ALONG CAME A SPIDER
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THE car screamed.
The Stig stayed silent.
And we made the video.
Read and see how The Stig got on with the McLaren 12C Spider in Top Gear Magazine The Challenges, Issue 237…
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TOP GEARED AND TESTED
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LAND Rover’s Evoque; looks great, drives nicely and sells well, but is it or is it not “a bit of a girl’s car”?
We joined Top Gear magazine motoring writer Tom Ford and stills photographer Justin Leighton on an adventure drive across the Highlands of Perthshire where they determined to find out exactly what it could do. And what it, er, couldn’t.
Tom presented to camera, Justin took stunning pics, the Evoque took a real beating and our cameraman hared about after them.
To read Tom’s review and to see how the Evoque fared, you need Top Gear Magazine Issue 236 and the Aurasma app, or watch this.
GET ON YER BIKES!
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DESPITE the dark and damp Devonshire weather, we had great fun filming school kids at Elburton Primary School as they completed different levels of their Bikeability training.
Provided by Plymouth School Sports Partnership and led by School and Community Sports Manager, Lance Chatfield, the Bikeability Plymouth scheme gives participants the skills and confidence to cycle in modern road conditions.
We produced a 3-4 minute promotional film that will be used to encourage other schools to take up the initiative.
PUBLIC LECTURE EVENT
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MARVIN Weisbord and Robert Marshak are considered to be two of the most significant thinkers and academic practitioners in the field of Organisation Development – and we were delighted to be asked to film them deliver a special public lecture at the British Medical House in London.
The lecture was arranged by Quality-Equality in partnership with the NTL Institute and was attended by members of the NTL community and guests.
The event was captured and edited into a film for DVD and internet distribution.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SHOWDOWN
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EVERY year Plymouth University’s Faculty of Science and Technology holds an event to showcase the sort of activities and learning experiences students can expect at Plymouth University.
This year we were there to capture it on film so that we could produce a short promotional film that the Faculty could use as a marketing and informational tool about the event.
GEARED UP FOR FERRARI’S F12
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SURELY the next best thing to spending hours behind the wheel of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is spending ages staring at it to make the video for Top Gear magazine?
It certainly felt that way to us, that’s for sure.
To see Ferrari’s fastest ever road car in action, driven by Ollie Marriage Motoring Editor of Top Gear magazine, you need to grab hold of Issue 234 and access the video via the TG Mag Extra app.
KNOW YOUR ENVIRONMENT
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ENVIRONMENTAL Scientists. They get around a bit don’t they?
As we found when we spent a couple of days trudging across mining sites, bobbing about at sea and put in some serious lab time in to film with some of the students and lecturers of Environmental Science at Plymouth University.
Directed by Associate Professor Paul Lunt and Dr Charlotte Braungardt, both lecturers at the Uni, we filmed and edited a 4-minute film to promote the University’s BSc (Hons) degree course in Environmental Science.
THE FACTS OF LIFE
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THINGS we learnt when we went to Plymouth University to make them a promotional film about their Biology degree:
- the machine that looks like a coffee machine is not a coffee machine;
- not to touch the machines;
- the machines cost from £2m – £6m;
- the lecturers and department staff are really nice. And understanding.
- We like filming machines with flashing blue lights and the machines that shake things (renamed, for the crew’s sake, as jiggilators).
We also learnt tons of important and useful stuff about studying Biology or a Biomedical discipline at Plymouth University and why it’s the place to do it.
WIRED
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LET’S get the facts right.
It has a twin-turbo V12, 730bhp, costs £800k and is a bugger to pronounce correctly when you’re overexcited.
“What’s the Huayra like to drive?” we hollered at Top Gear magazine’s Tom Ford.
“An event” he replied.
Cue dramatic soundtrack by Pagani, stunning visuals by James Lipman and a fearless drive by Tom Ford condensed into video designed to bring the magazine feature to life and complement the write up.
Accessed via the Aurasma app, you can watch our video in Top Gear magazine, issue 232.
HORSING AROUND
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LAST year, the Barbury Horse Trials attracted more visitors than ever before. This year the event hosted the Wiltshire Country Show, the CGA Festival of Food and acted as the British Eventing Team’s last competitive run before the Olympics.
It also needed filming – which is exactly what we were asked to do – so that the organisers could have a promotional video to encourage visitor numbers and exhibitors for the following year.
The video features a selection of the main attractions at the show as well as vox pops from key sponsors, stall holders and celebrity chefs such as Brian Turner who was demonstrating in the cookery theatre.
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
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SITUATED in the charming Cathedral city of Truro, Chy Colom is a house with a difference. In this house, addictions are fought, recoveries are made and lives are rebuilt.
Classified as a second stage rehabilitation centre and run by Addaction, a drug and alcohol treatment charity, Chy Colom provides individually tailored programmes of support for individuals with drug and/or alcohol issues.
We were asked to make a film for the charity to promote Chy Colom and explain the services it offers by featuring three talking heads, Ross Dunstan, Project Leader at Chy Colom, and two ex-residents Emma and Billy. The film will be placed on Addaction’s social media sites and available on DVD to raise awareness of Chy Colom.
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
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YOU may find it difficult to read the next sentence without spluttering: We scrub up quite well. So well, in fact, that none of our crew looked remotely out of place when we were filming a workshop for one of our clients in the super-posh town of Windsor.
The two-day workshop was held by Dr Mee-Yan Cheung-Judge (international legend on cultural change issues and well worth scrubbing up for) and creator of Quality & Equality an organisation that specialises in Organisation Development.
Back at Hill Tribe’s rather more er, homely base, the film was edited into chapter sections and uploaded onto our client’s intranet.
HILL TRIBE’S IN TOP GEAR
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THERE was rain dribbling down the back of our necks, a blinding glare from the greyest sky we’d ever seen and we’d travelled so far Eastwards we may as well have been in a different time zone.
Did we care? Not a jot. Because we were at Lotus Cars’ test track in Hethel, Norfolk to film Tom Ford drive the Lotus Evora GTE, the most powerful road-going Lotus ever, in a world exclusive for Top Gear Magazine.
