Author Archive

The Toronto Star

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Brief

I was commissioned by the Toronto Star to write several pieces on skiing in Europe. On a press trip hosted by Best of the Alps, I visited Lech, Austria, and met an Olympic legend.

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Lech – the Cradle of Alpine Skiing

I’m gazing into a cabinet packed with medals and trophies, including gold from the 1962 world championships and 1964 Olympics, well-polished and arranged in neat rows on the green baize. As I admire the haul its owner, Egon Zimmerman, appears wearing a huge grin. At 76, he looks quite different from the airborne figure painted 15 ft high on the outside of his hotel—the luxurious yet cosy Kristberg, in Lech, Austria—but his handshake is firm.

Lech is one of a group of resort towns that evolved from farming communities in the Alrberg, named after the massif which dominates the landscape, and known as the cradle of alpine skiing. In nearby St. Anton more than a century ago Hannes Schneider pioneered the techniques that became the foundations of the modern sport. I’m here for my first runs of the season and, as an intermediate but somewhat rusty skier, I can only hope there is something in the water.

Lech-Zürs (as the ski area is known) now has 283 km of groomed pistes of all levels and 200 km of free-riding. If the mooted lift connection between Zürs and St. Anton is made it will create the largest network of slopes in Austria. A short walk through the pretty town (sophisticated without being flashy) brings me to Strolz, fabled maker of custom ski boots, where I collect my (off-the-shelf) gear. When Egon sped to victory at Chamonix and Innsbruck he did so in Strolz boots.

Transplanted from the city to this lofty perch I feel an anticipatory burst of adrenaline as the Schlegelkopf I chairlift whisks me up the mountainside through the ice-fresh morning air. I had planned to ski the White Ring, a 22 km circuit of groomed pistes with 5,500 m of vertical connected by seven lifts, but snowfall has been light and not all sections are open.

At the top of the Kriegerhorn lift the view is spectacular. Carolin, my guide, names each peak in turn as we look north towards Germany and then south into Switzerland. The valley here starts high, at over 1,400 m, which means the vistas are expansive and, as Carolin explains: “There is more sun, so the people are happier.”

The weather is indeed glorious and we carve down uncrowded blues and reds until lunchtime before sweeping into Oberlech, a tiny ski-in ski-out village, to refuel on the terrace of the Hotel Goldener Berg. Austrian food is hearty, perfect for active appetites, and the mountains are sprinkled with delicious eateries. The generous portions might go some way to explaining why European ski culture is a little more relaxed than North America’s. As one Canadian I met put it: “Back home it’s all about clocking vertical. You adjust to a different pace here. It’s slower, more sociable.”

After an espresso to cut through the calories it’s back on the piste. South facing slopes and manmade snow make for icy conditions and I scrub my way down the steeper sections. I imagine Egon as a boy in the 50s, with no formal training and second-hand equipment, charging down these mountains on his way to glory.

A session without a major wipeout is a victory for me and it’s with sore legs and soaring spirits that I put in the final turns of the day. Back at the Kristberg Egon is waiting with a glass of schnapps and a nugget of wisdom. “Talent is paper thin. It’s hard work that counts.”

With skiing this good on the doorstep, you won’t find me slacking.

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Suitcase Magazine

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Brief

Suitcase Magazine have a beautiful website where travel and fashion stories are collated for their devoted readers. They commissioned me to write a mini guide to Lisbon.

Sample Copy

Lisbon: The Perfect City Guide

It’s hard not to be charmed by Lisbon. Sprinkled over seven hills on the bank of the River Tagus, the city, one of Europe’s oldest and most beautiful, vibrates to the echoes of history while at the same time thrusting forward with infectious optimism.

The hills, trams, thriving gay scene and bridge designed by the same architect earn comparisons with San Francisco, but Lisbon’s soul is uniquely Portuguese. A stroll will take you from medieval ramparts; through cobbled alleyways lined with family-run restaurants and drinking dens; past crumbling buildings adorned with street art three storeys high; onto Praça do Comércio, the size of five football pitches and ringed with monumental architecture; and finally to riverside clubs where revellers dance all night, energised by the prospect of a prosperous future.

Portugal’s battered economy is bouncing back from the Eurozone crisis and Lisbon is leading the way: renovating rundown areas, supporting local businesses and attracting entrepreneurship – a forward-looking mentality that is allowing creativity to flourish.

