Cherwell Case Study

We recently completed a case-study film for Cherwell, a software company that provides IT Service Management Solutions.

They asked us to work with them and provide a format for their initial case-study film, based at the University of Wolverhampton. And what do you know, February gave us a blue sky day for the filming - that's rare!

The client required a informative film which demonstrated real-world experiences of their clients when choosing and working with Cherwell software solutions.

We recorded some heartfelt and genuine responses from the university, prompted by a well planned script we wrote beforehand with the Cherwell marketing team during the planning stage.

In addition we recorded some great cutaway shots of the software in use and the wider situation of the University using both a dolly and job/crane equipment for that extra production value that is so important to make your film standout from the crowded marketplace.

We can work with any format, film for any occasion and have a dedicated producer, DOP and sound recordist for each project. The end product is always high quality and well structured, and we always pride ourselves in maintaining regular and accurate communications with our clients and crew along the way.

Cherwell Case Study from Cherwell Software on Vimeo.

It was a real pleasure working with the team at Cherwell and their clients at Wolverhampton University and we look forward to working with Cherwell again in the near future.

"Great job guys, this is a very well-produced video... great content, transitions and production" - Dave Kolb, Cherwell Software.

Retro Sound Design for Apps

We have been working with a few app developer companies and recently had the pleasure of working with the development team at Moonbright Innovations. They approached Dreambase Studios with a request to create catchy, retro sounds and music for their game Mission To The Moon [MTTM], a highly addictive game that has a simple concept; get to the moon in one piece! Once you get there, you then make your way back...but with a twist of course! The game offers a retro feel, with progressive difficulty levels as expected, but there are plenty of other changes that keeps you entertained. The playability of the game will be off the scale and you'll encounter birds, planes, balloons, satellites and even aliens! Below is a sample of the stunning graphics for 'MTTM' - created by the superb Alix Briskham.

As we are passionate about sound, it was only right to use some old 'retro' equipment we had lying around (well, that Alex has collected over the years), including an old BBC Micro and a Casio PT-30. Our approach resonated with the developers at Moonbright Innovations as being a techie company, they also have a stack of retro gear, including a Mattel Aquarius would you believe. We also made contact with Swindon's very own Museum of Computing who were also up for us sampling some old, retro equipment. "We pretty much have one of everything from 80's computing" - Ashley Shepherd.

We were very pleased with Andy Ward's (co-founder of Moonbright Innovations) reaction after hearing the temp music that we came up with. "Hahaha, you can just imagine a ZX spectrum or similar playing this, it's brilliant [Andy Ward MBI]"

We are also working with Moonbright Innovations on other projects and they are currently creating an amazing film app that will offer not only interaction for films, but also keep the fans updated on news, content and progress of films with a rather neat -right-to-buy- at the end of it.

Moonbright Innovations have more neat ideas including the Horse Buyer app, Class Books app and their eBook range. We really enjoyed working with Moonbright, like-minded professionals with innovative ideas in their field of expertise. We have some great ideas too and we look forward to an innovative and exciting future together.

'Mr Wiggles' - the sound process of a short film

Type in Mr Wiggles to Google and what do you get? A load of entries for the rap artist Mr Wiggles. However the penultimate entry on page one of Google – last time I looked – refers to another Mr Wiggles. This is far more interesting – to me at any rate.



Mr Wiggles is a Swindon-based short film, written and directed by Steve Ware and co-directed by Steph Palmer. In late 2011 Steve asked Dreambase if we’d be able to spare some time over a couple of weekends to record the location sound for the film and to act as sound supervisor and co-production on the project. As with all ‘no/lo-budget’ projects we were naturally skeptical, so asked Steve for a draft script so to read what it was all about. First read and we were hooked by this powerful family drama and simply had to be involved.

We went to recce the location with Steve and Steph a month or so before filming to get bearings on the situation – this being a large run-down farmhouse on the side of an A-road and an accompanying large barn, open at the sides. The immediate impression was the sound of the road nearby. As a sound recordists we're always thinking about the final product when making decisions on sound. Thinking about what we can get away with in terms of dialogue and how we can perhaps ‘cover’ up the sound of passing traffic if need be, especially for the exterior barn shots. Lot’s of close-up shots come in handy here, where we could get the boom in a close as possible to maximise the signal (dialogue) to noise (passing traffic) ratio.

During the recce we made some atmos and room tone recordings which could later be used in the film. We also recorded the sounds of the farm animals as we expected to be using some of these during the post production process. After all, the sound of a snorting pig pitched down can be quite dramatic!! We also ended up banging and hitting various farm implements, including a large rusty spring on the back of a grass cutter, which was later pitched and used in the trailer for effect.

Main shooting of the film took place over two consecutive weekends in November 2011. The first weekend turned out to be very cold with near or sub-zero temperatures for most of the time due to to a constant wind entering the open side of the barn we were filming in. Lots of layers, hats, balaclavas, scarves and gloves were required, as well as plenty of hot drinks! We were ably assisted on sound by Samantha and 2nd sound assistant, Shannon to record notes for each take. We were lucky to have such a comprehensive crew on this film, whose unyielding efforts really contributed to the quality of the final product.

