Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring creative, our new blog 'Beyond The Screen' is here to be your go-to resource for industry insights, practical tips, and the latest trends in video production, animation and motion graphics.
Join us as we explore the dynamic world of visual media, breaking down complex techniques and deep dives into some of our most innovative projects. Discover new ways to bring your visions to life, one frame at a time.
What we've been saying.
Behind the scenes on our FPV drone shoot with the DJI Avata
FPV (First-Person View) drones are game-changers for filmmakers, opening up a whole new world of dynamic shots and fresh perspectives. And in 2022, we decided to dive in and add one to our toolkit!
Here at Cass Productions, we’ve been using drones to enhance our videos for years. But when one of our drone operators got certified to fly FPV, we knew it was time to step things up. Enter the DJI Avata—our very first FPV drone!
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything we learned while prepping for shoots with the Avata, plus some handy tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your FPV experience. Whether you’re gearing up for your first flight or looking to up your FPV game, we’ve got you covered!
PRE-PRODUCTION
A local sixth form approached us to create a promotional video that would shift perceptions of them being a sports-focused college.
After researching what prospective students wanted, we found they were most interested in seeing the college’s environment and atmosphere; less talking, more visuals. To capture their attention, we suggested using a drone to fly through the college, using well-planned transitions to move between classrooms, sports halls, and communal areas. The goal was to showcase the space in a dynamic, visually appealing way. It was the perfect opportunity to let our FPV drone shine!
With our brief in hand, it was time to dive into flight planning. The first step? Checking out Drone Safety Map. This tool is essential for getting a clear picture of any restrictions, obstacles, or no-fly zones in the area where we plan to fly. It’s quick and straightforward, giving us a map-based overview of the local airspace and letting us plan around any limitations.
Using tools like this not only keeps us compliant with regulations but also helps us avoid surprises on the day of the shoot. Whether it’s nearby airports, restricted zones, or environmental factors, Drone Safety Map gives us all the information we need to prep our route and plan the best possible shots.
FLIGHT SAFETY
Looking at the map, you’ll see our flight path was close to Southampton Airport, though safely outside the red Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ). Even though we weren’t within the no-fly zone, we still needed to stay alert for any other temporary airspace restrictions, also known as NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions), that could affect the area.
We also conducted a comprehensive risk assessment and created our flight plan.
With the green light on our flight, it was time to prep the equipment and make sure every piece of kit was good to go!
Gary
How using 2D animation can benefit your organisation
The use of 2D animation in a business or organisation can be extremely beneficial. Animated visuals are particularly effective at capturing attention, enhancing engagement, and reinforcing your message in a compelling way. Put simply animated videos simplify complex ideas in a way that is easy for your audience to understand.
THE PROJECT
Our client for this project was UKRI (UK Research and Innovation)
The aim of this animation was to explain the Technology Missions Fund which is designed to accelerate technological development by investing in the sectors of artificial intelligence, engineering biology, future telecommunications, and quantum technologies.
Through the animated video, they wanted to illustrate how UKRI supports the emergence and development of technologies that have the potential to positively impact our society and economy.
CONCEPT & PLANNING
The key aim was to produce an explainer animation that portrayed the Technology Missions Fund in an engaging, creative, and interesting way. The first step in this process, once we receive the script, is to develop a storyboard.
This stage allows us to visualise the subject matter in a compelling and informative way. Given that this project focuses on how UKRI supports technological development across various sectors, it’s essential that each sector is clearly represented throughout the storyboard. Additionally, this phase is crucial for planning the technical aspects, including seamless transitions between scenes.
For storyboarding, we use Storyboarder, a free tool from Wonder Unit that has significantly streamlined our storyboard creation process. Its integration with Photoshop allows us to work within a familiar program while enjoying the flexibility Storyboarder provides. With features like drag-and-drop scene rearrangement and the ability to quickly add or remove sections, we can easily make adjustments, saving us time and enhancing workflow efficiency. This setup makes the entire storyboarding process smoother and more adaptable to changes.