Readers of the mag can see features on the pages brought to life through a TG Mag Extra app which triggers video content on your smartphone or tablet when the camera is pointed at the TG Mag Extra icon turning pictures into videos.
EUROVISION WINNERS
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Not only are we pretty spectacular competitors when it comes to the Olympics but we’re also leading the way in online usage. The Internet Advertising Bureau ‘s 8th Mediascope Europe Report has just been published and shows that when it comes to online activity, the UK is very much ahead of the rest of Europe.
There are more Brits online compared to the European average plus we spend longer on the net and access it in more ways than our regional neighbours too.
The report highlights the importance of online brand communication to UK users and the role that the internet plays in consumer’s purchase decisions with 59% stating the internet helps them choose better products and services, so much so that online ad spending has gone up 14.4% on a like for like basis, between 2010 and 2011.
Here’s a table summing up the main differences but you can read the full press release here
| UK Average | European Average | |
| % of adults online | 81 | 65 |
| Hours per week spent online | 16.8 | 14.8 |
| % of adults using tablets to access internet | 21 | 8 |
| % of adults using games console to access internet | 21 | 6 |
| % of adults dual screening (watching TV while online) | 62 | 48 |
| % of adults owning a smartphone | 59 | 44 |
| % of adults shopping online using mobile web browser via smartphone | 19 | 11 |
| % of adults shopped via an app | 21 | 9 |
OFF TO THE RACES
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A BRILLIANT glittering evening awaited our crews as they filmed a huge corporate event taking place at Ascot Racecourse.
With a multi-crew, multi -cam set up in place that included use of our mini-jib, we filmed a series of events at the Grandstand and the Pavilion as our client’s anniversary celebrations got under way .
The footage was edited into a film that was uploaded onto their intranet and will be kept for their archives.
CONFERENCE FILMING
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ONE day, three conferences, five events and all at separate locations – no problem!
We had several crews working in and around Heathrow, West Berkshire, Wokingham and Bracknell to film a series of conferences and events that were taking place simultaneously for one of our corporate clients.
Capturing and editing each conference allowed our client to upload the event onto their company intranet so that employees who were unable to attend in person could still be kept up to date and feel part of the event.
VISUAL PROOF
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After filming a chat with Professor David McMullan, Head of Mathematics and Statistics at Plymouth University’s School of Computing and Mathematics, the crew also filmed with a third year student before visiting lecture theatres, the university’s Planetarium and the student’s common room to capture what the school has to offer mathematics students. And here’s what it does!
ARTFUL DODGERS
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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ONE of the most cost-efficient ways of filming video recipes and product demonstrations is to send us the product and let us take care of the rest – and that’s exactly what happened when The Lenny Agency , a PR and marketing agency in Brighouse, approached us to make some video recipes to demonstrate some of their client’s, Mermaid Bakeware, products.
Once we’d determined what the recipes were going to be and the filming style desired, the Lenny Agency posted us the bakeware which we filmed at a local home studio kitchen where the brilliant home economist and TV food stylist Portia Spooner provided the hands and culinary skills to make it all happen!
Each video highlighted a Mermaid product; the Feta, chorizo and watercress frittata video recipe featured the Little Gem Omelette pan; the Vanilla biscuit bake showcased Mermaid’s baking sheets (and included ice-cube melting competition tests to show the heat transfer properties of its anodised aluminium coating), while how to make gravy the Mermaid way – demonstrated how ideal Mermaid’s baking tin is for roasting meat and vegetables as well as for making gravy.
The final video featured advice on how to care for Mermaid Bakeware products.
After the filming had taken place, we supplied the Lenny Agency with a selection of music tracks and fonts to choose from – and once they’d made their choice, the edit was underway!
We delivered the videos online and on DVDs for Mermaid Bakeware to use at trade exhibitors and events.
ANIME! EXPORT CORNWALL
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Launched as part of the UK Trade & Investment’s Globalisation Project, Export Cornwall is a scheme devised to make it easier for businesses in Cornwall to access the information, skills and advice they need to make the most of export opportunities.
We were asked to make an animated video to explain what the venture is about and to detail the range of services and products it offers.
Working closely with our client, we provided several different animation styles and designs for their consideration, before drawing up a storyboard for the client’s chosen design. Once approved by the client, the animation project got underway and the voice-over recorded.
Export Cornwall’s animated video will be used on their website, at trade events and at workshops.
SMASHING!
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WE filmed some video recipe pilots for QV Foods – and they liked them so much they decided to use them on their website!
Both video recipes feature Claire Harrison, QV Foods Development Chef, as she demonstrates how to make luxurious uber-induglent mashed potato and how to make the perfect chip. Both video recipes were also tried and tested (ahem, devoured) by the crew.
QV Foods have already embedded the videos into their website… with more on the way!
Visit www.qvfoods.com to find out about the company and see the videos on their homepage or watch them on our YouTube channel
CIVIL SERVICE
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NOPE. We haven’t been filming with a bunch of office-based suits, in fact, it’s been just the opposite as we’ve been out and about with Plymouth University’s next generation of Civil Engineering graduates.
These guys will be the guys responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of bridges, roads and buildings and we had a great time with them as they talked us through the degree course, demonstrated various bits of engineering equipment they use at the Uni, showed us some of their projects and experiments and explained to us what all their kit does!
We also filmed with Dr Liz Hodgkinson, a Civil Engineering lecturer, who gave us the academic’s version of the degree as well as telling us about Plymouth University’s involvement with WITNET and what students can expect when they come to study Civil Engineering at Plymouth University.
And here’s what we made! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKEbQ-nY0II
Company TV
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WE’VE been busy producing content for an internal TV channel for one of our corporate clients.
The content is filmed on a monthly basis and features magazine style-shows as well as a monthly personal address by the MD so that all of their employees, whether in the UK or based overseas, keep up to date with what’s happening at the company’s HQ as well as learning about the latest news and campaigns across the different departments.
The company channel also broadcasts what’s on the agenda for the forthcoming month as well as offering VODs of other company projects and items.
