Member Article

Bdaily explores R&B Group

In this series of interviews, Bdaily dips into the world of events and production business, R&B Group. This third installment is a chat with video production manager Glyn Towers, who tells us about his role, and the technical challenges in creating video for his clients.

Glyn is full of colourful examples when asked about the different scenarios in which video is used at R&B.

He says: “We recently did a piece for Nissan, and the launch of their Juke model. Here we needed to blend outside shots with some incar camera work, which posed a nice challenge for us.

“We took a crew down to their test track and put together a nice package for them. It was quite a complex arrangement, and we hadn’t worked with their PR firm before, so they needed to trust that we were upto the job.”

“Another good example - 4 or 5 years ago - we covered the launch of a new range of excavators for the manufacturer Komatsu.

“For this, we had a crew in a quarry with some of the vehicles, and used 180 degree shots to capture the view from the cab of these machines, as they were in action. For the launch, we then broadcast across three screens, so the audience got this great panoramic display. Inside the venue, the machinery was presented with a fire show in the background.”

With such multifaceted projects, Glyn explains that turnaround on video can often be extremely tight, and is one of the main challenges in the job.

He adds: “We covered a Johnson and Johnson conference in Portugal. That was a case of one man, jumping on a plane with some kit, and getting stuck in there.

“With a project like that, the turnaround needs to be timely, so we would work into the night to have interviews and segments edited down, and presented to the client, before the next morning’s events. That can pose a challenge, as you’re working long hours, but in the corporate world, it’s very much dog-eat-dog, so we need to be on top in terms of our delivery. And of course, you’re not just delivering for your current client, there’s always other potential clients that you are putting yourself in front of.

“I always think you we need to be like a swan on water; furiously working below the surface, but projecting this image of calm and control.”

Each project entails a host of technical considerations, and Glyn needs to communicate the subtleties of different approaches to the client, as well as keeping an eye on how technology is progressing, and what elements might need to become part of the R&B offering.

“A lot of clients expect HD, but for others, they are quite clear it is not what they want. Sometimes the requirements will be more straightforward - where they need a clean, concise piece.”

“You have to be careful when introducing new technology and products. It would be a disaster to invest perhaps £60,000 in some kit before we know that it is really likely to take off, and become an integral part of what clients want.

“3D is an interesting one, I don’t think it’s quite what our clients are looking for, so we’re holding back and investing where it is more necessary. It’s all tied into spec-ing jobs correctly, and that’s at the core of what we do. We never want to throw it all in unnecessarily.”

As for inspiration, Glyn says his favourite medium is the live broadcast, and an ideal project for him might involve some high speed manoeuvres.

He adds: “Personally, I like the idea of live broadcasting, I like that pressure. If you’re chasing a racing bike around a circuit and you fluff the footage, it’s potentially millions of people watching that. I think the pressure is quite exciting.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .