Televisual articles from April 2003

Televisual archives from April 2003

Neal goes back to production as Box TV sets up as a mini-studio. (Broadcast).(Gub Neal)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Box TV is to restructure, creating a mini-studio set-up, as founder Gub Neal returns to production with Jimmy McGovern's Gunpowder, Treason and Plot drama for BBC1 this summer. Current md Justin Thomson-Glover becomes ceo, and is joined on...

Cat and Mouse launches with Celador deal. (Broadcast).(Complete Communications to launch new on-air systems company)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Complete Comunications is set to launch Cat and Mouse, an on-air systems company specialising in studio computer systems to control real-time graphics, audience voting, host displays and sound and lighting. The systems are aimed at a wide...

Boost for UK TV exports. (Distribution).(overseas UK television program sales)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Overseas sales of UK television programmes for 2002 outstripped sales for 2001 by nearly 7% according to the British TV Distributors Association (BTDA). The export figure rose from $634m to $666m, with exports to the most lucrative market...

UK ramps up its slate of film fx. (Facilities).(Cinesite Europe, company management)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Vfx facility Cinesite Europe is confident it won't suffer the same fate as its LA-based sister-company, which is being steered by owner Kodak away from effects into digital mastering. Cinesite Europe has won vfx shots on Thunderbirds, with...

Exposure Films. (In Brief).(contract with Jake and Jim)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Exposure Films has signed directing duo Jake & Jim from Godman. The pair's distinctive use of humour and high-end effects has won them numerous awards, including Best New Commercial Directors 2002 at Kinsale. Jake & Jim join with producer...

Runners Careers Information Day. (In Brief).(from Skillset )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Skillset's 2003 Runners Careers Information Day is being heard in April at Kensington Town Hall. Workshops for runners living or working in London are free, but Skillset advises early registration. Freelancers and employees targeted by...

Stink Films' animation arm Skunk. (In Brief).(signs contracts with Kingsize, Acne Characters, and Jan Cafourek)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Stink Films' animation arm Skunk has signed three Swedish directors to its books: Acne Characters, Kingsize and Jan Cafourek The signings add contemporary 2D and 3D cgi to Skunk's existing roster of 3D stop-frame and traditional 2D...

The Shoot. (In Brief).('Televisual' publishes handbook)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... This month Televisual publishes The Shoot, the first in a series of handbooks that aim to plug knowledge-gaps across all aspects of the production process. The first, which deals with the process of capturing material, is compiled with the help...

BBC makes history with major co-production deals. (Broadcast).(with Discovery and NDR)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The BBC, NDR and Discovery will co-produce The Last Days of Pompeii and In Search of the Loch Ness Monster as part of three new international co-production deals. Relying on cgi for dramatic reconstructions, The Last Days of Pompeii...

Initial to produce frock 'n' roll live event. (Corporate).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Endemol JK subsidiary Initial is to produce a fashion and music event, Fashion Rocks. The event is billed as the "consummation of the longstanding love-affair between music and fashion" that dates back to the glam-rock days of David Bowie...

Working Title's forthcoming film Johnny English. (Film).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Caption: Working Title's forthcoming film Johnny English (starring Rowan Atkinson in a reprise of his Barclaycard role, alongside John Malkovitch and Natalie Imbruglla) features titles from Maguffin. The sequence was designed and directed by...

Bazely to make ice-cold thriller. (Animation).(Bazely Films Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... BA2O Entertainment has come on board as UK co-producer for In for the Krill, a "penguin noir" animated theatrical movie based on Greg Holfeld's short Black White and Red All Over. The UK end of the animation will be handled by Bazely Films...

Axis Animation. (In Brief).(collaborated with ad agency The Bridge on two commercials for Scottish Power)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Axis Animation collaborated with ad agency The Bridge on two commercials for Scottish Power. The spots feature an animated outline character who reinforces Scottish Power's drive for lower energy costs and standing charges. The ads were...

Broadcast brand agency Devilfish. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Broadcast brand agency Devilfish is behind a cross-media campaign for interactive games channel Challenge. Commissioned by Flextech to promote the new series of Soap Addicts, the television spots were shot by Simon Neal of Another Film Company...

