ICS Cool Energy has been working with two-time BRIT award winning group, Travis, on a new music video.
RSA Films contracted the specialist hire team to cool a film set to sub-zero temperatures to create visual effects for the Scottish band's new video for the single 'Moving', taken from their seventh album 'Where You Stand'.

The video shows a series of images forming as if by magic from close-ups of the breath that emits from the singers' mouths as they perform the piece. To enable the creative concept to become a reality, they needed an environment cold enough to generate visible breath.

ICS Cool Energy's local rental application engineer, Lee Chard, recommended a suitable location from a shortlist of potential studios, and a logistics plan to implement the cooling on site. He said: 'We required a well-insulated space with a good power supply and access. The space needed to be big enough to comfortably complete the shoot but not too big, as a greater level of cooling duty would be required, increasing set-up time and costs.

'For these reasons we chose Shepperton Studios in London. The stage was 3168ft2 with a roll top door allowing access for the cooling equipment and an additional air lock usually used to prevent external sound entering the studio, which also featured as an additional layer of insulation to keep the cold air in. The power to the studio exceeded the requirements with a 400 Amp 3 phase supply and a small low level flap in the external wall allowed for pipework to be fed through with minimal air escape.'

To cool the studio, ICS Cool Energy recommended and installed two off 35kW externally sited air cooled rental chillers with a -12°C set point creating a temperature of -6°C air off feeding two off internally sited low temperature 50kW fan coils, which were mounted on a high level frame to maximise floor space and provide a good level of air circulation. The studio was cooled to -1°C removing the thermal load from the studio foundations and cooling the air temperature. Once at the required temperature, the fans were switched off and the air was left to settle ensuring the best conditions to create the desired effect.

Mr Chard continued: 'Our engineers installed the system to work for the crew on set; all wiring, pipework and connections fed into a single switch in the studio, making it quick and easy for the producer to boost cooling throughout the filming.'

Travis' music video was launched in July 2013 and the completed video can be seen here: www.vimeo.com/69391280