The second weekend’s shooting was a little easier as many more of the shots were in the house so less effected by traffic noise and a lot warmer too!

Following a very intense but ultimately successful shoot we were now into post production. Initially we'd  offered to compose the music for the film, as well as doing the sound design, edit and mix. This initially seemed like a good idea and a first composition was some original music for a music box which is featured heavily in the film. Steve was keen that we have an original score for this which was duly delivered. The main music score was a different proposition and Alex was feeling under pressure to deliver as well as keeping our regular paying clients happy. Fortunately around this time we were introduced to composer Michelle Eaton through a mutual friend. We were immediately impressed by her compositions and asked if she might like to get involved in the film. She said yes! We'd been messing about with a couple of ideas, which basically consisted of a series of nine notes!! A catchy riff but very far from a proper film score. These were played to Michelle and a week later she had transformed the initial ideas into something wonderful and immediately engaging. A few tweaks later and we had a main score for the film. From this Michelle composed a series of moods to go with the unfolding of the film.

The last music track in the film was written and performed by Daniella Faircloth andMatthew Mordak. It was recorded and mixed the music at Dreambase Studios and a music video was later created for the song at the film’s location.

At this time the picture edit was more or less complete so we were editing/processing the dialogue and adding fx and atmospheres to the soundtrack. We’d already completed a short teaser trailer for the film with some temp music, which was later changed using Michelle’s score. Michelle’s music was the last element to be laid up to the main project and this is pretty usual for most films. Ideally the composer would be bought onto a project at pre-production stage but logistically this doesn’t always happen. The music was track-layed using Michelle’s notes and with some further editing and mixing we were approaching a theatrical mix which could be played back in the local multiplex for the premiere. We had a couple of evening sessions at the studio with the core team to go through the soundtrack and get approval before it was mastered out and married with the graded picture, ready for the first showing. When the crew actually have tears in their eyes in the studio you know you’ve done a god job; emotions were running high – in a good way!!

Next event was the screening in the local multiplex cinema. We'd mixed the film knowing it was going to be re-played in this environment so were pretty confident everything would be played back at the right level and all the dialogue would be understood. The sold-out charity premiere was a superb night and marked the end of the first stage of the film’s progress.

Mr Wiggles has so far been shown on the festival circuit in Asia and is currently showing in America.  Dreambase Studios wish it all the very best, especially given the hard work, commitment and attention to detail from everyone involved.

You can keep updated on Mr Wiggles via the Facebook page here.

Mr Wiggles is about the imaginative distraction we all desperately desire from reality. The film takes the lives of two young children’s desperate escape, into a world created for protection. But for Amber and Nathan, it’s only a matter of time before reality, catches up.

myHealthPal - Visualising Health

We were approached by Mike Barlow, founder of myHealthPal, in collaboration with Ross from Firebird Films to produce a film that was simple, slick and demonstrated this innovative idea. Mike was diagnosed with Parkinsons at the age of 42 and with a background in IT, has come up with a very clever healthcare initiative that has been created by patients & carers for people living with long-term medical conditions such as Parkinson's.

Working closely with Mike and Ross, we took the initial scrip that Mike sent through and cut down to around 2 minutes, a little tricky to get everything in without rushing as Mike also has a full-time job. As always, it really paid off to plan before going into the studio and whilst the scrip was being firmed up, Ross was researching ideas for look and style of the film, coming up with a rather neat grey background that was created with clever lighting. Using the Sony FS700, the shoot went seamlessly with the help of Darren Potter and of course, recording great location sound to accompany the film is a given with Dreambase. We were back in the studio editing before we knew it.

As Mike was working to a tight deadline we had to streamline workflow so whilst the content was being edited, revised and CG graphics being added, we selected appropriate music and created a quick mix on the Adams back at the studio. Coupled with a quick grade the video was signed off and ready to upload to the client, in time for a funding application to be submitted on-line by the 6th June. Quick, slick and professional is how we roll.

We wish Mike all the very best with the presentation and we look forward to working with him again in the near future. We have worked with Firebird Films on many occasions, we have some really exciting projects coming up in the near future and as Ross said "we make films not videos" which is bang on the money as all our content is fit for the big screen and we've taken many projects into the cinema and will continue to do so.

myHealthPal from Dreambase Studios on Vimeo.

A little more about Mike Barlow and myHealthPal:

MyHealthPal Visualising Health - winner of 'one to watch for 2013' and 'best tech entrepreneur'.

Advance Housing Association DVD

Production

Dreambase were approached by Firebird Films and asked not only to create a great sounding project, but produce something unique, something that would stand out, take a film approach to it all. Although the project was ultimately intended for DVD, we were all keen for it to be screened in the cinema, pushing the boundaries for corporate projects. We had to create a 'How to complain' film that not only did what it said on the tin, but also capture the audiences attention for the 12 minute duration. Ross wanted to shoot in a studio environment on the Red ONE film camera, using green screen. We'd seen the film 'A Scanner Darkly' using rotoscoping techniques and we decided to animate the backgrounds and use the rotoscoping technique in a minimal form, mainly on the cups.