Doubtless Lisbon’s contemporary culture is inspired by Portugal’s colonial past, with Angolan, Brazilian, Goan and Mozambican influences meshing in this cosmopolitan capital. Whether you want to eat kulyachem tonak (Goan crab curry), rave all night to kudoro (high-speed Angolan dance music), or sip ginjinha (cherry liqueur) from a hole-in-the-wall bar, curious senses will be satisfied.

Exploration is a pleasure as the sun shines more often than not here on the edge of Europe (a Lisboeta would say the centre), illuminating vistas from rooftop bars and miradouros (public viewpoints), encouraging dining, drinking and dancing outside, and warmly nudging you to peak around just one more corner.

What you find may reveal the sense of the Portuguese word saudade. There is no direct translation but its essence is of a bittersweet longing, like that of a woman who marries a man who goes to sea. Whatever you’re yearning for, Lisbon is a good place to come and find it, or, have so much fun that you’ll forget.

Here is a selection of my favourite places to stay, eat, drink/dance and things to see and do…

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The Telegraph

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Brief

This piece, about a water buffalo fighting tournament in Vietnam, won the Daily Telegraph Just Back travel writing competition.

Sample Copy

A Raging Buffalo Battle

A track leads away from the highway into the jungle where a pit of bare earth gapes like a fresh wound. Several thousand people stand on terraces 70 feet high carved into the clay by excavators. All eyes on the arena, which lies empty, waiting.

The air clings with the smell of popcorn and barbecued pork. Families gather with their boisterous broods, buying drinks and snacks from vendors who have set up shop on low plastic tables. It’s Saturday in the Bac Quang district of northern Vietnam and the water buffalo tournament is in town.

Men slide heavy wooden poles aside and two magnificent buffalo bulls are led into the public gaze, the numbers 18 and 32 chalked on their backs. I brace myself for the inevitable violence but…nothing. Officials, tiny from our distant perch, look foolish whacking the half ton slabs of muscle on their backsides, cajoling them to rage. Then…18 nuzzles up to 32 and licks his neck.

A roar goes upfrom the crowd. The announcer’s voice rings from the PA system, shrill with excitement. This brotherly love is unprecedented. Five long minutes later something snaps and they lock horns. Thirty-two drives forward and, after a few seconds of resistance, 18 swivels to flee.

The next contest is pure fury. Number 31 bulldozes straight at number 48, closing the 20 metre gap in seconds. Forty-eight is oblivious to the snorting thunder bearing down on him. Just in time he lifts his head and two horn bosses collide sending a shudder down the flanks of both animals.

Now their thick necks are bent into the battle, the tops of their heads brushing the dirt. Hooves grind the earth as the initiative switches from beast to beast. Testosterone flows in the deadly struggle and the fleshy red tubes of their penises are exposed.

Thirty-one forces 48 backwards across the arena. An imperceptible shift of weight and 48 is on the offensive, regaining lost ground. Until, suddenly, 48 knows his opponent’s superiority and surrenders. He makes for the corner of the arena and hurls himself against the wooden gate but there is no escape. Thirty-one smashes into his side and knocks him to the ground, legs flailing. A flash of horns driving into exposed chest. Men hurry to intervene, wary of being crushed, dancing to drape flags over the rampager’s head – taking the target from view, damping the murderous flames.

Thirty-one will fight again in a bid to win the 45,000,000 Vietnamese Dong (£1,400) prize. But ultimately all competitors share the same fate: skilful dissection with a butcher’s knife, flesh hacked into profit. Outside the arena, yellow chits litter the floor. The iron tang of blood claws from stalls where hunks of fresh meat glisten.

Delicious, I’m told, and expensive at 280,000 Dong (£9) per kilo. Down by the river; a freshly stripped buffalo rib cage, massive, the white bones in stark contrast to the dark figures working on it, the muddy bank and the churning chocolate river.

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Cliveden Conservation 03

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Brief

Cliveden Conservation restores and conserves the UK’s most beautiful historic buildings. It’s only right they should share this brilliant work. They hired me to produce a client newsletter covering the highlights of their busy schedule in 2015 and 2016, including an introduction from the Managing Director.