Firehouse has produced two films for GlaxoSmithKline. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Firehouse has produced two films for GlaxoSmithKline aimed at the company's R&D departments around the world. Let's Do it Right and At the Cutting Edge are both directed by Jonathan Fox-Bassett and aim to show employees some important...

Heidi set to restart production. (Animation).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... TV-Loonland and Canadian animation company Nelvana are set to resume production on an animated version of the children's classic Heidi through UK executive studio, Telemagination. Production on the feature has been halted after co-producers...

Nexus creates Playstation2 how-to video. (Corporate).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Nexus directing team Vehicle is behind an instructional opening sequence explaining-how to set up and use Sony's new Eye Toy for the PS2. The Eye Toy is a camera which sits on top of the TV and projects the player's image onscreen,...

Northern Ireland indie Brian Waddell Productions. (The Green Light).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Northern Ireland indie Brian Waddell Productions has picked up three new commissions including Life after Bay-watch, a one-hour documentary ordered by Chris Shaw for Channel 5. The show follows the cast of the 90s TV show and is produced by...

Tiger Aspect's A Place in France returns. (The Green Light).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Tiger Aspect's A Place in France returns for a new series ordered by Channel 4 daytime's Jo McGrath. The 8x30-minute series is produced by Nigel Farrell and executive producer is Paul Sommers. Highest Bidder, a 6x40-minute series about some of...

The BBC's Blue Planet is getting the feature treatment. (The Green Light).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The BBC's Blue Planet is getting the feature treatment. A 90-minute edit is being made for theatrical release by the BBC and German producer/distributor Greenlight. Oscar-winning composer George Fenton is to write the soundtrack and most of the...

Greenlight Media has also done a deal with Top Notch Productions. (The Green Light).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Greenlight Media has also done a deal with Top Notch Productions to co-finance and co-produce a [pounds sterling]4m-plus package of 16 historical documentaries over the next two years. The first three 60-minute programmes, entitled Great Power...

Twenty Twenty Television is to attempt the impossible. (The Green Light).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Twenty Twenty Television is to attempt the impossible with a live studio show in which members of the public will attempt to send telepathic messages to a receiver. The 90-minute programme was ordered for Channel 5 by deputy factual controller...

Prism Entertainment. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Prism Entertainment has picked up a commission from Fox Kids UK's head of programming Nathan Waddington to make an animated comedy series entitled The Breakfast Bash with Larry and Lee. The one-minute Flash-animated episodes will be sandwiched...

Jim Henson's Creature Shop. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... John Stephenson, creative director of Jim Henson's Creature Shop, has directed a 30-second spot for Velux blinds through production company Krygier Hirschkorn. A group of toys come to life in an attic, opening the blinds to watch the sunset....

The Amazing Adrenalini Brothers' producer Pesky. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Amazing Adrenalini Brothers' producer Pesky has created three 30-second spots for Hasbro's Projax game to run on The Cartoon Network The Flash-animated spots were designed by Claire Underwood. Pesky has also recently completed a trailer for...

Axe falls on BBC new media. (New Media).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Around 100 jobs are to be shed from the BBC's website operations, with the savings being diverted to build technical infrastructure and ramp up iTV services. The cuts come as head of new media Ashley Highfield attempts to slice [pounds...

A shot at Disney for UK producers. (Broadcast).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Disney Channel UK is to open its doors to UK producers for the first time. Previously any UK-produced content to appear on its suite of services -- Disney Channel, Disney Playhouse and Toon Disney -- has been made in-house. A new UK...

RTL hangs on to C5. (Broadcast).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... New RTL chief executive Gerhard Zeiler has said he has no plans to sell Channel 5. Rumours have suggested that Rupert Murdoch's Sky may bid for the channel if UK media ownership rules are relaxed. 5's chief executive Dawn Airey recently...

BSkyB names music channels. (Broadcast).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... BSkyB has announced its plans for its three new music channels that launch this month into an already crowded marketplace. The new services will go head-to-head with MTV and Emap's channels. Flaunt will be pop-based and aimed at teenage...

