Live Event filming: The SSE Hydro, Glasgow

The opening night of Scotland’s newest global music venue

We were commissioned to create a promotional video covering the opening night of the new SSE Hydro, located on the banks of the Clyde, in the shadow of the iconic Finneston crane. The Hydro had been generating hype for months, and the marketing team wanted to ensure that the excitement and buzz of the live event was captured from every angle.

Not only would the footage be used in press releases but it would also form part of an archive for future video content.

We had to ensure all the sponsorship and venue’s partners were well represented within the video, as well as capturing the crowds, the architecture, the merchandising and the concessions. We also had to capture the headline act, Rod Stewart, arriving and preparing to go on stage.

Finally, to maintain the impact of the launch, we had to supply the final edit within 48 hours of the opening.

We used a team of 9, divided into five units: two timelapse units, a Steadicam unit, a vox pop unit and a third roving camera. Maintaining constant communication via walkie-talkie, we were able to ensure that all the crucial elements of the evening were captured, including vox pops with the excited Rod Stewart fans, video screens carrying sponsors’ messaging, the final finishing touches to the arena and the stunning coloured lighting, built into the Hydro’s architecture.

Since the initial launch, the SSE Hydro has become the world’s second busiest live entertainment arena (just behind The O2).