Tandem Productions

Pitch Me Classical

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:12:11 GMT

A re-vamped podcast series presented by award-winning saxophonist, composer, and broadcaster YolanDa Brown

Client: London Philharmonic Orchestra

Brief: A brand new podcast series with YolanDa Brown, asking classical music's most-asked questions.

Tandem process: Worked in tandem with the LPO team to craft a new format. Designed content and themes for each episode. Created research packs for presenter and contributors for each episode. Recorded episodes on location. Edited, mixed, and mastered audio. Delivered on a variety of audio platforms.

Project

The London Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the world’s leading orchestras, and an organisation keen to share the wonders of classical music. Tandem was asked to revamp the LPO’s podcast, creating a podcast with a new format and feel that would appeal to an audience curious about classical music

The result sees YolanDa and the LPO gang tackling classical music’s most-asked questions, with plenty of chit-chat and laughter along the way. Is Mozart the G.O.A.T? Does Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony have the best opening? What exactly is the etiquette around clapping at gigs? And many more…

This is an example of how Tandem works in collaboration with a client to deliver the most effective possible content. Alongside combined meetings to shape each series, both teams are in regular communication as presenter and guest contributors are booked and given detailed research briefs before each recording.

Utilising our technical know-how, high quality audio recordings are made flexibly on location, followed by a detailed editing process to ensure the podcasts are fluent, clear and punchy. We then mix and master the audio for a final polish.

We make Pitch Me Classical available on all the leading podcast platforms.

"Episode 1 of Pitch Me Classical has been a huge success all round, it's one of our most listened to episodes to date and has received lots of lovely reviews on socials and anecdotally alike, thank you so much again for your help with everthing."

Marketing Team

London Philharmonic Orchestra

SIMILAR PROJECTS

A View from the Organ Loft

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:28:09 GMT

Anna Lapwood's A View from the Organ Loft

Client: BBC Radio 3 / BBC Sounds

Brief: Six hour-long shows following Anna Lapwood’s first world tour

Tandem process: Worked with Anna on the format of the series and playlist for each episode. Ensured that we had exclusive recordings from Anna in every episode. Created social media assets for promotion.

Project

In this 6-part series Anna invited us to join her as she performed at six iconic concert venues around the world, including Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, the Royal Albert Hall, London, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.

She shared her experiences of performing on these organs and discovering their quirks, alongside recordings that showcased each instrument and her personal music discoveries in each place she visited.

Listeners were able to enjoy special live performances and exclusive recordings alongside Anna’s personal anecdotes from her first world tour.

"Beautifully mixed. The underwater recording is absolutely fantastic and the music is widescreen and atmospheric. So much to learn. It’s a fascinating programme. Thank you”

Simon Pitts

Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service

SIMILAR PROJECTS

Classical Unwind

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:07:53 GMT

Creating a new flagship morning show for Radio 3 Unwind

Client: BBC Sounds

Brief: Three hour flagship morning show on a brand new stream - Radio 3 Unwind.

Tandem process: Designed a new format, built workflow, constructed a new studio and delivered a high volume flagship daily show presented by Dr Sian Williams.

Project

Classical Unwind is an invitation to step back and take listeners on a soothing musical journey, to set you up for the day ahead. Presented by broadcaster, author, and counselling psychologist Dr Sian Williams, Tandem’s specially curated flow of music allows listeners to focus on their work or hobbies, or simply to quieten down some of the noise of modern life.

Alongside the music we created intriguing and thought-provoking features spread across the show to keep people coming back for more, including fascinating insights from Professor Catherine Loveday about the connections between music and the mind.

From the pitching process to launch, this project was delivered on time and on budget in a very short timeframe, demonstrating Tandem’s ability to work collaboratively, flexibly, and highly efficiently.

Classical Unwind is a new era and much needed! I believe you are opening people’s ears to a different sound world out there. But most importantly drawing in a new and more inclusive audience of listeners. Have fun changing the broadcasting world!

Julie Cooper

Award-winning British composer

"Inside Music on Radio 3 has all the characteristics of a podcast. What gives it so much more punch is that the musicians can take us ‘inside’ the experience of playing the music they have chosen, why it works, how it makes them feel. Insight through purposeful conversation."

Kate Chisholm

The Spectator

SIMILAR PROJECTS

Bicycles of the Future

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:37:14 GMT

delving into the minds of two visionary bike designers

Client: BBC World Service / BBC Sounds

Brief: Bicycles made from wood? Meet visionary bike designers Paul Harder Cohen and Mette Walsted

Tandem process: Project managed the recording and filming of this hybrid audio and video production in Copenhagen, Denmark. Working alongside a local Danish video crew who Tandem hired, we also commissioned a bespoke soundtrack from one of our associate composers and delivered a suite of content to the World Service that covered on air and digital.

