Interactive tech specialists contribute to launch of new schools experience
Engage Production Ltd, specialists in interactive technologies for branded environments, is proud to announce its involvement in the installation of a suite of television studios for broadcaster Sky – the Sky Skills Studios experience.
Aimed at schoolchildren aged 8 to 16, Sky Skills Studios offers children the chance to tour the main studios, meet broadcasting professionals, and take part in producing their own documentary. This requires the children to take on roles such as camera operator, scriptwriter, editor, presenter, director, producer, and graphic designer. Engage was invited to create the necessary infrastructure and contributed to the delivery of specially adapted studios and editing suites.
“Certain projects give you a real buzz,” explains Steve Blyth, managing director of Engage. “We’ve created some amazing installations over the years, but the difference with Sky Skills Studios is the direct impact it will have on children’s lives. It’s not just about technology; it’s about creating a magical experience and an enduring memory. We’re proud to be a part of that and are grateful that Sky gave us this opportunity.”
Renowned for its ability to create memorable brand experiences, Engage was approached by Sky’s communications agency RPM with the substantial task of designing and developing the user interfaces and the technology system for the project. From June 2011 until April 2012, Engage combined great creative ideas with expert technical know-how to create an innovative space that would provide children with an immersive experience that would delight and entertain. Particularly skilled in project managing complex installations,
Engage was delighted when Sky subsequently asked them to project manage the creation of Sky Skills Studios to completion.
Engage provided the vast majority of the necessary equipment including the edit suite user interface and the relevant application software, as well as the tablet application to service the edit suites. In addition, Engage was responsible for implementing the green screen interface in each studio as well as designing the sound and lighting systems.
Steve Blyth continues: “The result is nothing short of spectacular. The space in which the children work has been split into four sections – one for each team – with each section comprising a mini green screen studio and edit suite. We supplied multitouch displays to each studio as well as other monitors, PCs, brackets, edit suite desks, screen housings, and camera protection covers. They may be scaled down, but make no mistake; these are real working studios.”
Each Sky Studios tour is for 24 children who are split into four teams of six with each team creating a ninety second piece about a preselected topic. The children are responsible for all aspects of their piece from scriptwriting through to editing. The pieces of each team are then put together by Sky’s master controller to make a six minute film.
The main purpose of the day is to enhance key life skills such as increased aspirations, improvement in self-confidence, improvement in attitudes to learning, communications, teamwork, self-management, creativity, and problem solving. The whole experience, therefore, includes pre- and post-tour lessons as a means of tying it in with many areas of the school curriculum including maths, English, citizenship/PHSE/transition, science, and PE/Sports.
“We were given the opportunity to build a facility that encourages children to use their imaginations and creativity,” explains Steve. “As so much of our work is about realising the products of our imaginations, we were obviously delighted to be part of such a brilliant idea.”
For further information about installations and the latest products from Engage, email info [at] engageproduction.com.
Source: Engage Production