DESIGN & STYLE
Building on the established crisp vector style from a previous UKRI animation, we enhanced and evolved the visuals.
By adding depth through layered scenes and creating more detailed assets, we enriched the overall visual experience. The clean 2D illustrations and refined colour palette effectively complemented the technical subject matter. While a fixed colour palette can sometimes be limiting, in this instance, utilising various shades created a cohesive and unified aesthetic.
With this animation we decided to create the assets using Adobe Illustrator, to give us the ability to work in a vector format. Working in vector allows us to create sharp, scalable graphics that retain quality at any resolution, ensuring the final animation looks polished across different screen sizes. Once the assets are created in Illustrator, they seamlessly integrate into Adobe After Effects for animation. With some scenes you may want to convert Illustrator assets into shapes within After Effects. This method allows you to manipulate specific points on the shape in ways that aren’t possible when working with the original Illustrator files.
This approach streamlines our workflow and maximises quality, enabling us to create visually engaging animations that maintain a professional and cohesive look from start to finish.
Gary
How Strategic Planning and Mixed Media Crafted DMU’s Impactful Graduation Video
Creating a memorable video isn’t just about capturing moments on film; it’s about strategic planning, thoughtful storytelling, and in some cases, using a blend of media to tell a powerful story. For De Montfort University’s (DMU) 2024 graduation video, our careful planning, creative transitions, and innovative mixed media approach helped us craft a film that resonated deeply with students, faculty, and families. We brought DMU’s vision to life by merging creativity with precise execution.
THE PROJECT
DMU is known as “the empowering university,” a dynamic and diverse institution with 26,000 students from all backgrounds. Every year, their graduation ceremonies celebrate not only academic success but also the personal journeys of their graduates.
DMU approached us with a clear vision: to create a graduation film that captured this spirit of empowerment and showcased how the university played a vital role in shaping each student’s path.
CREATIVE PROPOSAL
Our goal was to celebrate DMU students by highlighting their journeys, growth, and the connections they built. We used a mixed-media approach, combining graphic highlights, rapid cuts, lively transitions, and an upbeat soundtrack to create a sleek, modern aesthetic.
The film centred around three core themes:
- Journey: From students starting at DMU to graduation, we used a creative rewind effect to show “where it all started.”
- Community: Featuring the friendships and connections formed, we incorporated students’ own footage in a scrapbook format, adding a personal touch.
- Success: Showcasing achievements and passions, we filmed students engaging in their hobbies and interests, reflecting their truest selves.
One of the strengths of this approach was its flexibility. Mixed media allowed us to convey messages quickly, set the mood effectively, and transition smoothly between scenes, making the viewing experience fluid and captivating.
PRE-PRODUCTION
Pre-production and planning were essential. We collaborated closely with DMU to understand their goals and gather insights into the stories they wanted to tell. Receiving bios of each featured student, we developed a detailed storyboard, script, and shot list, ensuring that every element aligned to create a cohesive narrative.
Through careful coordination, we finalised locations, props, and clothing, ensuring everything would seamlessly fit the video’s visual style and themes. This attention to detail during planning allowed us to streamline the filming process and anticipate the creative transitions that would define the final product.
Our camera operators and editors are always scrolling on social-media to keep up to date with the latest video editing trends and follow creative content creators and influencers. We wanted in-camera and digital effect transitions that were not only relevant to each DMU student featured in the production but also would lead to a more engaging and captivating final product.
PRODUCTION
Filming took place over two days on DMU’s main campus, where we followed five students, capturing their daily routines, interactions, and experiences inside and outside the classroom. Each student shared their unique perspective on what DMU meant to them, offering personal insights that added depth to the video.
Our pre-production planning enabled us to implement creative techniques like match cuts and action transitions to seamlessly connect different scenes. These weren’t just stylish effects; they emphasized the connection between the students’ academic pursuits and personal growth, showing how DMU supported them every step of the way.
