Published Wednesday 9 November 2016 by Stu Gaunt in Video Production

Live filming, vision mixing + DVD & Blu-ray production for Bridgwater Carnival 2016

Saturday 5th November saw the return of the annual Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, the largest illuminated procession in Britain. Once again Maniac FIlms were on location with a 7 man crew to document the event.

After 2 years of providing cameras, crew and live vision mixing for the big screen, last year we were asked to record the event and use it to create a DVD and Blu-ray release within 3 days. The organisers were so pelased last year that they asked us to provide the same service again this year.

We provided cameras and crew to film the parade and broadcast the footage onto a huge screen. The vision mixing was carried out by us in a van which we modified to work as an OB truck. We also displayed live footage of bands playing on the stage and of the crowds throughout the day in the run-up to the big event. To help with this, we sent out a roaming camera crew with a wireless transmitter to record and live stream events that were taking place along the High Street, while static cameras captured the stage and crowds.

Vision mixing was carried out with the Blackmagic 4K ATEM switcher and the live stream was recorded using our Samurai recorder, which formed the basis of the edit for the DVD & Blu-ray

During the evening procession we had 1 roaming wireless camera and 4 static cameras. Our soundman Clive used a 5.1 audio holophone mic to capture a live surround sound recording and a Coles lip mic to record live commentary track conducted by Chris Hocking who was watching a live feed from the vision mixer.

The two days became a mammoth edit session in which Mark edited the two hour, using the live mix as a basis and editing in any additional shots required (different angles for example). Meanwhile Stu mixed a live 5.1 Surround sound recording, created a Stereo mix and also mixed separate versions of each with optional live commentary. Joining us in the office was Phil, who edited a short film containing interviews with some of the people who make the carts, and another film of highligths of the daytime events.

On Monday members of the Carnival committee visited the office for a 1st viewing, after which we spent the rest the day (and evening) finishing off the DVD & Blu-ray masters for collection on Tuesday monring. This was a huge edit with a very short turnaround but we were able to get it all done in time and the carnival organisers were very happy with the final product.

The DVD & Blu-ray both contain the full 2 hour procession which culminates in the famous Squibbing. Viewers can watch the procession with live audio, or with the optional commentary track. The Blu-ray version also featured 5.1 surround sound audio and a number of bonus features including the daytime highlights film, Cart builder interviews and a timelapse film allowing you to watch the full procession in just 4 minutes.

Once again the organisers were very pleased with the results and we hope to be back again next year!

You can buy the DVD and Blu-Ray from the Online shop here: Bridgwater Carnival online shop

Check out the promo film that we created at the top of the page.

Brodgwater Carnival 2016 - Maniac Films