Masters Golf is Here Again…

We are delighted and excited to be working with Masters Golf again. Masters have engaged Halo to produce a second batch of Product Videos which will showcase some of their upcoming golf products.

Our hugely versatile cafe area at Halo HQ has become a film studio once again and filming will commence over the next couple of days.

Marketing Manager Simon Atkinson said, “The transition from a paper based brochure to video format was a huge leap for everyone and challenged us technically, however we haven’t looked back. As the demand for online video continues to rise at such an astonishing rate, we are very proud to be pioneers in the golf industry”.

MastersGolf TV has recently notched up 100,000 viewings… all the current videos are visible here, are used by sales staff who now carry an ipad around with them instead of sales brochures.

Simon added, “The first series of videos created for Masters were produced to the highest quality, the variation of presenter-led, informative and graphics videos makes each film unique – a tough challenge considering there were 350 in total! We are very pleased to be working with Halo again and look forward to the next phase!”

The current video catalogue can be seen on Mastersgolf TV:

http://www.youtube.com/user/mastersgolfTV

Andy and Emily have been busy shooting a music video for talented local singer, Samantha Hudson.

The Old Painswick Inn provided a great setting and whilst Andy was behind the camera, Emily appeared on screen as the ‘other girl’ in a love triangle story.

Samantha’s debut single, Caught In The Storm, is due to be released this week; it is a fantastic track and we wish Samantha lots of luck with it!

Not to be out done by her brother….

Friend of Halo, Pfeiffer Georgi, a Year 6 pupil a St Mary’s in Thornbury, also competed for Giant Cycling Club – Halo Films in the Wolverhampton CC Circuit Races at Stourport.

Riding with the boys she rode strongly to take 6th place overall in the Under 12s race and came home second girl.

All at Halo wish both Pfeiffer and Etienne well with their cycling this year.

Our very own Etienne Georgi

Year 8 pupil from The Castle School in Thornbury, riding for Giant Cycling Club – Halo Films, produced a spectacular lone win in Saturday’s Under 14s race promoted by Wolverhampton Wheelers at the Stourport Circuit Races in Worcestershire.

Attacking early on, Etienne held his rivals at bay to win the £10 prime and then extended his lead, using his fast cornering ability on the technical circuit, to produce a clear win.

Well done Etienne, perhaps we should make a cycling film……

Tai Chi is “Good for the Heart”

Sales for Halo Films’ ‘Butterfly Tai Chi’ are expected to rocket as recent studies have shown that Tai Chi is good for the heart. As seen on the BBC, Tai Chi is proven to improve health and wellbeing. Muscular strength, balance control, flexibility and even heart health can all be improved by this ancient form of exercise, especially in those over 50. The study has shown that just 1.5 hours a week can really benefit your health in later life. The slow moving and relaxing ancient martial art does not require high energy levels and can be practiced by most anyone.

Butterfly Tai Chi is simpler than the traditional forms and consists of 7 basic movements that are easy to remember and can be preformed in limited space, preparing you for the day ahead.

Find out more about the DVD at – www.butterflytaichi.co.uk

You can also watch the trailer here on the project page – Butterfly Tai Chi

At Halo we are often able to give work experience placements to year 10 students.

As a rural business situated in the Severn Vale, we are keen to support local schools and help young people who want to get into the film industry later in life.

Our latest placement was taken up by Maddie Jacobs from Castle School in Thornbury. Her job while with us was to research and plan a promotional film for the school.

The Castle School is rebuilding its web site and wants its students to make a short film that will help prospective new students find out what the school is all about. Over the coming months Halo Films will help Castle students make their film and Maddie’s work is the first part of that.

Maddie had this to say about her time at Halo:

I had a great time doing my work experience with Halo Films and would do it again. Creating films is a thing that I love doing and working with Halo has given me valuable experiences and a good insight into what it is like to work with a film production company.

I am now even more determined to work in the film industry when I finish university and I would recommend coming to Halo to anyone who has an interest in films and wants to gain more knowledge about the process of making a film.