We used 2x Sony FX6 cameras because of their exceptional image quality (4k) and high-resolution options so that we could easily adapt it for different platforms and aspect ratios. Each shot was supported by a camera on a tripod and another camera on a gimbal, to allow for different types of angles and creativity – and for effective time management!
Behind the scenes on our FPV drone shoot with the DJI Avata
FPV (First-Person View) drones are game-changers for filmmakers, opening up a whole new world of dynamic shots and fresh perspectives. And in 2022, we decided to dive in and add one to our toolkit!
Here at Cass Productions, we’ve been using drones to enhance our videos for years. But when one of our drone operators got certified to fly FPV, we knew it was time to step things up. Enter the DJI Avata—our very first FPV drone!
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything we learned while prepping for shoots with the Avata, plus some handy tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your FPV experience. Whether you’re gearing up for your first flight or looking to up your FPV game, we’ve got you covered!
PRE-PRODUCTION
A local sixth form approached us to create a promotional video that would shift perceptions of them being a sports-focused college.
After researching what prospective students wanted, we found they were most interested in seeing the college’s environment and atmosphere; less talking, more visuals. To capture their attention, we suggested using a drone to fly through the college, using well-planned transitions to move between classrooms, sports halls, and communal areas. The goal was to showcase the space in a dynamic, visually appealing way. It was the perfect opportunity to let our FPV drone shine!
With our brief in hand, it was time to dive into flight planning. The first step? Checking out Drone Safety Map. This tool is essential for getting a clear picture of any restrictions, obstacles, or no-fly zones in the area where we plan to fly. It’s quick and straightforward, giving us a map-based overview of the local airspace and letting us plan around any limitations.
Using tools like this not only keeps us compliant with regulations but also helps us avoid surprises on the day of the shoot. Whether it’s nearby airports, restricted zones, or environmental factors, Drone Safety Map gives us all the information we need to prep our route and plan the best possible shots.
FLIGHT SAFETY
Looking at the map, you’ll see our flight path was close to Southampton Airport, though safely outside the red Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ). Even though we weren’t within the no-fly zone, we still needed to stay alert for any other temporary airspace restrictions, also known as NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions), that could affect the area.
We also conducted a comprehensive risk assessment and created our flight plan.
With the green light on our flight, it was time to prep the equipment and make sure every piece of kit was good to go!
Gary
How using 2D animation can benefit your organisation
The use of 2D animation in a business or organisation can be extremely beneficial. Animated visuals are particularly effective at capturing attention, enhancing engagement, and reinforcing your message in a compelling way. Put simply animated videos simplify complex ideas in a way that is easy for your audience to understand.
THE PROJECT
Our client for this project was UKRI (UK Research and Innovation)
The aim of this animation was to explain the Technology Missions Fund which is designed to accelerate technological development by investing in the sectors of artificial intelligence, engineering biology, future telecommunications, and quantum technologies.
Through the animated video, they wanted to illustrate how UKRI supports the emergence and development of technologies that have the potential to positively impact our society and economy.
CONCEPT & PLANNING
The key aim was to produce an explainer animation that portrayed the Technology Missions Fund in an engaging, creative, and interesting way. The first step in this process, once we receive the script, is to develop a storyboard.
This stage allows us to visualise the subject matter in a compelling and informative way. Given that this project focuses on how UKRI supports technological development across various sectors, it’s essential that each sector is clearly represented throughout the storyboard. Additionally, this phase is crucial for planning the technical aspects, including seamless transitions between scenes.
For storyboarding, we use Storyboarder, a free tool from Wonder Unit that has significantly streamlined our storyboard creation process. Its integration with Photoshop allows us to work within a familiar program while enjoying the flexibility Storyboarder provides. With features like drag-and-drop scene rearrangement and the ability to quickly add or remove sections, we can easily make adjustments, saving us time and enhancing workflow efficiency. This setup makes the entire storyboarding process smoother and more adaptable to changes.
DESIGN & STYLE
Building on the established crisp vector style from a previous UKRI animation, we enhanced and evolved the visuals.
