Dir / DoP: Rollo
Cam Op: Sy Turnbull
Rambler wrangler: Tom Dean
Prod Co: fletcherwilson.com

This is a promo I made for the Genero.tv, David Lynch competition… Unfortunately not the winner. Here is the original pitch description of the piece:

A cinematic knights tale / public performance

Night. Firelight reflects in tired eyes, an orange glow shivers on cold moon lit chainmail. He smears a black liquid across his face in an attempt to remove it.

Cut to Day. A tired knight tramples through a cold forest, the camera attached to him, hovering. Condensation from heavy breaths escapes the vents in his helmet, we can feel the weight of the armour as he walks and of the world on his shoulders. Glimpses of other weary actions intercut; Frost melts in the armours joints, hands red with cold clasp a wet leather bound book.

Midday, he sits alone in a clearing, heavy armour and heavy breathing to recuperate. Macro shots detail the man opening and leafing through an old book, we can’t make out the words, but as he reads he mutters them under his breath. Behind him, in soft focus a red shape drifts past frame. The man pulls out a cling-filmed sandwich, its painful to open in the cold, but he does so with hunger.

The Knight walks. He takes of his helmet; his pale white skin is luminescent. He sings to camera. ‘I wanna have a good day today…’

Back in the clearing, having finished lunch, he enthusiastically forages, Ripping up the fallen leaves, climbing trees, a Knight possessed. The background comes into focus; a lone elderly woman in climbing boots and a North Face jacket watches the madness. He becomes emotional. The lady looks a worried. A macro shot as he digs into the earth and pulls up a large stick. A weapon.

The Knight walks, the sun is starting to set, in the distance we see the public walk by. His face is tired. He is nearing the end of his journey.

Wide shots detail the setting sun and his full profile; shining armour on top, warm trousers on his bottom half, his trainers sink into the sodden earth as he tramples between trees. We cut back in time, the Knight eagerly chats to members of the public. He sips from a carton of orange juice. He sharpens the stick he is carrying into a point. We see flashes of the opening shot, closer in, the dark liquid across his face is red.

The Knight walks. Twilight now, a blue hue falls across his skin. Joggers run past laughing. He continues, a long journey jump cut as the sun finally fades, he arrives at his destination, looking up. Looking worried. An orange glow tickles his face. Fire. A harrowing roar permeates through the audio track as it ends.

Dir / DoP: Rollo
CGI: Jonathan Howells
Production Company: FW

This is a re-brand teaser we produced for Vanilla Films. The aim was to produce a naive feeling piece with an underlying professionalism; In that vein we wanted to create something that referenced the latests technologies, yet produce it with the most basic techniques.

The idea was based around using the old stereoscopic technique made popular with the fist half frame stills cameras of the late 50′s… Parallel cameras creating the left / right image which are then animated alternatively 3 frames at a time to create a basic 3D illusion… The paper bids were hand animated and my first attempt!

No cats were harmed in the making of this… just one furball bored out of his fluffy mind. Any questions on its production let me know, if not let us know what you think.

UPDATE: The viral has just been featured in the Creative Review feed; http://invo.lv/WbRs

Director / Art Direction: Rollo
3D Animation: Jonathan Howells
Production Company: Vanilla Films

Just before I started shooting Missing Scene, I was searching for a folding A4 paper holder to keep my callsheet and dailies handy and safe whilst on set. Numerous Google searches turned up nothing, so I asked if the magic / amazing Spooner & Watts could mock up a leather script binder based my scribblings, and they produced a working example a few days later. I’ve used the same prototype since and it got enough interest that we tweaked it and launched it officially HERE. This finished version is made from Bridle leather and is suede lined with screw post fittings. You can also use a standard folding script fastener. Fold it into three or roll it, then stick it in your back pocket.

Each one is made by hand in the UK and they come in a range of colours, or email them and they can make a custom version like this for Partizan.