Project

Top endurance cyclist Lee Craigie travelled to Denmark to meet cutting edge bicycle designers Paul Harder Cohen and Mette Walsted, who craft bikes from a material that’s been around for millions of years: wood.

Paul and Mette took Lee through their creative process in their buzzing dockside studio workshop in Copenhagen, as they design and construct their bike frames from a combination of ash and walnut. Each bike takes over two months to make and each one is unique thanks to the organic nature of the wood they are crafted from.

As well as getting involved in the creation of a new bicycle, Lee found out about ways that form and function intersect, and hopped into the saddle to reflect on how this design gives a highly distinctive feeling of interaction between rider and machine.

Building on our research brief, we used our signature approach of unscripted recording, allowing for a warm and natural delivery, supported with our exacting editing standards.

The programme remains as a podcast on BBC Sounds and the BBC World Service.

"Beautifully mixed. The underwater recording is absolutely fantastic and the music is widescreen and atmospheric. So much to learn. It’s a fascinating programme. Thank you”

Simon Pitts

Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service

SIMILAR PROJECTS

The Dunwich Dynamo

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:03:00 GMT

CAPTURING A JOURNEY FROM LONDON TO THE SUFFOLK COAST

Client: BBC Radio 3 / BBC Sounds

Brief: Experience a night-time journey from central London to the Suffolk coast on a bicycle in this episode of Slow Radio for BBC Radio 3.

Tandem process: Team Tandem cycled 120 miles from a bustling pub in Hackney to Dunwich beach, capturing the sounds as they went via a specially devised on the bike recording rig to create a mesmerising sonic journey.

Project

Every July on the Saturday closest to the full moon, thousands of cyclists ride overnight from central London to the Suffolk coast. It’s a journey like no other: setting off in the late evening from a bustling pub in Hackney, they cycle through the night and arrive as dawn breaks on Dunwich beach - a distance of around 120 miles.

Many of the Tandem team are keen cyclists (the name isn’t just about how we like to work with our clients) so this opportunity to create a relaxing and immersive soundscape on board our bikes was irresistible. It also allowed us to challenge ourselves technically and figure out creative ways to record whilst on board our bikes. Not an easy thing to do given the sensitivities of microphones to vibrations and wind noise.

We created our own recording rig to capture the audio and then we set to work on the post-production as we wove together sounds including the mesmeric ticking of a freewheel, nocturnal wildlife, the dawn chorus, groups of riders swooshing past and the roar of the North Sea.

The resulting podcast is available on BBC Sounds and exemplifies how Tandem can devise creative solutions to ensure unique audio productions to the highest standards.

"Beautifully mixed. The underwater recording is absolutely fantastic and the music is widescreen and atmospheric. So much to learn. It’s a fascinating programme. Thank you”

Simon Pitts

Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service

SIMILAR PROJECTS

River of Music

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:02:57 GMT

CRAFTING A LONGFORM RADIO SHOW CELEBRATING STRAVINSKY

Client: BBC Radio 3 / BBC Sounds

Brief: To experience a seamless flow of 50 pieces of music from Igor Stravinsky on the 50th anniversary of his death. From Firebird to Fireworks, Rite to Ragtime and many surprising sounds in between.

Tandem process: Devised and created a one off radio programme to mark a significant anniversary combining multiple guest bookings, studio and remote recordings, commissioning a bespoke animation and associated imagery, edit master and deliver over five and half hours of content.

Project

This was a unique chance to create a longform radio show that submerged listeners in Stravinsky’s dramatic musical world in pieces written between 1904 and 1965. Drawing on Tandem’s deep knowledge of classical music, we devised a special programme that flowed for over five and half hours featuring a rich and surprising mix of 50 pieces, expertly curated and sprinkled with the insights of eminent Stravinsky performers.

Alongside the carefully curated list of music, Tandem collated a vast range of performers, from Stravinsky himself to the current generation, and along the course of the river, ten leading musicians gave insights into how they interpreted music by this amazing composer.

We also created a bespoke animation to promote the show across social media platforms and to provide the BBC with further branding opportunities.

The result was a programme that generated significant press interest and a lot of listener reaction, and is a demonstration of how Tandem can deliver a full end-to-end service covering audio and video.

"Beautifully mixed. The underwater recording is absolutely fantastic and the music is widescreen and atmospheric. So much to learn. It’s a fascinating programme. Thank you”

Simon Pitts

Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service

SIMILAR PROJECTS

Podcasts on work-based learning for NHS staff

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:18:43 GMT

creating accessible podcasts for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Trust

Client: Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Trust

Brief: 6 podcasts to reinforce and distil big ideas in work-based learning

Tandem process: Planned, recorded and edited structured discussions by experts. Added bespoke music and idents. Set up hosting on podcast platforms.