The Mechanic
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WITH CT scanning equipment, new engine test facilities, optical and laser microscopy, a specialist composite lab for composite materials design and manufacture, and wind tunnel (not to mention all the thermo dynamic rigs and rapid prototyping equipment among other fancy gear) there was stacks to film for the Mechanical Engineering promotional film for Plymouth University’s School of Marine Science and Engineering.
We filmed a chat with a third year student as well as Associate Professor and Deputy Head of School Stephen Grove before heading to the labs to film the facilities and students in action. Following that it was a quick turnaround in the edit to deliver the film to the Faculty of Science and Technology’s marketing department for their marketing campaign.
Click on Mechanical Engineering for more info on studying at Plymouth University
Showtime
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WE spent a week at the Birmingham NEC filming workshops, conferences and a spectacular awards show for one of our corporate clients.
Although the schedules were tight, our crew shot, edited and delivered the films on site for the company to upload onto their intranet for their international colleagues and other UK employees that were not attending.
The stunning stage and set up were provided by Dudley and Doug, the AV gurus of Simpson Sound & Vision http://ssv.uk.com/
The Life Aquatic
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WE took to the seas (with accompanying sick bags crammed in our pockets – just in case) to film diving and boatcraft scenes required for a promotional video for Plymouth’s Diving and Marine Centre.
Located by Plymouth’s historic waterfront, the Diving and Marine Centre is the only training centre in the country where you can learn to dive professionally and get the HSE Professional Diver qualification as part of a university degree.
The course includes using full face masks with diver-to-diver communications, lifelines, UK diving regulations, commercial methods and techniques and how to work underwater using basic underwater tools.
For more info about the professional and recreational diving courses the Centre offers click: http://www.divingandmarinecentre.com/index.html
Or watch the video to get a flavour of what it’s all about: http://youtu.be/0j6mYZTvHjU
Having A Bonny Time
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MASTER of Malt took us up on one of the options we offer for producing very budget-friendly video recipes. They sent us their product – and we made them their video.
The video recipe shows how to make a Malt Whisky Ginger Cake and features Master of Malt Scotch blended malt whisky, 12 Year Old Lowland (from their Secret Bottling Series) – and in this instance we got to make the cake and eat it!
To visit Master of Malt go to: http://www.masterofmalt.com/
E-Learning Centre
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SPECIALIST Environmental Management Training and Support provider, Cambio, asked us to produce a series of video tutorials to complement its e-learning programme.
We spent a few glorious days at Cambio’s training and conference centre situated in the stunning Black Mountains, part of the Brecon Beacons National Park, eating Welsh cakes and filming the video content required for the IEMA and NEBOSH accredited distance learning courses provided by Cambio.
For more information about Cambio’s Integrated Professional Development Programme visit http://www.cambio-uk.com/e-learning/index.php
Organization Development
WE’VE been extremely busy filming a series of workshops over the past year for one of our corporate clients and it was at one of these events where we met the indomitable and incredibly charismatic Dr Mee-Yan Cheung Judge.
Dr Cheung-Judge BSc, MA, PhD, an international culture change expert, had been invited by our client to give an Organisational Development Masterclass which we filmed and edited to create a series of video tutorials which were uploaded onto our client’s intranet enabling the whole of the organisation to benefit from the masterclass.
Dr Cheung-Judge is the creator and driving force behind “Quality & Equality” which she founded in 1987 to provide high quality, customized and innovative Organisation Development consultancy and training services to organisations in all sectors. Her areas of specialisation and expertise include Organisation Development, Organisation Design, managing Big System Change, particularly culture change, Senior Leadership Development, and Diversity and Inclusion.
For more information on Quality & Equality or to contact Dr Cheung-Judge visit http://www.quality-equality.com/home/
Dr Cheung-Judge’s latest book, Organization Development: A Practitioner’s Guide for OD and HR is available from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Organization-Development-Practitioners-Guide-OD/dp/product-description/0749460946
It’s A Fishy Business
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WE donned some labs coats to spend a day filming with staff and students of Plymouth University’s School of Marine Science and Engineering.
Two students gave us a run down on what you learn on the Marine Biology degree course and what it’s like to study Marine Biology at Plymouth Uni (including the chance to go on some rather fabulous sounding field trips, South Africa anyone?), while Professor John Spicer and Lecturer Dr Kerry Howell gave us an account of the marine-related courses offered by the School, the facilities available and the wealth of academic experience and knowledge offered by the staff.
To see the promotional video we made for them click on http://youtu.be/VgdWYcs9gOA
You can find out more about the degree and the other marine courses offered by Plymouth University via this link: http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/0732/Pages/CourseOverview.aspx
The Great Feast of Dorset
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THERE are many good things about the month of September, but one of our most favourite is the annual Feast of Dorset. Held on the grounds of Deans Court, Wimborne’s historic 11th Century house, this year’s festival attracted almost 5,000 visitors as well as several big names in the food industry such as The Telegraph’s food writer and journalist Rose Prince, cook and best-selling author Fran Warde and TV chef Lesley Waters. Activities at the two day event included ferret racing, cookery demos, chocolate making workshops, foraging and lots and lots of tasting!
To stay up to date with the festival or to watch our video, visit www.feastofdorset.com
Switched On
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A QUICK ask around the office showed how little we actually know about computers. It seems that most of our computing knowledge is based on gaming; there’s a couple of Napoleons (Total War) among us, at least three Sam Fishers (Splinter Cell) and a few retired Lara Crofts. We’ve also got the number of a local computer guy for when our machines go wrong so we were more than fired up to find out as much as possible about it when we went to Plymouth Uni to make a promotional video for its School of Computing and Mathematics.
We filmed with the Head of the School Professor Steven Furnell, who gave us the low down on the school, academic staff, research projects and what students can expect to gain from their degrees, while Dan Livingstone, course leader for BSc Computing & Games Development, gave us a quick tour of the School’s facilities (including the Centre for Security Communications And Network research, CSCAN) and talked us through some of the students’ projects. Jessica, a recent graduate of BSc Hons Computing, also told us what it’s like being a student there.