Thoughts

The MD and I chatted on the phone to identify the Cliveden Conservation highlights he wanted to cover in his introduction to the newsletter. Then I wrote the copy in an appropriate tone.

What the client said: >

Sample Copy

From the Managing Director

“I’m thrilled that, since our last newsletter in 2015, Cliveden Conservation has continued to consolidate its position in the conservation industry to become, increasingly, the number one choice for many interesting research, conservation and restoration projects…

…The increasing scale of the jobs that we take on demonstrates the maturity of the company, which has grown from a small statue conservation workshop to a major conservation organisation with teams based across three sites… …Our award-winning restoration of the Gothic Tower at Wimpole House is a perfect example of this development (read the full story here). It was fantastic to work with Donald Insall Associates on behalf of the National Trust and restore public access to this unique piece of architectural heritage… Cliveden Conservation not only works to restore what remains but to return what has been lost. Or, in the case of the final project I would like to mention, sold. Returning the statuary to the monumental gardens at Stowe is one such effort and a personal passion project. 2015 saw the start of a new phase of this restoration…”

Lewis Proudfoot, Stone Section Manager – Cliveden Conservation
We needed a newsletter to keep our clients, colleagues and fellow conservation industry members up to speed. Previously we’ve done it in-house, but with a heavy workload and tight timeframe we decided to outsource. Olly gathered stories from our three regional workshops on completed, upcoming and award-winning projects. He took the time to interview individuals and found the best angles for the stories.

He listened to the brief, understood our requirements and wrote in a friendly but authoritative tone, just right for our large, diverse readership. He made the deadline despite the challenges of liaising with multiple stakeholders. Olly hasan eye for detail and careful research. His copywriting services combine the rigour of a journalist with the adaptability of a commercial writer. Highly recommended.
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Cliveden Conservation 02

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Brief

Cliveden Conservation restores and conserves the UK’s most beautiful historic buildings. It’s only right they should share this brilliant work. They hired me to produce a client newsletter covering the highlights of their busy schedule in 2015 and 2016.

Thoughts

I conducted telephone interviews with staff to get under the skin of the company and gathered quotes to bring the stories to life. I researched and developed angles that connected Cliveden Conservation’s activities to the wider conservation world. It was heartbreaking to hear about the devastation at Clandon Park.

What the client said: >

Sample Copy 

From the ashes

The remains of the National Trust’s Clandon Park, a Palladian mansion built in 1720 and devastated by fire last year, are revealing secrets of unique significance that will enable this national treasure to rise from the ashes.

The Marble Hall at Clandon is one of the most striking architectural spaces in Britain: a two-storey cubic hall adorned with marble and crowned with intricate sculpted stucco. The fire destroyed many of the hall’s important fixtures and furnishings and left it roofless, along with most of the building.

It’s not all bad news, however. Cliveden Conservation, as advisors to the National Trust, were on site to help with the salvage operation. The blaze miraculously spared the ceiling of the imposing Speaker’s Parlour, and we helped to save it from further damage.

“Acting quickly is critical after this kind of disaster,” explained Trevor Proudfoot, MD of Cliveden Conservation. “We went in just two days after the fire and, with the help of the fire brigade, installed props to minimise further damage and assist subsequent restoration efforts.”

The recovery at Clandon has been running for the past year, with teams of engineers and archaeologists securing and surveying the building. Trays of fragments are carried from the building to a polytunnel village erected near the house where experts like Sarah Mayfield, conservator with Cliveden Conservation, document significant finds by, quite literally, sifting through the rubble piece by piece.

“I did my masters case study on Clandon so, although the destruction of the house is a tragedy and a massive loss to art history, it’s been really exciting to be part of the survey team. In its exposed state the building is revealing its secrets, aspects of construction and design that might otherwise never have been known.”

The next stage of the process will be to prepare specifications for the repair and restoration of the building, for which Cliveden Conservation will draw on our experience restoring the ceilings at Uppark, also wrecked by fire in 1989.

Lewis Proudfoot, Stone Section Manager – Cliveden Conservation
We needed a newsletter to keep our clients, colleagues and fellow conservation industry members up to speed. Previously we’ve done it in-house, but with a heavy workload and tight timeframe we decided to outsource. Olly gathered stories from our three regional workshops on completed, upcoming and award-winning projects. He took the time to interview individuals and found the best angles for the stories.

