Europe Jack met up with Jody Latham of Shameless fame, Charlie Brooks from Eastenders and Bez from The Happy Mondays. Whilst there the team visited The Verzasca Dam in Switzerland and recreate the bungee jump from Goldeneye, voted the top film stunt of all time by Empire magazine. The team also embarked upon a cable car stunt high up in the Swiss Alps and wing-walking back on home soil.
Model Jodie Kidd, presenter and ex-Busted boyband member Matt Willis, and John Thompson of Cold Feet fame were the next group of stars to accompany Jack. This time the team travelled to New Zealand where they attempted to slack-line across a stomach-churning gorge in Queensland and took part in a 24-hour endurance race, including sea kayaking, abseiling into a mine shaft and rifle shooting.
With Jack in Mexico was R’n’B legend Craig David, tv presenter Emma Griffiths and Huey Morgan from The Fun Lovin Criminals. Whilst in Mexico the team rock climbed the classic Estrellita, took a single line descent into the awe-inspiring Cave of the Swallows, followed by a challenging two hour climb back to the surface, as well as joined a real life Mexican fight camp.

In the Second Celebrity series Jack was joined by sister Kelly and parents Sharon and Ozzy, as the Osbournes took part in a family adventure Adrenaline Junkie style.
Jack was also accompanied by Hollywood heartthrob Jesse Metcalfe along with Joanna Page (Stacey from Gavin and Stacey) and Radio 1 DJ Reggie Yates in New Zealand and Dubai.
Also taking on Jack’s challenges in the series are singer Natalie Imbruglia, Lord of the Rings actor Billy Boyd and presenter Konnie Huq.

There was also a specially made extended Osbourne Family Adrenaline Junkie show featuring just the Osbournes. The family kick things up with a spot of rock crawling. Basically this means driving massive jeeps over boulders.
After a short zero-G weightless experience on a plane the bulk of Osbourne Family Adrenaline Junkie focuses on Jack, Ozzy and Sharon as they trekked to the south of Argentina for a two-day dog sled exhibition.

The Title Sequences were designed and created from footage and photography using Autodesk Discreet Combustion and Adobe After Effects.

Client: Ginger Productions / ITV / ITV2

This was a series of 5 programs for Five which counted down the 40 best movies in a variety of genres, Blockbuster, Scary, Romantic, Comedy and 80′s. We were tasked with providing 5 separate title sequences, one for each program all with different endings relevant to the genre and each with bespoke music beds to enhance the style of each countdown. As well as the title sequences, we also needed to provide all the graphics for the series, including the countdowns, bumpers, idents, interstitials, straps, credits and information and competition screens. The music was composed by Miguel d’Oliveira.

Using stock photography from the movies featured, we designed and pieced together a series of scenes encompassing a huge range of films voted for by the public. Our Autodesk Discreet Flint composited the photographic elements together with live action effects elements, such as explosions, smoke and sparks with 3d modelling and cgi renders from Maya. The series was aired on five in the build up to Christmas.

Client: Diverse Productions / Five

Over three hour-long episodes, Kelly discovers the bizarre and unknown society of Japan by taking the ultimate working holiday. Throwing herself into a wide range of jobs and after-work activities, Kelly struggles with the language barrier and homesickness, but battles through in classic Osbourne style.

The Title Sequence was designed and created in three days due to a very tight deadline. We used photography from the Japanese shoot and other sources to give a brief insight into the various jobs Kelly undertook, and places she visited during her Japanese adventure. Autodesk Discreet Combustion and Adobe After Effects were used heavily to bring the photography and design elements to life.

Client: Ginger Productions / ITV / ITV2

A series exploring how the lifestyle of hard partying, fast living and drug abuse often associated with Hollywood has taken its toll on some of the most iconic stars of all time.
The series was split into 5 episodes, Hollywood Gods, Rock Goddesses, Hollywood Goddesses, Rock Gods, and finally a show purely dedicated to Elvis.

The short titles were designed, created and graded in Autodesk Discreet Flint and After Effects with a macro photograph of skin as a backplate.

Client: Sky 3

Celebrity chef James Martin and star of Cash in the Attic, Alistair Appleton go on an historic culinary adventure in this food and history series, Stately Suppers.
In each show, James and Alistair visit a celebrated stately home or palace in the British Isles. Alistair explores the history and heritage of the stunning house while James creates a series of unique, contemporary recipes inspired by the various historic periods of the house.

This title sequence uses many traditional elements, old textured paper, animated swirls and strokes, soft vignettes and elegant photography of the architecture and food. Layered together, composited and graded using After Effects and Autodesk Discreet Flint.

Client: BBC2 / Leopard Films

UK version of the hit American series that gives the lucky participants the chance of the makeover of a lifetime from the country’s top specialists, including a plastic surgeon, cosmetic dentist and talented hair and makeup artists.
One of the most talked about shows featured Jade Goody’s mother Jackiey Budden, you can see her before and after shot below.

The sequence was created with Adobe After Effects, as was a plethora of programme graphics, including all of the stings, bumpers, straps, credits and most importantly the before and after screens where each part of the body that had been treated was highlighted with information graphics.

Client: Living TV / RuggieMedia

Jade Goody's Mother Jackiey Budden - Before & After