Red Bee creates 2006 World Cup Titles

Red Bee Media has created a cinematic title sequence for the BBC’s coverage of the World Cup.
The sequence builds on the ambience and energy in Germany during the run up to the World Cup. The titles introduce World Cup hopefuls Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and Steven Gerrard as they teleport into iconic places in Germany’s capital, Berlin, while showing their skills with a football. The titles will launch with the Germany vs. Costa Rica match today on BBC One.
Mark Walters, Design Director, Red Bee Media, said: “We wanted to illustrate the excitement and energy of the World Cup in a graceful and elegant manor. The entire sequence was crafted to Carl Davis’ rendition of Handel’s ‘See the Conquering Hero Comes’. The music’s pace allowed us to create a sequence that goes against the fast rollercoaster ride normally associated with football opening sequences as they will be introducing all World Cup matches on the BBC for four weeks. By coupling the surreal plasma metamorphose techniques with the world’s best football talent, we have created a sequence no football fan will want to miss”.
Louise Braham, Design Producer, Red Bee Media said: “To create the sequence the players were shot at their home grounds and the back plates in Berlin. Ronaldinho was filmed at ‘New Camp’ pitch in Barcelona with a specially built green screen built on site. Gerrard was filmed at Liverpool’s training ground and Henry at Arsenal’s training ground. The entire sequence was shot in hi-speed classic slow motion with speed ramps queued by the music”.
Chris Grubb, Producer, BBC Sport, said: “The music was written by Carl Davis, a world famous composer and conductor responsible for scores such as ‘The French Lieutenants Woman’ and the BBC’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’. The title is ‘Sports Prepare’ and it is an arrangement from Handel’s ‘See the Conquering Hero Comes’. Handel was a German composer who spent most of his adult life in England and it seemed appropriate that his work should feature in this World Cup. The music was recorded by the BBC Orchestra and Choir”.
The post production team at Rushes then matched the players to attach particles to and create the metamorphoses impression. Rotoscoping and compositing was used to put both players' action shots and Berlin back plates together. The sound design was done at Blue and was used to enhance the plasma metamorphoses of the players.
(GB)