THOUGHT PIECE
SQUARE ROOTS: GETTING TO KNOW HUGH AITCHISON
Music, work trips and The North! Find out what our in-house Videographer, gets up to in his spare time...
LEAD SINGER
IN A BAND!
FIRST QUESTION
Who are you and what is your role?
My name is Hugh Aitchison and I’m a Videographer for SITA. I’m also the official DJ for any video team car trips, big up Just Jack.
SECOND QUESTION
Since joining SITA, what has been your favourite project to work on?
There have been a multitude of jobs that I have really enjoyed being a part of; one shoot that sticks out for me is the 8xbet shoot with Premier League champions Manchester City. This felt like another level for the video team in so many ways, due to the scale of the production, the amount of crew and kit required and the ambitious nature of the brief. We had to set up three filming zones for three different elements of the video because we only had three players (John Stones, Kalvin Phillips and Kevin De Bruyne) for an hour. That was it.
I was assigned to film all of the behind-the-scenes content. It was a really cool experience and one that I learned a lot from by asking the crew a million questions about their role and any tips they had for sound/video/cameras and just videography in general! This shoot was also very cool because I was actually working with my old tutor (and now friend) from my masters degree, Sarah Hodgetts - crazy!
THIRD QUESTION
Who is your favourite film director and why?
So, I have a few and all for different reasons - I love Christopher Nolan for his intricate and complex narratives and characters, I love David Fincher for his Neo Noir style and psychological themes and Wes Anderson for his use of colour and framing (his films are generally pretty wild). An honourable mention has to go to Nicolas Winding Refn for his film Drive (2011), which is a fantastic Neo Noir that I love so much I have a poster of it in my bedroom.
FOURTH QUESTION
Outside of work you’re the frontman in your band. What's your best song?
I’m the lead singer and frontman of DR!FTWOOD, an indie-pop three-piece from Manchester. I couldn't tell you our best song (I’m a bit biased) but I have to say one of my favourites to play live is probably Home on My Own.
FIFTH QUESTION
If the video team was a band, what would they be?
It's a tough one, I’d have to say an 80s rock band because of the energy that we seem to have between us, we are constantly thinking of wacky ideas and I'm certain that at least I and Ellie have ADHD. I’m gonna go with Queen, although maybe without the hairstyles.
SIXTH QUESTION
You recently visited France, tell us about your vacay - where did you go, what did you eat and what was your highlight?
I went to visit my friends who had been staying there for a few months to look after some rescue dogs. They were staying in a house in Landéan, a commune in the north-west of France. It was very remote and the nearest small town was about 15 miles away. My very limited knowledge of French was tested to its limits and it was freezing - but it was great fun!
My friend was keen to get me to eat like the locals so they took me to the coast - to a beautiful place called Cancale, where we ate seafood. We had lots of delicious creamy oysters and then I was forced to eat sea snails. I ate one and, try as I might, just could not enjoy it, the other two snails were then shovelled onto Josh’s plate.
One of the highlights of the trip was definitely going to Dinard beach, such a lovely authentic French town, the people were lovely and the weather was lush, we had a walk along the coastline along the rocks, took the sunset in and then jumped into the freezing cold sea!
SEVENTH QUESTION
You’re one of our resident Northerners, what’s your favourite part of living in Northern England and why is it so much better than the South?
The list is endless to be honest, but cheap pints are a good place to start. I love Manchester, the people, the culture, the music and the history. What I love about the north is that you're never too far away from the sea, or a hill or mountain to climb. You kind of get the best of both worlds, in city living and the country. Like a true northerner I can't wait to return when I am away.
EIGHT QUESTION
Last drink you drunk - and be honest..
Last drink was probably a lovely pint of Guinness from my local Irish bar - big up Duffys, Chorlton!
FIRST QUESTION
Who are you and what is your role?
My name is Hugh Aitchison and I’m a Videographer for SITA. I’m also the official DJ for any video team car trips, big up Just Jack.
THIRD QUESTION
Who is your favourite film director and why?
So, I have a few and all for different reasons - I love Christopher Nolan for his intricate and complex narratives and characters, I love David Fincher for his Neo Noir style and psychological themes and Wes Anderson for his use of colour and framing (his films are generally pretty wild). An honourable mention has to go to Nicolas Winding Refn for his film Drive (2011), which is a fantastic Neo Noir that I love so much I have a poster of it in my bedroom.
FIFTH QUESTION
If the video team was a band, what would they be?
It's a tough one, I’d have to say an 80s rock band because of the energy that we seem to have between us, we are constantly thinking of wacky ideas and I'm certain that at least I and Ellie have ADHD. I’m gonna go with Queen, although maybe without the hairstyles.
SEVENTH QUESTION
You’re one of our resident Northerners, what’s your favourite part of living in Northern England and why is it so much better than the South?
The list is endless to be honest, but cheap pints are a good place to start. I love Manchester, the people, the culture, the music and the history. What I love about the north is that you're never too far away from the sea, or a hill or mountain to climb. You kind of get the best of both worlds, in city living and the country. Like a true northerner I can't wait to return when I am away.
SECOND QUESTION
Since joining SITA, what has been your favourite project to work on?
There have been a multitude of jobs that I have really enjoyed being a part of; one shoot that sticks out for me is the 8xbet shoot with Premier League champions Manchester City. This felt like another level for the video team in so many ways, due to the scale of the production, the amount of crew and kit required and the ambitious nature of the brief. We had to set up three filming zones for three different elements of the video because we only had three players (John Stones, Kalvin Phillips and Kevin De Bruyne) for an hour. That was it.
I was assigned to film all of the behind-the-scenes content. It was a really cool experience and one that I learned a lot from by asking the crew a million questions about their role and any tips they had for sound/video/cameras and just videography in general! This shoot was also very cool because I was actually working with my old tutor (and now friend) from my masters degree, Sarah Hodgetts - crazy!
FOURTH QUESTION
Outside of work you’re the frontman in your band. What's your best song?
I’m the lead singer and frontman of DR!FTWOOD, an indie-pop three-piece from Manchester. I couldn't tell you our best song (I’m a bit biased) but I have to say one of my favourites to play live is probably Home on My Own.
SIXTH QUESTION
You recently visited France, tell us about your vacay - where did you go, what did you eat and what was your highlight?
I went to visit my friends who had been staying there for a few months to look after some rescue dogs. They were staying in a house in Landéan, a commune in the north-west of France. It was very remote and the nearest small town was about 15 miles away. My very limited knowledge of French was tested to its limits and it was freezing - but it was great fun!
My friend was keen to get me to eat like the locals so they took me to the coast - to a beautiful place called Cancale, where we ate seafood. We had lots of delicious creamy oysters and then I was forced to eat sea snails. I ate one and, try as I might, just could not enjoy it, the other two snails were then shovelled onto Josh’s plate.
One of the highlights of the trip was definitely going to Dinard beach, such a lovely authentic French town, the people were lovely and the weather was lush, we had a walk along the coastline along the rocks, took the sunset in and then jumped into the freezing cold sea!
EIGHT QUESTION
Last drink you drunk - and be honest..
Last drink was probably a lovely pint of Guinness from my local Irish bar - big up Duffys, Chorlton!