In an Absolut World, Videographers own the night!

The new Absolut Vodka is unveiled. Glittering in a red sequin jacket, the world famous Swedish vodka is featured in this event titled "In an Absolut World, Every Night is a Masquerade".


While the main camera is being readied, the Glidecam is being balaned.

The brief from our client seemed as exotic as the brand itself: Three concept rooms, 1 lounge, 2DJs, 3 performances, a host of costumed characters roaming a two level venue. Guests get to mingle freely, there will be no speeches, no product unveiling, no launch gimmicks.

Invited guests were to mingled freely in three concept rooms. Each were designed especially for the launch and appropriately named, 'Absolut Dice', 'Absolut Jigsaw' and 'Absolut Cocktail 101'. Each room was unique and featured its own alluring elements.

Truth be told, I have been personally watching Absolut Vodka for quite some time, wondering when we would get the opportunity to shoot for the world famous Swedish brand.


Videographers enjoying a short breather by taking in the event from the audience's point of view.

Last month, we finally got the chance. The new Absolut Vodka is unveiled. Glittering in a red sequin jacket, the world famous Swedish vodka is featured in this event titled "In an Absolut World, Every Night is a Masquerade". The venetian carnevale style event deserved an equally alluring date and Friday 13th had no equal.

Our work as Videographers became a pleasure as we were inspired; inspired by the magical ambiance and enchanting characters and inspired by the venetian escapade. A delightful setting for the launch of the eminent Absolut Vodka.

We deployed the Glidecam to get smooth sweeping views of each room and provided Photography services which complimented the video nicely. We also introduced our new product: 360 VR. This item allows the user to interactively view the rooms in 360 degrees, to see everything in all directions.

The performance from 'Bian Lian' thrilled us to bits with his 'King of Masks' act. This ancient art from China awed audiences for centuries as generations of performers slip from one face mask to another literally in the blink of an eye.

Our Video Editing team had a blast completing the video. We used 'time remapping' to dramatise the Glidecam footage. This effect is made popular by the Matrix trilogy. We're sure you will enjoy watching it when we upload the completed video within the week, so stay tuned :)

Amongst Haute Couture

Well, it's been a busy year for us thus far but I'm not complaining. Juggling deadlines is a neat way to kill time, considering the global scenario.

I've just recovered from a flu (so long, weekend) in time for another Videography session.Tonight marks the eve of the finale for GH Mumm F1 Celebration Party.

The cocktail parties offering renowned french champagne GH Mumm and featuring premium fashion labels Coach, Giuseppe Zanotti, Shanghai Tang and Chloe draw to a close. Despite shooting twice a week at Pavilion for the past 3 weeks, I'm still going to miss the runway style fashion shows where the female models tower above me flaunting their haute couture apparel.

I'm also going to long for Miss Jeannie Lee's melodious voice serenading us with her songs, most notably Rosemary Clooney's 'Mambo Italiano', The Carpenter's 'Close To You', Michael Buble's Sway and even a charming french rendition (which I have already forgotten the name). That's right, she took the time to memorise an entire french song in a week's time.

Dunhill was across, next to Rolex. Max Mara was down the road. I could've sauntered over to Gucci if I wanted to. Prada was closer to me than the stage was. We were in the middle of high fashion. The pretty faces, the nice dresses will still be there but after tonight, we won't be dropping by anytime soon. No thanks to Pavilion's astronomical parking fees.

I can't wait to watch the completed video after the Video Editing team has compiled the hours of footage we shot. I'll write a follow up post with the video soon :)

An Equine Experience

The stars arrive and debark. Their rumps are then marked with the product logo.

One of my earliest and most unpleasant experience with horses was during my mid 20s. I spent a few days in Cameron Highlands taking in the sights and engaging in my hobby, photography.

Out in a field, I spotted a pony grazing some distance from a larger horse which I assumed to be its mother. Thinking the pony to be a photogenic subject, I approached it and from the corner of my eye, I saw the larger horse approaching. I thought of the great shots I would get from the pair.

The horse closed the gap in seconds with only a trot and by the time I realised the error of my assumption, I already knew I could never outrun an over-protective mother. Thankfully, the horse did not pursue me further after I distanced myself from its foal. Disappointed at not snapping off a shot, I was stupid enough to do it again.

When our client Pernod Ricard told us that horses were involved in a project, I wasn't exactly jumping with joy. Accordingly, the horses were part of Chivas' new campaign launch titled 'Live with Chivalry'. Based on the theme of an ancient ethical code of honour, its riders would be 'knights' carrying banners which served as branding vehicles.

I was amazed at the power the horses displayed by just shifting their weight. It also made me wonder how they kept track of what happened behind them... it's a long way to the back, there might be a Videographer caught unawares!

4 horses would march down a busy street lined with pubs. Under the supervision of police outriders, the horses cantered and we walked, briskly, as the slender promoters handed out leaflets to passersby.

