By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THE CREATORS of Geelong’s controversial A Tale of Sleepy Hollow tourism video expected the storm it created.
Director Ryan Chamley, of Robot Army Productions, said he had been prepared for a mixed response.
“We had a fair idea of what was coming and that some would take it literally,” Mr Chamley said.
“We knew we may offend some people but if it gets people outside Geelong talking and Googling the region to come and visit, then mission accomplished.”
The video premiered late last week, showing Mayor Darryn Lyons striking Malop St with a staff, unleashing a wave of colour that transforms Geelong’s zombie-like population.
The premiere inspired hundreds of social media posts with responses. Most posts on the Independent’s Facebook page supported the video but some called it “crap” and a waste of money.
Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine, which draws funding from members and City Hall, commissioned the $37,000 initiative.
Mr Chamley said the video was shot to a “simple” brief.
“The brief was to use a simple format, something that shows Geelong’s history, something in there that grabbed attention and made it stand out and the rest to make Geelong look beautiful.
“We did extensive research on tourism videos, what had been done both here and elsewhere, what was trending now.
“We found that videos that were a bit left of centre tended to get higher views.
“Tourism videos are quite boring a lot of the time. If we’d just shown scenic shots no one would have batted an eyelid.
“If we just did shots of the bollards and Eastern Beach then we’d have been criticised for being boring.”
Mr Chamley said Robot Army Productions created the concept but had to convince Mayor Darryn Lyons to participate.
“It’s not a documentary about Geelong. We knew the sleepy hollow stereotypes existed and we didn’t want to totally ignore them but dispel them through exaggeration.
“We’re using satire to dispel the myths. People who have a funny bone understand that.”
Mr Chamley said the video was aimed at getting attention while changing tourism perceptions of the region.
All-Geelong talent was used in the making of the video, from Moor Grace acting students to caterers and make-up artists, he said.
“Budding actors don’t often get the chance to be in something of this magnitude, so it’s great for them to be able to add to the show reel.”