//

Snapped on set by Soundman, Sam Nightingale, check out the overwhelming attention your cast will give you once welding such an invention:

Please contact for full CV: here!
View here for references: here!
IMDB Profile: here!

This is a recently shot Viral for the upcoming computer game ‘Naughty Bear’. We had all the FLETCHERWILSON team on this one, shooting in the furthest reaches of East London in a disused Hospital. This was also the first outing for the RR-1 DSLR cage (link!), which ill do a separate blog post on shortly.

Dir / Prod: Rob Fletcher
DoP: Rollo
Editor: Nat Wilson

Prod Co: FW
Agency: FreeForm London

Shot using the Canon 5d and 7D with Canon L-Series lenses + the RR-1 Cage. Perfect for nice looking low budget viral work.

Dead Happy. A short comedy about the Grim Reaper bored with her job trying to cope with her unrequited love for another.

Starring: Alice Lowe, Dario Bernal, David Bussell, Clare Thomson, Justin Edwards, Tom Meeten, Gav Rothery, Seb Barker, Liam Gibson and Jessica Stanley

Directed by Nicky Lianos
Written by David Lemon
Produced by Huberta Von Liel and Nicky Lianos
Director of Photography – Rollo Hollins
Production Designer – Marcus Wookey
VFX – Gavin Rothery
Editor – Rachel Tunnard and Adam Biskupski
Sound Designer – Roland Heap
Composer – Anne Nikiten and Adam Franklin
Costume Design – Lucy Bradrige and Renate Henschke
Hair and Make-up Design – AJ Juttla
Teaser cut by Adam Biskupski

UPDATED:

Heres a short making of trailer cut by the director herself and shot by the ever talented Sam Robinson. I saw the complete film on the big screen last friday for the cast and crew get together before it flies to Edingburgh with its 35mm print. It was fantastic.

Dir: Sebastian Barker
Dop: Rollo

Producer: Tasha Ponton

A low budget promo shot with the Canon 5D, all on 24-70mm 2.8 L-Series. We flew the DSLR Cage on a stedi-cam flyer, with the Lite Panels ringlight for almost the entire shoot.

Dir: Tom K Dean
Prod: Tasha Ponton
DoP: Rollo

Prod Co: FOUREYESGOOD

Shot on the Canon 5d with L-Series Primes and my prototype RR-1 DSLR Cage

Quote from the Director Tom Dean on using the rig:

“Rollo Hollins shot this using his custom built 5D rig which incorporates a Sony electronic viewfinder and turns the 5D into a fully functioning ENG style camera. This means great handheld stability and ease of use, with the lens controls easily accessible – this is critical when using the wonderful canon primes with their very shallow depth of field. Super-fast glass means…. no lights?!

Rollo can build the rig up with as many or as few accessories as he wants – V-lock batteries, monitors, lights and mics – they all just bolt on. It’s an amazing bit of kit – hopefully he can get it into production somewhere, and I look forward to seeing the rig in action again soon….”

Source: Foureyesgood

Here it is with a wonky microphone and distracted DP:

Here is the first official trailer from the Feature Documentary I shot last year – ‘Driven’ (aka Alfred and Jakobine); ‘A father and son’s eccentric road trip into their estranged past’

Jonthan Howells, Rob Fletcher (FW), myself and the rest of the small but incredible crew spent 7 weeks in late last year following the story of Alfred Hobb’s last trip across American in a 1935 Austin Taxi cab. The 83-year-old man and his son, will climbed aboard the 73-year-old London taxi, determined to drive 2500 miles east to seek out and surprise the woman who is central to both of their lives. Alfred hoping she will accept his offer of “one last drive in their old taxi … before it’s too late.” We shot the story very simply on both HD video and 16mm, using a small crew. In the end we all became equal part mechanics as we were filmmakers…

Here in the trailer we can start to see the amazing tale unravel for the first time. Exciting stuff.

