Be Sure You’re Secure

Staffordshire Police commissioned us to produce a home security campaign modelled on the original series of ‘Through the Keyhole.’

Compared to our previous projects with Staffordshire Police this video needed to embody a light-hearted tone. It was important to develop something that would remain relevant and usable all year round and not just for Christmas.

We pitched a concept where the home is so secure that the presenter can’t get inside. The idea allowed us to highlight a range of potential vulnerabilities and demonstrate the best ways to safeguard against them. Once approved, we worked with the Police’s Early Intervention and Prevention Team to transform their security recommendations into a concise two-minute outline. The script was written as a pastiche of Loyd Grossman’s classic presenting style, and we cast an experienced ex-BBC presenter to bring a touch of daytime TV panache.

We filmed and edited the sequence to resemble a genuine TV segment, using both primary and secondary cameras. For comedic effect, we directed the video like a real VT, included off-script elements to gradually reveal that the presenter wasn’t quite who he seemed. Instead, he was an increasingly frustrated perpetrator who couldn’t access the house. By incorporating handheld footage alongside the classic ‘Homes Under the Hammer’ walk around shots, we were able to create a video that was both entertaining and effective in serving its primary purpose as a public information piece.

In post-production, we added a broadcast-style intro, music, and sound effects, then rendered the video in three formats tailored for different social platforms. We also included subtitles for accessibility. The police are releasing the campaign through their social channels and promoting it with paid ad spend on Facebook.