Monday 19 January 2009

The most depressing day of the year/the coming of expectation


So, first blog of the year from me comes on apparently the most depressing day of the year but hopefully there are some stories around to bring a smile to your face. To begin, the most obvious is that America is on the eve of inaugurating it's first african american president in Barack Hussein Obama. A truly historic moment for the nation, which will no doubt be celebrated around the world as happened when he was declared the winner on the 4th november 2008. Now if that doesn't give you a 'happy injection' I don't know what will! Also yesterday Hamas announced an immediate new ceasefire with Israel. How long this will last in this volatile and fragile area of the world, no one knows, but for now Gaza can draw breath and try to get aid in quickly. On a lighter news note, it seems cows are receiving equality unheard of in Beirut.!!! 

Closer to home Toast have delivered the first Highlife Review for British Airways of 2009 for Spafax, filmed on location at County Hall in London. With Mark Eccleston as presenter we took a trip around The Movieum, a museum celebrating the history of the British Film Industry. The show reviews the releases on board flights for the month which include Cadillac Records starring Adrian Brody as Leonard chess founder of Chess Records in the 1950s, who signed seminal african american artists such as Muddy Waters, Etta James, Howlin' Wolf and Chuck Berry. Keeping within this theme The Express starring Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown as Ernie Davis the first african american to win American Footballs Heisman Trophy in 1961 which is presented to the outstanding player in collegiate football.

On a personal note i have now gone almost a whole day without a puncture on my bike which considering the five i had last week is something of an achievement!!

So whatever is going on in the world and your corner of it try and find the good things on this reportedly most depressing day of the year and bring a smile to our downbeat brethren and yourself.

As a dear friend said 'Dance as if no one were watching. Sing as if no one were listening. And live every day as if it were your last!'







Wednesday 14 January 2009

Airborne Assault

GT Productions commissioned Toast to post produce all the video elements for a new Airborne Assualt Museum located at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire.  The installation and design by RDWP Ltd. is designed to promote the heritage of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces; to educate and inspire those serving; to commemorate the actions of past and present members; and to inform and interest the public. It tells the story from the regiment's creation in 1940 to the present-day campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Jonathan Swinfen from GT Productions and Toast’s co-founder John Gradwell have worked together on many corporate video, commercial, TV and museum projects ranging from Shakespeare’s Globe to JVC and Disney.  Working from archive footage from the Parachute Regiment and the Imperial War Museum archive, 16 films were created with graphics from Dave King, an original score by Robert Hartsthorne and additional editing by Emily Harris. The museum was opened by HRH Prince Charles on the 9th of November 2008.

Tuesday 13 January 2009

Bowling battle....


Whilst we all returned from the Christmas break refreshed and ready for the new commercial and corporate challenges that lie ahead, it was felt by some, well James to be exact, that a little competition was needed amongst the Toast team.  This comes along in the form of a bowling extravaganza....  Yes, a night where every member of the toast team becomes equal in a fight to the death.  Well, not quite, more like we bowl and the person who gets the most points wins the prize...... (prize to be determined.... depending on who wins)

place your bets now........

Let's Get Physical

The new year is upon us, new years resolutions have been made and it will be interesting to see how many have been broken, but here at Toast we're looking to push through the pain barrier with  regular trips to the local swimming pool.

So far I've recruited Jeremy our senior producer but am looking for more Toast input.  It has been going well and we haven't hit the  mental wall yet except for an embarrassing accident last Thursday but that was less mental and more physical.

Afterwards however we raring to go for the rest of the day, ready to tackle any corporate film or commercial coming our way.

Let's see how long the aqua intentions last!!
Toast TV were asked by agency Masius to produce another set of Digital Airport panels for BAA's Christmas campaign. Sticking with the highly successful green swoosh campaign the animating panels feature products and offers available at the major UK airports.

Give it some Heart

Jenny Ash Directs her first TVC for Toast TV. Agency of the year BMB selected Jenny to helm their spot Heart FM.  Previously Jenny has been in high demand directing such TV dramas as "PA's" "Waterloo Road" "Days of Darkness" and drama docs such as "Night Stalker" "Dead man Boarding" "Gurus" and "Dolly". Jenny's work is all about combining the best possible performances with great storytelling and Toast is proud to add her to our roster of directors.

The British Legion breaks with a brand new poster campaign produced by Toast's digital arm - Toastdigital for this year's Poppy Appeal. The Poppy Man has been a feature of previous press and poster campaigns for the Royal British Legion. This year, Toastdigital brought him to life. This 3D figure appears out of falling poppies and extends a comforting, helping hand to an ex-serviceman. He features in cross-track poster sites throughout Central London Underground helping to highlight Poppy Week and the plight of those who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces and their dependants.