A TV advert for advanced driving... input required!

[stephenperry]

I've been asked to make a short video in the style of an advert explaining the benefits of joining the IAM for playback at a combined regional group event to be held later in the summer, and I'm looking for input!

A few questions to start with so I can get an idea of what to concentrate on:

How do you classify "advanced" driving and perceive those who do it? (probably a question for another forum!)

What was the catalyst originally behind you deciding to take an advanced driving course?

With stress and aggravation on the road do you feel that being "advanced" makes you more calm and less prone to red mist?

[7db]

...explaining the benefits of joining the IAM...

That's the message - who is the supposed audience? You need both to form a communication. I'm assuming it's not the combine regional group, who all know the benefits of IAM membership as they are members...

[martine]

How do you classify "advanced" driving and perceive those who do it? (probably a question for another forum!)

Advanced driving is being skilful, controlled and safe and drivers who do it are taking a responsible attitude to the serious skill of driving. Sounds pompous doesn't it?

What was the catalyst originally behind you deciding to take an advanced driving course?

Wanted to do it for a long time and simply though...do it!

With stress and aggravation on the road do you feel that being "advanced" makes you more calm and less prone to red mist?

Yes definetely

[stephenperry]

indeed, that would be like teaching your granny to suck eggs....

it's intended as a promotional thing for joe public, this event is going to be an open day with the emergency services doing demonstrations, trade stands, competitions etc... personally i reckon that it would be best scaling it down and having a stand at some of the more prominent car shows to attract the punters who aren't already interested through the act of turning up but i'm not organising it so i can't speak out of turn

[stephenperry]

the person who had the original idea thought it would be good to show real life video footage of every day aggravating situations (tailgating, speeding, bad overtaking etc) and how it increases stress and provokes red mist, but, after embarking upon an advanced driving course this all washes over the driver and journeys are now much less stressful for him and his passengers... i think that's the gist

i have my thoughts on that, but what do you think?

[nuster100]

How do you classify "advanced" driving and perceive those who do it?

I would describe an advanced driver as being safe, calm, systematic and where possible using the full performance of his/her car to enjoy the road.

What was the catalyst originally behind you deciding to take an advanced driving course?

I want to be better than I am, I thought I had a bit of potential and wanted to exploit it.

With stress and aggravation on the road do you feel that being "advanced" makes you more calm and less prone to red mist?

Yes, being able to properly observe your surroundings means things wash over you. This is because they happen to those around you with less observation, rather than an advanced driver who should see the situation start to develop and take avoiding action before it escalates. It leaves you free to have a good old chuckle.

Hope This Helps

Jay

[SammyTheSnake]

Steve, you might want to have a chat with theyoungen who's done work with car related video in the past (I believe he's doing a degree in media or something)...

I want to be better than I am, I thought I had a bit of potential and wanted to exploit it.

I like that way of putting it. I'd also add that there's immense satisfaction to be had from doing something really well.

Are you aiming at any specific subsection of "Joe Public"? (Chavs? Reps? Don't-really-think-about-its?)

Cheers & God bless
Sam "SammyTheSnake" Penny

[stephenperry]

they keep going on about a lack of interest among young people so i think thats going to be the push.... for example a few boy and girl racers turned up to the initial "sell" but didn't sign up, this happens every course i'm told

kids won't be told anything, i certainly wouldn't when i started driving, maybe thefocus on the max power brigade is, although altruistic, slightly futile?

[stephenperry]

I would describe an advanced driver as being safe, calm, systematic and where possible using the full performance of his/her car to enjoy the road.

I like that Jay, maybe to get shot of its pipe & slippers image I'd like to see the IAM emphasising the performance side more, like a cut price junior HPC starter kit, but that may not go down well with the rest of the group and could risk alienating the old boys and little old ladies who seemingly make up the vast majority of our group membership

[PeteG]

How about showing a traffic bobby driving in a few locations - busy town, motorway, back roads - then have one of the group driving in the same situations?

I'd expand, but my brain's more concerned with sandwich eating than the creative process at the moment...

[nuster100]

I like that Jay, maybe to get shot of its pipe & slippers image I'd like to see the IAM emphasising the performance side more, like a cut price junior HPC starter kit, but that may not go down well with the rest of the group and could risk alienating the old boys and little old ladies who seemingly make up the vast majority of our group membership

IMO, the best way to get shot of the old image is to have younger people with you. Whilst I realize its a bit of a catch 22 to start with, If you have some young advanced drivers and some nice cars, you won't go far wrong.

Jay

[7db]

Ok - so the market is yoof. Another valid market would be middle age beemer driving reps, but lets stick with yoof.

Use the medium. TV allows fast visual editing, and yoof engage on info overload, however, they are notoriously bad at imagining worst case scenarios.

How about this, then:-

Drivers POV / shoulder cam:-

A young driver in a nice car driving around through town and out into NSL.

Voiceover - possibly from the left seat - we can't see the pipe or slippers - is giving clear friendly advanced instruction. it might just be the lad's mind talking to himself.

The screen is cluttered. There's a rear-view picture-in-picture. There's full datalogging on screen. (see the Cadence commentary video for style). This looks like a PS game. We can see everything the driver can see. We are the driver.

As hazards are negotiated the firm friendly voice tells us how to deal with them. This is interspersed with footage of what might actually happen if we didn't.

EXAMPLE - Bimble, bimble, bimble down street.
voice:- "Looking for feet below the cars to see if pedestrians are present"
giving a doors width berth to parked cars. And before the car responds the scene cuts to:-

External - car driving along. Door opens and passenger steps out into path of vehicle that's too close. Horrible crash. Cut to:-

Internal driver POV. Steers clear of door which then opens. The crash we saw earlier has been avoided.

and so on through several hazards.


TECHNICAL NOTES
Your hazards will be limited by what footage you have of nasty accidents, since doing new ones is expensive.

You can then drive around and set up the safe way to pass these hazards from driver POV.

There's a loads of these clips so you don't need to make your own if you are on a budget.

Just a thought starter.

[ROG]

I like the idea of showing the attitude and skill of the advanced driver in controlling a potential dangerous situation such as a tailgater or merging onto a very busy motorway without compromising the forward safety gap.

[stephenperry]

what a great idea 7db, only thing i may be stuck with is the datalogger, although i think you can hire them?

[nuster100]

If you need help with equipments etc, I am sure I can help.

What I dont have are data loggers and car camera mounts though :-

Jay