Alan Blake came up with "Space for Everyone" as the new slogan for Slooh, an exciting, virtual astronomy site - Then needed to create an anthem video to back it up!
Searching for a new look, Alan shot this social media video using a pocket camera.
Instead of the usual talking heads and "B" Roll, Alan decided to tell this company's story in a different way.
Originally this ad for Lord Dentsu was scripted to be shot in limbo, but I decided to create a mad set. Even though I didn’t direct the food shots, the owner of the company, who attended the shoot, was so happy with the spot that he generously and with much ceremony, presented me with a voucher for one free burger of my choice - fries included!
This campaign for Abbot Mead Vickers, won top honors in Cannes and helped Jennie & Co, my company at that time, win the Palm D’Or. Digital FX had not yet been invented, so the brainiac heads were created using prosthetic make-up by Chris Tucker.
My contribution here, included the notion of the interviewee simultaneously completing the down and across clues of the Times Crossword.
FCB London sent me this script, to be shot with a voice over narrating the action. I cast young Desmond here, who had a strong ‘Cockney’ accent, and cajoled them into a sync sound shoot. The ad became a bit of a classic and won me the London Creative Circle award for ‘Best Director”. It also got Desmond a starring role in Les Miserables - and sold lots of chockie . .
England's most creative agency of the 70's/80's, Collett Dickinson Pearce, were big advocates for me when I began directing and were largely responsible for my early success. They were fond of using celebrities, which was a double edged sword from a director's perspective. There was plenty of kudos for working with famous people and some instant public appeal for the ad, but celebs are not actors so it's often a bit scary. For this one, Sir Ian Botham just had to put in a cameo appearance and provide the pay-off with a knowing wink. I could tell you how many takes we shot......but that just wouldn't be cricket old sport.
During my first decade or so as a director I was more known for dialogue and story telling, so it was always exciting when I was asked to shoot something a little different.
A hot sunny look was key to this idea from Abbot Mead Vickers, so of course we were dodging clouds and thunderstorms all day. Me, complain?
More Brainiac madness from superstar Creatives Richard Foster and John Horton of AMV - The team I worked with more than any other and true legends.
British character actor Ballard Berkely (The Colonel in Fawlty Towers) is at his best in this one from writer Chips Hardy of Dorlands.
Doyle Dane Bernbach handed me this one. I came up with the idea for the concealed bar. Shot on location in London’s Docklands.
A fairly modest ad for a cut-price store but I appreciate John Crawford's moody lighting. Shooting on a set enabled me to have fun with long lens tracking shots, which I think help the story along pretty well.
Legendary creatives, Norman Icke and Bob Stanners at Leo Burnett London had envisaged this ad in a contemporary setting. But something about the story line reminded me of the classic 1950’s ‘Ealing Comedies’ and I managed to get everyone on board with a pastiche. Photographed by Gil Taylor using Black and White film stock.
And a Merry Christmas to one and all.... This from a time when cigarettes were getting a bad rap but people considered cigars and pipe tobacco to be "safe"...Hmmmm
Copyright © 2024 Blake and Company Films - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.