'Cmon Baby do the Motivation...'

Group dynamics are an interesting thing in team builds. Music, activities, personal stories along the way to a shared outcome. We're busy filming the various motivational programs at Pick n Pay, tying it all together in a promo DVD, incentivizing them for an additional push through Christmas. 1000 winners will 'Live their Dreams' in January and we've already got some brilliant footage for the program. Script Draft (1) was a bit 'out there'...( I saw it clearly, but couldn't get the buy-in...) so Draft (2) is spot on the money, way more literal and even easier to direct! Add some funky graphics, staff songs and dancing, off-the-cuff sound bites from the people involved and we're going to nail this one. Probably wrap shooting in a week, then tie it all together - love it!

Deon

Safety Concerns

I've done various Safety DVD's over the years for training and induction. Either online for remote locations, on DVD, 'toolbox talks' or in the reception for visitors to view before going on site. Personal responsibility is key, correct PPE as well as management support for continuity of message.
Flash point of cutback bitumens is a low 50 degrees, which means it can explode at low temperatures if not handled correctly. I filmed this demonstration for a new DVD we're doing - they wouldn't let me blow up a real truck...
Deon
www.bingdigital.co.za
Twitter: deon_bing

Dust control management

Another project I've just got involved in - Dust Control management. I got an urgent call to do an overview DVD of Dust-A-Side up in Pretoria, who supply various dust control systems for the mines locally and into Africa. I took this frame grab at a ferrochrome mine. Scripted, interviewed, shot and edited in a week, uploaded to Youtube and couriered to Paris for the presentation - done and dusted (or dust controlled!)
Great project to be involved in - learned a whole lot of new stuff!
And they thought the production was excellent - glad to be able to help out at such short notice.
Deon
Twitter: deon_bing
www.bingdigital.co.za
082 565 3899
deon@deonbing.co.za

Motion Control

Exciting times. We're busy putting a program together on the catching, processing and distribution of pilchards - but first we had to find them...so I was booked aboard the Advance and over the horizon we went. Great cabin, food and company. The endless 'scuba breath' sound, beating the fish finder tempo. Nothing, so further North we went, silently creeping up on the shoal. After 2 days of marking time, the sudden frenzy of all hands on deck and laying out the net, each person relying on each other to maximise the catch and get it in quickly. And me trying to get the shot and keep out the way at the same time! A long time at sea, but the footage I've got back is incredible - looking forward to the edit - so many options.
Deon

Drive-by shooting

Shooting another in the series, we needed to get various angles of the MyCiti bus heading towards the airport. 3 wide cameras suctioned all over the car facing in different directions, plus a cameraperson in the passenger seat. Timed our run perfectly and had the tourists waving as we drew alongside, then let them pull ahead. By the 4th time of doing the dance, they were looking a little more worried. 6th attempt at the drive by and they moved to the other side of the bus.

Deon

www.bingdigital.co.za

Don't be a sheep

Running my business for over 20 years, you learn stuff.
Reinvent, reinvest, rejuvenate, relearn - you gotta keep ahead of the flock.
'The only constant is change' - 'adapt or die' - wouldn't want it any other way!
So bring it on, lets do the joust and dance with the swords and if perchance I'm lanced, so be it!
Rather to chase the thrill than resign to the prescribed future of comfortable grazing and a certain end.
Deon

Joie de Vivre my bru

A few months back, a chain of events led to me getting a text from the beach about a French crew looking for an old surfer - so I was the natural choice...thanks okes!
Castings, clothing, catering, cappuccinos -  a run down Long Beach with a great bunch of people  - and then we did it again...and again. Heres the ad.
Fun to be in front of the cameras for a change.
Deon
www.bingdigital.co.za

Make a plan

So whaddaya do? After 20 years, you still get the call to do a quick shoot and edit, knowing that its still going to have to look decent when you're done and its your ass on the line...How quick? Less than 24 hours! But you get older and wiser and the learning curve isn't so steep anymore, if you put the plans in place - like an edit suite where we're shooting. And taking control early on on the non negotiables if we're going to meet the deadline. So we lit, directed, shot and edited, included pack shots and client endorsements and got it done in the day. DVDs in her hand and back on the first flight to Jozi.
Price, Timing and Quality - the say that you can have two of the three...but I think we nailed them all!
Deon
www.bingdigital.co.za

Who's the audience?