For a full list of Plymouth University’s Computing degrees visit http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=28359
TQ Recycling
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WE first filmed at TQ Recycling, a waste management, collection and disposal service company, to feature them in a promotional film we made for the Manufacturing Advisory Service. Since then, TQ Recycling asked us back to create a bespoke promotional film which introduces Stephen Tooke, Sales Director and David Newman, Managing Director, and showcases the company’s services and its state-of-the-art recycling facility at the Torr Quarry Industrial Estate at East Allington, Devon.
TQ Recycling provides services that enable commercial and public organisations in the South West to manage their waste, from collection and recovery to recycling regardless of the type, volume or location. For more information visit www.tqrecycling.co.uk
Storm Force
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AHOY there! Hill Tribe took to the seas to make a viral video for Plymouth University and its Marine Studies course.
Assisted by the awesome Andrew Eccleston, Lecturer in Nautical Studies ( and round-the-world sailor of Sir Francis Chichester’s famous ‘Gipsy Moth VI’ ) and the formidable Captain Bob (aka real-life Captain Robert Hone and Lecturer in Marine Studies) we worked with a group of students who experienced a pretty rough time as we found ourselves battling with seriously stormy seas somewhere in the North Atlantic – and all without having to leave the School of Marine Science and Engineering! Thanks to the enthusiasm and top class efforts of all those involved, we were able to show off the Transas Simulator – just one of the many facilities the School features.
For more information about The School of Marine Science and Engineering, telephone the Faculty of Science and Technology on 01752 584584 or visit: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=27295
To see Captain Bob and the students in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go0vxYdf768&feature=channel_video_title
Hill Tribe Goes On A Pub Crawl
Unsurprisingly, there was no shortage of volunteers when we asked the Hill Tribe who was free to go on a pub crawl…for work!
The day’s shoot involved visiting three of Butcome Brewery’s most recently acquired pubs to continue to build the Brewery’s online video directory.
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First up was The Pig & Fiddle at 2, Saracen Street, Bath. Despite only being 20 years old, The Pig, the manager, Alex Gough, reckons everyone in Bath old enough to drink knows the Pig and have probably passed many happy summer evenings drinking with friends in their beer garden. Offering six hand pulled local real ales and ciders, plus a great range of lagers, wines and spirits the pub also holds live music night sessions, shows live rugby and football games and is open Mon – Sat: 11.00 am – 11.30 pm, Sun: 12.00 pm – 10.30 pm. For more information telephone the pub on 01225 460868.
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Next pub stop was at The Frog and Fiddle at 313-315 High Street, Cheltenham.
Established since 1998 The Frog & Fiddle features exposed brick walls and stripped wooden floors to create a rustic feel where pub-goers can enjoy any of the 14 screens showing live sports, the many pool tables and live music in the pub’s barn – a venue that has a capacity for over 200 people and has seen everything from local acts to signed touring bands. The Frog’s product range is wide and varied from ales, lagers and spirits to cocktails served in teapots. Opening times are Mon – Thurs: 12.00 pm – 11.00 pm, Fri & Sat: 12.00 pm – 12.00 am and Sunday: 12.00 pm – 10.30pm but to get the latest info telephone the pub on 01242 701156.
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The final venue of the day for the crew was The Mill in Rode, Frome, Somerset. A beautiful riverside bar and restaurant set in its own glorious grounds, The Mill provides a picturesque venue for drinking and dining with friends either in the sympathetically designed restaurant itself or on the deck overlooking the river. The Mill also benefits from an excellent reputation as a wedding venue and has become popular as a place to hold team meetings and conferences… Managed by John Foreman, and open Mon-Sat: 11am – 11pm, Sunday 12pm – 10:30pm, you can find out more by phoning The Mill on 01373 831100.
To get a full list of all the pubs owned by Butcome Brewery visit: www.butcombe.com
Taking Cornwall To The World!
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AS part of UKTI’s £2 million Globalisation Project to help businesses consider exporting, we are producing a series of videos to promote and raise awareness of the Export Cornwall scheme, which aims to help the county’s firms seize opportunities in global markets.
The UKTI Globalisation Project is a three year project to support a step change in the international performance of small and medium sized businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and includes a series of free workshops targeted at high growth businesses, helping them to build their export business.
We filmed with Sabina Rademacher, an International Business Consultant and Cross Cultural Communication Trainer, as she presented “Explore Your Export Potential “ interactive workshop at the Greenbank Hotel in Falmouth which helped SME owners and managers in Cornwall take an intensive look at whether export is a realistic opportunity for their business.
Other services from Export Cornwall include financial support in the form of matched funding to help eligible businesses gear up for trading internationally, assistance to develop a strategic overseas marketing and communications plan and support for businesses to form joint ventures, partnerships and alliances in order to export.
For more information visit www.exportcornwall.co.uk
Potato Heads
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IF Kent is the garden of England, then Lincolnshire is best described as its farmstead. No other county in the country matches Lincolnshire for the agricultural quality of its soils (it has the greatest proportion of Grade 1 land in England) and, it produces more fresh produce than any other county!
This is just some of the stuff we learnt when we spent some time in Lincolnshire filming for one of the biggest producers in the area, QV Foods.
The company, a potato and vegetable growing and packing business, asked us to make some films to promote various aspects of its business which includes providing services to the retail and food service as well as supplying bulk in both fresh and prepared produce.
For us, it’s a year-long project that will see us filming several key stages, starting with the planting process and the amazing laser guided tractors!
In the meantime, for more info about QV Foods visit www.qvfoods.com
Factual Management
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WE produced a video to accompany a report that was carried out and published by Databuild, a research specialist for the public sector and government.
The video features Databuild director Michelle McGuire, who presents the report’s key findings which concern the identification and impact of environmental and sustainability issues faced by businesses. The results of the analysis are intercut with vox pops from the study’s participants and complemented by onscreen graphics.
Databuild has particular expertise in the environment and energy sector, business support programmes and local government and planning but for more information about its services, go to www.data-build.co.uk
Acuigen Has The Answers!
