Event Video Production for the Sea Shanty Festival in Falmouth, Cornwall
A bit about one of Cornwall’s most loved festivals…
The International Sea Shanty Festival in Falmouth, Cornwall, is one of Cornwall’s most anticipated events. When Here Now Films was asked to be the Cornish video production company for the event there was only one answer!
Shanty (as it’s known) is a vibrant celebration of maritime music and culture, drawing visitors and performers from around the globe. The festival is the largest free nautical music event in Europe and is the biggest shanty festival on the planet. Held annually, the festival spans several days and features performances across diverse venues—from quaint pubs like the Chain Locker to expansive outdoor stages—its a great event and made all the better by the town's rich maritime heritage.
A Festival with Purpose
Beyond entertainment, the festival champions sustainability and supports local community causes, notably the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Each year, the festival not only celebrates the seafaring traditions but also emphasizes environmental responsibility, featuring initiatives like reusable cups and extensive recycling programs to minimize its ecological footprint. This blend of celebration and community consciousness makes the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival a hallmark event for both locals and tourists.
Here are a few facts about the festival!
The 2023 edition of the festival continued to showcase its signature flair with performances from over 78 sea shanty groups across 27 different venues. The event saw a fusion of local, national, and international groups, bringing together a rich variety of shanties and sea songs that resonated throughout the historic town of Falmouth. The atmosphere was electric, with venues ranging from outdoor stages along the waterfront to more intimate settings inside local pubs and eateries, each offering its unique ambiance.
Filming at the Festival: Challenges & Triumphs
Here Now Films were approached by South West Bar and Events to capture this festival in style and in the process show off their ability to deliver on the hospitality side of things. Filming an event like the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The diverse locations and the spontaneous nature of some performances require a dynamic and flexible filming approach. Here are few ways we approached the weekend to make sure we nailed the product.
1. Scout and Plan: Prior to the festival, South West Bars And Events would walk us through every stage, sponsor and special moment for us to capture. There was no stone unturned and we had a great idea of what was needed before stepping foot on the festival grounds.
2. Use of Multiple Cameras: To capture the wide range of performances and the dynamic crowd reactions, we utilised multiple crew members each shooting on a different camera set up.This allowed us to capture both the detailed intimacy of the performances and the broader context of the festival atmosphere.
3. Engaging with Stage Crew and Audience: Interaction with the stage crew ment we knew exactly where we could and couldn’t go. It also gave us access to the main stage and let us get really up close an personel with the acts. It’s also important to chat with the stage crew to ask permission to walk infront of sets as the musicians are playing. These are some of the best shots of the acts and of the sudience but you NEED to ask permission.
4. Post-Production Storytelling: In post-production, the challenge was to weave together the myriad of performances into a coherent story that conveyed the spirit of the festival. This involved careful selection of clips, thoughtful transitions, and a narrative pace that matched the lively yet historical tone of the shanty festival. We handed rough drafts over to the team as fast as possible to get feedback early on which actually saves time on the long run.
Filming the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival is not just about documenting an event; it's about capturing the spirit of a community. Each year, the festival offers a new perspective on the maritime traditions that have shaped this Cornish town, If you’ve not been it’s well worth a visit this year.
