Cinders
| Release Date | 12 December 2009 |
|---|---|
| Budget | £700 |
| Production Time | March-December 2009 |
| Locations | Pinewood Studios, Sundown Adventureland, University of Lincoln Studion, Ashby Hall |
Cinders is a proof of concept trailer for a British panto version of Cinderella. Cinders has all the razzmatazz of the theatre; blending theatrical scenery with real-life locations and producing a more involving story.
With a great many new faces in front of and behind the camera, and the completed short-film, BYP now have the tools to develop Cinders into a full feature (and potentially commercial) production.
Background
After concentrating on putting Doom Raiders together for general release, and after Darren Scales had completed an MA in Media Production, Backyard Productions were looking for a new project to work on. They considered a number of ideas before deciding to make a film of Cinderella based on the British panto version Mark Scales was already writing. They were to take not only the story, but Ed Hollingsbee worked tirelessly on designing sets and set dressings that would bring the theatrical look of a panto to the screen as well. The aim was not to make everything look realistic, but to use exaggerated perspective and white outlining to give sets and locations a fantastical feel.
They did not have to go far to find an ideal location; Sundown Adventureland, Retford, Nottinghamshire, could be filmed with only minor set dressing. But in other locations such as Ashby Hall, Lincolnshire and even Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, they cleverly managed to incorporate theatre scenery among the real landscapes and undergrowth. It sounds crazy, but the footage shows how a well-placed painted-on piece of flat wood can actually add a great deal of depth and mood to a scene.
Innovative as this is, it would be wrong to think that this was in any way the only ground-breaking aspect of the project, at least for Backyard Productions. Not only was it the first time they decided to test an idea before going ahead with it, but there is a whole list of firsts.
For the first time, they filmed in 1080p HD, using professional equipment and professional television studios, with the kind permission of the University of Lincoln. Although not new to CGI, having gained experience for their previous three films, there were some new techniques they used live, such as filming from a raised platform and using a spotlight on location. All this added to the theatrical sense the film evoked.
Never before had they held auditions or had quite so many extras. It was true that they had advertised for people to get involved in TENCLO, but this was nothing compared to the three sessions of auditions, both locally and in London, as well as a casting session weekend. Not only that, but they enlisted the help of a local theatre school and choreographer to work out routines for the main dance number. That way amateurs and aspiring young stars rubbed shoulders with semi-professional and professional performers, all enthusiastically working together on this production.
In some ways, it was the realisation of how sophisticated the project had become that persuaded Backyard Productions to take a step back and look at what they had achieved, before deciding on where to go next.
DVD Image Download
Download a burnable DVD image of the full film completely free of charge, including artwork to print your own DVD inlay and printable disc:
[..YouTube..] This was simply outstanding! Loved it so much. All that hard work from the crew has certainly paid off! Truly amazing! Could keep on going but Im going to stop now,Im going to watch it again!
[..YouTube..] I think there should be a Dandini Fan club!
[..YouTube..] Brilliant
[..YouTube..] YouTube: “This video is still being processed. Video quality may improve once processing is complete.”
Should be available in full 1080p HD once processing is complete….
BRILLIANT!! AWESOME WORK GUYS!! WELL DONE!!
[..YouTube..] I think there should be a prince charming fanclub, Team prince and Team Dandini t-shirts?
[..YouTube..] THE BOX!!!!!!!
[..YouTube..] This is awesome!!
[..YouTube..] For once, I’m lost for words!
[..YouTube..] Completely awesome!
Well done, everyone
It’s a fantastic culmination of the work we’ve all poured in. Bring on 2010… It’s time to make a movie!
This is great well done guys !!!
[..YouTube..] OMG that is AWESOME!!! You guys are amazong
I LOVE IT!!
[..YouTube..] Yep, I recognised a few familar lines from the stage version, lol
Awsome. love the look of the thing here’s to the final production version.
This is fantastic I got goose bumps watching it roll on doing the full film ;o)
excellent work everyone
Wow what great work guys, worth the wait. Great acting too and want to be as good as the guys in this film one day. See you all soon and have a well deserved rest and a great christmas.
AMAZING YOU GYS ROCK !!!
Xx
Congrats to all concerned!! What a brilliant trailer!! I am proud to have been involved!…..its just a pity that my haradon of a sister Chav-ina was trying to hog the limelight!!! If only she was as beautiful as me!!
Seriously….. Superbly done!!
well all I can say Cab-Barge it was great to see that noticed my exceptional talent and I was more than happy to allow you to wear my clothes I had finished with them in any case. looking forward to competing for the limelight in the next installment. I might let you get a look in perhaps…;o) Well done everyone
This is CRAAAAAAAAZZZZZZYYYYY! Absolutley awesome, well done everyone.
[..YouTube..] That’s just amazing work WELL DONE everyone, cant wait till June … FANTASTIC is all I can say
[..YouTube..] *o*…it is very beautiful!!! <3
[...] http://backyardproductions.co.uk/2009/12/lights-camera-panto/ [...]
haha this film was funny thanks for this i liked it!!
i was in this production and met some great people here! i was a child dancer and loved it! it was really fun and i suggest that people come and join in in june! this is going to be a fantastic film!
[..YouTube..] where can i watch it
[..YouTube..] Hi there, when are we all getting together again to act?