Sounds that we take for granted can be a revelation for someone who has encountered hearing loss. It was Jonathan Chapman and his production team’s job to capture what millions of people with restored hearing have experienced through his client’s, Starkey Hearing, products. In a series of stills and video, he directs and captures what it is like to hear a sound for the first time, or the recognition of sound that, for some, was all but forgotten. In a series of 60-second video “portraits,” individuals speak about their personal experiences, and in a longer two-minute, beautifully edited video that celebrates the sounds of the everyday, we’re reminded how essential sound is to human interaction with the world.
Starkey was looking for a rebrand of their website and print collateral, and Jonathan’s lifestyle approach goes a long way in defining how Starkey products enhance people’s lives. Jonathan and his crew decided rather than shooting in Los Angeles, they opted for the broad demographic of talent, both real and professional, and locations available on the North Shore of Massachusetts. The production required two days of location scouting, five days of shooting, and upon return to Minneapolis, two weeks of post-production and editing.
In order to capture the variety of subjects and scenes, Jonathan utilized three Canon 1dc video and still cameras on set; Jonathan directing and shooting the hero angle, and the second camera / second DP shooting a complimentary view. A third 1dc was mounted to a Movi (camera gimbal) for stabilized shots, tracking subjects as well as movement throughout scenes. This approach allowed him to feel comfortable letting the action unfold, knowing that there were more than one set of eyes capturing the action. In addition, Jonathan’s in-house editor was on set as assistant director to add continuity. His approach clearly ensured a beautiful consistency across all platforms.
