Tuesday 27 September 2011

Blog Wan!?


Hi loyal followers and readers of the ever growing Camberwell Studios Blog,

Your trusted writer has just returned from a fantastic trip to Jamaica (hence the wagwan title!)
During my trip I had the chance to speak to some local artists representing some Reggae, Dancehall, Ragga and Soul.

We recently welcomed Chrome to the Studios with his family. Chrome are big in Jamaica’s clubs and halls and regularly hold meets and dance events and heavily include the local community both in Jamaica and in the UK. 
Check out Chrome Baby and his new single shot at Camberwell Studios on Channel U very soon!



We have had some great interest in our Production Packages. People have responded well to the prices and simplicity so we continue to develop this area. Luckily we have met lots of producers, directors, camera ops and production managers that have shown us some very key points to creating cost effective pieces to camera, on time and in budget.




To continue the theme of introducing the Camberwell Studios team, We have Aude, our lovely housekeeper who is in today. She cleans and locks up for all of you late Studio finishers getting your cutaways, noddys and last gasp shots. Aude is a great asset to the team and she has a good knowledge of the work and requirements in the Studio.



Today we have a dog charity shooting with lots of cute dogs running about on a green screen treadmill. This Jack Russell, 'Brazen' has a cheeky look in his eyes and he may well prove to be trouble! Think the Dogs are having some trouble keeping on the treadmill.





Talking of Animals running riot in Studios we welcome the Blue Peter Team to the Studios to film their brand new opening titles.  
Older readers may remember the hilarious clip of the elephant causing havoc in the Blue Peter Studio. Lets hope Brazen doesn't cause the same mischief!




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Until next time...

Sam Parkinson - Studio Manager


Monday 5 September 2011

Blog Off


Hi Camberwell Studio regulars,

This week has been totally dominated by the Street Fit dancers for their new promo video. The shots look amazing. Using a selection of streak filters, jib shots, moving lights and lasers the team have created a gritty, colourful, powerful promotional video.

What’s the best way to make a pancake? Well it combines- Water, flour, and a snow machine! That was the state of our Studio floor after our director; Piers Verno Kell,had his creative way on the street Fit shoot. He achieve some great results  using slow motion shots, lasers, baby oil, moody lighting and a snow blower to give some really unique footage. The studio and our staff really showed what is capable.  We also managed to wrap on time and get ready for a whole new day of green and white screen shooting.

Street Fit is one of our major productions. Stay tuned for some fantastic backstage images, and look at their Facebook page for more info. Set design by Lorraine and her wonderfully artistry. Speakers were provided by Ligwa and made the set design look really cool. Many thanks to them for their support.





Also at the studios this week we welcome back Stewart Buck and his documentary crew. Stewart and his colleague, Stephane are massive fans of the 1982 film ‘The Keep’, directed by Michael Mann and in very much the same way as Ridley Scott’s ‘Blade Runner’, the film was a massive controversial mess of a movie. With over-running, over budget, in-fighting and ground breaking special effects to boot. For this, and many other reasons, Stewart and his team have been on a quest to piece these production stories together, with the aim to produce a ‘making of’ section and inspire the Studios to release a director’s cut.
Stephane was inspired by the Monster creation in ‘The Keep’ and based his life on special effects work. Creating Monsters, Aliens and demons from all manner of films including, Jurassic Park, Lord of the Rings, Alien, Predator among many others. 



We wish them luck on interviewing cast and crew members and we hope they get the commission they deserve to bring this historic Movie back to life.

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Until next time...

Sam Parkinson






Friday 2 September 2011

Blog the Day Away






Hi to all Camberwell Studio followers, both on Twitter and Facebook.

Also Hi to all Notting Hill Carnival attendees and artists representing many different cultures. I had a great time at the Carnival and had the chance to chat to few guys backstage about the music scene and future projects Camberwell Studios can collaborate on. 

Our studio was represented at the carnival in the form of our resident Trinidadian, Lorraine (seen below with 'The Gadgets Show's, 'Jason Bradbury') our graphics designer, Studio technician and fabulous artist. 

 She designed and painted our lovely entrance sign ( further below) in the Trinidad Style. Lorraine’s also in a steel pans band so she has many talents including budget music video production seen here. This video was shot at the studio using our gritty urban surroundings, garden and warehouse sections which are perfect for urban/ industrial music videos.


















Also this week the debate over the Canon 7D vs. 5D Mark II DSLR range. This argument was put to the test as we welcome a regular corporate client into the studios who had been previously using a Handicam to make his short pieces to camera to be used on his website. Recently demand for his work has pushed him into DSLR territories and his booking was a chance to test the ups and downs of DSLR’s including its audio downfalls (no gain control etc). This debate could make this blog go on forever so please see the best forum I found on-line for this argument and use the range of advice from these experts who see the 2 cameras differently. Me? I would go for the 5D mark ll. 

Please continue to join our mailing list, ‘like’ us on Facebook and tweet with us on Twitter where we will continue to update and delight with random and amusing tit-bits from Studio life.