Cagoule Productions

2012-01-02T21:50:00.003Z

We gave an interview for this months issue of AU Magazine about the making of "Shells of Silver" video for The Japanese Popstars. The full interview is below..

AU magazine: What brief were you given to begin with?

It was really open. There wasn’t anything prescriptive; it was along the lines of “we want a cool video.” It’s a mixed blessing because you think great we can do what we like, but also you have no clue if your idea will strike a chord with the band and the label. Luckily in this case it did.

AU magazine:. How did you decide on the final treatment?

We listened to the track a lot and just tuned into the feelings it creates, It’s quite solemn in a lot of ways. We liked the idea of a city scenes with not a soul in them and an eery, early morning vide when seagulls rule the streets. There are a few themes and images that have come through in other pieces of work that we wanted to bring to this project, like the shots of tower blocks. We wrote in the choreographed scenes to play to our strengths (Abby being a choreographer and director), we thought it was a good way of bringing in dance without it being overtly “dancey,” We wanted the movement to be quite subtle, well placed and counterpoint the harshness of the cityscapes.

AU magazine:. Was it inspired by any other pieces of film?

No we didn’t really have any movies in mind as reference. Of course there are always influences that maybe subconscious. Some people have said it reminds them of this and that but for us it was more a reaction to the music. We had gathered a lot of photography of tower blocks over the years and Lewis played with them in cgi, this technique found its way into the video, a technique that so far no one has picked out as being cgi (which was always the intension)

AU magazine: Where was the video filmed? Why did you choose that location?

We were keen for it not to be recognisable as any particular city. We wanted an Eastern European feel and were interested in socialist housing blocks. We filmed for 3 days in Krakow to gather imagery of those sorts of buildings and urban landscapes. We filmed the dance scenarios in our hometown of Edinburgh, which although is a beautiful city in the centre, has its fair share of grim housing estates. A lot of people have recognised Poland, nobody has yet pointed out Edinburgh.

AU magazine: There's a very bleak feel to the visuals. Why did you decide on that?

Actually we weren’t setting out to make a bleak film, we wanted to find subtle beauty and movement in the photography, so although the subject matter is bleak, such as burnt out buildings, we were thinking “wow look at the texture and patterns on the wall”, or “look how is the light bouncing off that surface”. We had two DOPs working on the photography, part of which was self-motivated, where we gave them a brief and let them go off and find their shots. We shot a lot ourselves as shooting directors, this went on for 7 days, making a really challenging edit.

AU magazine: Can you explain what happens to all the people in the video?

It’s open to interpretation, if you’re looking for a narrative in there you won’t find one or if you do then tell us what you think. Abby’s choreography was carefully planned gestures of movement, like the girl at the bus stop, which might not be seen as dance. Other scenes abby directed the dancers movement on the spot, giving us lots of options in the edit. We then chose sequences that fitted with the overall feeling of the piece.

Lewis & Abby AKA Cagoule

The Japanese Popstars - Premieres on Vevo

2011-11-30T10:28:00.006Z

Our video for The Japanese Popstars - "Shells of Silver" Premieres on Vevo today. Check it out!

The Japanese Popstars Feat. James Vincent McMorrow

2011-11-26T10:17:00.006Z

Cagoule are very excited to have just completed the lastest music video for The Japanese Popstars. The track called "Shells of Silver" features the vocals of James Vincent McMorrow and is a beautiful piece of music. The directors felt compelled to do the track justice and to paint it with simillarly beautiful pictures.

Photography was captured over 7 days, mostly at first light and the early hours to represent scenes of solitude and isolation. Care was taken not to feature any cars or people, other than the cast of dancers. Particular focus was given to the urban landscape, and the team travelled both within the uk and Poland in search of locations. Directors Abby and Lewis were joined by DOPs Minttu Mantynen and Scott Ward, for the UK locations, . Lewis and Abby then carried on to Poland to complete the stunning imagery for the video.

Abby skillfully choreographed wonderfully simple, gestures of movement, that give the video an artistic integrity and highly emotive response.

The whole project was completed in under two weeks to meet the deadline from the label (EMI Records). A big thank you to all who helped make this video that we are very proud of.

The video is due to be released middle of next week so watch this space!!

image by Minttu Mantynen

The new Cagoule Productions showreel

2011-11-01T21:58:00.003Z

We're proud to announce our latest showreel is now ready for viewing. It's been a while since our last update so we had the opportunity to do a complete refresh. A separate motion graphics reel will be ready soon.

"Inhabitants" trailer

2011-09-15T13:03:00.002+01:00

This new film work is a short extract from the longer live production. Inhabitants is an original theatrical experience fusing live contemporary dance, sound and film.

"interesting and unique" The Skinny

"working across artforms and exploring new ideas, both of which Inhabitants does with style" The Scotsman

"Joanne Pirrie and Claricia Kruithoff consistently hold the eye" The Herald

Skyscanner

2011-06-29T20:49:00.002+01:00

Skyscanner, the free flight comparison site, asked cagoule to produce a video promoting their most recent version of their successful iPhone app. Eight separate language versions were required representing their major markets. Cagoule turned around all eight inside a week to meet a tight deadline.

