the challenge
We were contacted by rail infrastructure manager Network Rail, who required film coverage of their reconstruction of the Barford Bridge in Kettering, England. This project would be completed as part of Network Rail’s railway upgrade plan from Kettering to Corby. In particular, Network Rail wanted a film that captured the insertion of the new bridge deck. This bridge deck replacement would not just be the most pivotal and challenging part of the Barford Bridge reconstruction, but also the most visually interesting. The bridge deck replacement would happen over a single weekend, and for it Network Rail would work seamlessly with construction powerhouse Carillion. Having previously worked with both companies on many high profile projects, we were thrilled to be involved with another project which saw them join forces to tackle such a dynamic operation.
the approach
We had some initial email and phone based consultations with Network Rail to discuss the Barford Bridge reconstruction project in more detail. These details included their required film length, any requirements they had for our filming methods on site, along with the projects timetable. From here we used our wealth of experience in the rail and construction industries to decide what quantity of film crews would be required to film Network Rail’s and Carillon’s different working shifts. We opted for two film crews, each made up of two camera operators. The first film crew would film the old bridge deck being removed, while the second would film the new bridge deck being inserted.
Even though our whole film production team are PTS accredited, we still ensured to visit the site prior to the deck replacement so that a quick site survey could be carried out. This gave our two film crews a chance to become familiarised with the site and identify any key filming points, or areas of no access to take note of. This meant that our film crews could operate smoothly on site and would be aware of where they needed to be at all times. Our film crews used a mix of on the ground filming and static time lapse angles to showcase the bridge deck replacement in all of it’s visual glory.
the result
After finishing some of the initial editing stages, we presented Network Rail with a first draft of the Barford Bridge reconstruction film. This gave Network Rail the opportunity to see the direction we were taking when it came to editing the film together, and from this deliver feedback. After some small content changes, we were able to finalise the film, which much to our delight was very well received by Network Rail. As a company who are now on Network Rail’s official framework for media, film and photography, we can all say with quite some enthusiasm that we are really excited to film our next project for them!
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