At the studio, creating the rather amusing end credits

We wanted the project to be rich in layers, visually interesting, with a quirky script and great sound. John Kay, our main contact at Advance UK really wanted the film to be engaging, interactive and fun. He also wanted the Advance customers to get involved with all aspects of the film from the script stage, acting and foley sound to creating the artwork that's hanging on the frames in the film. The end result is an engaging 12 minute film that has texture, dynamics and fun, not to mention a very clear message but is also interactive (see DVD menu).

Mark Capturing Stop Frame Animation Credits with Ross.

Mark working on a boolean table for the endless (48) possibilities for the interactive DVD menu.

The final film is also fully inclusive and has subtitles, BSL sign-language and even an audio-description option, which I think maybe a first for a corporate project to have all 3! It's so refreshing to work with companies like Advance and Firebird Films who want to push the boundaries, care about quality and being a little different too.










Sound

We provided location recording for the studio-based film production. This also included the recording of voice-overs to be added to the final film production in post, guided by script supervisor Maria Vickers.

Alex at Sandstorm Studios, sound recording on the Advance shoot

As part of the post production process we needed to record Foley sounds. These sounds of footsteps, cups being put down and tea slurping, etc. were required to reproduce some reality to the studio environment in which the film was recorded.

Advance Customer in the Foley session

From the outset Advance were keen for the their own clients to be involved in the process of recording the Foley effects. Whilst Alex recorded and supervised the Foley session, all the actual reproduction of the Foley sounds were carried out by two of the residents themselves. Some of the sounds recorded included, footsteps, cups, slurps, paper ripping and cutting, amongst many other effects required to complete the soundtrack. Check out the Behind The Scenes Film above at 2:30 to see more details of the sound process.

Music was especially written for the film by Jack Watson with performances by saxophonist Ray Stephens and Advance HA's very own John Kay!

Clients at Dreambase Studios during the music session

Mixing was carried out in the traditional way with dialogue, music and effects stems to make up the final stereo soundtrack to be used for both cinema and DVD playback.

Alex mixing up the Music, Dialogue and Effects (not to mention Foley & Atmos!)

Premier and Awards

In true 'Dreambase' fashion, we treat every project as if it was for the big screen, taking a film approach to all aspects of the project, including quality of image and sound. John at Advance liked the idea of having a film premier for the customers of advance, press and local companies. We have an understanding and passion for the cinema, so we provided support throughout production, post-production and even in preparation leading up to the screening, hand-holding everyone through rehearsals and tweaks to ensure the show would go ahead, uninterrupted. This is what the majors do with their films (Warner, 20th Century Fox, Disney etc) so why should it be any different with an important corporate client. We have great relationships with cinemas and in this case, received fantastic support and co-operation with Steve Wright at Cineworld at Whitney on this occasion which made everything possible. We creating a HD master, playback on a 2k projector with Dolby surround sound. We certainly look forward to the next cinema event and working closer on future projects with Cineworld.

A selection of pictures from the film premier at Cineworld.

Since the premier at Cineworld, the project has gone on to win an award for Best use of video at the Institute of Internal Communications (IoIC), beating entries from the likes of National Grid with comments such as "A great and unique way to create a memorable message that leaves all the usual corporate help videos behind" John Kay and "Fantastic – put a smile on this ‘seasoned’ judges face – thanks for entering".  

For more information, please check out this link. We look forward to working with Advance UK, Cineworld and Firebird Films on future projects.

John Kay receiving award for Best Use of Video at the IoIC

The cast and crew on the set of the Advance shoot

How to Complain is a short film that explains what a complaint is, and how Advance customers can complain to us if they are not happy.

We made the film because we know that some people feel awkward about complaining. Advance customers wrote the script, came up with the ideas for the scenes, acted in the film, provided the sound effects and created the artwork which appears in the film. We made the film particularly for people who find reading difficult. So we have included a Sign Language version, subtitles and an audio description.


Red carpet excitement as new film gives people a voice

A GLITZY movie premiere links James Bond and David Beckham with a charity that supports people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. But the real star is the message it sends out. Witney-based Advance's How To Complain is written and performed by their customers who explain how to tell the charity when it gets things wrong.

Produced by Dreambase Studios' Mark Kenna, directed by Firebird Films - Ross Mackenzie, the short film's big stars are the four leading actors - Advance customers Antony O'Dell, Claire Crombie, Paul Ward and Theresa Brind.

For the full press release.
BBC Oxford Radio Interview.

Windrush Medical Practice

Dreambase Studios worked with Silicon Practice to create a “Welcome” video for Windrush Medical Practice homepage. Featuring an introduction and guided tour by Dr Stephen Smith, the video combines the opportunity for new and existing patients to view the new premises at the Medical Practice, with the chance to see how the ethos of the Practice has influenced the design of the building and patient care.

Dr Smith said “We were keen to show off our new building,  and raise the practices profile with patients and prospective clinical and non-clinical staff. The filming of the video was actually quite fun and performed very professionally. We were able to have input in to the editing and were very pleased that the end result accurately portrayed our values as well as the facilities.”