In production

2011-06-17T11:13:00.005+01:00

Currently in production:

Commercial for new Skyscanner iPhone App.

Music video for French band "Matier."

Andy Murray career timeline, motion graphics, RBS.

Personal Finance Education Awards, nominee videos from 13 locations around the UK.

Macmillan Cancer Support, Antrim palliative care unit video

Inhabitants sneak preview

2011-05-12T12:59:00.000+01:00

We've been very busy producing our live show "Inhabitants" and after an intense residency at Dancebase, we're ready to give an intimate preview to a lucky audience. Please come along to Dancebase, grassmarket, Edinburgh at 5pm. Friday 13th may.

The show can be seen in full at:

http://www.mappingfestival.ch 26th May, Geneva

http://crypticnights.org.uk 7th July Glasgow

2011-03-09T23:08:00.004Z

Our live show "inhabitants" is now confirmed as part of Mapping festival, VJ festival in Geneva. Our performance is scheduled for 26th May @mappingfestival

http://www.mappingfestival.ch

Trailer for our new live show for 2011 "Inhabitants"

2010-11-15T15:12:00.011Z

Inhabitants is a unique fusion of live contemporary dance performance and film, a theatrical experience for all audiences , not just dance enthusiasts, giving them the chance to experience contemporary dance like never before.

Inhabitants is creepy, disturbing and thrilling, evoking a sense of fear in the audience as one might experience watching a cinematic horror film. Yet there are moments of elegance, and beauty within Warrilow’s choreography.

Dancers become feral creatures, abandoned and isolated in a haunted dilapidated dwelling. Over time they become part of nature itself, reclaiming civilized human structures for themselves. Perhaps these beings were once human, an unsettling example of what happens if we are left isolated, alone in the wild for too long...

Slowmotion Dog Agility

2010-11-08T12:04:00.001Z

"Fluff and the Dalmatians."
Scene from promo for Long Blondes "Guilt"
vimeo.com/4059883
Shot on Panasonic Varicam at 60 fps. Slowed further in AE using Twixtor.

Slow motion knockout punch

2010-11-05T13:23:00.004Z

Super slow-mo of a really hard couple of punches to the face.
Scene taken from Kid Adrift music video directed by Cagoule
vimeo.com/15884368
Shot on Red camera at 120fps then further slowed in AE using Twixtor plug-in by another 50%
boxers: John Thain and Lewis Benson from Lochend Boxing Academy

Kid Adrift music video

2010-10-27T09:22:00.004+01:00

Brutal new promo for latest single release from Kid Adrift on Island records. The video portrays an illegal fight orchestrated by an ominous character. This film is not for the squeamish or faint hearted. The raw and visceral style will leave you alarmed but also wanting more. Featuring sweat and blood and glimpses of the unconscious mind. It's certainly dark, photographic, energetic, powerful and claustrophobic.

This is the official video for Kid Adrift - A4 In Ecstasy.

Director: Lewis Gourlay & Abby Warrilow AKA Cagoule

Producer: Clare Kerr

DOP: Scott Ward

2^nd Camera: Mintuu Mantynen

Production Company: Gas&Electric

Directors Rep: Debs Ramsey @ YiLondon

Commissioner: Tamara Brooks

New work for STV Creative

2010-10-06T19:35:00.001+01:00

Young Guns Music video

2010-09-22T11:42:00.002+01:00

The Moor of Rannoch is as wild and somber a stretch of country as any in Scotland, especially when shrouded in mist or lashed by driving rain or snow, a terrifying wilderness. It is a barren and almost desert like place that could certainly be compared to landscapes in the far north such as Iceland or Greenland. Courror Station is a desolate out post in this unforgiving landscape and in my opinion is one of the best locations in Britain. The train-station is the highest in the UK at 1300ft above sea level and features in Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting. This location sprung to mind when we read the brief. The band wanted a performance video where the landscape played almost as big a role as the band them selves. I think our familiarity with the landscape helped us win the pitch, we knew the exact spot where we were going to film this from the start.

The difficulty in filming in such wild and inhospitable places should not be underestimated, when the band stepped off the tour bus in flip flops we knew there could be problems. I think there was a realisation from them when they saw the crew head to toe in full wet weather gear! I remember thinking “oh my god they have no idea where we’re taking them” Thankfully we were blessed with good weather, although there were high winds, which made for hazardous jib swinging, mostly it stayed dry for the duration.

We captured the performance in wide, sweeping arcs from the jib arm, firmly positioning the band in the landscape. Intercut with the performance we shot dramatic time-lapse footage of the nearby mountains, showing clouds racing over high ridges. The cinematic quality of the imagery is apparent in every shot. This performance provided the core of the video, while the landscape and the shots around the station supported the band’s performance.

Credit has to given to the Young Guns for enduring a difficult shooting environment and maintaining an enthusiastic attitude and performance throughout. The crew also collectively made this one of the most enjoyable shoots we’ve done to date.