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WADING through hundreds of pages of a detailed market research data can be very time-consuming. To combat this, we were asked to produce a video to complement the conclusions of a report which investigated the impact of government funded business support during 2009 and 2011.
The video is presented by Chris Lang, Client Programme Manager at Acuigen Ltd, a market research company that provides businesses with real-time information and feedback from their clients. Chris provided a verbal account of the study’s verdict, which was further supported onscreen through use of motion graphics and featured comments from the businesses that participated in the research.
For further information about Acuigen, visit www.acuigen.com
The Light Fantastic
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We were really excited to film at Arc Energy Resources Ltd, a specialist welding engineering company, because we knew we’d get incredibly strong visuals from all the sparking, flashy lights. We also got an incredibly strong talking to from the company’s lovely Health & Safety man who ensured we were all kitted out with the proper equipment, knew how to follow Arc’s Health and Safety policy and made sure we all understood what arc eye was – and how to avoid it!
Despite feeling slightly unnerved by the heightened risk of the scary sounding photokeratitis (aka arc eye) we had a brilliant day getting some super stylish shots of the action and processes that take place under Arc’s roof.
Based in Gloucester, Arc Energy specialises in the supply of weld overlay clad products, fabrications and related services and serves the oil and gas, petrochemical, water and waste treatment and defence industries. The company’s vast premises also allowed us to use our mini-jib to capture moves through the work areas and heavy-duty machinery but we had the most fun spending time with the fantastic people that work at the family-owned and run company.
For more information about Arc Energy Resources visit www.arcenergy.co.uk
Back To School…
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They say never work with children but fortunately for us, filming with some of the volunteers at the University of Plymouth’s Babylab turned out to be (lliterally) childs play!
The University commissioned us to make a promotional film for its School of Psychology – which is one of the largest schools of psychology in the UK; with more than 800 students, 35 academic staff, scientific officers, technicians and administrative support staff. It is also home to the renowned Baby Lab which was established in 2006 by the School of Psychology in order to study child development and in particular language and cognitive development.
As well as showing scenes from the Baby Lab, our video features second-year Psychology student Abi, who takes us on a tour of the School, as well as Simon Handley, Head of the School of Psychology.
To find out more about the University of Plymouth’s School of Psychology watch our video: http://www.hilltribe.tv/?p=1543 or explore the Faculty of Science and Technology at http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/faculties/scitech
He-Robot
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BEING a sociable bunch, we like meeting people – but we’d never met anyone quite like Reggie, who we filmed at Engineered Arts Ltd in Cornwall.
Located in Penryn, near Falmouth, Engineered Arts Ltd are specialists in the design and build of imaginative, interactive exhibitions, audio visual and mixed media installations. They also make robots, such as the infamous RoboThespian™, a fully programmable humanoid robot. He’s so good, even NASA ordered one! (Max Q, the RoboThespian installed at NASA Kennedy Space Center is programmed to answer questions about space including the Hubble Telescope and astronauts’ life in space.)
RoboThespian™ comes with standard content, like greetings and impressions, to which you can add your own recorded sequences or bespoke content – so we did!
You can view Reggie in action here: http://youtu.be/_PrZjI4p1Q0 or visit www.robothespian.com or www.engineeredarts.co.uk for more information.
Batteries Not Included…
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EVER wondered who fixes Hi-Tech products when they go wrong!?
Plymouth company Hi-TAMS Ltd specialises in solutions for servicing & supporting Hi-Tech products such as games consoles, hand-held PCs, EPOS terminals and associated services for large corporate businesses.
We filmed with Managing Director Steve Sargent who spoke about how the company improved its efficiency thanks to assistance from MAS-SW in the form of the Six Sigma Green Belt programme. Run by MAS-SW, the Six Sigma Green Belt programme allows a company to analyse its production methods and systems to find solutions for improvement .
To listen to what Steve has to say, click on http://www.hilltribe.tv/?p=1444 but for more information about the Manufacturing Advisory Service visit http://www.mas.bis.gov.uk/
Hi-TAMS Ltd can be contacted via http://www.hitams.com/
Down at New House Farm
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WE spent a day filming with television presenter and eco-engineer Dick Strawbridge at his small holding in Cornwall.
As well as impressing us with his knowledge of sustainability issues and self-sufficiency tips (not to mention his spectacular moustache), Dick rustled up some mouthwatering flapjacks as a mid-morning snack before serving up a truly delicious lunch, after all, he was a finalist in Celebrity Masterchef 2010!
In fact Dick’s cooking skills are in such demand that he runs cooking courses and other culinary related events from New House Farm: http://bit.ly/cQHiWP
For heaps more information about Dick visit his website at : http://www.dickstrawbridge.com/www.dickstrawbridge.com/Home.html but to keep up to date with news, courses and events at New House Farm visit: http://www.newhousefarm.tv/
Dick and his son James Strawbridge also test, review and sell eco products at www.ecoark.co.uk
Hill Tribe gets wasted…
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WHEN it comes to shoot locations, we’ve filmed in a lot of places, but we’d never filmed in a recycling centre – until we were asked to film at TQ Recycling!
We visited the £1.4m recycling plant for a day to capture the operational processes involved and to hear what David Newman, TQ Recycling’s Managing Director, had to say about the assistance the business receives from the Manufacturing Advisory Service South West.
Located at Torr Quarry, Kingsbridge, TQ Recycling is one the South West’s leading waste management, waste collection and waste disposal companies. The plant uses a laser to scan materials and a jet stream of air to separate the waste into different types of plastics, paper, cans, and other materials which are then baled and sold to companies that re-use the waste.
Visit http://www.tqrecycling.co.uk/ to find out about the services it offers or watch the video we made for SW-MAS : http://www.hilltribe.tv/?p=1444
Simon Says…
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GREEN IT expert Simon Gough of Redfront Projects was our final contributor in the Improving Your Resource Efficiency series.
Simon’s top 5 tips on how to achieve environmentally sustainable computing are as follows:
- Assess global impact
- Efficient computing
- Use the minimum
- Switch off
- Consider the product life cycle
You can watch Simon’s full explanation here: http://bit.ly/fGjSkr
With over 15 years experience in the creative and cultural sectors, Simon’s expertise includes marketing, technology and accessibility as well as exploring and assessing the impact of digital technologies on the environment.
