All news Articles

October 2008

“Wattie’s Great Race” documentary proposal accepted

A documentary proposal about an Alaskan Husky race, and a charismatic Scotsman who is taking part in the competition, has been accepted by the Mini MeetMarket at the Sheffield Doc / Fest for pitching in November. The proposal quickly came about after Dogsled Musher Wattie McDonald enquired about the possibilities of filming his exploits as he begun his quest to take part in the The Iditarod, an epic 1150 mile Husky-sled race across Alaska. Excited by the project, Pigeon Media Solutions quickly came up with an in-depth proposal to pitch at the Mini MeetMarket.

Producer Ross Hunter commented:
“This is fantastic, especially as we only had a limited amount of time to complete the proposal and enter it into the festival. This documentary has so much potential, and we never really had any doubt it would generate interest within the documentary circles. We are relishing the thought of starting what will undoubtedly be a huge challenge over the coming years.
This documentary will not be possible without funding and or collaboration with a co production company and we will be doing a lot of work over the next six months to generate the backing we need for the project, including the production of a trailer, an essential tool in achieving this.”

September 2008

“Last Great Race on Earth” documentary proposal

An excited team at Pigeon have been given the opportunity to put forward a documentary proposal for a once in the lifetime event - The Iditarod. The event, often called “The Last Great Race on Earth”, is the world’s toughest dog sled race in Alaska, where 80 teams have to run to survive 1150 miles of jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forest, desolate tundra and windswept coast. The documentary, working title “Wattie’s Great Race”, will follow a charismatic Scotsman in his epic quest to win the event.

On the outskirts of Stonehaven lives Wattie McDonald, a 44-year old oil rig worker who had a vision to have a filmed memento of his Huskies, his passion and his determined dream - to be the first Scotsman to participate and complete this challenge, In his kilt! Since they started breeding huskies 10 years ago, the lives of Wattie and his wife Wendy have been revolving around dogs and races, including having to move outside town where nobody could hear the huskie’s howling - now numbering eleven. Working offshore doesn’t make it easier for Wattie to pursue his dream; nor does the local climate - competing in Scotland means using his three-wheeled rig as he doesn’t get enough snow for sledding. Still, while visiting the Alaskan race in spring 2008, Wattie in his kilt became a mini-celebrity. He also found a mentor in the former Iditarod champion Dean Osmar who offered him his dog team to start with in 2010.

This film will follow charismatic Scotsman Wattie on his journey to raise much needed funds for the Kevin’s Day, SSPCA, and Scottish Siberian Husky Welfare charities (his target being almost 150,000 pounds), the completion of the qualification races in early 2009, and then finally go through frozen heaven and hell in 2010. It will be the first documentary ever to take such an intimate and long-term look at a participant of this incomparable competition.

August 2008

PMS announces plans for new documentary pitch at film festival

Pigeon Media Solutions have announced plans to pitch a new documentary about Aberdeen’s economic present and future to a prestigious festival. The Sheffield Doc/Fest provides the opportunity to meet commissioners and broadcasters to get feedback and discuss project funding. PMS hope the documentary, to be called “The Sky Over Aberdeen” and subtitled “People, Oil and Golf: A Seagull’s perspective on Big Business”, will be one of the successful applicants.

A trailer for the documentary project is to begin filming later this month. The documentary will focus on oil, Donald Trump’s plans, nature and economic growth with observational, experimental and film noir styles.

One of the documentary’s eye-catching ideas is it’s choice of narrator and focal point: an Aberdonian seagull, “An unusual pro-Trump narrator and a strangely human object of persecution”.

July 2008

Pigeon Media Solutions unveil new Anlog and Brochure design

Furthering our brand recognition targets, PMS are delighted to display its new Anlog (3D animated logo) and Brochure. We believe it enhances our existing strong brand. Paul Brannan designed the brochure, whilst John Macpherson designing the Anlog.

Animation by John Macpherson

Design by Paul Brannan

June 2008

Hilton Hotel Corporation (Patio)

Pigeon Media Solutions were recently commissioned produce a Promotional DVD for the Hilton Hotel Corporation for the new look Double Tree Hotel.

The task was to create a high impact promotional video that showcases the hotel and the services on offer. One of the interesting aspects of the production was the use of a Stedicam, this allowed the production team to be more creative, giving shots a fluid look, adding to the overall production, and help further Pigeon Media Solution’s skill in creating exciting visuals.

Pigeon Media Solutions announce Effects expansion

Pigeon Media Solutions have expanded its capabilities and now offers a fantastic Green Screen Chromakeying service. Ideal for marketing and promotional videos as well as photography and websites, the portable Green Screen is an innovative, cost effective way to add some edge and visual interest to your production.

Our portable Green Screen system gives the flexibility to shoot in any ordinary office location; we bring the location to you, which eliminates the need and the expense of providing a studio set or alternative location. This greatly reduces the demands on the Client’s valuable time and significantly reduces set-up costs.

Examples to follow.....

Gary Stewart, Director of Photography states:

“This is something we have been looking into for a while now. From watching Hollywood films in the cinema, Chroma Keying is something that has always intrigued me, and it’s great to bring a part of Hollywood to Pigeon Media Solutions.”

May 2008

Theatre Group announce PMS as 3D animation and AV suppliers

PMS have won a contract to supply Video, Sound and Graphics for Attic Theatre’s production of “Daddy Cool” between the 10th and 14th of June at the Aberdeen Arts Centre.