Project

In partnership with experts in professional development for health and care - Professors Tim Swanwick and Clare Morris - we were commissioned to produce a series of 6 x fifteen minute podcasts. These are designed to provide a lasting, takeaway learning aid that is easily accessed by people in their own time, such as in the car on the way to work, or used as flipped classroom material for face-to-face, online or blended sessions delivered in-house. The podcasts reinforce and support a learning package created by Swanwick-Morris for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Trust that builds on the concept of work-based learning for all healthcare professionals.

We worked with Swanwick-Morris on their plans for delivering easily accessible content on a variety of work-based learning themes. Recordings of conversations between the two experts took place over two sessions, with the emphasis on relaxed presentation that delivers clear information, tips and ideas, within a short period of time.

The podcasts were edited for fluency and clarity, and key points were emphasised with brief musical idents. We worked with Swanwick-Morris on titles, strap lines and key information to package the podcasts before arranging for them to be hosted on various audio platforms.

"Firstly, the quality and editing has produced such an amazing piece of work. Thank you for all the effort. This is really engaging and has been much more emotive than reading the scripts. You’ve all brought it to life vividly.

They are absolutely fabulous productions. I’ve got Series 4 to finish listening to but amazing work! They are so wonderfully done - Seeing the process of recording and the directing made me really appreciate the art behind these."

Jason Brewster

NHS Leadership Academy

Jason Brewster

NHS Leadership Academy

We created a series of short podcasts for clinical educators with Sarah. Throughout the process she helped us think about how we would connect with our audience, how we could make complex ideas accessible, how we could use simple story telling to powerful effect. During recording, Sarah created a really relaxed and enabling environment whilst clearly setting (and achieving) high standards.

Professor Clare Morris

Professor of Medical Education and Head of Research for the Institute of Health Sciences Education, Queen Mary University of London

Thank you for creating the Work-Based Learning podcast...I really appreciated the style of these short episodes, which model good teaching at the same time as laying out theory and practice in a very accessible way.

Alison Waller

Research and Training Lead, Oxford Healthcare Improvement

SIMILAR PROJECTS

Move to Live with Akram Khan

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 11:01:03 GMT

Creating a VIDEO PODCAST SERIES FOR MARQUEE TV

Client: Marquee TV

Brief: To develop, produce and deliver a new video and audio podcast series hosted by choreographer Akram Khan

Tandem process: Spent time coming up with the right treatment that suited Marquee TV’s brief and Akram’s creative concept. Selected and booked a range of high profile guests from across the arts. Recorded and edited audio and video versions of podcasts. Delivered on a variety of platforms.

Project

Marquee TV streams opera, dance, ballet, music, theatre and jazz on demand to a global audience. They wanted a new type of podcast series that shed a different light on people from the arts world, whether actors, visual artists, writers, musicians or dancers. Akram Khan’s lifelong fascination with the way the human body moves is key to the conversations recorded with his guests, who include actor Andy Serkis, musician Izzy Judd, designer Es Devlin and prima ballerina Francesca Haywood.

Finding space in Akram Khan’s relentless schedule meant Tandem had to work very flexibly and record somewhere locally to Akram. Tandem hired a state of the art studio with high quality filming and audio recording resources and each guest was booked for recording at a time most convenient for them and Akram - often in evening sessions.

Kate Chisholm

The Spectator

SIMILAR PROJECTS

Delivering messages in a powerful audiobook

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 10:53:03 GMT

LIAM BLACK: HOW TO LEAD WITH PURPOSE

Client: Liam Black, author and Chief Encouragement Officer

Brief: To record and edit Liam reading his book How to Lead with Purpose

Tandem process: Read and absorbed the book, worked with Liam on small changes to the text, adapting to audio form. Recorded and edited the book. Provided the appropriate technical treatment for delivery on the platform of Liam’s choice.

project

Liam Black is a highly successful social entrepreneur, business founder, impact investor, CEO and above all a mentor - whose current job title is Chief Encouragement Officer. His book ‘How to Lead with Purpose’ was perfect for being transformed into an impactful audiobook, and Liam came to Tandem to record it.

Tandem’s team sourced a local studio space and sound engineer to record the book and worked closely with Liam to lift the messages contained in How to Lead with Purpose off the page and into audio form. Tandem’s expert producers are able to advise readers on all aspects of presentation, as well as subtle adaptations of the written word to make ideas, concepts and expressions work aurally.

Because Liam read the book himself, the result is a personal, intimate and powerful listening experience. As a result of recording the audiobook, his ideas and advice will now reach and resonate with a much wider audience.

Liam’s book is now available on Amazon Audible and other major audiobook platforms.

Jason Brewster

NHS Leadership Academy

Jason Brewster

NHS Leadership Academy

"The quality and editing has produced such an amazing piece of work. This is so engaging and you’ve all brought it to life vividly. They are absolutely fabulous productions. Seeing the process of recording and the directing made me really appreciate the art behind these."

