As the Official Video Partners for The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025, Signal were proud to have been at the heart of the UK’s biggest and best UK festival. We captured the culture, stories and celebrations from start to finish in a series of daily films shot and edited on site.
So, it was lovely to revisit this award winning project, as part of our recent collaboration with VisitScotland. Signal produced a series of three case study videos that shine a spotlight on the meticulous planning and the dedicated people who helped bring The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 to life.
These case studies delve into the heart of what it takes to manage a major event, from recruiting and managing the core event team, to collaborating with contractors and suppliers, to recruiting the best volunteers, all essential elements for delivering a festival of such scale and ambition.
During the original Tall Ships event, our cameras captured not just the spectacle of the ships and the city, but also the stories of the teams working behind the scenes. Over the course of seven days, we filmed across Aberdeen, documenting the collaboration, adaptability, and spirit that underpinned the entire event, from the initial planning stages through to the final celebrations.
The Tall Ships Races were the result of tireless effort and careful coordination. Our case studies highlighted the electric atmosphere that flowed through Aberdeen, while also exploring the intricate logistics and teamwork that made it possible.
To explain how such a large-scale event came together, we sat down with Event Operations Lead Stephen O’ Neill and Project Manager Emma Wadee to gain insight into their strategies, challenges, and proudest moments.
Pre-event planning was brought to the forefront, with our videos exploring how the core event team laid out strategies, engaged stakeholders, and set the groundwork for a seamless festival experience.
Teamwork in action was a key theme, as we captured the collaboration between the event leads, contractors, and volunteers, showcasing the dedication and adaptability required to keep everything running smoothly.
Interviews and storytelling were at the heart of our approach. Conversations with Stephen and Emma, as well as volunteers and other team members, revealed the passion and perseverance that powered this extraordinary event.
With an estimated 500,000 visits to the Aberdeen quayside and events throughout the city, the festival’s success was a testament to the skill, commitment and teamwork of everyone involved. By working closely with partners and capturing their voices, our case study series offers a lasting testament to the human stories behind this landmark event.
Signal’s team is no stranger to large-scale productions, but this event was something special. It was about pride in place, in a shared experience, and a city coming alive with colour and sound. We’re proud to have played a part in telling that story.
Jordan Harkins, Head of Communications, Port of Aberdeen, said: “Signal’s video content has helped to tell the story of this amazing event, from the life-changing opportunities for young people to the vibrant atmosphere on the quayside, and much more. Signal’s flexibility, willingness to go the extra mile, and the quality of their content must be commended. The team can rightly be proud of how they supported the city’s biggest event in a generation.”
Engaging and Managing a Core Event Team
Working with Volunteers
Event Contractors and Suppliers
Signal is an award-winning video production company based in Aberdeen, Scotland.
We produce high-quality content help businesses communicate. From employee engagement to external relations, marketing to training, HSE to CSR, from energy to tourism, our video productions are effective, imaginative and deliver results.