Walk Tall Media

Having gone through a big period of change in 2017, some good, some sad, I conclude that small changes add up to big ones and that every positive step you take can help you re-balance, re-think and empower your best self.  After all, growth is the energy of life and it's hard not to find change completely contagious.  Off to re-decorate the hall and stairs.   Here’s to 2018 and to being our best selves - though maybe not involving a ladder !

We’ve had a good run with commissioner meetings of late. To me a good run means they are still talking to us and still happy to hear what we are up to. We have benefitted from a few friends in high places but like all dynamic industries people come and go in the blink of an eye.  C4 Nations and Regions always been hugely supportive, despite them having to deal with their own shifting sands.

It’s great when a client becomes a partner. 100% Cotton have been great champions for us, in itself something to cheer about but even better when your champions turn out to be good eggs. Like all the best agencies, they understand the need to keep evolving and developing. They have been doing some industrial sized thinking around their new products and we have been lucky enough to listen to some of the new cog whirring.

Two heads always better than one or in this case several heads better than mine. Finding development partners has really pepped up the energy levels when chasing that elusive access and turning up the heat on those half -baked ideas. So thanks Sugar Films for letting us be a set of eyes and ears in the SW.  

I think the Americans call it ‘sweating your assets’, or maybe I’m just disassociating because its such a malodorous metaphor.  Anyhow we’re trying to get better at doing it. Just done a deal with Discovery US to take one of our BBC series for their online platform. I doubt we’ll make millions from it, so I guess its more a case of gentle perspiration.  

Pukka Herbs not only produce amazing teas and supplements they are also one of the few truly green companies around. They absolutely walk the talk and absolutely drink the tea…honestly, we have seen them. We very much enjoyed working with them and very much hope to again.

Good partnerships, built on and nurtured by food. What’s not to like? Thame Food Festival; starry casts, gourmet and artisan food and producers and all in the name of a CIC. We were lucky enough to film the event last year and this year we’re back for a second bite. Lotte Duncan and her team have really put TFF’s name up there as a UK destination food festival. 

Occasionally we get the opportunity to partner with people who  'do good work'. The Young Carers Project, organised by Spurgeons, paid for by the postcode lottery and delivered by The Egg Theatre team,  was 'good work'. We hope the film helped to tell the often hidden stories of some of these young people. Met some talented people along the way and fingers crossed there will be more supported projects for the future. Special thanks to Alex Homewood for asking us to work on this, and hope to work together again at The Edge. 

We have delivered our C4 funded taster. Discussions are ongoing and we are learning a lot…not least how supportive some broadcasters can be to small companies.  We have high hopes for the development of China based projects. 

Our Shanghai friends Lost Pensivos are such professionals and we really want to work with them again.

How to convince people you know stuff? Sometimes, maybe they don’t need to know you know stuff because they know stuff too, so we are all busy knowing stuff. Genius! Anyway we are busy at the moment which is good but makes you realise that knowing stuff counts for little when what you actually need is time and someone with a big stick making you organise your life.  So in the words Agnetha and Anni-Frid ... "Ah ha"..

Back for more film making at No. 1 Royal Crescent as we make a bespoke film for them on the back of our film for the Bath Museums Partnership.  So pleased to be working for such a magical place cared for by such a knowledgeable lot!

Laurence School have such a positive attitude towards using video and we are thrilled that they keep coming back to us. It’s one of the most rewarding collaborations we have.

Editing the first four films of a bespoke careers bank - meeting some great local companies too.

Busy editing the second of two music videos for Leigh Haggerwood and the Florin Street Band. Filmed early December, it’s an all-singing, all-dancing Victorian Christmas knees-up in the Tithe Barn, Englishcombe, Bath. 

Jacqui attended a great 'networking event' this week where there was much evangelising about the importance of good quality web video for driving business. We're still hoping that the penny starts dropping for those still to be convinced. We're working on the treatment for a little film at the mo that needs to do a range of jobs, one of which is to get enough traction to go viral (ish). Lots to think about, I think this one's a good example, despite the obvious commercial tension.  Guardian Link 

Next job – find a new word for networking that doesn't make me twitch and doesn't refer to Federer's silky moves.

At Walk Tall we are always on the look out for new clients but just as importantly - new partners.  Making a mental tally of the number of lovely talented people we meet and it occurs to me how many great women there are out there with so much industry experience and so much to offer in between juggling the 'other stuff'.  So, today, here's a toast to the creative ladies out there.  "Stay pointy!" as my daughter says.  It's something to do with swimming (?) but I like the sound of it.

So the haze is beginning to clear on all the options available to us at last.  Thank you Imogen Woodford at Social-i for helping us prioritise and plan.  It's not that we don't want to go there, but knowing where to go and what works best for your company really helps.

A voice over session today with the talented Rachel Wardley completed our latest film for her Flower School.

We're quite proud of this one with it's black and white trip around Bath and the torrent of colour in her studio.  Check it out on our Vimeo site..   https://vimeo.com/98037624

Today was the last of a batch of filming at this outstanding school.  We were there to complete the final section of a DVD we are making for Teacher Training on Independent Learning.  We've learnt a lot and hopefully it will come across on the DVD and be useful to those who need to gen up on it.  Thanks to Mr White and the year 11 drama group and we hope your exams go as well as the filming!

A time to really reflect on the beauty and history of the city we live in tonight as we filmed night one of two nights at the Baths and at the Roman Baths Kitchen for the Twilight Tour Package Promo.   As the flambos lit and the Abbey became a silhouette, the bells began to ring on cue.  It was very atmospheric... I hope we've captured that feeling on film.

Six x 120 minute interviews later and we are working hard to find at what age the "I wants" kick in and how parents handle it.  What makes them give in and what makes them stay strong?  When is it Ok to give in?  Fascinating stuff, brilliantly handled by our friends at 100% Cotton and we're there to record and disseminate it.   Top of the pops are One Direction, Bandz, BornAgain Babies and Monster High Dolls.  Of course everyone knew the words to "Let It Go" from the film Frozen.  Thank Goodness I have boys!

What a brilliant day!  Got all those creative juices flowing on a shoot for The Marmalade House today.  Very soon they are taking their original and highly sort after goods on-line and we were there to do the stills, some tracks and steadicam.  Rustic old barns with the odd authentic hay bale lying around - what a setting!

Good luck with the on-line launch Marmalade House from us all at Walk Tall.

Always a challenge to get the ear of commissioners.  Since forming Walk Tall Media, we've had some broadcast success with the Beeb and consider ourselves lucky.  We've had such a great experience with C4 to date despite no track record with them. Stuart Cosgrove's team have been amazingly supportive. 

Today we had a trip to St David's hotel in Cardiff Bay to chat about a couple of ideas and we went away feeling so positive.  It's a long road but so good to be taken seriously.  

Knee deep in editing projects for our colleagues at 100%Cotton. They do some fascinating research for their clients. It’s a pleasure for us to get a window on their world. 

This month we are working for them and their client, Disney, looking at the spare time play of boys aged 6, 8 and 11.

Filming in Bristol and Manchester this week for 100% Cotton.  This time their client is Bart Spices and their focus is on Asda Mums.  More herbs and spices.  We are learning so much from this talented bunch of Market Researchers and pleased to help them deliver their findings in film format.

 Gadget of the trip : A SLOW COOKER