Overview
Few dealers in the last fifty years have had an eye as instinctive or a career as colourful as Ken Bolan. From a young boy gazing longingly through the window of a Berkshire antiques shop to an international tastemaker with a reputation for style, boldness, and flair, Ken's journey through the art and antiques world has been one of passion, adventure, and unerring intuition.
DO CULTURE. was commissioned by Sworders Auction House to create a corporate advert and documentary for the private auction sale of pieces from Ken Bolan's antique collection. They wanted to bring fresh energy through visual storytelling, creating a dynamic trailer that felt cinematic and premium.
The campaign was titled Nature Follows Form, reflecting Ken's goal to use proceeds from the sale to invest in his rewilding project on 130 acres of land in rural Dorset.
Impact
- 300K+ views on Facebook (2,400% increase on other posts)
- Increased demand for the private auction, aiding sales
- Developed a new content and visual style for Sworders
- Helped differentiate Sworders' visual identity from other auction houses
- Brought fresh energy into a traditional industry.
- Offered insight into the legendary Ken Bolan's process and story
Our Approach
We had full creative control on this project and decided on a cinematic documentary approach. To maintain energy and interest throughout, we used Ken's voice under the images to carry the narrative, with the shots providing depth and context.
Everything was shot at a high frame rate to allow flexibility in slowing images down for a cinematic feel. With Ken's studio based on over 130 acres of rural Dorset land, and the campaign titled Nature Follows Form, we wanted to convey this theme through our shot selection.
We used drone footage to highlight the natural landscape, providing a sense of spaciousness and emphasising the campaign's narrative. The sound design featured a classical piece that reinforced the association with antiques and fine art.
What we delivered:
- 10 minute long-form documentary for YouTube (16x9)
- 0:45 corporate advert (16x9)
- End-to-end production: concept development, direction, drone shots, interviewing, and editing
Production team: Director, Producer, Cam Op, Editors.
The Result
Through carefully crafted camerawork and editing, we told the story of Ken and his sale, bringing a personal touch to the man behind such an illustrious career.
The films use Ken's powerful language to create intrigue around the sale, supporting Sworders' brand and positioning as a leader within their space – with an elegant, premium feel that differentiates them from competitors in the auction world.
