Calabash Films' blog gets a facelift and new home

Thanks for visiting but we’ve now moved to a brand spanking new Blog which is just a click away here. It’s packed with details of our latest work, sources of inspiration, tips and tricks of the trade and a behind the scenes look at the world of Calabash Films.

See you there.

Calabash.

Calabash Films' new website and blog goes live!

It’s been an exciting 2010 so far here at Calabash Films and we thought it only fitting to kick off the summer with a new look website. We’ve enhanced the original design and added lot’s of new functionality to showcase our video content and a bright new blog to share our news.

Our company director Nick O’Meally thought it was about time we started practicing what we preach to clients... ‘We’ve created a site and homepage that feels vibrant, organic and crucially is plugged into our social networks’.

The site was built by Airfront Media a design and development studio in Manchester who work for the world's best digital agencies and media companies including: Area17 NY, the BBC, LimePictures and Code ComputerLove.

Have a look around and tell us what you think.

Cheers,

CalabashF’s

Behind-the-scenes Twitter series with tennis star Laura Robson!

For the last few weeks Calabash Films have been working away on an innovative multi-platform web series. We've been given exclusive access to film behind-the-scenes with Laura Robson (16), who currently ranking at No. 2 for UK girls, is one of the best young British tennis players around.

Artwork by Mark Taplin of Tap Labs

Calabash will produce an exciting series of twitvids or online videos following Laura's progress as she creates a wristband for the international charity Right To Play. We'll also get a rarely seen insight into her everyday life as she builds towards Wimbledon 2010, where she'll be playing mixed doubles with Jamie Murray (Andy’s brother). These films will be broadcast via Right To Play’s youtube channel and shouted about on Twitter to Laura and Right To Play’s dedicated followers.

Artwork by Mark Taplin of TapLabs

With clear calls to action aimed to encourage interaction and fully rounded conversation, the responses from tweeters will influence the next web video we make. With a digital marketing strategy devised by Calabash we’re hoping this campaign will really take off across the twittersphere to give Laura and Right To Play’s charity wristband the attention it deserves.

We can't give away too much yet but watch this space for more info or find out all about it on Twitter @calabashfilms @RightToPlay_UK or @laurarobson5

Calabash create charity video for drug rehabilitation service

Take a look at Calabash Films' latest production... this time for CDSSL (Community Drugs Service For South London) and The Macs Project.

Calabash Films have worked with CDSSL's inspirational staff to make a charity video to live on the CDSSL website. We also met individuals who have successfully managed to beat drug addiction.

James spent years of his life in prison, battling class A drugs and trying to break a cycle of violence. He reached a crossroads recently after a near fatal overdose but through The Macs Project's intervention, he has started to build a different future.

Melanie has been on the streets since the age of 11, and used drugs for over 25 years. With the support network provided by CDSSL she's slowly growing in confidence and learning to live a normal life.

After years of drug dependancy, through CDSSL counselling, Andy's discovered a new direction and hopes to pursue his dream of becoming a musician.

CDSSL and The Macs Project do some great work and need your support, so please spread the word by putting the link in your Facebook page, embedding it in your blog or emailing to friends. Thanks.

Calabash Films

Podcasts for the BBC and House of St Barnabas

BBC Radio commisioned Calabash to produce a series of audio podcasts for the website of The House of St Barnabas.

This charity works to help people who are homeless and is based in a beautiful Georgian building right in the heart of Soho, London. It offers work and life support via the excellent ‘Life Skills Programme’ and hospitality training from Kingsway College.

The house also operates as a private members club run by Quintessentially Soho. This bar and restaurant works as a Social Enterprise (think Jamie Oliver and his restaurant Fifteen) providing 'on the job' training for the homeless individuals and the proceeds going back into the charity.

Joanna from Calabash Films interviewing one of the trainees.

Calabash was asked to train the students on the Life Skills programme on how to conduct a successful media interview and use NAGRA sound equipment. We also created audio podcasts with them, focussing on how they became homeless as well as what they have gained from the experiences on the course. Listen to James, one of the trainees on the course, tell his story in the podcast below:

You can find the rest of the podcasts on the HOSB site. It was a real pleasure to have worked with BBC Radio and HOSB and Calabash wish all the trainees on the course good luck for the future.

Calabash video; download for your iphone or ipod

Calabash Films create digital multi-platform video content available to view online, on your mobile, or on your ipod / MP3 player.

Our completed series of Golf Putting Lessons are now available to download from the recently launched golfputtingonline.com site. So now you can have your own personal PGA Pro Golf Instructor right there in your pocket next time you’re on the green!

To support the digital marketing campaign we also delivered 7 free taster lessons and a viral youtube behind-the-scenes video. The videos are also available as a DVD.

Check out the full-length lessons on the golfputtingonline.com site here.

Cheers,

The Calabash Team

Sneak preview from Hurwendeki D5 shoot...

Hurwendeki and Calabash Films Canon D5 Fashion Shoot from Calabash Films: Digital Video on Vimeo.

Thanks to everyone involved in the Hurwendeki shoot on Friday. Here's a small taster- a few shots from the uncut rushes...

Plus, our director will be blogging on using the Canon D5 in the next few days.

Cheers,

The Calabash Team

Latest Calabash news.... March 2010

Busy times at Calabash....

We've just finished a charity video shoot with South London community drugs service CDSSL. Nick, our director, met some fantastic individuals and found out just how important their work is.
Thanks to Siggi our cameraman for, as always, his sterling contribution. Online video to follow soon...

Next, we'll be shooting a promotional video for East London fashion label Hurwendeki - check out their site and Facebook page here. They're a great company with a strong brand and online presence (and some pretty nice clothes too!). We're really looking forward to working with them.

Plus, we're pitching for some exciting jobs which use our TV story-telling skills on the web. We've got a few theories up our sleeve about narratives being used in the online space - blog post on this topic to follow soon.

Thanks for your support,
The Calabash team