- British Airways releases its new safety video to keep customers
engaged with important safety messaging
- The British period drama-themed movie stars more than 40 of the
airline's colleagues
- Filmed in grand country houses across the UK, the five-minute
film is inspired by Britain's rich
and varied history; made famous through its literature, TV and
film
- The airline appointed film director Sharon Maguire for the video, known for
directing Bridget Jones's Diary
- The British Original safety video will feature on board British
Airways' long-haul flights from August 1
NEW
YORK, July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- May we
haveth one's attention please? British Airways premieres its
brand-new safety video, "A British Original Period Drama" inspired
by some of Britain's famous period
literature, TV and film and starring more than 40 of the airline's
colleagues.
The airline is refreshing its film to keep customers
engaged in the important safety messages being delivered. Knowing
the popularity of British dramas in the UK and overseas, the
airline chose this genre to resonate with its global
audiences.
The film depicts ladies and lords of the manor, as well as
housekeepers and butlers going about their everyday lives in period
Britain, before being abruptly
interrupted by present-day British Airways colleagues demonstrating
the safety briefing.
At one point in the film, a 19th century socialite marvels at a
moving picture, more commonly known in the 21st century as a
laptop, before being reminded to store personal electronic devices
before take-off.
The characters continue to be bewildered by modern day
contraptions, and when posed with the question "Is it a winged
creature of the air or, perchance, a celestial contrivance
navigating the skies?" Ellis Brett,
an Apprentice in Aircraft Maintenance, responds with "No, ma'am.
That's a British Airways A350."
Continuing to ensure colleagues remain at the heart of its
campaigns, the film features more than 40 colleagues from across
the airline, from pilots and cabin crew to engineers and airport
colleagues, who play themselves in the film, as well as period
drama characters.
When it came to location, the airline selected grand British
country estates, including Hatfield
House in Hertfordshire and
Englefield House Estate in Berkshire to shoot the video.
Sharon Maguire, most widely known
for her work on Bridget Jones's
Diary and Bridget Jones's Baby, was
chosen to direct the five-minute video because of her ability to
demonstrate British comedy in a way that would engage with the
airline's global customers.
Calum Laming, British Airways'
Chief Customer Officer, said: "We know that these videos deliver
vital safety information, and it is so important that we do
everything we can to keep our customers engaged throughout. When it
came to selecting a genre, we wanted something that would enable us
to do this, while resonating with global audiences, so a period
drama with a little bit of humour seemed like the perfect fit.
"We have created something truly original and entertaining that
celebrates what makes Britain –
and British Airways – unique while communicating the importance of
safety on board. I am also incredibly proud that more than 40
colleagues star in the film as we have always said it is our people
who make us who we are."
Sharon Maguire, the renowned
British director of the safety video, said: "We put together a
dream team of industry legends, from Jenny
Beavan to Kave Quinn and
Erik Wilson to Jack Ravenscroft. We definitely wouldn't have
pulled it off without them. They just loved the idea created by the
talented and lovely creative teams at Uncommon and British
Airways."
Helen Lau, a British Airways
First Officer who plays herself, said: "As a First Officer, my job
means I am in the flight deck during the safety briefing, so to
know that I will be appearing on the video in the cabins feels very
surreal. I love the closing line which says stay safe, look after
one another and never change, which featured in the previous video,
and I hope is carried onto the next. It's such a touching and
uniting phrase."
In a nod to other British talent, the costumes worn by
colleagues and actors throughout the video were designed by
three-time Oscar® winning British costume designer Jenny Beavan. Colleagues also worked with
renowned dialect coach, Jill
McCullough, to perfect their accents.
Customers flying with British Airways can enjoy menus featuring
the best of British cuisine, inflight entertainment starring
British talent, and products designed by British
suppliers.
*The safety video will be available on long-haul aircraft with
inflight entertainment screens. On British Airways' short-haul
aircraft, without inflight entertainment screens, the airline's
cabin crew will continue to carry out a manual safety
demonstration.
Notes to editors
- British Airways worked with its creative partner agency
Uncommon Creative Studio on the creation of its video
- The costumes featured in the video were designed by three-time
Oscar® winning costume designer Jenny
Beavan, known for Mad Max: Fury Road, The King's Speech and
Cruella
- Renowned dialect coach Jill
McCullough worked with each colleague to help hone their
19th-century accents. Jill has helped actors for more than 30 years
on blockbuster productions such as Star Wars, Chernobyl and Mamma
Mia!
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssVe0FaBhUU
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SOURCE British Airways