‘Lighting Up’ Opening Event

Speakeasy produced seven launch films and the first main launch event for the opening of the £1.35 billion Queensferry Crossing, Scotland’s biggest infrastructure project in a generation.

This was a hugely complex project delivered in a tight schedule (4-5 weeks) on what was still a live construction site. The brief was to create a visual spectacle that would attract international media attention; celebrate the work of the contractors involved and mark the handover to the Scottish Government. 

Speakeasy’s creative involved staging a dramatic night time light show that would be filmed by drones and helicopters and would showcase the bridge at its most striking. This involved installing more than 100 light fittings across the bridge and getting more than 80 crew on and off the bridge at different stages – including specialist lighting and projection mapping teams, audio-visual specialists, camera crew and events teams. With construction work still in its final stages, there were many logistical and health and safety challenges. 

Speakeasy managed the project by liaising closely with the contractors – Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors – as well as Transport Scotland, Police Scotland and bridge managers Amey. To avoid disrupting ongoing construction work, much of our set up was done overnight in the run up to the launch event. Issues that arose include Police Scotland declaring a no-fly zone across the whole bridge area two days before the launch event. To ensure we could still film the launch light show by drone and helicopter, we had to secure additional clearances very quickly. We also had to work around the removal of four cranes on top of the three bridge towers – a job that involved 40 helicopter lifts and was weather dependent. 

On launch night, Speakeasy had eight camera crews at strategic points across the site, as well as two aerial crews.  We delivered seven films in total, including two overnight edits to provide footage for international media syndication. Six of the films were specifically for social media. Our main 1-minute launch film attracted 25,000 views within three days of the launch and supports the #LoveQC social media campaign. Speakeasy was also responsible for hosting the press photocall on launch night. This involved accompanying broadcast and press crews including the BBC, ITV, Sky and Reuters, to key vantage points and maintaining health and safety compliance at all times. We also delivered VIP and ‘VVIP’ launch parties for more than 100 invited guests and dignitaries. This involved working closely with Police Scotland and the First Minister’s protection team.

MIPIM 2016 & 2017

In 2016, Speakeasy was appointed by the Scottish Cities Alliance – a collaboration of Scotland’s seven cities – to design and build an exhibition stand for Marché International des Professionnels d’Immobilier (MIPIM) – the world’s leading property market.

Taking place at London Olympia in October 2016 and in Cannes in March 2017, the events are a magnet for international investors, attracting around 23,000 people over four days.

Both are busy shows and the Alliance was competing with many other cities for potential investment opportunities. Our stand design was created with these pressures in mind and combined a visually stunning set with content and marketing to persuade investors to stop and consider Scotland as a potential investment destination.   

Importantly, we designed the stand with durability in mind, using hard-wearing materials that can be easily refreshed to maintain a fresh look for each show.   

Engaging content is key to successful interaction with stand visitors and we used virtual reality headsets to create an immersive experience of Scotland’s seven cities.

In 2015, Police Mutual Group commissioned Speakeasy to produce its first ever series of group-wide staff events, to be held at key locations in the Midlands, Hampshire, Suffolk, Merseyside and Staffordshire.

The UK-wide organisation offers financial advice and services to serving and retired Police officers and members of the Armed Forces. Speakeasy’s role covered video, 2D and 3D design – including all print design and production and screen animation – app development, content development, communications planning and transport and logistics.

Marketing of the events involved setting up eight separate event websites and managing the invitation process, as well as signage, registration and badging at the venues. 

We developed all content for the roadshow events including slides, a series of video inserts and interactive elements. Interaction with the audiences was via a bespoke event app using iPads to cast votes and submit feedback and questions. The event app also included a note-taking facility and information about the agenda and speakers. By providing full event information, the app meant there were no print requirements – making the event completely paperless.

The final show was webcast live, also with interactive content.