BBC VR
FORMATION
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
1998 Launch Article in Independent newspaper.
1999 Launch at IBC99
2000 Harry Potter at Leavesden Studios (see below)
My understanding is that the following people were heavily involved with the design and implementation of the BBC’s VR systems:
Dr Graham Thomas
Danny Popkin
Matt Goodman
A marketing team was assembled, comprising Matthew Thomkinson and Mike Jarvie, the whole idea was launched using this pamplet..
HARRY POTTER 1
VIRTUAL PUBLICITY
BBC Virtual Studios
The original idea...
BBC Research (by Graham Thomas):
BBC Research (by Richard Russell):
Positioning system marketed by Radamec now by Vinten:
Marketing Information (download of pdf):
A new system from R&D -Promethius:
Virtual Set Production
Mike Jarvie - Head Of Department
James Toher
Kira-Anne Pelican
Warren Sean
Peakash Patel
CONFIDENCE INCREASING: CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST PURPOSE BUILT STUDIO
I was asked to sell of the 64 channel motorised fader CalRec sound desk and all its support infrastructure to make way for a new project. Once negotiations had occurred this wasn’t that easy as it was so huge. I then had to built a new concept studio in just 2 months. Here’s the plan..
GENERAL ELECTION: 1997
Ambitiously it was decided that the tech could be used on a flagship programme -and what a start..
Warner Brothers and Sony International Pictures bought the old Rolls Royce factory units in Leavesden, Hertfordshire where the original Spitfire engines were made. After direct negotiation with them it was agreed that BBC would provide live large scale motion capture data from a new set up there and I was set to work to build it. I realised that heavy engineering had been done there before because next to where I was working I discovered large old cyanide pits where components had been hot dunked to case harden them. The dear old cyanide was still there because nobody dare remove it.
Disclaimer
Whilst some care has been taken to check externally linked websites no responsibility is offered nor implied for the suitability, legality or reliability of content therein.
Harry Potter 1 at Leavesden Studios
(The Boats To Hogwarts from 16m52)