Thank you so much to everyone at Halo for allowing me to get a taste for working in film production.

Maddie J

Our relationship with The Samaritans continues and this evening Peter will be talking to volunteers from South West branches about the Freefall film.  It contains information from leading experts in the area of suicide research as well as case studies from people brave enough to share their experiences, and has proven to be a unique and informative training resource. The production of the film was motivated by a desire to help people understand the complex nature of suicidal crisis and encourage discussion about a sensitive subject. It is being used widely by a number of organisations and charities working in the areas of guidance and support, including The Samaritans.

We’ve shared our thoughts recently on the incredible quality of footage gained from filming on the Canon 5DII Digital SLR. Much of the excitement on our current project has been gained through pushing this camera’s potential to produce breathtaking imagery and we’re completely blown away by our latest tool, the aptly named, Glidecam.

During many of the Choice Point (www.choicepointmovement.com) interviews, contributors are seen or heard baring their souls as they recollect life-changing moments. For these extremely personal experiences to be lived by an audience we knew we had to absolutely immerse them in our people’s worlds. We developed a visual theme that took the Glidecam’s specific ability to produce smooth cinematic images that appear like you’re floating on air, to transport the audience into feeling like they are walking side-by-side with our characters.

One of our inspiring contributors, foster-mum Jodi’s story was brought to life so beautifully when the crew filmed her in Missouri back in October. As Jodi’s story unfolds, we glide with her as she wanders through her woodland backyard. Back on home soil we loved the look so much that we knew extra footage would make the story extra special, so on a perfect crisp winter’s day, blue skies overhead and the remaining autumn leaves crunching underfoot, we found ourselves stomping through some woods again.

Traditionally these floating, steady cam shots are difficult to achieve in a versatile, cost-effective way. Think the cameramen we see struggling to run alongside a rugby pitch bulked up with kit like action man! The Glidecam offered the perfect solution… in conjunction with specialist lenses, and the team’s inspiring enthusiasm for perfection, it’s application to walk on air are endless.

Check back in a few months to see the amazing results!

All babies have a natural affinity to water and can play and exercise in water safely and with confidence from birth. In fact, babies have no inherent fear of water, and our programme will help you build upon this confidence.

Lauren Heston, founder of Little Dippers baby swim school and pioneer of baby swimming here in the UK, shares with you all her experience and knowledge of 20 years of teaching babies to love water. Through a series of carefully designed exercises the DVD will give you all the safety information, advice and confidence to take your baby swimming.

‘Waterbabies’, the complete Little Dippers baby swimming course is available as a DVD and will ensure that you never miss a lesson again.

From fun exercises in the bath to taking your baby to the pool, it will give you everything you need to turn your baby into a Waterbaby!

A great resource for you to refer back to if you have missed a class or wish to repeat sessions in your own time, and a great way to introduce a friend to the joy of baby swimming…

Waterbabies is available from the Amazon Shop for just £18.99

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001G6XFC2.

It is also available from the NCT Shop.

Our talented Researcher Emily Doyle will be dancing at the closing ceremony of the Olympics this Summer. After successfully beating off huge volumes of competition in a rigorous assessment process involving an online application process followed by two auditions, she received the news this week that she will be performing in the Summer.

Emily studied Professional Theatre and Dance at the London Studio Centre before joining the Halo team in 2010. She is a hugely talented dancer, and also performs with Streethouse Studios Group in her own time. This group are doing incredibly well, winning the recent title of Over 18′s National Street Dance Champions, and they are off to compete at the European Championships in Paris later this year.

Watch out for her, we will be; good luck Em

Inside Out Retreats opens in Richmond – ex-city banker, Alison Pothier, now works with the corporate and public sector to promote change through personal transformation.

It was a cold winter’s day, and where nicer for Matt and Peter to take shelter than Cheltenham Ladies College… Matt and Peter were filming David Hamilton yesterday; one of the final interviews for Choicepoint. David’s books and blogs cover a range of fascinating and inspirational topics – from the impact of the mind on the body, the effect of compassion and kindness on the heart and the contagiousness of emotions.