Jason Brewster

Design and Development Lead, Strategy, Research, and Design, NHS Leadership Academy

Tandem were great to work with. Real professionals who helped lift my game and I’m delighted with the service. Highly recommended

Liam Black

Social entrepreneur, business mentor and author

SIMILAR PROJECTS

Sunday Morning with Sarah Walker

alex.anderson@tandempro.uk (Alex Anderson) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 10:29:25 GMT

Creating a weekly morning show for radio 3

Client: BBC Radio 3 / BBC Sounds

Brief: Three hour weekly live show: music to suit the Sunday mood, mixing familiar favourites with new musical discoveries.

Tandem process: Pitched for and fulfilled brief for production of a live weekly Radio 3 programme presented by Sarah Walker, including clips and digital assets for promotion.

Project

Sunday Morning with Sarah Walker offers Radio 3 listeners a welcoming and uplifting start to the day, whether they’re staying in or getting out and about. Each week, Tandem collaborates with Sarah to curate a specially selected collection of music, designed to inspire, delight, invigorate, and gently set the tone for Sunday.

Tandem carefully coordinates each broadcast to complement other programmes on Radio 3, contributing to station themes and highlights, which might include the BBC Proms, a focus on mental health or the anniversary of a leading musician. The programme also regularly features new classical releases to showcase some of today’s most exciting performers.

In the studio, a producer from the Tandem team guides the programme behind the scenes, working closely with the presenter and studio engineer to ensure the live broadcast runs smoothly and accurately to time.

Alongside developing a strong collaboration with Sarah Walker, Tandem builds positive working relationships with guest presenters, who have included Linton Stephens, Clive Myrie and Roderick Williams.

The team also creates promotional audio clips for the BBC website and social channels.

Kate Chisholm

The Spectator

SIMILAR PROJECTS

In the Studio with Axel Scheffler

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:47:23 GMT

AXEL SCHEFFLER: tHE MAN WHO DREW THE gRUFFALO

Client: BBC World Service / BBC Sounds

Brief: An edition of The Documentary: In the Studio featuring book illustrator Axel Scheffler.

Tandem process: Tandem set up a series of interviews with artist Axel Scheffler in his attic studio. Over three visits the team was able to explore Axel’s craft in detail, watching him draw and paint, and at one point having a rare conversation with a new collaborator, actor Dame Emma Thompson. The team also recorded impressions from some of Axel’s young readers on his illustrative style. The audio was edited and mixed with specially written music to create a quirky and entertaining portrait of this highly successful artist at work.

Project

For decades, illustrator Axel Scheffler has been keeping children and adults around the world entertained with his warm and witty illustrations, from the Gruffalo and Stick Man to worms with attitude, gobbly goats and smart giants. He has published more than 150 books, including collaborations with writer Julia Donaldson that have become modern-day classics, translated into dozens of languages and selling millions of copies.

Tandem was excited to have been granted access to Axel’s studio, to record him describing his workplace and the projects he was currently working on. The chance to see him creating characters using pen and ink was fascinating and we took a variety of recording equipment to the location to allow maximum flexibility in what could be captured.

At one point we had an opportunity to hear Axel talk to Dame Emma Thompson about the book she’d written and that he was illustrating, and this formed a focal point of the programme, where Emma gently analysed some of the aspects of Axel’s work. Voices from children who enjoyed Axel’s illustrations were also woven in for a more direct take on his style.

The music for the programme was devised to reflect Axel’s unique approach and cut and mixed to subtly underline some of the points being made.

The programme was broadcast on BBC World Service and remains as a podcast on BBC Sounds and the BBC World Service website.

Kate Chisholm

The Spectator

SIMILAR PROJECTS

Source to Sea

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:47:06 GMT

THREE MESMERISING SCOTTISH JOURNEYS with Lee Craigie and Jenny Graham

Client: Adventure Syndicate with support of the Audio Content Fund

Brief: Series of podcasts to reflect the exploits and thoughts of two Scottish endurance cyclists as they travel by bike and raft down three Scottish rivers, enhanced by new songs from folk singer Julie Fowlis

Tandem process: Created a timeline and overall plan for the series. Provided equipment, plans and questions for Lee and Jenny. Commissioned folk singer Julie Fowlis to write songs for the series. Edited and mixed the podcasts. Set up broadcasts on local radio stations in Scotland and online delivery.

Project

The not-for-profit Adventure Syndicate uses the inspiring stories of women adventuring by bike to encourage people to push their perceived limitations. Supported by the Audio Content Fund, Tandem devised a series of short podcasts with the title Source to Sea, to be broadcast on local and community radio stations in Scotland, and then to be made available to all via digital platforms.

The podcasts followed endurance cyclists Lee Craigie and Jenny Graham as they made their way slowly on bikes and with pack rafts and tents down the course of three Scottish rivers, the Dee, the Tay and the Clyde, ending up at the Cop 26 conference in Glasgow.