He listened to the brief, understood our requirements and wrote in a friendly but authoritative tone, just right for our large, diverse readership. He made the deadline despite the challenges of liaising with multiple stakeholders. Olly hasan eye for detail and careful research. His copywriting services combine the rigour of a journalist with the adaptability of a commercial writer. Highly recommended.
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Cliveden Conservation 01

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Brief

Cliveden Conservation restores and conserves the UK’s most beautiful historic buildings. It’s only right they should share this brilliant work. They hired me to produce a client newsletter covering the highlights of their busy schedule in 2015 and 2016.

Thoughts

I conducted telephone interviews with staff to get under the skin of the company and gathered quotes to bring the stories to life. I researched and developed angles that connected Cliveden Conservation’s activities to the wider conservation world. I had a lot of fun learning about Victorian concrete dinosaurs.

What the client said: >

Sample copy

A roaring success

A 162-year-old iguanodon in Crystal Palace Park was saved from extinction thanks to a Cliveden Conservation project that finished in January: a monster restoration effort earning us an appearance on BBC One.

Our very own stone section manager, Lewis Proudfoot, was interviewed on The One Show by presenter Gyles Brandreth, who placed the final tooth in the Victorian beast’s jaws to complete the work.

‘Iggy’, a Grade 1-listed specimen, is part of a collection of more than 30 sculptures – the first full-scale reconstruction of dinosaurs ever attempted. The collection has been ailing in recent years with many of the sculptures in need of major refurbishment.

Before they went on public display, when Crystal Palace Park opened in June 1853, a group of professors and palaeontologists held a New Year’s Eve banquet inside Iggy’s hollow body: an impossible feat now as our restoration work included reinforcing the structure internally with stainless steel rods.

In addition, Iggy was cleaned top to bottom, dirt between his scales was removed and rotten teeth were replaced. A fresh coat of paint with bright white toe nails completed the makeover.

Iggy’s revitalisation is the first stage in a long-term project that will ensure the original Jurassic Park can be enjoyed by generations to come.

Lewis Proudfoot, Stone Section Manager – Cliveden Conservation
We needed a newsletter to keep our clients, colleagues and fellow conservation industry members up to speed. Previously we’ve done it in-house, but with a heavy workload and tight timeframe we decided to outsource. Olly gathered stories from our three regional workshops on completed, upcoming and award-winning projects. He took the time to interview individuals and found the best angles for the stories.

He listened to the brief, understood our requirements and wrote in a friendly but authoritative tone, just right for our large, diverse readership. He made the deadline despite the challenges of liaising with multiple stakeholders. Olly hasan eye for detail and careful research. His copywriting services combine the rigour of a journalist with the adaptability of a commercial writer. Highly recommended.
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Casual Films Concept Development

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Brief

Concept development for a hedge fund’s recruitment video.

Thoughts

Two Sigma is a hedge fund whose investment strategies are guided by technology. This approach document set out how a video could best communicate their innovative working practices.

What the client said: >

Sample copy

MAN AND MACHINE
This is a more stylised option in which we get closer to the technology, combining fast cuts of hardware and software in action with human reactions, plus voiceover or text to drive the narrative. This concept is a metaphor for Two Sigma: smart people using powerful systems translate into real world benefits – focusing brainpower on the Man vs Machine competition is synonymous with driving client investments.

Firstly we highlight the impressive computing and data analysis power at Two Sigma: shots of servers and terminals, as well as graphic representations of vast quantities of information being scoured revealing useful insights. This is the day job; the scientific approach to investment management.

Throughout the video Two Sigma people are also prominent – we see wide shots of them at work, close ups of hands typing or pointing at lines of code, smiles and laughter during the competition. We want to bring to life the intelligence and ingenuity of the workforce.
 
RICHARD FOSTER, ACCOUNT DIRECTOR – CASUAL FILMS
Casual Films receive numerous briefs from a range of clients and we used Olly’s services to help us respond to some of these briefs and pitch for content creation work. We won some of the pitches, securing valuable projects off the back of Olly’s work. Olly is enthusiastic and a great communicator who originates fresh ideas. Olly was a huge asset for Casual when we needed creative support.
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Casual Films Treatment Writing

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Brief

Concept development for a corporate video showcasing new scanning/modelling technology.

