FILMING ON TOUR WITH ZIGGY ALBERT’S
6 shows.
5 weeks.
32,000 people.
5 episodes.
Screenshot by @Samueldhall from the Fremantle show
A BIT OF BACKGROUND
As a freelance Videographer, I don’t often get to know what I’ll be working on, or what’s in store for me in the foreseeable future. Every week is different and I’m constantly working hard to look for new clients and projects to keep me busy. 2019 consisted of mostly filming sporting events for a live TV company based near Birmingham. It paid the bills but in most cases wasn’t exciting or creatively fulfilling and often became very tedious. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful for any work that I can get as it’s an insanely competitive industry with so much incredible talent out there doing the same thing but I hoped to get stuck into something more creative.
2019 was the year I realised the importance of creating content I’m passionate about. This is because, regardless of money and stability, these projects are what will ultimately help me develop, both as a creator and as an individual progressing in this challenging and competitive industry.
AUS TOUR DIARIES TRAILER
The trailer to the 5 episode mini doc series highlighting some of the best moments during the tour
THE EXCITING EMAIL
In July 2019 I woke up one morning to an email asking me if I’d be interested in flying out to Australia, to capture video content for musician ‘Ziggy Albert’s on his biggest ever SOLD OUT Australian tour.
To say I was buzzing would be an understatement.
HOW IT CAME ABOUT
Earlier that year, I was doing a bit of video work with musician and friend Harrison Storm (pictured below) – an extremely likeable, talented, Australian dude with too many great tunes! When Harry came on his UK and Europe tour, we were asked to film his UK show at the Electric Brixton in London. Anyway, long story short, Harry was the support act for Ziggy on this EU tour, and I was asked if I would be interested in filming for Ziggy that same night as well. Of course, I said yes!
I was blown away by Ziggy’s performance that night and was more than happy to provide the team with some content from the footage we shot that night. The video we made is HERE is you’re interested to watch. This video is what initially sparked my working relationship with Commonfolk Records (Ziggy’s family run record label) and after doing further editing work with them later led to the invitation to film the Australian tour.
THE TOUR BEGINS
After a few phone calls and numerous planning emails with the crew at Commonfolk, It was time to say goodbye to a mild British winter and hello to the warm Australian summer. I took a 28-hour all round journey to Sydney and met up with Caisa who soon after introduced me to the rest of the team - some of which I had met previously at the London show earlier that year. We all seemed to get on so well from the get-go, everyone was so friendly and immediately made me feel at home on the other side of the world.
PHOTO’S BY @ANIKARAYA AND @BRISTOWFILMS
THE JOB
My role was to film alongside Samuel Hall – Ziggy’s videographer. We clicked from the start and shared the same vision; which was a massive bonus! We also worked with Anika Raya - Marketing Coordinator and photographer who was super lovely and did an incredible job managing us and also helping out with anything we needed. Together we formed the ultimate video team that captured every aspect of the tour.
The aim of these videos was to encapsulate fly on the wall style film - from messing about in the ocean on surfboards to dragging suitcases around an airport and drinking coffee. I felt every moment was special enough to capture even if it didn't make the final cut. It's the little moments that we remember and therefore are so important to building the story.
Our roles were to capture all shows, BTS and backstage content wherever possible. It was my job to then edit the content we filmed in order to create tour diaries that could be viewed on YouTube after finishing the tour and serve as great memento’s to look back on.
SUMMARY
I can happily say, this was one of the best experiences of my life and I am so blessed to have been a part of such an incredible, young and inspiring team. I can’t wait to look back on these memories and re-live the moments again and again.
I'd like to keep this blog post short and sweet as the videos speak for themselves
Special thanks to each & every member of Commonfolk Records for being so welcoming and getting me on-board for this tour, Kim Churchill for being so entertaining and providing massive tunes and Samueldhall-creative for partnering up to make these moments last forever.
TOUR DIARIES
EPISODE 1
EPISODE 2
EPISODE 3
EPISODE 4
EPISODE 5