It helps to walk surely and with no sudden movements amongst animals. We don't want to startle them. A slight nudge from an adult horse would surely send me flying a few feet. Having a video light attached to my camera had already made them nervous.


Horses... don't get in their blind spot!

One horse in particular got my attention. Lovely Boy, as he was known, was agitated by the slightest of things and moved unpredictably. It was challenging enough that I had to look out for shots of opportunity and busy street traffic, I also had to make sure 'Lovely' Boy wasn't about to trample all over me!


It's pretty hard to get all horses lined-up, thanks to 'Lovely Boy' at right.

It was a fun project. We accomplished giving out all the leaflets. I got great shots of the girls interacting with passersby. Lovely Boy prevented me from framing all the horses in formation simply by staying out. Despite this, I still managed to get shots of the majestic horses ferrying their knights against the busy night scene.

Spin Doctors: PR Media Training

'...thorough preparation and testing must be performed to ensure that we have total control over our team and equipment at least.'

You're a leading international shipping company with 3 decades of history. What do you tell the journalists at the press conference when one of your maritime transports collides with a cruise liner?

Yesterday's project was an interesting departure from the norm. Our first project for multiple award winning PR agency Fleishman-Hillard (HQ in St. Louis) was a success. We were privileged to attend a training for one of their clients, japanese multi-modal bulk shipping company, Mitsui OSK Lines.

During the training, we listened in on how to diffuse a crisis scenario such as mentioned above. The techniques of blocking a tough question and bridging to accepted 'proof points' is a trade secret that will always remain in our minds.

The focus of our project however, was to record a mock press conference held between FH staff (as aggressive journalists) and MOL managers. 4 groups of 3 underwent the session lasting a white-knuckled 20 minutes each.


Trainees are given the 'inquisition' treatment and required to respond to tough questions.

Each team's performance would be recorded on camera (which adds to the already tense atmosphere) and then played back for critique and reflection.


The video is played back right away, giving a whole new meaning to 'video-on-demand'

Our services were required for only half a day so we arrived during the participants' lunch break. We set up our main video camera on 8th floor of Le Meridien hotel while the playback video camera was on the 6th. We hardly had time to test the playback before the trainees came striding in. There was little time to even test the audio volume of a test recording we did on the 8th floor.

As soon as interviews with all the teams were over, we had to rush the tapes down to the 6th while the participants went for a short (very short) coffee break. The FH trainer was kind enough to stall for us while we rewound the tapes and tested the plasma TV's (belonging to the hotel) volume.

Overall, everything went as planned. The plasma TV did not backfire on us, the elevators were on their best behaviour, as were our equipment (which we triple checked the night before).

In scenarios like these, where we aren't given time for contingencies, thorough preparation and testing must be performed to ensure that we have total control over our team and equipment at least.

Of course, it goes without saying that prayers and God's grace before every project is essential.

Long Distance Driving Survival Guide pt. 2

In my Long Distance Driving Survival Guide pt. 1, I wrote about the various techniques to Staying Awake and Focused at the wheel. In this article, I write about Arriving on Time.

It is crucial to portray a professional image of ourselves by arriving on time, all the time for a Videography project. Driving for hours on end makes being punctual a challenge. Here are some tips to help you Arrive On Time.

1) Know the Formula.

Speed (Km/H) = Distance (Km) ÷ Time (Hour)

The formula tells you the speed you must be traveling to reach your destination within a certain time. Use this formula to help you plan your journey. Take into consideration traffic jams when you hit town.

2) Keep vehicle in good condition.
If you are driving a seasoned car (above 5 years old), make sure:
a) Your engine oil and engine filter are fairly new.
b) Ensure your tyres are not getting bald.
c) Fill up your radiator tank with water.
d) Keep a bottle of water handy in case your car overheats.
e) Check that your spare tyre is still in good condition.
f) If it's rainy season in your area, make sure your windshield wipers can still keep the rain away.
g) Check that your car drives straight. If it doesn't, send it for wheel re-alignment/balancing.
h) Your brakes grab the tyres when you need them to.





2) Plan your route.
If you have not been to your desired destination, never assume you are familiar with the roads. Look up GoogleMaps for help or check out a map. Don't just depend on friends for directions.



3) Drive at a cruising speed.
Don't race with other vehicles. It will raise your blood pressure and your fuel consumption too.

4) Equip a GPS Navigation System
These are very handy tools that save you time and anxiety. Garmin produces affordable yet reliable navigation devices for use in car, motorcycles, on the sea and in the air. I personally own the Nuvi 205W purchased for about $229 USD. It even warns me of potential speed traps and road block areas.



Another neat feature of having a navigation device is being able to adopt a more relaxed driving attitude. My Nuvi 205W helps me recalculate a new route to my destination on the fly when I've made a wrong turn.

