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While filming our last project for The Courier in Broughty Ferry, we were approached by Dundee-based creative agency Altar to collaborate on a new campaign for the High School of Dundee. The goal was to create a compelling 30-second TV advert that not only showcases the school’s exceptional facilities, but also captures the spirit of its pupils and the journey they take during their time there to become Real World Ready.
The High School of Dundee is one of Scotland’s most respected independent schools, known for its commitment to academic excellence, personal development, and community. The goal was to distill all of that into a broadcast-quality television advert that would air across STV and digital platforms, supported by a parent testimonial video to sit on their website.
Altar provided the creative direction and storyboards, and we were brought in to manage production from the ground up including shooting, directing, and editing the campaign across three tightly planned days.
In collaboration with Altar, we set out to align the creative with a clear production strategy. While the storyboards provided a strong narrative framework, we brought additional visual storytelling ideas to the table - most notably, a framing concept that linked the start and end of the film to symbolise the growth of a student across their educational journey.
By opening the film with a young child entering the school and closing on an older pupil stepping confidently into the world, we created a visual arc that echoed the transformative role the school plays in shaping its students.
Scheduling was key, as we had a wide range of locations and age groups to film in a short timeframe. From science labs to art studios, performance spaces to playing fields, every location was carefully selected to represent the school’s comprehensive offering.
Over three full days on campus, our crew moved across classrooms, common areas, and outdoor spaces, capturing authentic interactions between pupils and teachers, and showcasing the facilities that make the High School of Dundee stand out.
We filmed students of all ages in real classroom environments, giving the piece a grounded and dynamic feel. The students were an absolute credit to the school: focused, welcoming, and clearly thriving in their environment. The staff were equally accommodating, helping us navigate a tight schedule with impressive flexibility.
Alongside the main TV spot, we also filmed a series of testimonial interviews with parents. These were used to create a longer-form edit for the school’s website, providing a more in-depth look at the values and experiences that define the school community from the perspective of parents.
Editing a three-day shoot into a 30-second broadcast piece presented its own challenge, but it also sharpened the storytelling. Every frame had to earn its place. We focused on rhythm, clarity, and emotional pacing, ensuring the finished film felt complete despite its tight duration.
To unify the visuals, we brought in spoken word artist Lucy May Wilson to record a voiceover at our in-house studio. Her narration added warmth and continuity, guiding the viewer through the arc of a student’s journey from arrival to graduation.
A clean, modern grade and sharp sound design elevated the film further, helping it feel both cinematic and contemporary, reflective of the school’s forward-looking ethos.
The final advert is now live across TV and online platforms, supported by extended content for web and social use. It’s a concise, powerful introduction to the High School of Dundee, one that showcases not just its buildings and facilities, but the people and purpose that bring it all to life.
