TX were chosen to shoot a new five part BBC One drama, 32 Brinkburn Street, due to be broadcast in March 2011.
This new drama, filmed in Manchester is set in a Georgian terraced and follows the lives of two generations of the same family, one in 1931 and one in 2011. It explores the changing nature of society and the family and was commissioned as part of a special week of programmes for Census Week.
Liam Keelan, Controller of BBC Daytime said, “Over the next year we’re going to be bringing our daytime viewers almost 100 more hours of current affairs, social issues and consumer affairs, as well as nearly doubling factual and drama events from three or four to at least six each year in the same vein as the award-winning Land Girls.”
As preferred suppliers to the BBC, and having filmed several award-winning BBC dramas, including Land Girls, it was not surprising that TX were chosen as the company to capture this new production.
Shooting with 360° cameras in Spain at the Barcelona Training Ground, TX recently filmed a new digital commercial featuring global football star Andres Iniesta wearing the new CTR 360 Maestri II boots and showcasing his skills and mastery of the midfield.
The creative minds from Outsider Advertising Agency recognised the parallel features between 360 filming and the playing standard achievable, from wear of the 360 boots. While the construction of the boots helps maximise performance capability – allowing control and precision from all sides, leading edge 360 video technology captures all the action, from all angles. Both give rise to the most exciting and controlled performance possible.
Following a successful pitch to Nike, Outsider ran with their idea to create the first ever 360 Nike Commercial – and looked for a company that had the experience to deliver outstanding 360° footage.
Outsider turned to TX, as the leaders, confident that their specialist knowledge, backup and range of solutions would help them achieve the standards required. Footage was then edited to be viewable as standard video.
The result? The creation of an outstanding and innovative ad, successfully demonstrating an exceptional new boot.
Take control for yourselves
BBC daytime drama Land Girls, filmed by TX, has won yet more acclaim at this years Royal Television Awards (Midlands) awards, held on 4th November. The series, won Best Drama while leading cast members won in their respective nominated categories: Sophie Ward for Best Actress, Danny Webb for Best Actor and Becci Gemmell for Best Newcomer.
John Yorke, controller of Drama Production and New Talent for BBC Drama said, ‘It’s a brilliant achievement and a lovely tribute to the Doctors team, without whom it could never have happened.’
TX are also responsible for filming the popular drama Doctors. We are currently shooting its 2000th episode.
Over three days in September, TX were involved in Exercise Orion 2010, – a worldwide operation set up to test and review policies developed since 9/11 and to ensure optimum response procedures can be put in place, should a significant natural or manmade disaster occur.
Using 360 video technology, TX filmed a mock-disaster scenario, enabling decision makers and planners to view the scene from all angles. Providing a comprehensive, 360 situational awareness helped identify every risk and possible threat as well as how to deploy resources and maximise safety. Filming of the three-day event, attended by many of the emergency services from Europe and the US, highlighted the need for ‘ISAR’ (International Search and Rescue) departments to work together.
On behalf of Doritos, TX were invited to film a new interactive advertising campaign, using 360 technology.
Working with global award winning advertising agencies including Goodby Silverstein and AMV DDB, TX were responsible for all the footage shown in the new Doritos Late Night Ad. TX filmed 5 bands on 5 continents using the latest 360 degree camera and lighting systems in order to create a never before music experience – a 360 interactive video for “Coming to Get Me”, an exclusive track written and performed by British rapper Professor Green.
The viewer is able to see the action from every angle and is persuaded to keep engaged with the brand for longer, build loyalty and be a very effective marketing tool. Professor Green said: “I always want to push the limits with my music and get my fans to see me in a completely new way. When Doritos suggested filming my performance using 360° interactive technology I thought it was a wicked idea.. It’s been great working with the best and cutting edge technology.”
The video can be viewed on Youtube, the Doritos website http://www.doritoslatenight.com and on iPhone. Once again TX deliver on their commitment of being at the forefront of making moving images work.
“Production Company – Ragdoll
Programme – In The Night Garden
Facilities – Transmission (TX) Ltd”
In the Night Garden, filmed in 2006 by TX for Ragdoll, has been a phenomenal success in the UK with high ratings, awards and press accolades since its launch in Spring 2007. The show has has sold over 1 million DVDs, 2.5 million books and 4.4 million plush toys in the UK alone and won Best Preschool Programme 2010 Broadcast Awards, BAFTA’s for Best Preschool Live Action 2007 and 2008.