Below are a few production shots from the trip with more to be found on the Driven Facebook page here: Driven Facebook Page

Also! Here is the official Driven Website, including the blog, photos and a deeper insight into the tale! Driven Website

Here is the first prototype of the DSLR ENG Cage rig – The RR-1. Only a quick note tonight as it just had the last bolt screwed down for its first job tomorrow morning. Ill update here tomorrow evening as to how it worked out.

The rig

Based on my early training on the ENG cameras of old (400′s etc.), I’ve always felt that whilst never delivering the ideal picture, the ENG camera body and the design behind them allowed for the greatest versatility in operating, and while having been put off DSLR shooting for anything other than product shots, I wanted to combine the two practises in one unit, so I designed this rig:

DLSR ENG Cage 1

DSLR Camera body ( / scarlet / yada – i.e. small forma factor chip body)
Lighter then todays prosumer video cameras.
Neutral weight on the shoulder to allow natural operating (with V-lock battery attached)
Full access to cameras controls whilst shooting
Orientatable viewfinder (!) – Shoot form the shoulder / hip / floor instantly
Breaks down to just the camera body with one click
Breaks down to a handheld action cam cage in 4 clicks
Dual monitor breakout (DA’ed)+ 12v Tap for follow focus. Upgrading to Lemo outs in the next version.
ENG snap plate

This is the first prototype; electronics made by Anthony of MKV Stedicam fame and cage parts by CPM Film Tools (and B&Q for bolts + bits to make the thing become one piece…) and it seems to do all of the above.

Its not perfect yet but its already better than I wanted from the first attempt. More to follow.

UPDATE | 26/04/10

7 Hours after the first build and the rig was on set for its first outing shooting a Commercial in sunny East London – This rig is QUICK. Quick to build, operate, mount and lucky fix. We were getting twice the shots we were expecting and they looked amazing. Everyone a client pleaser.

Now… The minor problem is that we were told a we got on set that we had to all be under NDAs as the product launch isn’t for month, so all the behind the scenes footage of the rig at work is in the suite awaiting until I can output it… This is the only picture I can use and its not the most dynamic…

©The RR1 Prototype

On the day

In use it worked perfectly in terms of operating. Getting shots on the shoulder then instantly re-positioning to the hip or even floor, whilst rolling to get another angle. I’d happily shoot a documentary project with this, even in this early build. The viewfinder in B/W with Peaking, so once calibrated in the morning, you can shoot all day pulling sharps yourself if you have to. I was using f2.8 L series Zooms most of the time and nervously double checking my focus, but so far so good! I was pulling correctly just using the SD viewfinder – double checked my my AC. Im not sure I’d want to pull the 1.2 /1.4 series on the 5d like that, but anything in the f2.8-f4 range seemed very usable – Again, definitly a rig I’d use for small crew doco style filming.

My AC on the job (Simon Turnbul) was fascinated by it and tested it from his point of view between setups – He loved it, just the week before he was shooting on the Zacuto rig, 20 min take and said he felt his arms aching, normal for that style rig and ok, but ones reactions become slower with fatigue and the shots suffer. Because the RR1 is operated by having the arms closer to the chest (ENG style) and a more neutral balance, your more free to take the weight on the shoulder, brace your arms to your body and operate hand held for longer… want to grab a shot low on the hip? 2 second re-jig. Easy.

Problems

We had an issue with the video DA in the viewfinder unit, but thats being fixed today – just a loose connection. I also thing the cage needs to be re-enginnered to be more quick release in the right parts, its not slow now, but could be quicker – these build was from pre-exisitng parts so the next will be a custom unit thats a little prettier, smaller and more focused on the object of an ENG style system.

We (FW) are looking for a partner now who can work with us to help build a more focused cage unit…

The Future

Ill update this page with a video demo and proper shots. In the meantime i welcome any thoughts or feedback.

