» The power of music

This ad for Milton Keynes ran on British television in the seventies. Cut to varying lengths depending on when it was run, this is the complete version, a treat for late night viewers at the time. Michael Nyman provides a telling score complete with his characteristic modulations (I don’t know the performers, presumably they are members of Nyman’s band).

This video is a good example of the use of emotional intelligence to convey a message. The use of children; the idea of balloons flying away; and the natural growth in both the music and the images (ie, more instruments, more people) are all rich with associations.

And, wouldn’t it have been nice if the voiceover at the very end had been omitted. I bet that was a demand of the client, rather than the creative team’s idea. Compare the video, Empathy.

Red balloons are popular, as this short clip of The red balloon shows. Complete film [34:30]

Related material:
> Emotionally intelligent videos

The power of music

Further reading