Two commercials selected for film festival
Excitement fills the Antfarm office, as two commercials we crafted for sound effects platform Soundly were selected for a special “Sound in Film” event at a Slovakian film festival, Spotlights Antfarm’s sound design.
Centered on “Sound in Film” the festival explored the world of sound design and its impact on cinematic experiences. Drawing filmmakers, sound designers, and film enthusiasts to create a diverse audience. Inspired by the festival, we brought the director and client together to discuss the ideas and production process.
Soundly CEO, Peder Jørgensen, and Marketing Director, Erling Hoff, sought a cinematic touch for their commercials and contacted director Ola Martin Fjeld. “You Say Scream, We Say How High” evolved from the idea “The Girl in the Cloud,” a whimsical take on sound search in the cloud. They imagined a child in a vast storage space filled with objects, creatures, and people, poised to produce the perfect sound.
The film depicts a sound designer searching for the ideal scream for a scene, under pressure from producers, explains Hoff. Jørgensen adds, “We listen to users, simplifying sound requests in our app and website. Can’t find a sound? We’ll get it: You Say Scream. We Say How High.”
After initial concept development and budgeting, Ola Martin Fjeld suggested shooting both films in Mexico. Capitalizing on the diverse cinematic locations and experienced crew available. Despite budget constraints, Fjeld’s resourcefulness and problem-solving skills brought their vision to life, even incorporating a Mad Max-inspired sequence.
Second Sound Design Commercial
The second commercial, “Experience Sound Designer Zen,” portrays a sound designer maintaining composure amidst chaos using Soundly. Hoff elucidates “With tens of thousands of users, our goal remains the same as when we started Soundly: make sound design easy, fun, and fast”. This campaign highlights the stress faced by sound designers with tight deadlines and demanding clients, all with a humorous approach. We created the Soundly Zen campaign. To show that no matter what life throws at you, as long as you have Soundly, you will always experience Sound Designer Zen. We hope Soundly’s zen experience permeates your entire day!”
Antfarm’s sound design
The serene soundscape contrasts with the visual chaos unfolding. Fjeld shared insights, saying, “We rehearsed extensively in pre-production and shot at sunrise at 120 frames per second. The actual take lasts 5 seconds, requiring precise coordination for the right amount of chaos. After 13 takes, we achieved perfection.”
Fjeld relished crafting content that aims to entertain the target audience. “The Soundly approach links well with the Antfarm philosophy to speak to the heart to move the mind.” YouTube comments praise the commercials’ wit, creativity, and sound design. The ads earned acclaim for their ingenious concepts, compelling narratives, and fresh approach to promoting Soundly, gaining recognition on esteemed shots.net, which celebrates exceptional quality in commercials and short formats.
Through creativity and an immersive audio-visual experience, Ola Martin Fjeld and Soundly. Successfully showcased the significance of sound design in film. Their innovative approach to sound and visuals captivated viewers and demonstrated the power of sound in storytelling and audience engagement.
Read the interview with Ola Martin Fjeld conducted by the Slovakian film festival here: https://festivalpaff.sk/en/news/interview-with-ola-martin-fjeld/