Filming Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, Ian Stewart in one of the physics classrooms in Cheltenham Ladies College. A co-author of many Discworld novels with Terry Pratchett, Ian is the last person to be interviewed for the Choice Point film.

Motion Graphics Editor Jake studied Digital Film Production at the University of Gloucestershire and updates us on the new Media School…

‘Peter and I had the privilege of attending the opening of the University of Gloucestershire’s new Media School on 8th December. It was a real treat to revisit my old stomping ground, and update my fantastic film lecturers on my current work at Halo. Whilst being an excellent opportunity for Peter to see the new state-of-the-art facilities, it was also great to have an informal catch up with students and professionals alike. As an industry partner of the university I’m sure there will be more Halo visits to the university in the near future, I certainly hope so!’

Read more about the Media School on the University of Gloucestershire website

UK Dressage rider Carl Hester has ridden horses at an international level for more than two decades and has won a remarkable 51 British titles. Halo Films produced this five part series for Horse and Country TV on Carl. The crew filmed Carl at home, at work and with his family of animals to produce an affectionate five part series on the dressage rider.

Jonathan Rippon, Head of Programming at H&C TV explained, “We know our audience craves the back story on their equestrian stars, and Carl’s personality is a natural fit for TV. It’s our hope that partnerships like this one will help broaden the appeal of equestrian sports and we thank both Carl and Saracen Horse Feeds for working with us on this series.”

The five part series charts the day to day life of Carl, providing insights into his background, his spectacular facilities in Newent, Gloucestershire, his team and his incredible horses.

Researcher Emily shares her story of meeting, filming and befriending Jodi Orton, foster mum extraordinaire, and ultimately becoming one of the family:

When I heard we were flying to Kansas City the singing began in the office (‘Follow the yellow brick road’ and ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ being the favourites) and continued all the way to Kansas via Chicago. After a surprise meeting in the local Warsaw supermarket, We finally met our inspirational Foster Mother, Jodi. We were instantly part of the family, I was immediately given 1 month old DJ to hold and Sam was given to task of childminding 2 year old Gabe and 8 year old Lara, the beginning of our initiation into what would become our American family. We spent every day of the week with the family, sometimes from 7.30am till being fed at the family dinner table at 9pm. I became very fond of all the children from talking to the teenagers about their days at school to running in with the bottle for baby DJ every time we heard a cry. Being in Warsaw for Halloween was an amazing experience and we even managed to rummage through the fancy dress box and find a few spare outfits Sam a Pirate and me a Hogwarts quidditch player. The Orton house was picture perfect and the mini farm made for all the more fun and of course great shots. From visiting the beach to meeting the locals at the local store, we really became part of an amazing family’s life and captured some emotional and heart touching footage for ‘Choice Point’. When the time came to leave none of us wanted to say goodbye, we said our emotional farewells and departed for the airport with many wonderful memories to look back on.

Full Gas: Riding a Time Trial with Fabian Cancellara (Intro)

Riding a time trial is one of the hardest disciplines of cycle sport. As Olympic Cyclist Fabian Cancellara says, to ride well you have to be ready for the pain.

In Full Gas, Fabian lets you into his world and tells you how you can ride faster. Hear how important his diet is, how long he spends riding his time trial bike, how much he likes to taper for an event and how he always pushes himself to go that 1km faster.

Halo Films worked with Science in Sport, Britain’s foremost sports nutrition company, to produce Full Gas: Riding a Time Trial with Fabian Cancellara. The DVD is available from the film website: http://fullgasdvd.co.uk/ and it is also available as downloadable tutorials.

Butterfly Tai Chi DVD.

Appearing in the Autumn / Winter 2011 issue of Mind, Body & Spirit magazine, Butterfly Tai Chi offers a system of Tai Chi that can be performed in a limited space and a relatively short time. Tai Chi can help you feel happier, healthier and more energised and this routine is based on 7 simple and elegant movements.