3G deal for Endemol indie. (New Media).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Endemol-owned indie Zeppotron has signed a deal to provide content for Hutchison 3G mobile handsets. 3G users can send and recieve video-clips up to 60 seconds long. Zeppotron will supply original comedy shorts, animation and sound,...

Communications worth paying for. (The Business News).
April 1, 2003... Communicating costs, says IVCA ceo Wayne Drew, but reaps back the outlay not only financially but socially At this time of international crisis, the contribution that effective corporate communications could make to our economy and our...

Slinky director Michelle Yu is behind the promo for Vegas. (News: Storyboard).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Slinky director Michelle Yu is behind the promo for Vegas, the new single from Norwegian band Clubstrophobia. From a feline view of Silver City, Yu's film finds time to take in the wedding industry and even pay homage to Thelma and Louise.

US agricultural giant ADM has a series of three 60-second spots. (News: Storyboard).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... US agricultural giant ADM has a series of three 60-second spots directed by Bermuda Shorts animator Martin Pick. Featuring his trademark blend of 3D and 20 animation with live-action, the spots were created by Foote, Cone & Belding (Chicago)...

Traktor is behind a series of three ads for Gala Bingo. (News: Storyboard).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Traktor is behind a series of three ads for Gala Bingo, created by Leo Burnett. The spots feature some unlikely behaviour from a dog, a pair of spiders and a considerate car thief.

Robobug is a vision of future warfare. (News: Storyboard).
April 1, 2003... Robobug is a vision of future warfare -- a melding of nano-technology and nature created by BBC Post Production's 3D department to feature in the forthcoming Big Wave series Secret Weapons for National Geographic.

The first of three new spots for Motorola to feature well-known DJs. (News: Storyboard).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The first of three new spots for Motorola to feature well-known DJs, Paul Van Dyk sees the eponymous hero taking a call in a world that sings to his tune. The ad was directed by Academy's Nick Gordon for Ogilvy & Mather (LA), with sfx from MPC....

For his promo for Talespin by Widescreen. (News: Storyboard).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... For his promo for Talespin by Widescreen, Flynn Productions director Sam Brady wrote his own computer program to transform live-action into animated text Brady shot the material on four locked-off DV cameras and created the movement in 3D.

BBC busts Sky's sky monopoly. (Broadcast).
April 1, 2003... A few months back, it looked as though a new special relationship was on the cards between the BBC and Sky. After a history of offering each other the cold shoulder, the two decided to lay down their arms and well-and-truly cosy-up with the...

BBC Technology took on the task of video-encoding for the UK's newest mobile phone company. (Month in Review).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Steamed-up monitors at the Beeb last month when BBC Technology took on the task of video-encoding for the UK's newest mobile phone company, 3. One of the first 3G networks, 3's advantage over its rivals is its ability to send video to phones --...

Ardent Productions. (Month in Review).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... That Ardent Productions would wind up a curious footnote in production history was a given. That it would take nine years to die its slow death was more surprising. Yes, sadly, Prince Edward's adventure in that "wonderful world of fantasy and...

Staying on a British theme. (Month in Review).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Staying on a British theme, it's more English than a cream-tea or a pint of the amber throat-charmer and a Vegemite sandwich. Home and Away now forms part Channel 5's originated-programming -- at least, it does according to the ITC. In a ruling...

Crossroads, ITV's soap cul-de-sac. (Month in Review).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Crossroads, ITV's soap cul-de-sac, will be humanely destroyed later this year after a long illness. Despite revamps, a relaunch and a rebrand to make the show more appealing to a gay audience (which, we presume, has nothing better to do than...

Design worth pitching for. (Graphics).
April 1, 2003... I have headed a design agency within a post-house for over 12 years, so facilities providing design isn't the newest of news (Better by Design, Televisual February). We have always considered it our remit to take responsibility for the...