By adding depth through layered scenes and creating more detailed assets, we enriched the overall visual experience. The clean 2D illustrations and refined colour palette effectively complemented the technical subject matter. While a fixed colour palette can sometimes be limiting, in this instance, utilising various shades created a cohesive and unified aesthetic.
With this animation we decided to create the assets using Adobe Illustrator, to give us the ability to work in a vector format. Working in vector allows us to create sharp, scalable graphics that retain quality at any resolution, ensuring the final animation looks polished across different screen sizes. Once the assets are created in Illustrator, they seamlessly integrate into Adobe After Effects for animation. With some scenes you may want to convert Illustrator assets into shapes within After Effects. This method allows you to manipulate specific points on the shape in ways that aren’t possible when working with the original Illustrator files.
This approach streamlines our workflow and maximises quality, enabling us to create visually engaging animations that maintain a professional and cohesive look from start to finish.
Gary
How Strategic Planning and Mixed Media Crafted DMU’s Impactful Graduation Video
Creating a memorable video isn’t just about capturing moments on film; it’s about strategic planning, thoughtful storytelling, and in some cases, using a blend of media to tell a powerful story. For De Montfort University’s (DMU) 2024 graduation video, our careful planning, creative transitions, and innovative mixed media approach helped us craft a film that resonated deeply with students, faculty, and families. We brought DMU’s vision to life by merging creativity with precise execution.
THE PROJECT
DMU is known as “the empowering university,” a dynamic and diverse institution with 26,000 students from all backgrounds. Every year, their graduation ceremonies celebrate not only academic success but also the personal journeys of their graduates.
DMU approached us with a clear vision: to create a graduation film that captured this spirit of empowerment and showcased how the university played a vital role in shaping each student’s path.
CREATIVE PROPOSAL
Our goal was to celebrate DMU students by highlighting their journeys, growth, and the connections they built. We used a mixed-media approach, combining graphic highlights, rapid cuts, lively transitions, and an upbeat soundtrack to create a sleek, modern aesthetic.
The film centred around three core themes:
- Journey: From students starting at DMU to graduation, we used a creative rewind effect to show “where it all started.”
- Community: Featuring the friendships and connections formed, we incorporated students’ own footage in a scrapbook format, adding a personal touch.
- Success: Showcasing achievements and passions, we filmed students engaging in their hobbies and interests, reflecting their truest selves.
One of the strengths of this approach was its flexibility. Mixed media allowed us to convey messages quickly, set the mood effectively, and transition smoothly between scenes, making the viewing experience fluid and captivating.
PRE-PRODUCTION
Pre-production and planning were essential. We collaborated closely with DMU to understand their goals and gather insights into the stories they wanted to tell. Receiving bios of each featured student, we developed a detailed storyboard, script, and shot list, ensuring that every element aligned to create a cohesive narrative.
Through careful coordination, we finalised locations, props, and clothing, ensuring everything would seamlessly fit the video’s visual style and themes. This attention to detail during planning allowed us to streamline the filming process and anticipate the creative transitions that would define the final product.
Our camera operators and editors are always scrolling on social-media to keep up to date with the latest video editing trends and follow creative content creators and influencers. We wanted in-camera and digital effect transitions that were not only relevant to each DMU student featured in the production but also would lead to a more engaging and captivating final product.
PRODUCTION
Filming took place over two days on DMU’s main campus, where we followed five students, capturing their daily routines, interactions, and experiences inside and outside the classroom. Each student shared their unique perspective on what DMU meant to them, offering personal insights that added depth to the video.
Our pre-production planning enabled us to implement creative techniques like match cuts and action transitions to seamlessly connect different scenes. These weren’t just stylish effects; they emphasized the connection between the students’ academic pursuits and personal growth, showing how DMU supported them every step of the way.
We used 2x Sony FX6 cameras because of their exceptional image quality (4k) and high-resolution options so that we could easily adapt it for different platforms and aspect ratios. Each shot was supported by a camera on a tripod and another camera on a gimbal, to allow for different types of angles and creativity – and for effective time management!