Allocate time for parking.
Finding the place and actually rolling the cameras are two different tasks, especially within city limits. I suggest debarking the team at the venue's entrance before going off to find a parking space.

Professional videographers don't arrive on time for a videography session. We arrive early so we can work out contingencies which so often put a crimp into our plans. No event's programme goes according to plan, there will be unforseen incidents or overlooked issues to contend with.

Hopefully, my entries, taken from the field and based on first-hand experience, will help you. So drive safe and plan ahead.

Your comments and suggestions on this topic are most welcomed. Happy driving!

Long Distance Driving Survival Guide pt. 1

All it takes is just a few seconds of shut eye and your world will be spinning out of control. Fortunately, falling asleep at the wheel is an avoidable mistake.

Our services as professional videographers are required by businesses far and wide. Sometimes we fly in but we are all too aware of the restrictions and inconveniences we face at airports. Compounded with the hassle of arranging public transportation after touchdown to send us on-location, we are putting our team at risk of a late arrival.



Long distance driving is more science than art. There are many ways to fight fatigue and remain focused on the road. Many of these techniques are also useful to the vacationer. The key ingredient in staying fresh at the wheel is research and planning.

Whenever we can, our Videography team would rather drive ourselves. With our own vehicle at our disposal, we can come and go when we please, maybe do a little sightseeing after work.

Long Distance Driving Survival Guide:
These techniques are intended for drivers who have to traverse at least 300KM in a vehicle and spend more than 3 hours behind the wheel. REMEMBER, the safety of your team is in your hands so, Drive Safe!

The toughest part of long distance driving is Staying Awake. Here are a few tips to help you remain focused at the wheel:

1) Grab a bunch of sour-flavoured candy.
Somehow, sour tid-bits seem to banish the drowsiness. When you start to nod off, deploy these candies.

2) Grab a bunch of peanuts.

Biting and chewing tid-bits help to get your blood pumping. You'll want to keep these snacks for when you really need them. Don't go on a free-for-all binge.

3) Chat (verbally)
Talking about various topics with your team will ease the mundane task of staring down endless highways. Keep in mind passengers may not sacrifice their nap time to converse with you.

4) Stretch
Periodically, very carefully and with both hands on the steering wheel, rock your head from side to side. Swing your head up and down. With one hand on the wheel, stretch your hand behind your seat as far as you can go. Rock your pelvis from side to side. Doing these will help alleviate pins and needles. To a small degree, it will help improve your blood circulation.

5) Smile
Clearly not as effective as chomping on a peanut but even a forced smile helps when you're fresh out of candies. Smile like it's going out of fashion, with teeth bared and facial muscles flexed for a few seconds. Repeat as many times as necessary.

6) Extreme Measures
I don't encourage this method but if all else fails, touch a hot surface. Some cars have a parking brake that is not upholstered where it extends into the car's exterior. After some time on the road, this metal part heats up. Touching this surface for a short span of time is sure to send a surge of adrenalin up, dissipating any thoughts of sleep.

In my Long Distance Driving Survival Guide pt. 2, I will write about Arriving On Time.

Wódka Wyborowa -Product Video-

Videography of Wódka Wyborowa Exquisite proved to be a challenge because of the highly reflective AND transparent nature of the bottle.



Polish 'wódka' makes its debut with their premium offering, the Wódka Wyborowa Exquisite. Famed architect Frank Gehry also played a role in the bottle's design.

Our concept of this Product Video was to recreate Wódka Wyborowa's facade: clea, clear, savoury creaminess with a smooth, elegant finish.

Videography of Wódka Wyborowa Exquisite proved to be a challenge because of the highly reflective AND transparent nature of the bottle. The wódka and the bottle are both transparent thus negating the use of a coloured background. The risk of overexposure during shooting also increased the difficulty of this project.

Despite the challenges, we managed to produce an awesome piece of work, we incorporated subtle camera movements and added delicate lighting and exposure control.

WOLFANG DIGITAL used 3D animation to spice up the video. The animated text were given a glassy, reflective blue hue, in line with Wódka Wyborowa's corporate identity. The text danced over its own reflection, as in on a frozen lake.

WOLFANG DIGITAL is proud to introduce to you another Product Video. If you have a product or service you'd like to highlight to the world, we welcome you to get in touch with us.

Here's a little history on the origins of Wódka Wyborowa Exquisite:
Wyborowa Exquisite is single-estate quality, produced exclusively from a single variety of premium rye, grown on a single estate around the village of Turew (near Poznan in Western Poland), an area long associated with the production of high quality grain and vodka. The highest levels of quality control and a unique production process ensure Wyborowa Exquisite is truly exceptional vodka. Wyborowa Exquisite boasts an elegant mouth-feel on the palate with delicate notes of fresh rye bread, Brazil nuts and growing savoury creaminess, with sweetness well-balanced by lightly toasty dryness. The finish is lightly spiced, with a sweet-dry nutty finish and a hint of sesame