By Flat Frog Films LTD, Located in Hemel Hemsptead Hertfordshire we are one of the UK’s premiere video production companys creating content for both the broadcast and corporate sectors.

It was a freezing cold Thursday morning when the Flat Frog crew set off down the M25 headed for the stunning historian town of Winchester. A place I have visited many times but never armed with a camera, not a professional one anyway. We where on our way to shoot at the new Offord and Sons jewellery store which is located on a quiet but prominent street just away from the town centre. One it turned out was tricky for the likes of us to find.

The brief was a pretty simple one. The jewellers had a shiny new shop and wanted to show it off, and rightly so. These things cost a stack of money.

We had filled the car with all our favourite pieces of kit as this sounded like the type of shoot where you could play with all your favourite toys. And we LOVE nothing better than having a play with our toys. I guess that is the benefit of doing what you love for a living – either that or its the fix of a kit junky – in fairness I think it is probably a bit of both.

When we arrived the quiet street was anything but, it was narrow, full of people and had cars, trucks and vans racing up it and attempting to park in ludicrous places in order to carry out their deliveries. We very quickly realised our initial plan of a beautiful crane shot to open the video might be a little trickier than we thought.

We where greeted by the store owner Phil and his team who where some of the most hospitable people we have worked with in ages, plus Phil makes one of the best cups of tea I have had. Our start was improving lol.

The shop was just stunning, absolutely beautiful. It was clear why Offord and sons wanted to have a video made to show it off.

After nearly an hour of dodging traffic we finally managed to get the crane shot we wanted and set about building our dolly to obtain our much loved filmatic movement shots. I am a huge fan of the dolly shot. It makes such a huge difference to the quality of production; it instantly creates that wonderful smooth motion that gives the impression of quality and professionalism.

We had decided ahead of time to shoot on the Canon 6d. in RAW. The footage that comes out of the camera is amazing. It absolutely loves light and genuinely has a look that rivals film. We used the Tokino wide-angle lens to get the inside shots giving the impression of space. It really is a cracking lens. We also used the macro 100mm lens for some stunning close ups and the 105mm lens for the lifestyle shots. All in all it went incredible well and the finished video looks sensational and exhibits the beauty of the new shop perfectly.

If you would like a video like this for your business plese contact james by calling 01442 231220 or email us at james@flatfrogfilms.com

About Offord and Sons

‘We have an excellent range of diamond engagement, wedding and eternity rings in gold and platinum, which can all be configured to meet your requirements. Bespoke pieces created to the highest standards using the latest design and manufacturing techniques.

Quality pre-owned watches bought and sold, to include Rolex, Cartier, Panerai, Breitling, IWC and Omega.

Having a workshop on the premises our highly skilled goldsmiths are able to cater for all your jewellery repairs, alterations and restoration requirements. Other services we offer include, watch and clock repairs/restoration, pearl and bead restringing, engraving, jewellery valuations for insurance and probate carried out on the premises by our gemmologists and fully qualified members of the institute of registered valuers.

We are also members of The National Association of Goldsmiths, The Gemmological Association of Great Britain, The Guild of Valuers.”

Winchester branch

86 High Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9AP
Tel: (01962) 867772
Fax: (01962) 877223

Romsey branch

3 Church Street, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8BT
Tel: (01794) 512247
Fax: (01794) 521075

Visit the Offord and Sons Website