We’re halfway through the horror movie that is 2020, so we thought it would be a good time to look back on how the video production industry has tackled the issues presented by COVID-19. During these challenging times, video producers around the world have been faced with the tough task of creating content under the tightest restrictions we’ve ever experienced. Sometimes restrictions stifle our creativity; while other times they just make it stronger. We asked Will Wray-Lang, our Junior Video Producer, to dig out the very best examples of lockdown video content.
Santa Cruz Bicycles
This beautifully shot promo is an enlightening and exciting example of video content being released during lockdown. This video is entirely located in a garden, with the plot of a protagonist’s hand acting as a human character, riding a mini bicycle around doing tricks and flips.
The idea is very effective and looks great on screen. It is a stunning example of original content which highlights to the audience how filming quality video content doesn’t need to require a cast full of people or locations. There are three main features; garden, one man’s hand and a mini bicycle.
If you’re a creator looking to produce video content, here is an example which you should feast your eyes on! The simplicity of this video shows to the audience that lockdown doesn’t have to stop creativity. You can literally go into your garden and create a great video! We also see how an advert can sway the audience’s interest, as we warm towards the product of a bicycle through the lighthearted video.
Facebook App
‘Part of Us.’ Here is a great example of a motivating and emotional video created during lockdown, looking at and celebrating with the students who graduated from Universities during 2020. As the lockdown has put a halt to graduation ceremonies, many students around the world have had to find a new way to celebrate their achievements.
The video is designed to be fun and positive, to show all students around the world they can still find a way to celebrate their graduation, which is a cornerstone and great milestone in their achievements, all of whom have studied for 3 years or possibly more.
Nike
The video is a good example of how to use pre-existing footage from sporting events to create original content. The video first focuses on losses of famous sport stars, however we then see their never say die attitude and refusal to give in. They then return and win the competitions. We could look at this never give in attitude as a metaphor for the lockdown. We notice this link between the video and the lockdown through the shot of a playground closed at 1:08 minutes. The moral of the story is the comeback will be stronger and win!
Mous
‘Mous – In the Making’ is a cool, fast paced jazzy and electric video about the brands groundbreaking technological device cases and covers. The new footage used from the video consists of shots in the empty streets, home recordings on phone screens. This works well with the pre-existing footage of groups meeting up testing out the product.
This is a great example of video content made during lockdown as we are made aware new footage features. These clips show the audience that lockdown won’t automatically stop video production and there are ways to still produce during the lockdown.
Apple
Lastly, this video created by Apple, ‘Creativity goes on’ is designed to influence its audience to keep on being creative and inspired. A great example of using an adversity as an obstacle to overcome with originality and creativity. It points to the fact that as humans, we continue through the struggle.
The video is made from a sequence of varied shots; photo, video and animation. The shots are also in different aspect ratios showing us as an audience that this is jumbled together edit is using footage from people who are at home abiding the restrictions. It also touches on the issues a video production team may have during this time as they are restricted to the locations they can film.
It’s important to take note from this blog that video production can be created through the toughest adversity. Marketers and creators should take these examples of great video content as a source of motivation, to take on whatever obstacles they may be facing.
If you’ve been inspired by these examples and want to explore how we could produce video content for you, please feel free to get in touch.