Director: Lewis Gourlay & Abby Warrilow AKA Cagoule

Producer: Jude Lightbody

DOP: Pete Warrilow

2^nd Camera: Richard Steel

Jimmy Jib: Aaron Boucher

Production Company: Gas&Electric

Directors Rep: Debs Ramsey @ YiLondon

Commissioner: John Moule

Images from new film

2010-09-07T13:28:00.002+01:00

2010-07-29T10:40:00.002+01:00

Currently in production

2010-06-27T15:45:00.006+01:00

Cagoule are currently producing a commercial for a product called "SafeTray." Shot on the canon 7D at 60fps by DOP Mintuu Mantynen. The film features a waiter skillfully negotiating a hazardous and busy bar. Actor and dancer Malcolm Shields was choreographed by Abby Warrilow to overcome the challenges and obstacles such as drunken women and flailing arms. It was a tricky and technical shoot that required precision timing from the performers and camera dept.

Our favourite interactive videos

2010-06-25T15:02:00.010+01:00

Why passively watch videos online when you can interact with them. Change the story line, play with colour, play with time!

here is a round up of some of our favourite interactive videos...

this ones a beauty...
http://soydeaire.labuat.com/

Award winning interactive commercial for Philips
http://www.cinema.philips.com/

from Spy Digital
http://www.amblingalp.com/

HBO short drama
http://www.hboimagine.com/#/the_affair/

remix sound and visuals on the fly..
http://www.coldwarkids.com/iveseenenough/

need a web cam for this one..
http://www.graveface.com/bmsr_darkbubbles/

this changes everything, to coin a phrase. amazing!

http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/

Dance Base Residency 2010

2010-05-29T16:24:00.006+01:00

Cagoule Productions were in residence at Dance Base, Edinburgh April 12th – 23rd 2010.

Abby worked on new choreography for a live show while also developing film and music to go with the piece. Cagoule worked with professional dancers Jenna Oxley, Lucy Boyes, Sophia McGregor and collaborated with composer Barney Strachan and cinematographer John Brown.

photography thanks to Maria Falconer

Concept art

2010-05-18T12:55:00.003+01:00

Images created by Lewis for a music video treatment for the band "Performance."

2010-05-07T13:38:00.001+01:00

check out our new 2010 reel...

On The Edge of Blade Runner ... 10 years on

2010-05-04T10:12:00.003+01:00

After 10 years of pride of place on the Cagoule reel it has been decided that it is time to post it to the archives.

The documentary title sequence by Lewis Gourlay, was his first professional motion graphics job using Adobe After Effects for all the compositing.

" I think it was version 5 of AE, and there were no tracking tools back then, all the shots we comped were matted frame by frame. I was learning on the job, which is often the best way, I just happened to have some of the best materiel i've ever had to play with"

On the Edge of Blade Runner was produced in 2000 by Nobles Gate Ltd. (for Channel 4), was directed by Andrew Abbott and hosted/written by Mark Kermode.

It also marks 10 years as a professional motion designer for Lewis. happy anniversary!

Dance Base residency

2010-04-27T18:35:00.007+01:00

Cagoule director and choreographer Abby Warrilow has been working with dancers Jenna Oxley, Lucy Boyles and Sophia McGregor for the past two weeks in residency at Dance Base, Edinburgh. The aim was to produce movement inspired by the darkeness of nature. The sections of film, dance and sound all come from the same ideas of disintegration, an eerie, haunting place with quirky characteristics.

Barney Strachen collaborated on the music and Lewis Gourlay and John Brown worked on the video.

On friday a showing was held to a large audience. The performance was part of something Abby hopes to take a lot further: to produce a live dance show and a dance film to parallel the live work, and of course to continue the collaborative process.

"catacomb" - A dance film from Cagoule on Vimeo.

Video projection created for live dance performance.

Directed by Abby Warrilow and Lewis Gourlay
DOP John Brown
Editor Lewis Gourlay

Merce @ Motherwell

2010-04-25T18:51:00.000+01:00

Motherwell College commissioned Cagoule to make a dance film to showcase their current contemporary dance students. Choreographed by Abby Warrilow and directed by Abby and Lewis. Abby worked with the students for three months prior to the shoot to perfect the choreography. The film was an opportunity for Lewis to experiment with new creative lighting techniques and also test the canon 7D camera system in low and high contrast lighting conditions. Many thanks to experienced DOP Richard Steel, AC Aaron Boucher and 2nd AC Ryan Blackwood.

"Circline" - A Dance Film from Cagoule on Vimeo.

Music by Glass Candy

Doves

2010-03-27T22:08:00.002Z

Last summer we shot two professional dancers performing in a wheat field. The location was on the coast of the North Sea, in the borders of Scotland, a wild and dramatic stretch of sea cliffs. We were interested in creating a film with simple elemental themes, field, sky, sea and movement.

Subsequently we were invited to pitch to make the video for Dove's forthcoming single "Andalucia" and the commissioner at Virgin thought this footage would work well with the track. We agreed.

These videos formed part of the pitch.

Doves - Andalucia from Cagoule on Vimeo.

Doves - dance test from Cagoule on Vimeo.

Doves - ocean test from Cagoule on Vimeo.