Thoughts

The aim of this project was to create a short, hi-tech animation that would be perfect for sharing on social media.

What the client said: >

Sample copy

THE APPROACH
A one minute behind the scenes film and a 15 second 3D computer animation will engage our target audience and demonstrate the effectiveness of the technology. In the one minute film we peak behind the scenes of the creative process, following an animator in a small studio as they work. The animator scans an everyday object using the Lenovo B50 with RealSense technology.

We see how the resulting 3D digital image can be easily manipulated and used in animations to great effect. The focus is on how useful the technology is, saving the animator precious time that would have been spent on fiddly modelling or searching online for an appropriate 3D model.

The 15 second animation is the end of the process: from a tangible object to a 3D digital animation with ease. This short animation will be perfect for sharing via social media, creating awareness and interest about the technology….
 
Richard Foster, Account Director – Casual Films
Casual Films receive numerous briefs from a range of clients and we used Olly’s services to help us respond to some of these briefs and pitch for content creation work. We won some of the pitches, securing valuable projects off the back of Olly’s work. Olly is enthusiastic and a great communicator who originates fresh ideas. Olly was a huge asset for Casual when we needed creative support.
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JA Films Creative Development

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Brief

This pitching document (treatment) was created to win concert film production duties for a well-known country music star.

Thoughts

I wanted to capture the passion of Keith’s fans and the energy of his live shows so I immersed myself in his music while researching his life story.

Sample copy

Our mission is to harness the power of the live concert and transmit it via the screen with no loss of intensity – blurring the line between the stage and the audience, demonstrating how Keith’s music bridges the gap. We want to complement the emotion, to heighten its power and project it onto the viewer so that they can feel the effects of his spellbinding performance.

Keith is a virtuoso musician who has been playing guitar since the age of six. But he doesn’t let his extraordinary skill create distance between him and his fans, he uses it to break down barriers and connect.

Finding emotive moments of both Keith and the crowd, and placing them in the edit, will lift the viewing experience to the next level: a couple kissing, a girl on her boyfriend’s shoulders beaming with happiness, someone crying at the lyrics. These special moments will help to fuse what is happening onscreen with the music and performance.

Sample Design

JAfilms2SS - JA Films Creative Development
JAFilms1SS - JA Films Creative Development

Julie Jakobek, Managing Director – JA Films

While rebranding the company and designing a new website we were struggling to see the wood for the trees; our existing content was too wordy and longwinded. Olly distilled our ideas into concise, effective copy resulting in a clearer, more engaging website. His patient and personal approach helped us improve the way we communicate JA Films’ strengths, including our unique experience and roster of talent.
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Luti Media

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Brief

This treatment was created to win backing from Porsche for a promo film shot at Goodwood Revival vintage motor festival.

Thoughts

I created three distinct approaches, for different budgets, to showcase Porsche’s heritage among the glamour and excitement of the world’s biggest vintage motor festival.

What the client said: >

Sample copy

…We’ll focus on the cars, the clothes and the famous faces in an energetic but measured film that seduces the eyes with carefully captured details…

We open in black and white with a montage of shots that encapsulates humdrum everyday life. Bored people waiting for a bus under grey drizzly skies. Close-ups of miserable faces checking smartphones while standing obediently in a queue. Life seems dull and uninspiring….

Dramatic cut to colour footage of swinging scenes at Goodwood Revival. A series of cuts plunge the viewer into the action: a beautiful woman throws back her head and laughs while holding a glass of champagne. Another woman poses for the camera, throwing open her lustrous fur coat to reveal a polka dot dress. A suave man wearing a blazer and cravat pushes his aviator shades back up the bridge of his nose. Cut to detail shots: hats, shoes, polished leather…

Sample Design

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Luti Fagbenle, Managing Director – Luti Media

Our challenge, in the visually-focused TV and film production industry, is to convey the strength of our company, and specific projects we’re pitching, in words. Olly’s rigorous approach boosts our offering: he develops and communicates ideas powerfully, and gets them where they need to be for us to present to broadcasters and brands. He’s professional, on point and asks the right questions first time so minimal revisions are needed. His creative thinking brings new ideas to the table; a valuable outside perspective that has a positive influence on our projects.

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