In more news from the Gulf region, Kuwait has donated 5 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products to Japan, worth 4.5 billion yen, or approx £34.6 million.
Japan Disaster Benefit Concert
January 10th, 2011One event in particular which gained a lot of interest was the Japan Disaster Benefit Concert organised in an incredibly short space of time by former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher. Among those performing were his new band Beady Eye, Paul Weller, Primal Scream and many other big names in British music. The band stole the show with their Beatles’ covers (“because they’re popular in Japan”), Liam giving a powerful rendition of “Across The Universe”.
A 5,000-strong audience filled the Brixton Academy, raising £16,000 (approx 2.1 million yen) for the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal.
Location Spot: Dubai Metro
June 19th, 2010
The Metro is gaining attention as the newest shoot location in Dubai. Station designs are very different to the familiar styles of New York, London or Paris due to the audacious use of colour, and as the metro system opened very recently, the interiors remain pristine. One particular station, based on the theme of “water” with eye-catching drop-shaped chandeliers, gives the impression of being in a luxury hotel. When trains are not running, the Metro is used as a shoot location.We have posted stills of Dubai Metro on our locations site, so please take the opportunity to see them.
Director: Sebastian Lopez
June 19th, 2010Even within directors’ agency Cream, with whom DON Productions has formed a partnership, Argentinian director and graphic designer Sebastian Lopez emerges as an incredibly edgy talent.
Taking an experimental approach to shooting commercials, promos and full-length features, Sebastian’s work is distinctive and intriguing. A man of many talents, while he directs commercials for Motorola, Bacardi, Coca-Cola, Honda and many more, Sebastian also owns a design firm in his native Buenos Aires. Argentina’s film world is experiencing incredible change, and Sebastian’s avant-garde style definitely makes him one to watch. Sebastian Lopez’s work can be seen on the Cream website below.
Otsuka Seiyaku “Pocari Sweat” ad (desert edition)
June 4th, 2010
The “Pocari Sweat” commercial (desert edition) currently being airedSummer was just beginning when we coordinated the aerial and desert shoots in Dubai for the latest Pocari Sweat commercial, starring Takeshi Kitano. Though temperatures in the desert were close to 40 degrees Celsius, the shoot went smoothly.
Location Spot: Maunsell Forts
June 4th, 2010
These towers soar into the sky above the Thames Estuary, around 1 ½ hours’ drive east of London. Built during World War Two to repel attacks from German fighter jets, the seven towers contain living spaces, kitchens and bedrooms which allowed soldiers to be based there for long periods. Boats from the nearby harbour are often used for shoots, and equipment can also be brought from London by helicopter. These immense, robot-like structures can be seen in a recent video by techno-rock band The Prodigy. For details about Maunsell Forts, please see the link below.
→ Maunsell Towers Official Website
Location Spot: English Castles
June 4th, 2010
This month sees the UK cinema release of “Robin Hood” (to be released in Japan in the autumn). Director Ridley Scott and lead actor Russell Crowe first worked together on “Gladiator” (2000). Most of the shooting for “Robin Hood” took place in north-west England, an area with an atmospheric, medieval feel. There are still many ancient castles in the UK, often available even for large-scale shoots.
Ridley Scott is said to have been inspired by Alnwick Castle and Bamburgh Castle, both in north-east England. For more details, please see the links below.
Feature: Art Deco in London
February 28th, 2010
Art Deco was a global art movement from 1920 to 1940. America is usually considered the home of Art Deco. However, although Britain is not always thought of as a place to find examples of this architecture, there are in fact many fine Art Deco buildings in London. The capital is of course full of pre-20th century buildings, but on closer inspection Art Deco buildings are surprisingly easy to find. Tube stations, cinemas, and landmarks such as Shell Mex House, the Hoover Building and the Daily Express Building are dotted around the city. Here is a selection of Art Deco buildings in London which are available as shoot locations.
Senate House (shown above) was designed by the architect Charles Holden as the administrative centre of the University of London and completed in 1937.
With 19 floors reaching a height of 64 metres, at the time of completion Senate House was the second tallest building in London after St. Paul’s Cathedral. In his novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four”, George Orwell based his description of the Ministry of Truth headquarters on Senate House.
Henry VIII is said to have spent his boyhood at Eltham Palace, now a world heritage site. In 1936 Sir Stephen and Lady Courtauld, whose family made their fortune in textiles, had the residence rebuilt in the present Art Deco style while still honouring its historical roots. One of London’s most iconic examples of Art Deco, the house and gardens occupy 19 acres (76890 sq m). The walls are lavishly decorated with ivory and pearl, and the garden features a medieval bridge and examples of traditional English gardening.
As the headquarters (Grand Lodge) of Freemasonry, the secret society founded in England, Freemasons’ Hall has seen many meetings over the years. The Freemasons are a fraternity with a global membership said to be around 5 million. Prime Minister Hatoyama of Japan is rumoured to be a member. Freemasons’ Hall is in the centre of London and since opening to the public in 1985, has been a location for many films and commercials. The Hall occupies around 2.25 acres (9100 sq m), and has 21 lodge rooms, a library and a museum. The largest room, the Grand Temple, can accommodate 1700 people and is often used for concerts and musicals.
A watch that travels the world, a banner that travels the world
February 28th, 2010
December 2010 saw the launch of a special website entitled “Citizen x Masaharu Fukuyama – A watch that travels the world, a banner that spans the globe”.
It was created to document the travels to 6 cities around the globe of the advertisement truck carrying a banner for luxury watchmakers Citizen. Visiting Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, London, Dubai and Hong Kong, production staff worked tirelessly, overcoming jet lag to film in each location and compile reports, and Don Productions offices in London and Dubai had a rare opportunity to co-ordinate and work on the same project.