To take part in Redfront’s Sustainable Digital project visit http://sustainabledigital.com/ but to find out more about Redfront , a sustainable development company, go to http://www.redfront.co.uk/
Filming at Bosinver Farm Holidays
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WE first met Pat Smith, owner of Bosinver Farm Cottages, when we were filming a talk by Innocent Drinks at a Growing Green seminar - so we were really excited when we were asked to film at Bosinver, Cornwall where we could finally see the award winning self-catering holiday cottages for ourselves!
Located in a valley between St Austell and Mevagissey, Bosinver offers a range of individual, privately situated cottages that are sited in mature woodland gardens. Pat & her husband Dave are very passionate about making their business as sustainable as possible and we spent some time filming her as she talked us through how she’s been able to implement the many resource saving measures they’ve introduced to the cottages. Their latest project is building a zero carbon house – from scratch!
For more information about Bosinver Farm holiday cottages and their availablity click http://www.bosinver.co.uk/ but to follow Pat & Dave’s progress with their Eco House visit http://www.bosinver.co.uk/news
Resource Efficiency with Environ
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DAVE Covell, principal at Environ’s Exeter office, features as one of our experts in the Improving Your Energy Efficiency series we’re producing for Business Link Answers. We filmed at Environ’s Tiverton office in Devon where Dave talked through his 5 top tips when it comes to billing and metering.
Environ provides an array of strategic and technical consulting services to help clients assess and manage the environmental, energy, and health risks associated with their activities and products.
For more info on the international consultancy firm Environ click on www.environcorp.com but to hear Dave’s tips, visit: http://bit.ly/fTmKUS
Manufacturing A New Production
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We’re delighted that we will be working with the Manufacturing Advisory Service South West (MAS-SW) to produce a promotional video for them that highlights the support services they provide to businesses. The film will feature managing directors of three different companies that will explain how MAS-SW supported their businesses and the impact that support has had on their business.
MAS-SW provides impartial advice and practical support through a range of tailored, responsive services and programmes delivered by manufacturers for manufacturers including Product and Process Innovation, Strategic Development and Operational Improvement.
For further information about MAS-SW, visit: www.mas.bis.gov.uk/south-west
Cockwells Floats Our Boat!
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WE spent a day in Tregatreath, Mylor Creek filming with Cockwells, the modern and classic boat builders, to find out how they benefited from Convergence funding (they were able to attend the International Monaco Boat Show) and to showcase their new site and workshop.
The morning was spent filming with Dave Cockwell, aboard one of the classic launches before heading out to sea to film the boats in action. Fortunately all camera crew members remembered their sea legs that day!
Cockwells custom-build and restore classic yachts, launches and superyacht tenders. Each boat is individually designed and built to suit the owner’s exact requirements.
For more information about Cockwells, visit: www.cockwells.co.uk and to view the video: http://bit.ly/hyYLmy
Resource Efficiency with Microgeneration
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BASED in Torpoint, Cornwall, Microgeneration installs and advises businesses and home-owners about renewable energy systems.
We filmed with Sara Honey, co-founder of the company, who gave us her top 5 tips on renewable energy as part of the Improving Your Efficiency series we’re producing for Business Link Answers.
Microgeneration focuses on the provision of on-site renewable heat and power technologies for buildings and has particular experience in the following technologies:
- Photovoltaic (Solar PV)
- Solar Thermal (Solar Hot Water)
- Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps
- Biomass
For more information about Microgeneration log onto www.microgeneration.com but to watch the video click here: http://bit.ly/e2duCG
Resource Efficiency with Sustain
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IMPROVING Your Resource Efficiency is one of the business support products under the government’s Solutions for Business portfolio and we were asked to make a series of videos to promote the campaign by featuring top tips from experts in resource efficiency.
We filmed with Dr Jean-Yves Cherruault, Environmental Accounting Manager at Sustain Limited, a leading carbon reduction company that works with organisations to analyse, advise and assist businesses to achieve successful carbon reduction.
You can watch Dr Cherruault talk through his top 5 recommendations regarding carbon footprinting here http://bit.ly/evxOXo but to find out more about Sustain, visit www.sustain.co.uk
Based On A True Story
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AS part of our film series of businesses that benefit from Convergence funding (the European economic regeneration programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) we filmed with Neil Boucher, Head of Development at MPG Books.
Although MPG Books Group has companies in Bodmin, King’s Lynn and Haverhill, we filmed at the Bodmin location which gave us plenty of space to set up and use our mini jib during the shoot - ideal for capturing the scale of some of the processes at the site.
The MPG Books Group offers the complete range of book and journal manufacturing services from print on demand to long run sheet fed: http://www.mpg-booksgroup.com/index.html and you can see the video here: http://bit.ly/fMayy1
As cool as ICE
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CYCLE clips, helmets & sandwiches packed and checked, we headed South to Falmouth to film with ICE Trikes, a company that designs, builds and constructs recumbent trikes.
Chris Parker, co-founder of ICE (which stands for Inspired Cycle Engineering), gave us a brilliant interview in the morning (before dashing off to have root canal surgery) while the rest of the day was spent filming the fantastic and uber-friendly team at work and at play.
After filming in their studio, office and workshop it was time to put the cameras down and try out some of the recumbent trikes for ourselves. ICE Trikes offer a three model line up; the Adventure is ideal for exploring trails, the Sprint is best for touring while the Vortex is the ultimate high performance long distance recumbent trike. They also had some recumbent bikes on site – which require a whole different skill set to ride – a set that Robbie didn’t quite manage to get to grips with as he came crashing off within a few seconds of trying! The bike was fine, unlike Robbie who couldn’t sit down without wincing for about a week after…
You can find out more about ICE’s beautiful trikes at: http://www.icetrikes.co/home
CoBRA Charmer
We spent a day filming with musician, playwright, author and more recently, founder of the Community Battery Recycling Alliance (CoBRA) Mark David Hatwood. We joined Mark at The Harbour Club in Portscatho to make a promotional video about CoBRA, a scheme he initiated after he was refused permission by his County Council to collect batteries on behalf of his community. Six weeks’ worth of negotiation later, Mark was eventually given dispensation by the Environment Agency and the County to run a trial scheme in his village – the first of its kind anywhere in the UK.