Schooled in the Oomph Factor. (Broadcast).
April 1, 2003... I'd like to put the other side of the story after seeing Simon Briggs's article, Trainees Lack the Oomph Factor (Televisual February). We run apprenticeship-based, fully hands-on courses in all aspects of TV, film, radio and theatre. For...

Kids deliver verdict on TV politics. (Opinions).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The BBC picked a great week to launch My Dad's the Prime Minister. The new political comedy for kids began its CBBC run on Monday 17 March at 18.25, as prime minister Blair was seeing cabinet resignations follow thick and fast upon Robin Cook's...

Office moves. (Interview Anil Gupta).
April 1, 2003... Anil Gupta has struck comedy gold twice at the BBC, but will his new venture -- a Hat Trick-backed indie with Sharat Sardana and Richard Pinto -- live up to that success? James Hamilton asks him Contrary to popular belief, the biggest...

Spies like us. (In Production Cambridge Spies).(BBC drama)
April 1, 2003... Peter Moffat's four-part series attempts to steer a course around the myth surrounding Burgess, Blunt, Philby and Maclean. James Hamilton reports on a BBC drama already courting controversy Recreating history as drama will always face a...

Lines of communication. (IVCA Awards).(brief description of award winning companies)
April 1, 2003... Convincing clients, both private and public, to spend their scarce resources on an improved communications strategy is a long hard struggle in straitened times. Once again, however, this year's awards provide a showcase of what can be achieved,...

Regional 30.(Barcud Derwen acquisition)
April 1, 2003... And then there was one... Barcud Derwen continues to dominate regional post with a string of buyouts. But who are the contenders waiting in the wings? James Hamilton casts an eye over the 2003 results The round of closures and buyouts that...

Frontline film-making. (Documentary).
April 1, 2003... Away from the press-briefings and the VNRs, film-makers around the world are plugging away at stories that need to be told. Rachel Murrell asks some of them about the risks and techniques of guerilla film-making An intrepid news reporter in...

Development heaven. (Niki Hinman People).
April 1, 2003... With a [pounds sterling]1.5m regional development fund to share out in the west midlands, the UK's first head of commissions development wants to make clear she's not just a soft touch. She talks to Anna Tobin Screen West Midlands is...

Pinnacle debuts Liquid Chrome. (Technology).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Pinnacle is launching nonlinear editing system Liquid Chrome in competition with Avid and Media 100. Adapting the editing software derived from its purchase of Fast Electronic, Pinnacle's [pounds sterling]15k system can edit Mpeg2 4:2:2...

Windows Media gains support. (Technology).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The ninth release of Microsoft's compression technology Windows Media is gathering substantial industry support. It is claimed to deliver a 2:1 compression advantage over industry standard Mpeg4, and is apparently robust enough to be...

MPC has lured two senior colourists to expand its telecine team. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MPC has lured two senior colourists to expand its telecine team. Giles Livesey (far left) joins from Digital Film Lab to work on features at the company's own digital grading facility. And shortform specialist Mark Gethin has signed from...

HD faces battle for mindshare. (Technology).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... A survey of producers' attitudes to recording formats has scotched claims that high-definition is set to take-off. The results instead underscore the dominance of DigiBeta as the broadcast standard. The independent research, commissioned...

Mocap sees facial animation breakthrough. (Technology).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Manchester-based visual science start-up Image Metrics has developed a method of tracking facial movements for export into 3D animated characters. An actor's facial movements are captured by head-mounted camera and analysed in real-time by...

Emuse set to revolutionise iTV. (Technology).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Interactive TV technology developer Emuse has launched a new suite of software designed to reduce the time taken to get iTV applications to air. Aiming to do for iTV what Macromedia did for the web, Modelstream allows TV professionals to...

Lola make loads-a-money. (Facilities).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Lola has made money for a US-aired spot for ING Direct The gimmick in False Alarm is anthropomorphised money for which Lola animated dollar bills in Softimage XSI. Lola md Grahame Andrews says that "although the bills have characters, they're...

Curious Software is releasing gFx. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Curious Software is releasing gFx, a paint, rotoscoping and compositing system. The package (priced from [pounds sterling]3k to [pounds sterling]8k) operates as an extension of Curious's World Maps graphics creation software and is also...

