Film Craft > Production

PLAY IT SAFE

REVOLVER, Sydney / SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE / 2024

Awards:

Shortlisted Cannes Lions
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Film
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Overview

Credits

OVERVIEW

Why is this work relevant for Film Craft?

The approach of the film visualizes the lines of the song, whilst exploring every remarkably beautiful and meticulous detail of the building, dancers echoing the shapes in the architecture as well as the feelings evoked by both the lyrics and the space.

Please provide any cultural context that would help the Jury understand any cultural, national or regional nuances applicable to this work.

In 2023, The Sydney Opera house celebrated its golden anniversary. The building itself is much more than an incredible feat of architecture to Australians- it also serves as a monument to creative bravery.

The building itself is a feat of design and engineering, requiring monumental creative courage. It was an enormous undertaking for the country, and for the building to have stood the test of time, speaks to the incredible staying power of the revolutionary vision behind it.

The Sydney Opera House holds a special place in the hearts of Australians both in and outside of the arts. It is the country's busiest performing arts venue and recently named on the UNESCO world heritage list.

Write a short summary of what happens in the film.

The song is a musical homage to a building that tested the limits of engineering and design, forever changing the face of Sydney. Featuring a number of high profile artists and celebrities. The film is a wry, potent message about the importance of defying conventions and taking risks.

The film begins as a true reflection of the lyrics, a world of strict conformity- right down to the 70s brown suits, emblematic of the doubtful voices that often cut down inspiration. The film then travels through the opera house, featuring some of Australia’s top talent, and emerging on the iconic steps where the drab browns are shed in favor of bright and colorful expression.

Background:

Given the significance of the building, both to the creative community and to a wider idea of Australian identity, the agency were under considerable pressure to conceive a work that befits a celebration of this significance. They engaged our team and Tony award-winning comedian and songwriter Tim Minchin to bring the project to life, a four-minute epic musical celebration of fearlessness in the face of naysayers.

Tell the jury anything relevant about the direction. Do not name the director.

A devotee to craft, the director's rigorous approach to filmmaking is an astonishing feat of commitment and unwavering creative vision, making her the perfect fit for a project of this significance. The filmmaking was approached with the utmost respect and reverence for the building and what it represents, whilst retaining the satirical wink, ever present in the song’s lyrics.

The film begins as a true reflection of the lyrics, a world of strict conformity- right down to the 70s brown suits, emblematic of the doubtful voices that often cut down inspiration. The film then travels through the opera house, featuring some of Australia’s top talent, and emerging on the iconic steps where the drab browns are shed in favor of bright and colorful expression.

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