Cinders
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.
Trailer
Cinders Galleries
Cinders at Pinewood Studios
As you may already have read in Kevin’s great post, Backyard Productions recently had a great weekend filming at Pinewood Studios for our current...
Cinders at Ashby Hall
Backyard Productions was lucky enough to be able to shoot at Ashby Hall in Lincolnshire on the 12th September 2009. The Gardens and lake are beautiful,...
Sundown Adventureland Filming
At the beginning of September, we had a very busy few days filming at Sundown Adventureland. On Wednesday 2nd, we filmed the Prince and Dandini in several...
Lights! Camera! Panto!
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…
Now watch the magic happen!……
Comments
29 Responses to “Lights! Camera! Panto!”
Feel free to leave a comment...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
[..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?
[..YouTube..] Tiffany Haynes is always impressive. Her intelligence shines out of those lovely eyes, and she possesses an enduring fascination – and she can actually act rather well! Let’s hope she finds a suitable vehicle before long to bring her to the attention of a wider audience.