Often the challenge of putting a production together is determining the audience. It's often obvious to me, but there are role players of varying persuasion in these meetings that have a view that might not be objective, not see the bigger picture of what needs to be communicated, and how to do it. The skill is in offering options and persuading the group to agree on the most appropriate solution. Not what you learned in film school...
However the picture above is not one of those situations.
Lutz is clear in what is required, he has worked with the children at Hokisa for many years and has presented our DVD at various fundraisers in Europe - covered all the bases. What a pleasure to work with! This was the first run through of their new 2012 version, showing their progress over the last 10 years since I've started with them. And even though the kids aren't our target audience, it's fantastic to hear them laughing and enjoying the production - and be proud to have been part of it.
I know I am.
Deon

On the streets

Theres a script and a visualisation - a plan. But then you hit the streets to execute it and something magical happens, Don't know if its Cape Town, but something pops, and new ideas emerge. The skill is to understand what will add to the story, enhance the visuals and drop into the edit. And even then, there'll be some pretty cool stuff left over that'll probably have fitted better into a music video...but what fun to shoot!

Hokisa update

An open gate policy at Hokisa in Masiphumelele, where kids come to visit and play with the others that stay there. I'm busy with the updated video to help with their foreign fundraising efforts. When we did the previous one ten years ago, there were a lot of sick children being cared for. Now they're a bunch of healthy teenagers, playing soccer, listening to music and doing homework - seriously! They've just added a new extension - another success story!
Deon

New Website coming

Finally...I've got my act together, spent endless hours with Steve and we're counting down to the launch of Bing Digitals new site. It connects to client reviews, the Youtube channel, 94.5 blog, this blog, the Bing SUP School, Bing Digital Facebook, Twitter - freekin hell...what a tangled web we weave - but not to deceive. Coming to a Google search near you soon!
Deon

Happy Client

Just finished another Safety DVD, this time for Peaking Generation, the power stations that give the extra immediate power when we need it in the evenings - Hydro and Gas Turbines. A few years ago, we documented the building of OCGT up at Atlantis and Gourikwa - they came on line just in time for winter. The DVD's were used for knowledge management and communicating progress.

This recent safety DVD was great fun to shoot, with a good support team and excellent acting skills from Gaeton Schmidt. Thanks to Gerald for the editing skills. I love it when a plan comes together...check out the letter I just got!

Deon

Hokisa

Back in Masi, where I started shooting and producing videos for Hokisa 10 years ago. Thankfully the programs have been put to good use and continue to help raise foreign funding for the work they do. The HIV infected kids that might not have made it, have grown into strong, confident teenagers, individuals with determination. We're doing a new DVD from scratch, documenting the incredible achievements, the sustainability of the project. Wonderful people have welcomed me back, allowing me to shoot their lives, opening their homes. Trusting me to show the hidden side of a difficult situation, I owe it to them to do it right and help make a difference.

Deon

A walk though Kalk Bay

A walk through Kalk Bay - a fishing village in transition. The roads been under construction for ages, visitor numbers are down, shops have given up and closed, while some have grimly hung on. And then others thrive, with great food, new startups with a queue for a spare table. Opportunities. Come down take a look.

Deon

Westlake Primary School

We shot the opening of the Westlake Primary. I love the challenge of taking a broad range of interviews and tying them up as a single story - see what you think.
Deon

St Helena Bay shoot - Oceana Foundation

The Oceana Foundation have consolidated their various CSI initiatives. I was out at St Helena Bay to shoot the handing over of 3 school busses to schools in the areas where Oceana have factories. The children have amazing potential ( and a fantastic choir). Stoked to be part of the crowd that was out there to celebrate! Lots of speeches and donations, but the demands of a quick edit and telling the main story resulted in this video.
Oceana now have the Youtube link to mail when required.
Deon

With a little help...

It's what we do - but theres so much I get out of shooting the different programs and events we're privileged to cover. In the outlying areas, inland and up the West Coast, there are often a few songs from the local school choir. Not the begrudging, slack attempt I remember when I was dragged into the tenor warblers, but a full on, confident, motivated group. Theres so much potential out there and each one deserves a proper chance. At this event, Oceana donated 3 busses to schools in the area where their factories are. There have also been a few smartboards that have not only helped the learners, but motivated and 'capacitated' the staff. Looking forward to extracting the essence of the story through editing the interviews I shot.

Deon

Thanks Candice Chaplin for the pic

Title Sequence

Pretty happy being able to turn this around so quickly - title sequence came out well. Can't show you the whole DVD cos its an internal communication to the group - but everyones ready to roll out the training - and we're the opening act! Happy client, happy Bing Digital - whatever it takes...