Written by Tom Deehan on Mar 10, 2017. Posted in On Location

Green Olive Films used 80 camera rig for Thomson commercial in Crete

Thomson’s latest commercial, which aired over the 2016 Christmas holiday, was shot on location at the Aquila Rithymna Beach in Crete. Green Olive Films serviced the spot, working with creative agency, Y&R London (formerly RKCR/Y&R) and production company, Outsider.

Located in Crete’s north coast, the Aquila Rithymna Beach lies between Heraklion and Chania. The area enjoys long, dry summers and temperatures of up to 27 °C, making it a prime location for productions that require extensive shoot days in the sun.

The spot depicts a young girl as she makes her way from the beach to the local resort, in a scene that is completely frozen in time.

Technical Supervisor, Michael Drake explains: “we call it time-track. It’s a bunch of still cameras that are all shot simultaneously and then they’re played back sequentially [which] leads to a frozen moment. This particular rig has 80 still cameras, and it varies from shoot to shoot from 40 to 160 and sometimes more.”

Servicing projects in Greece and Cyprus, Green Olive Films’ previous work includes commercials for P&O Cruises, Nivea and Thomas Cook.

Due to its troubled economy, Greece lacks a formal film incentive programme. Despite this however, the country still enjoys a reasonable degree of popularity with foreign productions, thanks to its appealing climate and iconic aesthetic.

Recent projects to have filmed in the country include ITV’s The Durrells and Bollywood feature Bang Bang, utilising Corfu and Mykonos respectively.

Production service company, Archer’s Mark, also shot a unique POV commercial in Greece for Expedia.

Credits

Production Company: Outsider

Production Service Company: Green Olive Films

Advertising Agency: Y&R, London, UK

Executive Creative Director: Mark Roalfe

Creatives: Nicola Wood, Andy Forrest, Tim Brookes

Managing Partner: Priya Patel

Account Director: Olly Boden

Agency Producer: Celestine Hall, Lara Parker, Fiona Renfrew, Kate Manning, Kevin May

Producer: Zeno Campbell-Salmon

Editor: Julia Knight (Work Post)

Post Production: Ryan Knowles (Electric Theatre)

Sound Design: Mark Hellaby (750MPH)

Music Composer: Biggi Hilmars

Music Supervisor: Dan Neale (Native)

Director of Photography: Will Dex

Photographer: George Logan

Director: Jamie Muir