As a result of its popularity the world premiere and nationwide tour of In the Night Garden Live, a spectacular musical theatre experience for the whole family will open for a two-week run on the 17th July 2010.
Originally filmed in a woodland location, TX crew were challenged by the numerous stoats, weasels, rabbits and other wildlife that took an interest in the kit, often mistaking it for food! Filming involved re-scaling the characters live on location to ensure Iggle Piggle, Macca Pakka, the Haahoos, Pontipines and other characters could interact and view each other at the relative size they would later appear on screen.
Other collaborations between TX and Ragdoll Limited include the BAFTA winning Teletubbies, which can now be seen in more than 10 countries and territories around the world.
“Production Company – Tigress Productions
Programme – Food Chain
Remote Camera Facilities – Transmission (TX) Ltd”
Tigress Productions have again turned to Transmission (TX) Ltd for advice and a bespoke solution on capturing footage for a forthcoming wildlife documentary, due to be aired in 2011.
The 90 minute program, which is currently in post production, required uninterrupted filming of wildlife in HD, over a three week period in remote parts of Africa. In addition to ongoing consultancy TX provided a comprehensive production unit with a range of specialist equipment including Camball remote control cameras, infrared lighting and sound combined with 24/7 technical support and crew.
Additional collaborations between Tigress and TX include Everest (2005), Beyond the Limit (2007, 2009) and Alone in the Wild (2009).
“Production Company – BBC
Programme – Springwatch 2010
Facilities – Transmission (TX) Ltd”
For the 2nd year running, TX was chosen to work with the BBC for Springwatch – one of its biggest outside broadcasts.
Over three weeks, May-June, TX were tasked to supply specialist cameras and equipment to the wildlife documentary series. Filming took place 24/7 and footage streamed live into the homes of over 4 million viewers each night for three weeks while podcasts were continuously uploaded alongside blog posts and twitter feeds from the presenters and on-line viewers.
This year, it was nature itself that dictated when filming would end. Although filming officially finished last week, a Sparrow Hawk has nested on top of one of TX’s cameras which has required TX to keep some of its equipment on site until the chicks have flown the nest. The warden at Pensthorpe nature reserve, where the series is filmed, believes the Hawk focused in on its choice of location, knowing the heat from the camera would act as a thermal blanket to help incubate the eggs. Details of the importance of heat in the incubation period is talked about online by Chris Packham, one of the presenters.
It would seem the true stars of the show are the wildlife. The BBC has once again succeeded in its aim of allowing its audiences to ‘discover nature and witness real life events as they happen.
“Production Company – North One
Programme – The Gadget Show
Facilities – Transmission (TX) Ltd”
Watch out for TX’s involvement in the gadget show later this month. The shows producers approached TX to discuss the impact of 360 technology and demonstrate its application for today’s markets.
Director of the Gadget Show John Boam said, ‘We contacted TX because of their reputation as leaders in their field and their understanding of this technology. We were extremely impressed with their professionalism, knowledge and expertise and very impressed with the results they produced.’
The 10-part series was aired on Channel 5 and broadcast of TX’s view on 360 camera technology were seen on 16 August at 8pm.
The U5 HD Remote Head has been designed to accommodate the emerging range of HD and SD Remote Cameras. Built with a slim profile and yet powerful, smooth and fully featured.
The internal mechanics are very precise with extremely low backlash. Clutches are fitted on both axis to aid rigging and protect the servo gearboxes from damage. The tilt clutch is externally adjustable to aid camera balancing and has a hollow shaft to allow cable routing.
The U5_HD Remote Head allows full downwards looking camera angles with cable clearance between the camera back and the stirrup.
Data is sent using RS485 which allows ranges of over 1km on twisted pair cable. For camera control this is converted to the appropriate camera protocol inside the head for communication with the camera. This can be RS232, RS485, LANC or many other standards. Up to 10 heads can be ‘daisy-chained’ on the same data cable and up to 64 heads can be supported on a system.
Two radio data receivers are fitted internally on independent frequencies for full radio control. This technology has been fully tested and delivers trouble-free operation on many other units around the world.