After planning the series with Lee and Jenny, covering in detail where they were going and who they were likely to meet along the way, Tandem kitted them out with appropriate gear for on- location recording and instructions on how to use it. The equipment had to be robust and weatherproof as Lee and Jenny were going to be out in the countryside, on bikes and on the river on small packrafts.

We then commissioned the award-winning folk singer and songwriter Julie Fowlis to write and record three new songs that reflected the three river journeys.

The content was edited into 15 short episodes, tied together with links from Lee and Jenny. We also created 3 longer episodes, each representing one river journey. The podcasts were broadcast on a range of local and community radio stations in Scotland and are hosted on various digital platforms.

Kate Chisholm

The Spectator

SIMILAR PROJECTS

A Day in the Life of Honey the Dog

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:45:07 GMT

immersive audio following the adventures of a scottish labrador

Client: BBC Radio 3 / BBC Sounds

Brief: A Slow Radio episode capturing the sounds and experiences an elderly dog encounters during the course of her day

Tandem process: Recorded a series of episodes in Honey’s day. Edited and mixed the audio to create an absorbing, often word-less sound picture.

Project

Slow Radio allows the world to be heard, close up. For this episode of the BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds series Tandem proposed listening through the ears of Honey, a 15 year old fox-red Labrador as she goes about her daily routine, from dawn to dusk.

From waking and saying hello to her canine and human friends on a walk to the park and around an Edinburgh allotment, to staring into a crackling fire, we captured the shifting sounds in Honey’s life, using a combination of microphone placement techniques.

After recording the audio over several days, it was creatively edited and mixed to be especially effective when heard through headphones.

The programme received a huge amount of attention around the broadcast, with Honey, her owner and Tandem’s producer appearing in numerous national press features and radio interviews.

Kate Chisholm

The Spectator

SIMILAR PROJECTS

In the Studio with Zoë Barrett and Patrick Eley

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:44:50 GMT

delving into WAYFINDING for BBC World Service

Client: BBC World Service / BBC Sounds

Brief: An edition of The Documentary: In the Studio exploring the world of wayfinding design

Tandem process: Tandem discovered Zoë Barrett and Patrick Eley at the design house DNCO in London. We booked comedian and writer Tony Hawks to present the programme and conduct a series of interviews with Zoë and Patrick at various locations. We edited the show and added music and final links with Tony. The finished programme was mixed and delivered for global broadcast on BBC platforms.

Project

Wayfinding experts Zoë Barrett and Patrick Eley have a unique way of thinking about space. They know just how to guide people from A to B with ease, no matter how higgledy-piggledy the building or complex the environment. They consider every detail of their work carefully, with aspects such as shape, colour, typeface, graphic design, materials and iconography forming an integral part of their strategically placed signage and maps. Their job is to make sense of confusion with beautiful, simple, modern designs and attractive invitations to ‘walk this way’.

Tandem wanted to represent some of the projects Zoë and Patrick are currently undertaking - an aural work-in-progress snapshot. Comedian and writer Tony Hawks (author of Round Ireland with a Fridge) met them first at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London where they had previously mapped out, developed and produced the signage for visitors to follow. He then found them at their design studios under the shadow of The Shard near London Bridge. There we recorded several interviews over the course of a few weeks, during which wayfinding designs for a museum in Paisley in Scotland took shape.

The result is an introduction to a world not many people either know or think about, but which we have all experienced. An example of an audio programme that can change the way we think about some aspects of everyday life.

The programme was broadcast on BBC World Service and remains as a podcast on BBC Sounds and the BBC World Service website.

"Beautifully mixed. The underwater recording is absolutely fantastic and the music is widescreen and atmospheric. So much to learn. It’s a fascinating programme. Thank you”

Simon Pitts

Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service

SIMILAR PROJECTS

TRANSCRIBE, TRANSFORM WITH VÍKINGUR ÓLAFSSON

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:44:20 GMT

A creative musical journey with pianist Víkingur Ólafsson

Client: BBC Radio 3 / BBC Sounds

Brief: 3 part series Transcribe, Transform, presented by Víkingur Ólafsson

Tandem process: Booked Víkingur Ólafsson to prepare and present programmes sitting at the piano in a Reykjavik studio. Researched and built playlists and provided Víkingur with a bullet-pointed script from which he and the Tandem producer improvised the presentation. The audio was then shaped and edited to form 3 x 1 hour programmes.

Project

Tandem contacted global superstar Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson to ask him to present a series for BBC Radio 3 exploring the art of musical transcription. From electronic re-workings of Bach and Debussy to rock 'n’ roll Tchaikovsky and transcribed sounds of the natural world, Víkingur and the Tandem team unearthed a huge range of amazingly creative music.