Halo worked with Martin Faulks to produce the film version of the Butterfly Tai Chi book which has sold tens of thousands of copies worldwide.

Martin Faulks has been a student of the oriental martial arts since he was five years old. He has a black belt in the Korean martial art Kuk Sool Wan and is proficient in the spiritual disciplines of China, including Tai Chi, meditation, Qi Gong and the legendry form of Yi Jin Jing.

After studying Butterfly’s Martin came up with his own martial art called ‘Butterfly Tai Chi’ Inspired by observing the almost magical motion of butterflies around fragrant flowers. Seeing how, soon after emerging from their Chrysalis, they moved their wings before flying off lead Martin Faulks to a system of Tai Chi that could be performed in a limited space and a relatively short time –  a form that would involve virtually no movement and, like the butterfly create a significant flow of energy around the body.

Oscar appeared in a few of the Masters promotional videos and was particularly fun to film as well as adding a light touch to some of the adverts. He was extremely well behaved and was very comfortable in front of the camera…  the start of a glistening new career!

The Samaritans sent us some amazing feedback this week on the Freefall Film. The Film was motivated by a desire to help people understand the complex nature of suicidal crisis and encourage discussion about a sensitive subject. These open and honest comments have been captured from the volunteers who have watched the film and are using it as a training resource within their branch. To receive such positive feedback is extremely gratifying and clarifies why we do what we do and we would like to share it…

‘That this film, on the most sensitive of issues, ever came to be produced is testimony to the makers Halo Films and the participants. This is no sensationalised account of suicide; it is no media ‘scoop’ or silver screen hype. It is rather an incredibly moving account of survivors of the ultimate life crisis – suicide. Selected through various helping organisations, each case study takes us on a journey we might otherwise never get to take. What would normally be deeply personal life experiences are revealed in intimate detail – life stories of despair, on through contact with caring voluntary groups, to eventually regain a desire for life – these survivors give reality to our highest hopes within Samaritans, that there will be fewer deaths through suicide. Freefall should be mandatory viewing for the nation.

In a shortened introductory form, it would serve as an incredible training video at every stage of the voluntary listeners’ journey – recruitment, SIT and on-going training’.

Tom, Northumbria branch

‘There have been other films made about suicide, but none has managed so deftly to interweave the stories of those who have been touched by suicide with the evidence and insights of scientists attempting to understand it’.

Jason, Derby branch

‘In my opinion, just one of the strengths of “Freefall” is that it draws the viewer in so that you come to care about the outcomes for the individuals that it features. They have been selected with care for the variety of human situations that they exemplify and for some people it could make unsettling viewing since we see lives go wrong in such ordinary, mundane ways.

I think the film makes a valuable contribution for the general public towards understanding suicide’.

Peter, Samaritans volunteer

Filming Alison

In late November we filmed in one of the most spectacular locations Halo has ever visited. Matt found this fantastically spacious office block overlooking St Paul’s. Named ‘New Change’, we thought it was rather apt for Choicepoint, and filmed an emotional interview with ex-city banker and now transformational leader, Alison Pothier. The photo shows Myfanwy preparing what turned out to be some rather poignient questions!

Looking for our old website?

We’re busy developing a new website! For now just our blog is available so you can see what we’ve been up to, but the full new site will be here in April 2012.

If you would like to look at our old site in the meantime you can find it here: http://halofilms.co.uk/legacy/

Myfanwy met John Paul DeJoria, Co-founder and CEO of Paul Mitchell hair care products in November 2011. As a businessman, environmentalist and philanthropist, John Paul’s rags-to-riches story of struggling against the odds not only to achieve success, but to share his success with others is inspiring. Paul Mitchell were the first beauty company to stand up to animal testing and John Paul is involved in numerous charities, donating time, money and his skills to helping others.

