The process of making 1 Giant Leap is unique. There's no script, no story board just a passion to seek out the inspirational. First we find a 'fixer' in each country who tries to locate any artists that we have our eye on and also provides us with a list of potential collaborators that they think we may be interested in. Then its email and mobile phone time trying to nail down times and places in the 10 days that we are in the country. It's amazing how often it works out too. One contact leading to the next contact and the hard discs are filling up!
We have used the new ultra portable technology to take the concept of the recording studio outside into the world. Everything running from 12V batteries. The technology used is relatively simple. A laptop containing s set of pre-composed backing tracks some microphones,headphones and a couple of Sony HDV digital camera's. and we set off around the world recording overdubs on this music. Each overdub adding another layer so finally each piece features contributions from different countries. The recording sessions are very challenging. We meet with someone for a few hours and try and create something out of nowhere. We put the collaborators inside our 1Giant Leap bubble, and see what inspiration comes though and then film and record it. as it happens not lipsync later but filming the moment of creation. The whole process is like a supreme improvisation.
We keep the size of the crew to a minimum. The two of us and our camera and our camera man Ben thats it... no catering, no lighting crew, no focus puller, gaffa or any of the usual paraphernalia. Without a big crew it means that we can be more invisible and get a final product that reflects reality... Often there is only one take. Only one chance...