The team worked with colleagues at Icelandic Radio to secure a studio and high quality lines to London for recording the programmes. The links were formed through recording a conversation between presenter and producer, with the producer’s comments and questions being edited out in post-production editing, ensuring a fluent and relaxed delivery.

The resulting programmes are intimate, thought-provoking and enlightening guides to a kaleidoscopic collection of fascinating music, and they are an example of how Tandem can work remotely to the highest creative and technical standards.

Kate Chisholm

The Spectator

SIMILAR PROJECTS

DRAMA PODCAST SERIES FOR NHS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:38:07 GMT

Creating audio dramas for learning and development

Client: NHS Leadership Academy

Brief: 4 series of audio dramas to illustrate teaching points on NHS leadership programme.

Tandem process: Edited scripts in detail, cast and contracted 36 actors, recorded and edited 34 audio dramas, added post production including SFX and bespoke music.

Project

The NHS Leadership Academy approached us with a request to make four series of audio dramas for use by participants on the NHS Edward Jenner programme leadership skills course. The course is open to anyone working in health and care, and focuses on the impact the NHS workforce have on the patient experience, and the importance of understanding leadership at every level.

Tandem’s task was to edit the scripts for studio recording, cast the dramas, book and contract 36 actors, commission bespoke music and to record and edit the episodes.

Four patient stories are followed as they negotiate their way through the health and care system in the fictional county of Glenvern. With a diverse cast of actors directed by Jessica Dromgoole, the dramas provide a powerful and memorable basis to this e-learning programme.

The resulting four series of dramas were delivered on budget and on time.

Jason Brewster

NHS Leadership Academy

Jason Brewster

NHS Leadership Academy

Jason Brewster

Design and Development Lead, Strategy, Research, and Design, NHS Leadership Academy

SIMILAR PROJECTS

Short films for BBC Bitesize and BBC Ideas

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:02:23 GMT

Animated short films focussed on enhancing productivity

Client: BBC Bitesize and BBC Ideas

Brief: 2 x 4 minute animated films illustrating top proven tips for getting more done and being more productive.

Tandem process: Researched with expert consultants, wrote script, recorded audio narration, created storyboard, produced 3D animated sequences, added SFX and commissioned music.

Project

BBC Bitesize is a free online study support resource designed to help with learning, revision and homework. It provides support for young learners, including supporting children and young people’s wellbeing. BBC Ideas is a short form factual video platform with the strapline 'short films for curious minds'. The films are designed to be thought-provoking and aim to challenge and inform, while presenting ideas in a digital-friendly and engaging way.

Tandem was commissioned to make two entertaining 3D animated films for 16 - 25 year olds, containing tips people can use in their daily lives, backed up by scientific research: ‘How to feel more in control of your time’ and ‘How to do less but get more done’.

We researched the subjects in detail, with advice and fact checking by an expert consultant. We wrote the scripts and recorded them with a voiceover artist.

The 3D animation team created storyboards, out of which the 3D animated sequences were developed. After several rounds of changes, the films were completed on time.

Sound FX, specially commissioned music and subtitles were added and the video was delivered in several different formats as requested by the commissioners.

SIMILAR PROJECTS

BBC ANIMATION: WORLD WITHOUT HUMANS

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 13:38:41 GMT

A thought provoking animated film watched by millions

Client: BBC Ideas

Brief: 4 minute animated film illustrating what could happen if humans suddenly disappeared.

Tandem process: Researched with expert consultant, wrote script, recorded audio narration, created storyboard, produced 3D animated sequences, added sound effects and commissioned music.

Project

BBC Ideas is a short form factual video platform with the strapline 'short films for curious minds'. The films are designed to be thought-provoking and aim to challenge and inform the audience, while presenting ideas in a digital-friendly and engaging way.

Tandem pitched the idea of a film that portrayed what might happen to our world if humans suddenly disappeared.

We researched the subject and successfully pitched to the BBC Ideas commissioning team. More research followed, with advice and fact checking by an expert consultant from the Open University.

We wrote the script and recorded it with a voiceover artist.

The 3D animation team created a storyboard, out of which the 3D animated sequences were developed. After several rounds of changes, the film was completed on time.

Sound FX, specially commissioned music and subtitles were added and the video was delivered in several different formats as requested by the commissioners.

Since its release World Without Humans has enjoyed huge engagement on social platforms with well over 7 million views to date.

"It's a lovely watch. Great visuals and fantastic sound/music and narration. Well done….we absolutely loved this piece! Such a good subject for BBC Ideas, and you did it so, so well. Very impressed by the animation."

Sam White & Cordelia Hebblethwaite

Commissioning editors, BBC Ideas

SIMILAR PROJECTS

3D animated explainer for NHS Midlands

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 10:39:32 GMT

A short animated film created to deliver a powerful message

Client: Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust

Brief: Short animated film designed to highlight and deliver details about an innovative mental health support service for armed forces veterans.

