To watch it in HD, play the video then click the HD button on the bottom right. Click the fullscreen button to watch it nice and large!
Playing HD video is hard work for a computer, so it may stutter even when it’s buffered. If it doesn’t play smoothly and you’d like to watch it in HD, then the Google Chrome browser is worth trying. You can download and install it from here.
After 8 months of production, our concept trailer CINDERS is now ready!!! Unlike a short “normal” trailer, this is a longer proof-of-concept piece. CINDERS has not been made yet, this was a test – a BIG test! Think of it as a summary of what CINDERS could be…
Every shot in the video is from a scene that was filmed in its entirety. Now we have over 35 scenes to use to evaluate our production, story, shooting style, visual effects and look and feel; after all CINDERS is nothing like any other film! With the release of this trailer, we can now prepare for the filming of CINDERS taking place in June and July 2010.
But there isn’t JUST this trailer – CINDERS is a musical, we are still finishing off a couple of test songs ready for release… very soon…
It is Ten years since we started Filming our first Star Wars spoof, The Empire Strikes Backyard!!! Little Luke was barely nine months old! Our resident Poet Laureate of the Yard recounts the story that was the making of TESBY. We dare you to understand…. [Read more]
This weekend, some of the TENCLO cast travelled to Cardiff to see it screened at the Chapter Arts Centre, where it was given a rapturous welcome by staff and audience alike.
Being the home of Dr Who and Torchwood, Cardiff is no stranger to science fiction. But this weekend, it saw Backyard Productions’ own spin on the genre, and from the response, it wasn’t quite what they were expecting.
The Chapter Arts Centre showed its modern image was more than just a lick of paint by screening The Emperor’s New Clones as part of their Fan-Tasia season. Many of the cast had driven for hours to see it on the silver screen again, and nervously awaited the response. Luckily for them it was laughter all round from the opening crawl to the end credits. Those that hadn’t seen it before were impressed by the visual effects and original humour.
Afterwards, Darren answered questions on the film regarding matters such as time and costs. Then, before settling down to drinks at the famous bar, the guests were ushered into another cinema. Some youngsters had started playing Lego Star Wars on the big screen! It was surreal, but maybe it will inspire them too.
Backyard Productions thanks Steve Sullivan and everyone at the Chapter Arts Centre for showing such enthusiasm for its work.
Backyard Productions has returned from 24 hours of pain to be recognised as one of the top five adverts entered in HYPtv’s 24-hour ad challenge (in association with Johnnie Oddball, M&C Saatchi and the ICA.)
BYP was selected as one of 20 teams (from 400 applications) to take part. The task (revealed in the first hour) was to create an advert for the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London, on the theme of “Now”, completed within 24 hours of the briefing on the 7th November.
Filming on the South Bank, in China Town and Soho, team 2 placed a large gift box wrapped in a bow, symbolising the concept of now, to capture the public’s interaction with it. “The aim was to see people walking past the box, with the inference that most people are too busy to seize the moment,” explained Ed Hollingsbee, Creative Director.
The Judging panel were Alan Yentob (Creative Director of the BBC), Graham Fink (Creative Director M&C Saatchi), Designer Peter Saville, Sophie Fiennes and Patrick Burgogne (Editor of Creative Review).
The success was a welcome surprise. “We’ve always been more than just about fan-films,” says Executive Bully Darren Scales, ”but with help from our attached experts, Steve and Nyall, this time we have really pushed ourselves to be truly creative.”
This is Backyard Productions first finished project in HD. The start of a new era! A big well done to the BYP team!
Ready, steady, go… Backyard Productions has been selected to take part in HYPTv’s 24-hour ad challenge on 7th-8th November.
Out of a list of 200 applicants, Backyard Productions has been selected as one of 20 teams to take part in a 24-hour ad challenge on 7th-8th November organised by M&C Saatchi, HYPTv, ICA and Johnnie Oddball of The Movieum in London.
The winning advertisement will be shown at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) for eight weeks. Just by being selected to take part, our work will be reviewed by big names such as Alan Yentob (BBC), Graham Fink (M&C Saatchi), Peter Saville (designer) and Patrick Burgogne (Creative Review). Being only 60 seconds, it will probably be our shortest work yet!
Each filmmaking team of up to six is paired with an advertising duo, and given their brief by 10am on Saturday. Both teams then work together to create a concept for, film and produce their 60-second ad, to be submitted by 10am the next day.
Get your popcorn ready… Backyard Productions’ biggest Star Wars film is showing on the big screen again, at the Chapter Art Centre, Cardiff on 14 November 2009.
CLONYY yng Nghymru
The Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff, one of the largest and most innovative arts centres in Europe, will be showing our Star Wars-spoof, The Emperor’s New Clones, as part of a series of fan films. And what’s more, to see our fan-film sequel on the big screen again will cost you nothing, but you will still need to book a ticket (click here).
