QUITE A LOT HAS BEEN HAPPENING during the last few months in spite of the effects of Covid-19. The slump in the video production industry has allowed us to look at our internal processes and get up to date with several areas that had been put off and left as ‘to do’ items during 2020.
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We have added a second mini UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to our Inspire 2 cinema UAV to help with planning shots and picture boards prior to the main shoot. Its use in performing a pre-flight survey risk assessment of the intended location has been wonderful. The mini is easier to set up and get airborne and is still able to capture useable 4k footage. In fact when using ND filters, the mini produces great results that can be incorporated into some of the higher end productions. In addition it makes a great practice aircraft to keep our hand in with maintaining our flying hours. Part of the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) requirements to maintain our OA (Operational Authorisation) is ensuring we put in a minimum number of flying hours each month.
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We have added a 16mm lens to the Zenmuse X7 camera platform bringing the total number of X7 lenses up to 5. We have found that the performance of the X7 is so good that it make a great auxiliary hand-held surface camera on a par with an ARRI Alexa Mini. We have added optional hand-rails to the top surface of the Inspire 2 that allows the X7 to move from an aerial to a terrestrial mode of operation. In addition, we can mount a VDU connected to our video wireless network so that the ground cameraman has immediate shot composition and picture focus at the point of taking charge of the UAV. The UAV’s gimbal creates the mechanical stabilisation necessary for tracking and slider motion.
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Talking of cameras we have finally updated the firmware on the 8K 360° VR Camera and got it integrated into service. This high resolution camera enables us to perfectly stitch the 4 lens 360° views using the internal software in a matter of minutes. The end result is we can now produce VR video tours delivered to the client in less than an hour whereas previously it could take several days in post-production.
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On the audio front we have continued development of the ambisonics recording system to match the 360° VR video. In audio post we can convert the ambisonics data into 7.1 surround sound.
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We have created a dynamic, animated, Empathic Productions logo that will preface the start of important work going forward to help brand our identity with the industry and the general public. Click HERE to take a quick look.
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One of the new product/services we have introduced this year is a bespoke book trailer for authors. Similar to the film trailers viewed at the cinema, the book trailer allows authors to showcase and market their work to a larger market. The demand for these is growing and we can see that where social media is concerned their use will eventually become indispensable for authors struggling to raise their profile in an increasingly crowded market. Today, authors are required to market their work and engage with the public whereas many years ago the publisher would take most of the responsibility for book marketing. This move towards author marketing is a result of the shift to self-publishing and print-on-demand technologies. We are currently developing an in-house information video designed to help authors and publishers find their way through the various aspects of using video as a marketing tool so stay tuned. We will announce the availability of that video on this news page, hopefully in the not too distant future.
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Our Portfolio page is steadily growing with new material although we are not always able to show all footage. Occasionally clients engage us on a ‘work for hire’ basis where all footage becomes their property. In those situations we do not have access to the material to place on our website.
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We are now using The Smalls website more frequently to enter submissions for video projects as and when they become available. Recently, we submitted our application to film Leytonstone Loves Film Festival which takes place September 15 – 19. The festival is in its third year and is a growing collective of more than 30 local partners whom have contributed since 2019, including E17 films; We Are Parable; Women Over Fifty Film Festival, Forest Film Club, Apne Film Club, Leytonstone Pop Up Film Club, Last Frame Film Club and many, many more. Leytonstone Loves Film is made by local creatives and residents in partnership with Barbican; supported by London Borough of Waltham Forest and Arts Council England. Whether you are a film fanatic, a newbie or simply looking for something fun to do with your friends and family, this free film festival has something for everyone.
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