Starling takes flight

Starling has launched a new campaign, encouraging consumers to break free from their old way of banking. 

Created by Wonderhood Studios, the campaign is the first under Starling’s new platform ‘Here to Change’ and aims to wake people up to the power of change to make things better. 

The 60-second TV spot, called Set Yourself Free, is directed by Sam Pilling through Pulse Films and follows a customer in a long queue at a bank. She and other customers are becoming impatient with the long wait but, as she gazes up, she spots some starlings through the glass dome above her head and decides to set herself free. She slowly floats up into the air, taking flight above the other customers and bank staff and flies freely around the building, effortlessly breaking through the glass dome to continuing her journey. 

“When I first read the idea I absolutely loved the playful, surreal tone and knew I could have a lot of fun coming up with moments of Peter-pan magic and mischief for our character," said Pilling. "It was integral that we filmed our actor in-camera, to ensure the effect felt believable. Anna Sari (our hero) was an absolute trooper - enduring several days on wires - swooping down through the space at speed, bouncing around high in the sky on a zip line, and generally spinning every which way! She was a delight to work with. The world around our hero was as important as the spectacle of her flight - so a lot of emphasis was put on the characterful reactions from the other customers, bank staff (and pigeon!).”