Behind the scenes on our FPV drone shoot with the DJI Avata
FPV (First-Person View) drones are game-changers for filmmakers, opening up a whole new world of dynamic shots and fresh perspectives. And in 2022, we decided to dive in and add one to our toolkit!
Here at Cass Productions, we’ve been using drones to enhance our videos for years. But when one of our drone operators got certified to fly FPV, we knew it was time to step things up. Enter the DJI Avata—our very first FPV drone!
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything we learned while prepping for shoots with the Avata, plus some handy tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your FPV experience. Whether you’re gearing up for your first flight or looking to up your FPV game, we’ve got you covered!
PRE-PRODUCTION
A local sixth form approached us to create a promotional video that would shift perceptions of them being a sports-focused college.
After researching what prospective students wanted, we found they were most interested in seeing the college’s environment and atmosphere; less talking, more visuals. To capture their attention, we suggested using a drone to fly through the college, using well-planned transitions to move between classrooms, sports halls, and communal areas. The goal was to showcase the space in a dynamic, visually appealing way. It was the perfect opportunity to let our FPV drone shine!
With our brief in hand, it was time to dive into flight planning. The first step? Checking out Drone Safety Map. This tool is essential for getting a clear picture of any restrictions, obstacles, or no-fly zones in the area where we plan to fly. It’s quick and straightforward, giving us a map-based overview of the local airspace and letting us plan around any limitations.
Using tools like this not only keeps us compliant with regulations but also helps us avoid surprises on the day of the shoot. Whether it’s nearby airports, restricted zones, or environmental factors, Drone Safety Map gives us all the information we need to prep our route and plan the best possible shots.
FLIGHT SAFETY
Looking at the map, you’ll see our flight path was close to Southampton Airport, though safely outside the red Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ). Even though we weren’t within the no-fly zone, we still needed to stay alert for any other temporary airspace restrictions, also known as NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions), that could affect the area.
We also conducted a comprehensive risk assessment and created our flight plan.
With the green light on our flight, it was time to prep the equipment and make sure every piece of kit was good to go!
Gary
How using 2D animation can benefit your organisation
The use of 2D animation in a business or organisation can be extremely beneficial. Animated visuals are particularly effective at capturing attention, enhancing engagement, and reinforcing your message in a compelling way. Put simply animated videos simplify complex ideas in a way that is easy for your audience to understand.
THE PROJECT
Our client for this project was UKRI (UK Research and Innovation)
The aim of this animation was to explain the Technology Missions Fund which is designed to accelerate technological development by investing in the sectors of artificial intelligence, engineering biology, future telecommunications, and quantum technologies.
Through the animated video, they wanted to illustrate how UKRI supports the emergence and development of technologies that have the potential to positively impact our society and economy.
CONCEPT & PLANNING
The key aim was to produce an explainer animation that portrayed the Technology Missions Fund in an engaging, creative, and interesting way. The first step in this process, once we receive the script, is to develop a storyboard.
This stage allows us to visualise the subject matter in a compelling and informative way. Given that this project focuses on how UKRI supports technological development across various sectors, it’s essential that each sector is clearly represented throughout the storyboard. Additionally, this phase is crucial for planning the technical aspects, including seamless transitions between scenes.
For storyboarding, we use Storyboarder, a free tool from Wonder Unit that has significantly streamlined our storyboard creation process. Its integration with Photoshop allows us to work within a familiar program while enjoying the flexibility Storyboarder provides. With features like drag-and-drop scene rearrangement and the ability to quickly add or remove sections, we can easily make adjustments, saving us time and enhancing workflow efficiency. This setup makes the entire storyboarding process smoother and more adaptable to changes.
DESIGN & STYLE
Building on the established crisp vector style from a previous UKRI animation, we enhanced and evolved the visuals.