Design / Concept: Rollo Hollins (© Rollo Hollins 2010) @ FLETCHERWILSON
RR1 will be available to rent from FLETCHERWILSON shortly. Please inquire at the following address: Email

‘What’s happening with the pilot?’
‘When can I see the pilot?’
‘Why have I been cut out of the pilot?’

These are just a few of the comments the team stuck in the edit suite have heard from my key sponsor/Grandmother; Pamela, who’s birthday it was just yesterday. So, in honour of her commitment, I feel it best to update you all with the latest news from Missing Scene.

Throughout the process of cutting the old boy we’ve garnered a lot intrigue that has halted us from revealing too much until those that are interested see it first. Finishing touches are taking longer than expected to finalise, but the footage so far is exciting all those that have seen it. Having taken an unexpected two week break from releasing new photos and teasers, we’ll be working our hardest to get a double whammy out this week – starting with frame grabs from the footage itself. Simon ‘The Editor’ Brooks and myself, Rollo ‘William’ Hollins, have spent this afternoon searching for stills from the piece that don’t show the cast in a state of excitement, confusion or shock. It turns out that no such thing exists…

p.s. Heres a link to a little piece on the production in a blog called The Velvet Onion, via a blog called iamrollo, via a production called Missing Scene: This text is itself is the link! HTML. KAPOW!

p.p.s For all those who favour Youtube rather than Vimeo, the Crab Handed Men teaser has been placed there just for you. And you. Crab Handed Men Teaser 1 via Youtube. (What would it take to make this the longest link to ever exist on the internet?)

MISSING SCENE
Prod Co: FW
Dir / Prod: Rollo
Principal Cast: Alice Lowe | Kevin Eldon | Steve Furst | David Bussell | Isabel Fay | Sam Cullingworth
Writers: David Bussell | Ben Ricketts | Matthew Stott
(Full cast and crew credits to follow)

The FW Facebook site with more photos: FW Missing Scene photo page
The Missing Scene Fan Page: FW Missing Scene Fan page (Moderated by the writers themselves)

© FLETCHERWILSON
fletcherwilson.com

Marvel at the spectacle that is Alice Lowe and Kevin Eldon in the first teaser for ‘The Attack of the Crab Handed Men!’. A sketch from the forthcoming Pilot for Missing Scene.

Gives me the shivers…

MISSING SCENE
Prod Co: FW
Dir / Prod: Rollo
Principal Cast: Alice Lowe | Kevin Eldon | Steve Furst | David Bussell | Isabel Fay | Sam Cullingworth
Writers: David Bussell | Ben Ricketts | Matthew Stott
Editor: Simon Brooks
Composer: Mat Davidson
DoP: Gabi Norland
(Full cast and crew credits to follow)

The FW Facebook site with more photos: FW Missing Scene photo page
The Missing Scene Fan Page: FW Missing Scene Fan page (Moderated by the writers themselves)

LOOK! At Isabel Fay relaxing in the Make-Up Dept.

GLIMPSE! At Kevin Eldon waiting for the cameras to roll.

PEER! At the loveable cast and crew, huddled around the warm light of the monitor:

SMASH! Your eyeballs on the unique and spectacular smoke machine work of our Gaffer Adam Harris and the beautiful lighting by our DoP Gabi Norland.

MARVEL! At the subtle reactions to my unique direction.

///

Over the past week the Editor, Simon Brooks and I have been getting to grips with the rushes and shaping them into some sort of coherent assembly. We hope to have the rough cut complete soon which will then go off to our Composer Mat Davidson to begin working his magic. At which point we will start chucking out a dizzying array of trailers and teasers.

POW!