Over the next two years, more than 35 tonnes of batteries had been collected via the creation of 58 collection points throughout Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. The CoBRA Scheme went on to win four national awards in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and is now available to all counties throughout the UK.
If you’d like to find out more about the scheme or become a volunteer for your area, please visit www.batteryrecycling-uk.co.uk For more info about Mark see www.hatwood.com
Burgers & Muddy Boots
Admittedly, it might seem like a rather odd combination, but in actual fact there’s not a finer mix when it comes to quality burgers!
Muddy Boots Classic Burgers
Muddy Boots Real Foods Ltd was set up in 2008 by Roland and Miranda Ballard with the simple aim of promoting quality food and ethical farming. They begun their campaign with the rather daunting task of reinventing the burger, transforming it from its reputation as a fat and greasy food villain to a nutritious, versatile and convenient meal option for the home kitchen. In practical terms, this means that they use all the really good cuts of the beef to make their burgers (not just the leftover trim) and that their burgers contain only top quality, fully traceable meat and have absolutely no additives, preservatives or nasties. In short, they think the burger deserves to be celebrated. So we made a video recipe to do just that!
The video recipe stars Muddy Boot’s Classic Burgers and Mr Singh’s Hot Punjabi Chilli Sauce which combine together to make incredibly tasty Hot Chilli Boots Burgers. The hardest part of the whole process was being disciplined enough to not eat the burgers before we’d finished filming them!
Hot stuff!
For more information about Muddy Boots Real Foods, including their home delivery service and stockists, visit www.muddybootsfoods.co.uk However, if you’re after some sauciness, we suggest you visit Mr Singh at www.mrsinghssauces.co.uk
Baco at Blue Plate Cornwall
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We shot the second product film for Baco in the kitchen of talented chef Nick Barclay’s restaurant, Blue Plate Cornwall in Downderry. Not only did Nick provide us with his kitchen for the day but he also provided us with his seriously impressive knife skills (perfect for the shoot) as well as an absolutely scrumptious 3 course dinner for the crew.
The restaurant’s kitchen was the perfect size to accommodate a track and dolly so we set up to film along the galley in order to show off Baco’s latest product for the foodservice sector: Baco Professional EasyCut Dispenser.
We also made a third film which demonstrates how to refill the dispenser in a few easy moves.
For more information on Baco’s EasyCut range visit http://www.baco.co.uk/products/easycut.shtml or check out www.baco.co.uk for all things Baco!
To the dub!
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Baco’s budget allowed us to book a session with dubbing mixer maestro Paul Roberts.
We love working with Paul because he’s one of the best in the business, his Devon studio is in a stunning location and his wife Geunor is an incredibly talented chef and always rustles up a real treat for lunch (not to mention the home-made biscuits and cakes which keep coming throughout the dub!)
Also, Paul lets us press the buttons – sometimes.
Paul has been dubbing since he was 23 and has worked on a variety of classic shows, dramas and documentaries such as The Two Ronnies, Only Fools and Horses and To the Manor Born for the BBC; Agatha Christie and We’ll Meet Again for ITV; East Timor-Death of a Nation and Burma – Land of Fear for David Munro/John Pilger/ITV. He’s also received numerous BAFTA nominations as well as a BAFTA for his work.
For more info about Paul visit http://www.paulroberts.co.uk
We’re cooking with… Rangemoors!
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We headed off into mid-Devon to shoot three videos for Rangemoors, the stove and cooker specialists.
Located in Winkleigh, Rangemoors’ 6,000 sq ft showroom allowed us to bring in our mini-jib and dolly which we made full use of to showcase the many range cookers and stoves on display. We, er, also made use of the stoves by lighting several - and a few more - for display purposes.
In hindsight it might have been kinder for the crew and Rangemoors’ staff had we suggested a “Dress Hawaiian Day”! It must have been pushing 40 degrees C in the showroom. Still, at least we have first hand experience of just how effective and efficient those stoves can be!
Rangemoors sell and advise on woodburners, woodburning cookers and stoves, open fires, gas stoves, stove maintenance and flue installations but for further information visit www.rangemoors.co.uk
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It’s a wrap with Baco…
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A well stocked fridge, an enthusiastic hand model and several rolls of Baco clingfilm primed for action - and we were ready to start filming the first of our videos for Baco.
The first shoot took place in Bristol and was aimed specifically at retail customers, demonstrating the ease and efficiency of Baco’s new refillable EasyCut clingfilm dispenser.
To get to grips with the product yourself, visit www.baco.co.uk
Deal!
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An overnight stop on one of our shoots provided the perfect opportunity for the crew to test their brains and brawn against the pub quiz machine! A few general knowledge questions and a game of Deal or No Deal later, and we’d managed to earn our drinks for the night – as well as gaining top spot on the scoreboard: Result!
From My Farm Gets Fresh On Film!
We had a fantastic day filming with the team at From My Farm who commissioned a series of video recipes as they provide the perfect opportunity to introduce some of their growers and showcase their produce.
Sally Westwood brought some purple sprouting broccoli from her farm in Yorkshire to create a colourful and nutritious dish while Matt Rawson from Pasture Farm supplied some asparagus and demonstrated a quick and easy way of cooking it which didn’t involve steaming or boiling and was utterly delicious.
Peter Harding, Farm Manager of Rob Stacey’s Farm, provided beetroot to make a colourful salad dish while Janet Oldroyd Hulme, fourth generation of rhubarb growers, paired up with Charlie to make a rhubarb and custard tart.
Chris Heron, leader of Slow Food Bedford, also joined Charlie to cook a locally sourced dinner, featuring roast belly of pork with spring greens and mash. And yes – our mouths were watering throughout the day!