By adding depth through layered scenes and creating more detailed assets, we enriched the overall visual experience. The clean 2D illustrations and refined colour palette effectively complemented the technical subject matter. While a fixed colour palette can sometimes be limiting, in this instance, utilising various shades created a cohesive and unified aesthetic.
With this animation we decided to create the assets using Adobe Illustrator, to give us the ability to work in a vector format. Working in vector allows us to create sharp, scalable graphics that retain quality at any resolution, ensuring the final animation looks polished across different screen sizes. Once the assets are created in Illustrator, they seamlessly integrate into Adobe After Effects for animation. With some scenes you may want to convert Illustrator assets into shapes within After Effects. This method allows you to manipulate specific points on the shape in ways that aren’t possible when working with the original Illustrator files.
This approach streamlines our workflow and maximises quality, enabling us to create visually engaging animations that maintain a professional and cohesive look from start to finish.
Gary
How Strategic Planning and Mixed Media Crafted DMU’s Impactful Graduation Video
Creating a memorable video isn’t just about capturing moments on film; it’s about strategic planning, thoughtful storytelling, and in some cases, using a blend of media to tell a powerful story. For De Montfort University’s (DMU) 2024 graduation video, our careful planning, creative transitions, and innovative mixed media approach helped us craft a film that resonated deeply with students, faculty, and families. We brought DMU’s vision to life by merging creativity with precise execution.
THE PROJECT
DMU is known as “the empowering university,” a dynamic and diverse institution with 26,000 students from all backgrounds. Every year, their graduation ceremonies celebrate not only academic success but also the personal journeys of their graduates.
DMU approached us with a clear vision: to create a graduation film that captured this spirit of empowerment and showcased how the university played a vital role in shaping each student’s path.
CREATIVE PROPOSAL
Our goal was to celebrate DMU students by highlighting their journeys, growth, and the connections they built. We used a mixed-media approach, combining graphic highlights, rapid cuts, lively transitions, and an upbeat soundtrack to create a sleek, modern aesthetic.
The film centred around three core themes:
- Journey: From students starting at DMU to graduation, we used a creative rewind effect to show “where it all started.”
- Community: Featuring the friendships and connections formed, we incorporated students’ own footage in a scrapbook format, adding a personal touch.
- Success: Showcasing achievements and passions, we filmed students engaging in their hobbies and interests, reflecting their truest selves.
One of the strengths of this approach was its flexibility. Mixed media allowed us to convey messages quickly, set the mood effectively, and transition smoothly between scenes, making the viewing experience fluid and captivating.
PRE-PRODUCTION
Pre-production and planning were essential. We collaborated closely with DMU to understand their goals and gather insights into the stories they wanted to tell. Receiving bios of each featured student, we developed a detailed storyboard, script, and shot list, ensuring that every element aligned to create a cohesive narrative.
Through careful coordination, we finalised locations, props, and clothing, ensuring everything would seamlessly fit the video’s visual style and themes. This attention to detail during planning allowed us to streamline the filming process and anticipate the creative transitions that would define the final product.
Our camera operators and editors are always scrolling on social-media to keep up to date with the latest video editing trends and follow creative content creators and influencers. We wanted in-camera and digital effect transitions that were not only relevant to each DMU student featured in the production but also would lead to a more engaging and captivating final product.
PRODUCTION
Filming took place over two days on DMU’s main campus, where we followed five students, capturing their daily routines, interactions, and experiences inside and outside the classroom. Each student shared their unique perspective on what DMU meant to them, offering personal insights that added depth to the video.
Our pre-production planning enabled us to implement creative techniques like match cuts and action transitions to seamlessly connect different scenes. These weren’t just stylish effects; they emphasized the connection between the students’ academic pursuits and personal growth, showing how DMU supported them every step of the way.
We used 2x Sony FX6 cameras because of their exceptional image quality (4k) and high-resolution options so that we could easily adapt it for different platforms and aspect ratios. Each shot was supported by a camera on a tripod and another camera on a gimbal, to allow for different types of angles and creativity – and for effective time management!