MISSING SCENE
Prod Co: FW
Dir / Prod: Rollo
Principal Cast: Alice Lowe | Kevin Eldon | Steve Furst | David Bussell | Isabel Fay | Sam Cullingworth
Writers: David Bussell | Ben Ricketts | Matthew Stott
(Full cast and crew credits to follow)

The FW Facebook site with more photos: FW Missing Scene photo page
The Missing Scene Fan Page: FW Missing Scene Fan page (Moderated by the writers themselves)

Photos: www.robinballphotography.co.uk © FLETCHERWILSON 2010

© FLETCHERWILSON
fletcherwilson.com

The amazing Steve Furst

The incredible Isabel Fay

Sam 'Sammy Sky God' Cullingworth

Writer / Actor / Futureman David Bussell

Here is the second batch of on set photos from the ‘Missing Scene’ shoot last week. That completes the introduction of our principal cast, whom we are incredibly lucky to have onboard. As i write this the rushes are being ingested into the the edit machine, part of which Steve is wearing in his photo above. As the roosters / street wolves cry out early Monday morning we will be pressing the ‘auto edit’ button and promptly teasing you with the results a week or so after.

Subscribe below to stay updated with the onslaught of Missing Scene posts smashing there way through the internet and on your screens at a rate of 1 or 2 a week. Next time some behind the scenes crew photos and little bit on our production process / dessert preferences.

Link here to the FW Facebook site with more photos: FW Missing Scene photo page
Link here to the Missing Scene Fan Page: FW Missing Scene Fan page (Moderated by the writers themselves)

Thats enough Linking. Now to the Editing.

MISSING SCENE
Prod Co: FW
Dir / Prod: Rollo
Principal Cast: Alice Lowe | Kevin Eldon | Steve Furst | David Bussell | Isabel Fay | Sam Cullingworth
Writers: David Bussell | Ben Ricketts | Matthew Stott
(Full cast and crew credits to follow)

© FLETCHERWILSON
fletcherwilson.com

Dir: Pedro de la Fuente
DoP: Rollo
Prod Co: Bigballs Films

Shot on the Canon 5D and Canon 7D. The future apparently. – UPDATED. It IS some sort of future. must be, I bought one.

Sweet song huh. This was one of my favorite jobs. Shot PDW-700 XD HDCam… To many numbers in its name.

Director: TOM DEAN
Producer: TASHA PONTON
DOP: ROLLO HOLLINS
1ST AD: KERRY GREEN
Gaffer: DAVID PALMIERI
Camera Assistant: SIMON TURNBALL
Art Director: EMILY PUGH
Art Dept. Assistant: LYNSEY TIDMAN
Prop Maker: ALEX HOLDER
Costume Designer: IAN FULCHER
Wardrobe Assistant: FRAN LLOYD
Hair and Make-Up: LOUISE HINTON
Hair and Make-Up Assistant: JESSICA LAWSON
Editor: BENJI GERSTIEIN
Lead VFX: SEB BARKER
Colourist: ADRIAN SEERY
Flame Operator: ANTHONY LARANJO
Audio Post: ED WILLS

Filmed on location at Fabrications, Broadway Market; and at Mount Pleasant Studios.
Post Production at Rushes.

Photos: www.robinballphotography.co.uk © FLETCHERWILSON 2010

Here is the first batch of on set photos from the ‘Missing Scene’ shoot last week. We shot over 130 amazing slates thanks to the incredible cast and crew. We’ll be leaking teasers and photos over the coming weeks.

Link here to the FW Facebook site with more photos: FW Missing Scene photo page

MISSING SCENE
Prod Co: FW
Dir / Prod: Rollo
Principal Cast: Alice Lowe | Kevin Eldon | Steve Furst | David Bussell | Isabel Fay | Sam Cullingworth
Writers: David Bussell | Ben Ricketts | Matthew Stott
(Full cast and crew credits to follow)

© FLETCHERWILSON
fletcherwilson.com

Here is the title sequence for the upcoming comedy sketch show pilot ‘Missing Scene’ being produced at FW. The titles were kindly and amazingly produced by Jonathan Howells (D&H).

We start shooting next week at Shepperton, updates to follow.