For more information about From My Farm visit www.frommyfarm.co.uk , visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=232993103423 or follow them on twitter http://twitter.com/frommyfarm
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Pics taken by Rob Stevens at www.avarice-images.co.uk
All Aboard The New Enterprise…
We were totally awed by the recently-opened Shropshire Food Centre in Shrewsbury when we called into the centre to film with Chief Executive of Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF), Karen Davies.
The £7million centre was officially opened on 30 June 2010 and is managed by HEFF, the regional food group for the West Midlands. Not only does the centre house 12 purpose built units for regional start-up and growing food and drink businesses but it also provides meeting, training and event facilities as well as a Taste Kitchen which serves up regionally sourced food and drink thanks to HEFF’s Taste Kitchen Development Chef, Ed Warren.
You can find out more about HEFF or the Enterprise Centre via the following links:
Blue Plate Serves Up A Treat
We called in at the Blue Plate Restaurant in Downderry, near Looe, to catch up with top chef Nick Barclay – and decided to shoot an on-the-hoof video recipe featuring some locally sourced mussels from the River Fowey. Totally delicious - and with a nice kick too, thanks to Nick’s clever twist on the dish.
Nick uses local food whenever possible - and as much as possible! To sample some of the best Cornish produce available visit www.blueplatecornwall.com
Sunshine State
It’s not often we get to say this in our South West shoots but we’ve been blessed with the Cornish weather this last fortnight!
We’ve been ultra lucky to be out filming in the glorious Cornish sunshine shooting some coastal scenery over the last two weeks.
We’re filming for a long term project we’ve been commissioned to produce – and are looking forward to when it all comes together next year (even though that seems an aaaage away).
Perhaps we ought to go back and get just a few more shots - while the sun is shining!!? It does make coming back to the office, and into the darkness of the edit room, extra tough though. Oh well, at least we had a chance to top up Vitamin D levels…
Wild About The Wildcat
The QT Wildcat: Rugged, Fast and Reliable. A bit like Hill Tribe Productions!
We put together a short promo film which features the awesome off-roader in action as it did its stuff over some old mining grounds in Devon. The car is produced by QT Services in Liskeard who offer a three model line up – including one in roadcar guise.
For more info about the car, including up-to-date news of rallies and events, or to find out more about the chaps that make it visit: www.qtwildcat.co.uk
To see the vid: http://www.hilltribe.tv/?p=673
It’s All About Convergence!
Convergence Fund Logo
We had a great week working with Business Link South West to produce a film and raise awareness about convergence-funded business support services available in Cornwall.
The film was shot over several days and in several locations including Scientific Services in St Austell, Spiral Construction in Helston and QT Services in Liskeard. The film features Business Link Chief Executive Adam Chambers who introduces the Convergence Fund and speaks briefly about the business scene in Cornwall before viewers hear from the managing directors of the chosen businesses, who speak of their experience of Business Link and how they are benefiting from accessing Convergence Funding.
The film was screened at a Business Link Partner Networking Event which was held to introduce businesses to various support services, provide information on how to access them and the opportunity to meet the providers of the support as well as talk to Business Advisors from Business Link.
For further information about businesses in Cornwall or to find out how Business Link can help your business, click on http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home?site=106&r.s=m or telephone 0845 600 9966
Hill Tribe Gets Creative
A new project, filmed for Image Creative Partnership, saw the crew hot foot it to Havant in Hampshire to make a promotional film about a new product developed and produced by Xyratex (a provider of enterprise class data storage subsystems and network technology).
Hill Tribe can’t say too much about it but the cameraman, director and editor did especially well to get creative with what essentially is… a box! (Admittedly, it’s a highly technical super duper clever box that does amazing stuff but it’s a box nonetheless!)
Thanks to the creative vision of the director and the editor back at H.T. base, both ICP and Xyratex were delighted with the end product.
Hill Tribe Takes To The Wild (2)
Pics from the shoot
Two days after the shoot and the crew are still pretty loved up with QT Services’ Wildcats!
Fortunately, photographer Garry Stuart was busy snapping the crew at work and the Wildcats at play, and he has kindly sent in some pics to help with the withdrawal symptoms…
Garry works as a freelance photographer and is contactable on: garry_stuart@msn.com
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- Garry Stuart Photography
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- Garry Stuart Photography
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- Garry Stuart Photography
Hill Tribe takes to the wild
Setting up in QTs workshop
Hill Tribe crew had an ace day at QT Services (www.qtservices.co.uk) on the final day of filming for our latest project.
The day started off at QT’s workshop in Liskeard, Cornwall where H.T. set up to have a quick chat with Dave Marsh, the owner, before following mechanical geniuses Fraser and Ian as they worked on some of the Wildcats.
After that, it was time for, er, more pasties (Barnecutts Bakers in Liskeard given thumbs up by the crew*) before heading off to the Wildcats’ testing ground to see them in action. Suzie bagged a ride as passenger while Robbie and Jamie filmed dust… and ate most of it too!
Thanks to Dave’s skilled driving, the Wildcat put on a truly awesome display and he has at least three new customers (although it may take them a while to save up for one!). Although H.T. wasn’t filming for QT Services, H.T. will make a promo from the footage for QT’s website – will post a link when it’s up. In the meantime, the footage has been digitised and editing has begun…
* Proper job pasties available here: www.barnecutt.co.uk
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- Setting up in QTs workshop
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- Ian & Fraser at work
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- Hill Tribe’s next crew car
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- Excellent jibbage!
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- Dave’s Wildcat
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- The testing grounds
From Helston to Havant!
It’s been a great but busy week for Robbie, Jamie and co. They’ve been on the road all week, filming across the south-west (and a bit) of England from Helston, Cornwall to Havant in Hampshire for various productions. Crew car’s been loaded up with lots of kit, including the mini jib (see pic) which kept the crew happy. That – and the numerous pasties they’ve been tucking away while on the road!
Welcome to our new website!
Ta daa! Here’s our new look website – and here’s where we will be posting our, er, news!
If you’re after real time news you can follow our tweets @hilltribemedia and if you’re looking to find examples of previous work, then please check out the portfolio section which includes videos and clients’ comments too.