The Play Room's Adam Spivey Cuts 'Own the Weekend' with Simon Ratigan

The new Guardian brand campaign entitled ‘Own The Weekend’ comprises a stunning action-packed 90 second film and a clever 20 second edit which is all encompassing of a full weekend’s activities as reflected in the Guardian’s weekend supplement.

This beautifully shot feel-good film takes the viewer on a visual journey through the weekend from Saturday morning until Sunday night… it’s a rollercoaster of leisure time activities interspersed with daily routine and family life.

Shot on Canon 5D digital cameras over 3 days, the film uses real people (not extras), to capture almost documentary style footage with a truly authentic feel showcasing all the various scenarios of family and daily life.

Rather originally, the beautiful images and vignettes are set against the backdrop of a song “I’m dreaming of the weekend” composed and sung by BBH Creative Director Michael Russoff.  A keyboard was set up in the cutting room so Michael could play along and get a feel for the music whilst watching the edits.

On editing the 90 second commercial Adam comments, “It was a pleasure to be working with Simon and BBH again.  The aim was to pack in a huge amount into the 90”, so Simon went out and shot a lot of great footage. Despite the amount of rushes and the very tight turn-around, this job just seemed to fall into place. The process was all made easier as Michael (Creative Director) had already composed the music before I began and I think it’s a perfect fit. Although it was hard work, I can honestly say it’s one of the nicest jobs I have worked on and I think that’s a refection of Simon and BBH”

The accompanying 20” film to the campaign was cut by fellow Play Room editor Alessandra Milani.  On this clever edit Ale comments,  "We wanted to make a short but effective edit that would convey the idea of all the things you can do over a week end and how The Guardian/Observer can help you with that. A grid system seemed to be the best way to approach this in a fun way that would allow the viewer to get a positive feeling about this rather than lingering too much on each single activity.”

To view The Guardian 90” edited by Adam Spivey click here, and to view the 20” Alessandra Milani edit, click here

The Play Room also celebrated this week as Adam Spivey garnered yet another accolade for 2014, this time in Kinsale with a Silver Shark awarded for Best Editing for Eurostar directed by Simon Ratigan at HLA.

“It was great to pick up the GOLD award in the Best Editing category for Army “Boots” last year at Kinsale, so when I heard that I won again this year for Eurostar “Stories are waiting”, I was totally chuffed! What great taste the Irish have!  Eurostar was another really interesting job to cut with Simon (Ratigan, director) and AMV BBDO”, comments Adam.