“This is a really excellent opportunity to showcase our work,” says Darren Scales, Backyard Productions’ ‘Bwlio Gweithredol’, “and it is always great to work with people that show such strong commitment to film.”
And you won’t have long to wait – it will be on Saturday 14th November at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. As if that wasn’t all, you’ll get to meet some of the crew that made the film. We at Backyard Productions would like to say a big diolch yn fawr to the folk at Chapter.
Time: 3 pm
Date: Saturday 14th November
Place: Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff
Filming for the Cinders Trailer is all over. We’ve all put in lots of work and produced a mountain of footage for Darren to get through. Thank you, everyone, for making it happen so far. You can all give yourselves a pat on the back, and here’s a big thank you from everyone at Backyard Productions. [Read more]
written by Kevin Harper
(film references provided by Nick Long and Mark Scales)
It was just an ordinary marquee, and I was on an ordinary camping chair with little Ben asleep on my chest. The only sounds were the occasional leaves and conkers dropping onto the white plastic roof and the tweeting of birds in the trees. The smell of pine cones and needles wafted in, which Ben savoured with each little breath. Suddenly there was a rustling by the open entrance beside us. A squirrel was creeping up to see if we would stir, fascinated by the array of strange objects on the grass. He was probably more interested in the banana bread half unwrapped from its foil or the flapjacks carefully shut away in their tin, but that was not all that was there. A monitor was protected in a green plastic box tipped on its side, resting on a tea trolley. There were other boxes with a cornucopia of leads spilling over the edges, strange clothes wrapped in plastic on one of the many other camping chairs. From somewhere not far into the forest, the silence was broken by a human voice:
“Cut!”
This was no ordinary forest, this was Pinewood; Pinewood Studios, or more specifically, the location gardens back lot at Pinewood Studios. In another part of this fairytale world the magic was happening once again. There we were, camped within a stone’s throw of The Devil’s Breath from The World is Not Enough; and not far away was the lake along which there was to be a clashing of swords, the forest path where an old woman was to be gathering firewood, the stone overgrown bridge where our heroine was to retrace Connery’s steps in From Russia with Love, running from the man she only just met a few hours before in the woods.
Ben and I needed that nap to save up the energy we needed for the things to come. We were to throw stones into the water with a ‘plop’ from the little wooden bridge many famous steps had crossed. We were to watch the fountain from the water’s edge where many a period-costumed artiste had taken afternoon tea. We were to walk along the manicured yew-hedged avenue featured in The Tudors, into the eclectic building of constantly-changing styles. Firstly it was an art deco conservatory with a back garden we intruded on, next it was a pink modernistic affair before gently turning into a Georgian mansion around the corner. This has been there for years, like the deeply-rooted tree outside, but a wooden door with painted-on brickwork left you wondering which bits had not.
Inside we were to see the domed foyer with awards behind glass screens and pictures lining the corridors from all the best movies from the best epochs of cinema. You got a glimpse of what it must be to have been there; the bulky cameras with canapé-platter reels, puny scaffolding poles supporting solid-looking structures. The stars had engrained their presence here.
But the most fascinating spell had been cast a little way from our encampment. The enchanters had created a fairly simple-looking street scene. Even little Ben could understand that it was two-dimensional and held up by a climbing frame of scaffolding, but there was something more. Each detail of these stone façades had been conjured so perfectly that, as you trod on the stone steps, unevenly weathered by so many boots, it still took you by surprise to hear the hollow clunk of wood under your feet.
And, as something was brewing in the cave, the Backyard team were mixing together their own blend of the real and the fantastical to make our own indelible mark on this surreal place. As the conkers intermittently fell on the roof, the birds sang in the trees and hopped along the fallen leaves in the late September sunshine, we drifted from one dreamland to another, keeping one eye open for the squirrel.
The script/song writing, tech tests, set/prop building and costume acquiring/modifying all came together on 27 August when BYP began filming the concept trailer for Cinders.
BYP were thrilled with the number of volunteer extras and crew that endured so much; everyone involved has done an amazing job! The talent and commitment of the actors has proven invaluable in bringing the characters to life.
Executive Bully of BYP, Darren Scales enjoyed a more hands off approach during filming, compared to previous projects. It could have appeared he wasn’t actually doing anything! But in fact he oversaw all the elements of film making – making sure Nick Loven, his Director of Photography, knew what he wanted to see onscreen, and giving the actors input on how to portray the characters.
So far, BYP have filmed at Lincoln University’s TV studio, Sundown Adventure Land, and Ashby Hall. The select few that have been invited are very excited about the final filming weekend, in Pinewood Studios…
At Lincoln University, excellent use was made of the space and abundant blue screen (although that did mean Buttons had to wear a more purple shade of blue). Mark Scales and Dom Gilvary set up a recording studio to capture all the singing for the trailer. Everyone contributed their voice (multiple times) for the choruses.