Go Ape

Head for heights – Ludo up in the trees filming at Go Ape in October.  The footage is for Choicepoint is our new documentary feature film due for release in February. The film features major visionaries and inspirational figures of our times, every one of whom has overcome challenges and obstacles in his or her personal life or field of endeavour to reach the pinnacle of success.

British Time Trial Champion!

BERKELEY-based film director Pete Georgi won a gold medal at the British National Time Trial Championships in September

Competing for Giant Cycling Club, Georgi brought home the gold medal and champion’s jersey, winning his age category.

Held over a 20.9 mile road course from Great Gidding in Cambridgeshire, Georgi posted a time of 46 minutes, 28 seconds. His son, Castle School pupil Etienne Georgi, continued his cycling success over the Bank Holiday weekend, winning the juvenile section of Sussex Cyclist’s Association ten-mile road time trial at Plaistow, West Sussex.

Etienne’s mother, Louise Georgi, completed the family’s success by winning the ladies’ category. Finally, Etienne and his sister, Pfeiffer Georgi, a Year 6 pupil at St Mary’s School in Thornbury, both took third place in their respective age categories in the season long series of circuit races at Castle Combe.

Mastersgolf.tv

Masters Golf – Europe’s most purchased golf brand - took a huge step in early 2011 by ditching the traditional catalogue format in favour of a digital version with dedicated video footage of every product. Last year’s 120-page catalogue was the last it will publish – working with us on this mammoth filming project we put all the product information on downloadable video. The product videos are now embedded on the Masters website, are available on YouTube and are available also for retailers to embed into their websites or to use in any email marketing campaigns. Included in those fronting the videos is a familiar face, BBC and Sky Sports presenter Sarah Stirk, a very keen golfer and golf columnist. Check out Masters Golf TV on You-Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/mastersgolfTV?gl=US&ob=5

Choicepoint

Sam and Emily spent an October afternoon in Bournemouth filming Brett and his daughter for Choicepoint. The conditions were perfect and as the sun was setting it created a beautiful backdrop for some of the footage on the beach. Brett’s story is of the personal change he has been through, and his work now helps youths from difficult backgrounds.

Apprenticeship…

Apprenticeships are on the increase and we are delighted to be involved in the Creative and Digital Media Apprenticeship! This Apprenticeship has been developed by Skillset, the creative industries sector skills council. Cirencester College, which is part of the Skillset Media Academy, is piloting the scheme in the South West and we are are one of the first media companies to be involved. Andy Bryce joined the Halo team in June, contact him to find out more about the apprenticeship… andy@halofilms.co.uk

Follow Andy’s Blog – Haloapprentice.wordpress.com

Samaritans Annual Conference

We went along to the Samaritans Annual Conference in September to raise awareness of the Freefall film which was shown to the fabulous volunteers within the organisation. We are thrilled that they are using the film for ongoing training and have some lovely feedback:

‘A brilliant film. We bought one for our branch. Would like to see it integrated into ongoing training to nurses, doctors, teachers, police etc for student training’

‘A very sensitive but informative view of suicide. Bought the DVD to watch in branch’

Wonderful Foster Mum

Developing close relationships with the people you are filming is essential – Emily and Sam proved how important this is when recently filming Jodi, a wonderful foster mum recently. They developed a special bond which is so evident in the footage of their amazing family and this was to the point that Emily was invited to become an extra daughter!

Duncan and Anthea are very excited about a new piece of kit which will have a huge impact on their workload at the moment. A lot of footage for Choicepoint is being taken on the Canon 5D because of the fabulous picture quality. However matching up the film and audio has always been a very lengthy (and often painful!) process. But thankfully the ‘Lockit Buddy’ has come to play… this new piece of technology, developed in Germany, attaches to the camera and also to the sound recorder and helps sync and merge video to audio by finding the time code.

Cheers Mate!

4D Brachytherapy – Animated Advert from Halo Films Ltd on Vimeo.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

We have just delivered four science based information films to Oncura covering a new prostate cancer treatment. These include two adverts and a tool for physicians training them in the new cancer treatment.

The joys of getting out in the field… Em you don’t look too impressed!