‘Missing Scene’
Prod Co: FW
Dir / Prod: Rollo
Titles: Jonathan Howells
Writers: David Bussell | Ben Ricketts | Matthew Stott
Music: Mat Davidson

© FLETCHERWILSON
fletcherwilson.com

Endeavour approaches the International Space Station. Rollo launches blog.
No relation.

Dir: Steve Glacier
DoP: Rollo
Prod Co: Nothing To See Here

Fashion Film Website loop.

Before working with moving image I was a stills photographer, as have always been fascinated with the idea of bringing stills to life. This is an example of some of my ‘moving fashion photography’ work. Used as a constant loop in an online environment.

Dir / DoP: Rollo
Prod Co: FW

Model: Ocean Moon (Select)

Dir: Rollo
Prod Co: FW
Animation: Han Ter Park at The Mill London
3D Animation: Sebastian Barker at Rushes

Delving into some slow-mo on the RED One and Arri Super speeds. I think the standard set of super speeds are great for these low budget promos, just swap out the 18mm for the Ultra Prime equivalent… bit soft otherwise.

Dir: Ben Goodger
DoP: Rollo

BBC 3 Series Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive. 3 x Digibeta units for each setup was fun to light and had 3 of my favourite pals working on it. Good month of shooting.

DoP: Rollo
Facilities: FLETCHERWILSON
Prod Co: Jones the Film

Dir / DoP / Editor: Rollo
Concept: Rollo
Prod Co: FW

Art Work: Masha Karpushina. She is amazing.

“The most blatant use of sex to launch a startup ever? Probably.” Techcrunch

Concept: Dinnick&Howells
Dir / Prod / DoP: Rollo
Prod Co: FW

Shot on the RED One with my old favourite Arri Super Speeds

Dir / DoP: Rollo
Prod Co: FW

Model: Jessica Cusack (Select)

Prod Co: FW
Dir / Prod: Rollo

Cameras:
Alex Wykes (Interviews on the Sony EX3)
Stuart Nichols
Sy Turnbull (Canon 7d)

Editor: Rollo

A short film i shot a few years back on S16mm. Using Kodak V2 500T colour print film then grading it to B/W in the DI. Used the trusty Arri SR3…

Dir: Josh Collier
DoP: Rollo

Format: 35mm

“The most blatant use of sex to launch a startup ever? Probably.” Techcrunch

Concept: Dinnick&Howells

Dir / Prod / DP / Editor: ROLLO
Produced: FW

Shot on the RED One camera and a set of Arri Superspeeds.

Shot over two days on the Isle of White on the Panasonic Vari-cam.

Director: John Madiens
Dop / Editor: Rollo
Prod Co: Vanilla Films

One of a series of ‘fashion film’ style web adverts for Spooner & Watts, a London based bespoke leather goods company.

See all films at: www.spoonerandwatts.co.uk

Dir / Prod / DoP: Rollo
Concept: Rollo
Prod Co: FW

One of a series of ‘fashion film’ style web adverts for Spooner & Watts, a London based bespoke leather goods company.

See all films at: www.spoonerandwatts.co.uk

Dir / Prod / DoP: Rollo
Concept: Rollo
Prod Co: FW

Corporate Video for the Profile UK fashion and trade show.

Dir / Prod: Rollo
Prod Co: FW

An old experiment in stock footage film making.
Dir / Editor: Rollo

Web Ad campaign for Barlcays Capital. Commissioned by Mather & Ogilvy

Dir: Nat Wilson
Prod: Rob Fletcher
DoP: Rollo
Prod Co: FW

Dir: Josh Collier
DoP: Rollo
Prod: Rob Fletcher
Prod Co: FW
Format: s16mm

In competition in 2009 at both The European Independent Film Festival (ÉCU) in Paris and the Swansea Film Festival.

Surprisingly this has actually won me work

Dir / Prod / DoP: Rollo
Prod Co: FW

Agency: Maverick