Tandem process: Worked closely with the commissioner on developing a sensitive scripted story for recording and animation. Recorded and edited audio with our inhouse voiceover artist. Collaborated with our animator on development and creation of 3D content. Produced final edit, with music and sound effects added.

Project

Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, along with several other stakeholders including Warwick Medical School, York St John University and Mental Health Matters initiated the Midlands High Intensity Service, to support armed forces veterans at times of mental health crisis. They needed a means of delivering detailed information on the scheme to clinicians, care workers, veterans organisations and their clients.

We worked on the script together with the client, to produce a concise, accurate and clear scenario of what might happen to a forces veteran in crisis - with examples before and after the introduction of the MHIS.

Our animation team designed 3D spaces in which mini ‘action sequences’ took place. These gave the unfolding story, with its two possible endings, real dramatic impact within a stylized context.

The subject matter was sensitive and we demonstrated that we could deliver a 3 ½ minute animated film with appropriate understanding and care. It now serves as a powerful internal communication tool as well as an informative and engaging piece of client-facing content.

"The product does what we would otherwise have really struggled to do, clearly and accessibly show the intended main pathway and gap that we are seeking to fill with our partners. It is also a legacy because it will be there for patients and families in the future. You were a superb team to work with and we are happy customers.”

Dr Dan Barnard

Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead Psychologist SCMH, Ex-Armed Forces Clinical Lead (Midlands & East TIL)

SIMILAR PROJECTS

Inside Music

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:58:55 GMT

Creating a weekly show about classical music

Client: BBC Radio 3

Brief: Two hour weekly show: classical music from a musician’s perspective.

Tandem process: Pitched for and fulfilled brief for a weekly Radio 3 programme presented by musicians. Booked and contracted over 200 presenters. Curated and shaped music running orders with presenters, recorded and edited shows ready for broadcast. Created clips and digital assets for promotion.

Project

BBC Radio 3 is known as the home of live music and the arts, with classical music at its core. From 2018 to 2024, Tandem produced Inside Music for BBC Radio 3 every Saturday afternoon. It was a show designed to allow listeners to appreciate music with new ears, guided by musicians who open it up from the inside. Presenters have included multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier, composer Hannah Kendall, cellist Natalie Clein, singer Katherine Jenkins, pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, horn player Katy Woolley, and oud player Joseph Tawadros.

Each week a musician introduced music that intrigued them and gave insights into why it has the effect that it does. They might do this by talking technically about bows, strings, tonguing or touch, or by explaining how a composer arrived at a particular chord or rhythm.

The team selected and booked presenters carefully, making sure a wide range of musicians were represented across the year, with a variety of angles expressed on the music they chose.

Together with each presenter we worked in detail on the music sequence before recording ‘in conversation’ with the producer (whose questions were then cut out). This created a natural and free flowing style of presentation, giving the listener a chance to really get inside the musician’s head and absorb their thoughts and ideas about the music they’re listening to.

Tandem’s producers spent several hours editing the programmes to show each presenter in the best possible light, before the finished programmes were mixed to the highest quality broadcast standards.

Each week, we made audio clips for the BBC website and social channels as well as visual assets to help promote the show.

Kate Chisholm

The Spectator

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In the Studio with Jason DeCaires Taylor

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:41:55 GMT

Creating an episode of In the Studio for BBC World Service

Client: BBC World Service

Brief: Episode of In the Studio featuring underwater sculptor Jason DeCaires Taylor.

Tandem process: Booked presenter and specialist underwater audio engineer, researched, wrote presenter brief, hired equipment, arranged travel, risk assessment, recorded interviews and sound FX, edited, mixed programme and delivered ready for broadcast.

Project

We pitched the idea of making a programme about the sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor whose underwater art breathes new life into the ocean.

It proved to be a perfect fit for the BBC World Service series ‘In the Studio’. Presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff was booked to talk to Jason about his latest projects - not only on dry land in his studio in Lanzarote but also while swimming around his artworks deep in the Atlantic Ocean. Miranda and producer Alex Anderson put on their diving suits and entered the eerie world of Jason’s sculptures that not only look amazing, but also provide a habitat for fish and underwater plants.

We contracted presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff and planned meetings and interviews to be recorded with Jason deCaires Taylor at a variety of locations in the Canary Islands, in the UK and remotely. We produced the necessary health and safety documentation and booked all travel.

The technical challenges of recording audio underwater were addressed and we hired a specialist sound engineer to carry out these recordings, under the guidance of producer Alex who went on to record the rest of the content. We then edited and mixed the programme to BBC broadcast standards.

We also documented the project with photos, both in and out of the water.

