Concept and creative process
‘Excalibur' was one of the six BBC Two channel idents designed for the Winter campaign 2000 which also included ‘Wave’, ‘Catalyst’, ‘Woodpecker’, ‘Predator’ and ‘Kebab’. These were the first series of idents to be shot 16 x 9 and were released on January 1st 2000 for the New Millennium. 'Excalibur' was shot using a specially constructed tank approximately 6 meters long. The camera was mounted at 90 degrees to the surface of the water to create the illusion of the 2 appearing from the side of the scene. The 2 was mounted on a small arm which allowed it to break the water surface. The ident was shot at 100 frames per second. Post-production included the removal of the small arm and manipulation of the ripples on the water surface.
Lighting Cameraman - Stephen MacMillan.
Inferno Artist - Johnny Hicks at Glassworks.
Model Makers - Asylum.
Music - Tony & Gaynor Sadler.
Producer - Janice Beale.
Designers/Directors - Mark Chaudoir and Tim Platt.
The campaign was the winner of a Design & Art Direction Wood Pencil for Television Graphics/Brand Identity 2000.