Screensaver Completes Film For ‘London’s Burning’ Exhibition

London-based producer Screensaver have completed and delivered an installation film for the Museum of London, for their newly opened ‘London’s Burning’ exhibition.
The exhibition, which focuses on the story of the Great Fire of London in 1666, was opened to the public on March 14.
The film consists of a mix of digital rostrum images, from paintings before and after the great fire, newly designed graphics, and previously recorded material. The story told in first person from eyewitness accounts from the diaries of Samuel Pepys, Thomas Vincent and John Evelyn.
“One great thing about this film is that the story is told from historical figures who were actually there and witnessed the fire as it happened,” said producer Steven Mayatt. “The challenge was to get the mix right between re-creating the reality, and adding a strong element of drama. We had a strong collection of old paintings and images that depict the fire and reaction from Londoners in 1666, and footage of flames and burning that we were able to use from an old master tape. Both myself and my editor, Marie Straker, have had to strike a fine balance in use of the stills and motion shots to hold interest and generate excitement.”
Screensaver also oversaw the animation of some of the images, which were particularly important for carrying the narrative of the film. “The animations all started out as stills, provided by the museum. Our designer, Sarah Juniper, has use these as a base and brought each scene to life.”
The film will run in the new gallery at the museum until 2009.
(SP/DS)