The staff and guests at Sundown Adventure Land were very accommodating, allowing BYP to capture great exterior shots, including the big opening song and dance number. There was an extraordinary number of extras and crew, ready with costumes and dance moves. They all did a fantastic job and filled the locations, allowing for wide expansive shots.
Ed Hollingsbee, Dom, Nick and Ash Pay experimented with a number of special effects to create new illusions. We have the footage now, and it’s down to the VFX team to put the shots together with each other and computer generated visual effects to bring the vision to the screen.
Cinders has been an opportunity for BYP to continue to push production values, sets and costumes to new highs. However, the depth of the story and quality of acting in Cinders are the key factors that are now taking BYP beyond parody. The whole gang are very excited about the footage recorded so far. There’s massive contrast of funny moments and very dramatic moments. It’s full of the classic BYP magic, but with something extra this time!
Last weekend (August 1/2) Backyard Productions had the first tech test weekend for the Cinders project. It was an opportunity for many of the cast and crew to meet and get to know each other. The focus of the weekend was on testing of costumes, filming techniques and set pieces. Also, fun was had acting out a selection of scenes from the script. The actors gave interesting slants on the characters, which gave Mark and Sue (the script writers) food for thought.
The weekend was spent at the TV studio at Lincoln University. It’s a fantastic facility. Ed (BYP’s design director) loved the big blue screen curtains. There is also a smaller studio next door with 360 degree blue screen that could give lots of flexibility.
This is the first time Backyard Productions has worked with professional actors, and it was certainly exciting to see what we can achieve. Everyone was blown away by the performances given by the actors. This project is much more story and character centric than previous projects. Based on the performances over the weekend, BYP and the Cinders team will have no trouble moving audiences through a medley of emotions.
BYP’s tech experts have plenty of footage to try visual effects on and find the best ways to produce the Pantomime look and feel in a movie. Further tech weekends will allow Ed, Jon, Nick and the rest of the graphics and filming gang to refine filming techniques to be able to produce immersive effects.
Caroline (the costumes lady) got all the actors and extras dressed up. She’s cataloged all the costumes we’ve loaned from RAFTA. Big thanks to them! Working with Ed, she’s started putting together full costumes for the lead characters and is planning what else we need to borrow, steal and produce.
The next weekend is planned to be in a couple of weeks. The focus will be on set and prop building. To find out details and get involved in the project, contact us here.
Ed made a timelapse video of the weekend’s activities, which shows the bustle of of people and activity in the fantastic studio over the course of the weekend:
And here’s a taster of a the Ballroom scene test with our Prince (James) and our Cinderella (Tiffany):
The Chapter Arts Centre showed its modern image was more than just a lick of paint by screening The Emperor’s New Clones as part of their Fan-Tasia season. Many of the cast had driven for hours to see it on the silver screen again, and nervously awaited the response. Luckily for them it was laughter all round from the opening crawl to the end credits. Those that hadn’t seen it before were impressed by the visual effects and original humour.
Ready, steady, go… Backyard Productions has been selected to take part in HYPTv’s 24-hour ad challenge on 7th-8th November.
Ben and I needed that nap to save up the energy we needed for the things to come. We were to throw stones into the water with a ‘plop’ from the little wooden bridge many famous steps had crossed. We were to watch the fountain from the water’s edge where many a period-costumed artiste had taken afternoon tea. We were to walk along the manicured yew-hedged avenue featured in The Tudors, into the eclectic building of constantly-changing styles. Firstly it was an art deco conservatory with a back garden we intruded on, next it was a pink modernistic affair before gently turning into a Georgian mansion around the corner. This has been there for years, like the deeply-rooted tree outside, but a wooden door with painted-on brickwork left you wondering which bits had not.
BYP were thrilled with the number of volunteer extras and crew that endured so much; everyone involved has done an amazing job! The talent and commitment of the actors has proven invaluable in bringing the characters to life.
At Lincoln University, excellent use was made of the space and abundant blue screen (although that did mean Buttons had to wear a more purple shade of blue). Mark Scales and Dom Gilvary set up a recording studio to capture all the singing for the trailer. Everyone contributed their voice (multiple times) for the choruses.
Cinders has been an opportunity for BYP to continue to push production values, sets and costumes to new highs. However, the depth of the story and quality of acting in Cinders are the key factors that are now taking BYP beyond parody. The whole gang are very excited about the footage recorded so far. There’s massive contrast of funny moments and very dramatic moments. It’s full of the classic BYP magic, but with something extra this time!
This is the first time Backyard Productions has worked with professional actors, and it was certainly exciting to see what we can achieve. Everyone was blown away by the performances given by the actors. This project is much more story and character centric than previous projects. Based on the performances over the weekend, BYP and the Cinders team will have no trouble moving audiences through a medley of emotions.
BYP’s tech experts have plenty of footage to try visual effects on and find the best ways to produce the Pantomime look and feel in a movie. Further tech weekends will allow Ed, Jon, Nick and the rest of the graphics and filming gang to refine filming techniques to be able to produce immersive effects.
