Mydworth Series
The 'Mydworth Murders' project centers around a highly successful audiobook crime series created by the writing duo Neil and Matt. Set in 1940s rural England, the series features Lord and Lady Mydworth, two protagonists with rich histories of espionage, mystery-solving, and military backgrounds, alongside a cast of compelling characters. With over a million downloads, the audiobooks have garnered a dedicated following, presenting an opportunity to expand their audience through innovative digital platforms.
The challenge was to translate the series' unique atmosphere and charm to new platforms, specifically Instagram. Following initial meetings, I developed a video concept to promote the entire series. However, the first draft, while thematically accurate, missed the mark in terms of tone and voice. It leaned towards a macabre, serial killer vibe, rather than the desired 'cosy crime' atmosphere reminiscent of Agatha Christie. This led to a crucial revision, resulting in a second draft that perfectly captured the essence of the 'Mydworth Murders,' aligning with the audiobook audience's expectations.
Deliveries
The initial video concept aimed to visually represent the series' intricate plots and character dynamics. However, the first draft's dark and intense tone proved to be misaligned with the series' established audience. The revision process involved a thorough reevaluation of the narrative approach, focusing on capturing the series' wit, charm, and period-specific atmosphere.
The second draft successfully translated the 'cosy crime' aesthetic to video. By incorporating subtle visual cues, period-appropriate music, and a lighter narrative tone, the revised video resonated with the writers and captured the essence of the 'Mydworth Murders.' This process highlighted the importance of understanding the nuances of a series' tone and adapting it effectively for new platforms.
Project X-Ray
1. Aims
The primary aim was to expand the audience of the 'Mydworth Murders' audiobook series by creating engaging video content for platforms like Instagram. This involved translating the series' unique 1940s rural England setting and 'cosy crime' atmosphere to a visually driven medium.
2. Training
This project required a deep understanding of the 'cosy crime' genre and the specific tone of the 'Mydworth Murders' series. I focused on training in adapting narrative concepts for short-form video, emphasising the importance of visual storytelling and tone consistency. The revision process also involved incorporating client feedback and adapting creative direction based on audience expectations.
3. Resources
Resources were focused on creative development and video production. This involved utilising stock footage, music libraries, and editing software to create a compelling video within budget constraints. The project also relied on effective communication and collaboration with the writing duo, Neil and Matt.
4. Challenges
The main challenge was capturing the correct tone and voice of the 'Mydworth Murders' series. The first draft's macabre approach was misaligned with the series' 'cosy crime' atmosphere. The revision process required a thorough understanding of the series' audience and a careful adjustment of the video's narrative and visual elements.
5. Technical
The technical aspects involved video editing, sound design, and visual effects to create a period-appropriate atmosphere. This included selecting music, color grading, and incorporating visual elements that evoked the 1940s setting. The challenge was to create a visually appealing video that captured the series' essence within the constraints of short-form social media content.
6. Outcomes
The second draft of the promotional video successfully captured the essence of the 'Mydworth Murders,' aligning with the audiobook audience's expectations. The writers, Neil and Matt, were highly satisfied with the revised video, and the project is ongoing. The video will now be used to promote the series on Instagram and other platforms, aiming to expand its reach and attract new listeners.
