Sunday 27 September 2009

Looking forward to a weekend off...

Next weekend...I hope!

Having worked continuously, 7 days a week, since getting back off holiday in August, I'm really looking forward to putting my feet up...

This weekend however, we've been at Shrigley Hall for Gemma and Mike's wedding on Saturday...and then this morning it was a trip to the Trafford Centre to film a message to staff from Daniel one of the directors at Beaverbrooks. I made the mistake of taking Julie with me this time to help out...ooops...she was very taken with the jewellery. She particularly liked the new Colours collection! Not a good move really...given it's her birthday next weekend :-)

Saturday 19 September 2009

Wedding Fair Reminder...Beeston Manor

Just a quick reminder that we will be at the Beeston Manor Wedding Fair on Sunday 20th September. The doors open at 11.00am with catwalk shows at 12.00noon and 2.00pm.



Why not come along and have a look around Beeston Manor and see for yourself the The Ribble Valley's newest venue for Weddings, Conferences and Events.

Built out of trees recycled from Beeston Wood, stone extracted from the Beeston Quarry, even the wardrobes in the bedrooms have been built from timber recycled from tumbledown farm buildings.

You can also chat to all the different exhibitors there and pick up one of our sample DVD's as well.

See you there...

Tuesday 15 September 2009

Seeing double at the Waxworks....news footage

The footage that I shot at the Waxworks appeared in a couple of the Granada News bulletins...they were actually quite good pieces.

Seeing double at the Waxworks... from ABC Video Facilities on Vimeo.



It is quite satisfying when you can get some of your work on the local news...

Saturday 12 September 2009

One Wedding, One Wedding Fair and a Freedom Festival in Hull...

What a fantastic day it was today for a wedding and what a setting - St Peter's Church at Stoneyhurst College, set in some of Lancashire's most beautiful countryside...to say it was idyllic would be understatement!

Louise and Rob certainly had fortune looking down on them today as we were blessed with one of the nicest days we have had all summer.Unfortunately Julie forgot her camera...so you'll have to wait until I've edited the footage to see some of the gorgeous shots we filmed. Although John Hornby who was the photographer today (and also a friend of ours) did offer to e-mail us some of his photos, so watch this space...

But I guess she can be forgiven after the hectic week we have had, both with work and also the kids going back to school after the summer break. There were a couple of mad dashes to shops for trainers, football boots and trousers...mainly due to Alex have had a mad growing spurt these last couple of months. He's now in age 15 trouser with a 31" inside leg ...and he's only 13!!!

This weekend is also a bit hectic... after the wedding today, I'm up in the early hours to travel over to Hull, for a 7.30am start, filming the Freedom Festival there for Big TV. And whilst I'm over in Hull, Julie will be at the wedding fair at Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa.


Sunday, 13th September 2009
Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa Wedding Fayre
12.00noon 4.00pm

Thursday 3 September 2009

Seeing double at the Waxworks....

A busy couple of days ahead as this weekend sees two major arrivals at Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, Blackpool, with Ricky Hatton and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen dropping in to the promenade attraction to officially unveil their models.

Louis Tussaud's Waxworks, Blackpool from ABC Video Facilities on Vimeo.

I'll be there today and tomorrow filming both of them...with the footage going off to both Granada and the BBC. The LEP has also been in touch for some of the footage for their website - so watch this space!

Both models are over six months in the making and were cast in person late last year by model maker Mike Conroy who has been working round the clock to finish both in time for the illuminations switch on this weekend.

Each model has been sculpted, painted and finished including the individual insertion of each strand of hair which is a process that takes weeks. The models cost up to £100,000 each to produce and Ricky has asked that another one is specially created to take up residence in his games room at home.

Ricky will take his rightful place centre stage in the new ‘Sporting Greats’ area of the five floor attraction. A specially created boxing ring has been created and built so that fans can have their photo taken with the ‘Hitman’.

Laurence also has a set dedicated to him as the king of interior style. A purpose built room has been created containing many home style accessories from his own range and gives lots of opportunities for visitors to capture a picture of themselves and the model in a backdrop that wouldn’t look out of place in OK! Magazine.

“This is the result of months of investment in planning, sculpting and paying minute attention to detail to get the models exactly right ahead of these unveilings,” said Matthew Titherington, General Manager, Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks.He continues, “Most people can only dream of stepping into the ring with Ricky or relaxing in sumptuous surroundings with Laurence. Now our visitors will be able to do both and capture the moment on camera. We are delighted with the finished result and know that both will be real crowd pleasers. It’s also great that both have made time in their busy schedules to come and unveil the models in person.”

Tuesday 1 September 2009

Videographers sent to Coventry!

Every October, thousands of budding filmmakers, videographers and corporate producers make their way to the new and impressive Ricoh Arena, Coventry. They gather there for the Institute of Videography’s (IOV) Annual Convention & Trade Exhibition - to attend seminars on the craft and business of videography, view the very latest video technology and enjoy the excitement of the gala IOV Awards Ceremony.

The video production industry has continued to grow in recent years - despite the recession. Boosted by the increasing demand for online content, coupled with a growing public recognition of the benefits of having business and domestic events recorded professionally, the industry is set to expand at an even greater pace now there are signs that the economic climate is changing for the better.

ABC Video Facilities Ltd is one of those making the trip this year. “It’s a great event to attend for a number of reasons. The trade exhibition enables us to get up to speed with the latest technology and best practices, but also the networking opportunities are equally important to us. We often work in isolation in this industry so it’s great to get out and meet other like-minded professionals.”

This year as well Chris Dell (ABC Video Facilities Ltd) has been shortlisted for the IOV Corporate Video Production 2009 for his corporate video ‘Adventure Play’ produced for leading playground designer Sutcliffe Play on behalf of local award winning PR Company MTJ Associates Ltd. The winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on the evening of 14th October.

Now in its second year at the Ricoh, the IOV’s Annual Convention & Trade Exhibition (IOV2009) is being held on 14th & 15th October. IOV2009 will once again provide an opportunity for its exhibitors to showcase and sell the latest video technology and supplies. It will also host a compelling range of seminars, IOV award-winning film screenings and other social events for those from all avenues of professional video production.

Entrance to the trade exhibition hall is free to visitors who pre-register. The registrationform is available to complete online at - www.iov.com/convention. Further details are available from event organisers, IOV Focus, on +44 (0) 20 8502 3817 or by email to
kevin.cook@iov.co.uk.