Equipment consultant Sypha has launched the latest version of its free online digital video guide at http://syphaonline.com. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Equipment consultant Sypha has launched the latest version of its free online digital video guide at http://syphaonline.com. A revised search page offers a quick search-by-system name and manufacturer, plus a detailed search by criteria...

German vendor Aist will display its Cinergy nonlinear production system at NAB. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... German vendor Aist will display its Cinergy nonlinear production system at NAB. The result of developments made by the company for the BBC, Cinergy is a PC-based set of software tools claimed to be the first to link every stage in the...

M2 adds Peach and Pepper. (Facilities).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... M2 has finalised the takeover of broadcast house Pepper and short-form facility Peach, parts of the Covent Garden-based post group, Big Finish. The deal provides M2 with access to finishing and telecine suites (including two DS/RD...

VFG claims Asylum studios. (Studios).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Kit hire firm VFG has acquired Wembley-based Asylum Studios from the Sanctuary Group, marking the company's entrance into the studios business. The purchase includes two 9,000sq ft stages with cycloramas and lighting grids. VFG will become...

Barcud buys Picardy Media. (Facilities).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Cardiff based postproduction powerhouse Barcud Derwen has acquired the post arm and corporate production wing of Glasgow's Picardy Media Group for a "six figure sum." Picardy had closed its regional offices after going into administration...

Video ID parades go live. (Technology).(National Video Identification Bureau's new web site)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The National Video Identification Bureau, which creates video ID parades, has officially launched with what is claimed to be Europe's largest editing facility. The Wakefield-based project runs 34 seats of Pinnacle editing software linked...

The good old days are long gone. (The Business the Works).
April 1, 2003... Rob Meddens, the owner of Candor International, argues for a return to basics Times have changed. Out go the bloated, expensive post-houses with their excessive client-pampering. Clients want a facility which can deliver an efficient,...

Prospect mining. (NAB 2003 the Works).(television industry's UK trade show)
April 1, 2003... Attendance may be reduced this year, but innovation will be as prolific as ever at the TV service industry's annual kitfest. And technologies to exchange and manipulate video as digital files will be paramount The National Association of...

Born in the UK. (Red White and the Blues).(Mike Figgis' documentary about blues music in the UK)
April 1, 2003... Mike Figgis's feature-length documentary exploring the birth of the UK blues scene has required some careful attention to the DV capture and fine-tuning at Hackenbacker Mike Figgis was the natural choice to direct one of a seven-part...

Production directory.(list of UK companies offering services to the television industry)
April 1, 2003... THE A - Z OF PRODUCTION SERVICES ACCOUNTANTS BRECKMAN & COMPANY For friendly advice on all of your accounts and tax matters call 0207 499 2292. or visit our website www.breckmanandcompany.co.uk LINDFORD & COMPANY, CHARTERED ...

In my view. (The End).(First half of interview with Miles Ross)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Comedy writer/producer Miles Ross recently formed indie Jones the Film with comedy actor Rob Brydon and his manager Paul Duddridge. A self-confessed TV-addict, the younger brother of Jonathan and Paul Ross explains why he never gets time for...

Hooked on the box. (The End).(second half of interview with Miles Ross)
April 1, 2003... There's a rumour you watch a fair amount of TV... I watch hours and hours and hours and I still miss the stuff that's any good. I get up at seven and the TV goes on straightaway. If I'm in a room with a TV, it has to be on. Where do...

April TX guide: a producer's guide to the month on the box. (The End).(meshed briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Story of Art Deco from Sunday 30 March, 16.00: Channel 5 Three half-hours that wallow in one of the most evocative design phenomena ever, timed to coincide with the current V&A exhibition. Mark Irving presents Uden Associates' series...

Hair-in-the-gate: no-fly-zone over Hollywood for the Oscars. (The End).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... According to Nicole Kidman, the reason she turned up at the 72nd Oscar ceremony in LA was not to collect her Best Actress gong but to stand-up in the name of art against the horrors of war. The reason documentary-maker Michael Moore turned up...