"Beautifully mixed. The underwater recording is absolutely fantastic and the music is widescreen and atmospheric. So much to learn. It’s a fascinating programme. Thank you”

Simon Pitts

Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service

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LPO Offstage Podcast

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:16:55 GMT

An informative AND ENTERTAINING podcast series featuring YolanDa Brown

Client: London Philharmonic Orchestra

Brief: Podcast series with YolanDa Brown, delving into the world of classical music.

Tandem process: Collaborated with the LPO team on format and content of the series. Agreed budget. Booked presenter. Designed content and themes for each episode. Created research packs for presenter and contributors for each episode. Recorded episodes (in person or online). Edited audio. Delivered on a variety of audio platforms.

Project

The London Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the world’s leading orchestras, and an organisation keen to share the excitement and secrets of classical music. Tandem was asked to create a podcast series for the LPO designed to welcome people into the world of classical music, with human stories, insights, tips and gossip.

Over the 6 seasons of the podcast (so far) musicians in the LPO have talked about subjects as wide ranging as Holst’s The Planets to how many pairs of underpants you need to take on tour, and from the delights of living in East Sussex to how a player’s mum got his stolen instrument back.

This project is an example of how Tandem works in collaboration with a client to deliver the most effective possible content. Alongside combined meetings to shape each season, both teams are in regular communication as presenter and guest contributors are booked and given detailed research briefs before each recording.

The high quality audio recordings are made either in person, or remotely using Tandem audio equipment and the editing process is detailed, to give the podcasts a natural fluency and clarity. Our associate audio engineers then mix the audio for a final polish.

We make LPO Offstage available on all the leading podcast platforms and we have also syndicated the series via international media networks for wider brand awareness.

"The LPO has been working with Tandem since 2020, creating the orchestra’s fantastic podcast LPO Offstage. Tandem have contributed at all stages of the process – from conception, episode content and construction, as well as the recording, editing and production to an incredibly high quality – we have really valued their wealth of experience in this field.

All the staff at Tandem have been a delight to work with and we couldn’t be happier with our working relationship, as well as the great success of the podcast."

Kath Trout, Marketing Director

London Philharmonic Orchestra

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Podcasts, animations and graphics for ABRSM campaign

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 14:13:39 GMT

TANDEM LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

A multimedia campaign for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

Client: ABRSM

Brief: Suite of multi-media content for ‘Because of Music’ campaign.

Tandem process: Designed and produced a series of podcasts, 6 animated films, 26 animated graphics and animated key visual with bespoke music.

Project

ABRSM (The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) is the UK's largest music education body, and the world's leading provider of music exams, with 650,000 assessments in more than 90 countries every year.

Tandem was briefed to produce a range of content for ABRSM’s six month global campaign, ‘Because of Music’. This was designed to highlight and share people’s experience in music, at whatever level, and to reflect the way it enhances lives and inspires achievement - in effect, that music is for everyone. The Tandem team’s strength and experience in music production was key to the success of this project.

Dr Susan Hallam’s research on the effect on the brain of learning and listening to music was the basis for 6 unique animations; a series of audio podcasts told vivid stories of people’s experience being affected by the power of music; and 24 animated graphics for social media delivered messages about the benefits of musical activity in entertaining, colourful, bitesize form.

The content was optimised for use on ABRSM’s digital channels and culminated in hundreds of thousands of views, likes and shares.

We also produced a 3D animated graphic with specially commissioned music that formed the key identifying core image and sound for the campaign.

Every aspect of the production of these many and varied pieces of content was undertaken by the Tandem team, and delivery of the material over the 6 month campaign was on time and on budget.

"AA emailed Lincoln Abbotts - no reply yet."

Lincoln Abbots

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Short 3D animated films for Rothamsted Research

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:16:29 GMT

Animated interviews that celebrate 175 years of agricultural science

Client: Rothamsted Research

Brief: 12 videos with 3D animation for 175th anniversary.

Tandem process: Filmed and edited 12 interviews, produced graphics and 3D animations to illustrate, added bespoke sound effects and music.

Project

The world-leading, non-profit agricultural science centre Rothamsted Research commissioned Tandem to make a series of 12 short films to celebrate their 175th anniversary. Our task was to represent the breadth of exciting projects underway at the company’s centres in Hertfordshire and Devon in a way that would engage and excite the public.

We scheduled video interviews with 12 key scientists from Rothamsted Research and spent several days filming at both sites. After editing the speech content, we worked with our graphic designer and animation director on the presentation of the material using clean, quirkily styled graphics and 3D animation. Bespoke music was added before the films were delivered on time to be shown on a big screen at Rothamsted Research’s anniversary open day, and online.

" The Tandem team could not have been more patient, thoughtful and intelligent in their attention to detail of the remit. Rothamsted Research was overjoyed with the result and used the series as a centrepiece of its 2018 "Festival of Ideas", celebrating 175 years as one of the UK's leading agricultural research organisations. "

Susan Watts

Former Head of Engagement and Communications, Rothamsted Research