Wednesday 22 May 2013

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.