The question was, how could we best communicate the benefits of Vicks Vapodrops? Beatboxing, and singing generally are great examples of activities that require a clear nose and soothed throat, so Australia's First Beatboxing Choir was created!
Beatboxers aren't generally used to working collaboratively let alone with a choir, so it goes without saying that having beatboxers and classically trained singers work together wasn't easy!
Eventually it was decided to use the beatboxers for what they do best - as the baseline sound-effect "machine". Both groups of musicians were really inspired by each other which resulted in a truly unique sound.
Cantillation is a chorus of professional singers - an ensemble of fine voices with the speed, agility and flexibility of a chamber orchestra. Formed in 2001 by Antony Walker and Alison Johnston, it has since been busy in the concert hall, opera theatre and the recording studio. From opera performances to singing for the Dalai Lama, Cantillation has recorded all the anthems for the Rugby World Cup (and performed at the opening ceremony) and recorded soundtracks for several movies.
Ben Briand
Briand's award winning work is often praised for its unique approach. He possesses the ability to form delicately crafted visual images whilst also generating honest human warmth from his characters. The result is often emotional as well as visually striking.
"From the moment I read the script I knew it had the potential to be something very special. This sort of commercial doesn't come along very often so it needs to be crafted very delicately. I immediately enlisted Basil, the composer, who I knew was the best person to collaborate on such a task. Together we formed a one-off, unique vocal band and worked the track into shape. Bringing those very different worlds together was an exciting feat."
Basil Hogios
Basil Hogios is an award-wining music composer, producer and sound designer working in film, theatre, TV and art installation. He was nominated for an AFI award for Best Score, for the feature film "Romulus My Father" starring Eric Bana.
"To make a unified sound, a process was invented with the director which could best express both forms of music simultaneously. The choir was conceived as a live "sampler" or "record loop", the beat-boxers as a percussion and effects section. It was an enormous challenge, but tremendously rewarding. It always most interesting and inspiring to work on projects with no road-map."