The Graphics included 3D animation which was relayed to a large white backdrop during the show. The animation is to be used during a colourful dance sequence. PMS were asked to match the dance scene with their own vivid 3D animation of a serpent god.

This is the second project for Attic Theatre; Pigeon provided Video, Sound and Graphics for their production of “We Will Rock You” in July of last year. This included pre-recorded footage of scenes which were shot to give the impression of two characters being in different locations simultaneously whilst interacting. PMS relayed this footage, as well futuristic graphics, to large projection screens at the back of the stage.

Appointment of Creative Director

Pigeon Media Solutions is delighted to announce the appointment of Alexander Hirl as Creative Director. Alexander comes to the company with a wealth of experience in Documentary film-making, both in his native Germany, France and the UK.

After studying at the University for Music and Visual Arts in Vienna, gaining a BA (Hons.) in Social Anthropology from the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, and a MA Visual Anthropology from the University of Manchester, Alexander has worked in a range of productions in a number of roles in a professional capacity. He has also directed a number of independent and University projects.

A recent project closer to home was “The Donald and the Dunes”, a work concerning Donald Trump’s proposed Golf Course on the Menie Estate north of Aberdeen, which was aired on Current TV.

Managing Director, Ross Hunter comments:

“This appointment of Alexander Hirl is a great addition to the Pigeon Media Solutions team. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, not only in the broadcast sector, but also has experience across many platforms. He is adaptable in using a variety of equipment and technologies, which makes him a valued addition to a small team.”

Alexander Hirl added,

“It is inspiring to work on this project with Pigeon Media. Not only are the guys dedicated to film making and open to experimenting with documentary form; having established a well-equipped and organised production company in their home town, they can offer something invaluable for the development of documentary projects: local knowledge. I am looking forward to many more creative production days to come !”

April 2008

RGU Blues Awards - Multi Camera Production

For the second year running Pigeon Media Solutions have been awarded a contract to provide audio/visual requirements for the Robert Gordon University Blues Awards 2008. The annual Blues Awards, a presentation ceremony which recognises the sporting achievements of teams and individuals at the university, this year featured former Irish international Rugby captain, Mick Galwey, as guest speaker.

Working in conjunction with Granite City Events, an event management company, Pigeon Media Solutions provided a live multimedia feed projecting live footage, graphics and VT inserts as the awards ceremony as proceedings unfolded. In addition to this, PMS captured and edited highlights of the awards for RGU to use as a promotional tool, and provided a showreel of the whole event as well as pre and post activities.

Behavioural Safety DVD collection now on sale

March 2008

Bill Robb - Behavioural Safety Production

Pigeon Media Solutions have been commissioned to create a succession of DVDs for Safety Improvers, headed by Dr Bill Robb. Five separate DVDs are to be created covering the following topics:

I Hyper-awareness
II Fear Factor
III Unintentional Pressure
IV The Second Mind
V Mental Awareness

Each DVD is designed to stand-alone and can be used as an add-on to existing meetings, presentations and inductions. They can also be used one after the other to build up a full behavioural safety workshop.

These productions are a continuation of PMS relationship with Bill. In March of this year Pigeon Media Solutions produced six DVDs for Dr Bill Robb’s Table Mountain Creations company, which write and publish books, briefings and manuals written to capture the hard-won and valuable knowledge gained from helping senior managers and their organisations improve business performance.

Dr Robb is the director of Safety Improvers Ltd, Strategy Improvers Ltd and Table Mountain Creations. Through these vehicles he has been assisting senior manager clients get to “heart of the matter” regarding improved business performance.

Bill will be using these new Behavioural Safety DVDs as an added tool to his existing resources. The five DVDs are to be placed on sale next month, plus sample clips are available to view on YouTube.

Dr Bill Robb Behavioural Safety DVD Sample - Part 01
Dr Bill Robb Behavioural Safety DVD Sample - Part 02
Dr Bill Robb Behavioural Safety DVD Sample - Part 03
Dr Bill Robb Behavioural Safety DVD Sample - Part 04
Dr Bill Robb Behavioural Safety DVD Sample - Part 05
Dr Bill Robb Behavioural Safety DVD Sample - Part 06

February 2008

PMS collaborating in documentary about celebrated North-East singer

PMS is currently involved in producing “Legacy”, a documentary film in commemoration of the life of Jeannie Robertson, focusing on the continuing legacy of her outstanding contribution to traditional song and story as it exists in North-East Scotland today. 2008 marks the centenary of the birth of Jeannie Robertson (1908-1975), an Aberdeen born Traveller who is recognised as the finest traditional singer ever to be recorded in Scotland. This documentary, directed by acclaimed Dutch Film Director Mark van Hugten, includes footage of the Cullerlie Traditional Singing Weekend.

This project is in conjunction with Elphinstone Institute of Aberdeen University, Stationhouse Media Unit (SHMU), the Traveller Education and Information Project (TEIP), Grampian Association of Storytellers (GAS), Creative Cultures Scotland, Peacock Arts, Aberdeen University Film Society and the Audio Visual Department, the Belmont Cinema, Aberdeenshire Council, and the National Trust for Scotland.

Managing Director, Ross Hunter states:

“It’s very appealing to be working on a production regarding a local icon such as Jeannie Robertson, who gave so much to the cultural history of the North-East. It will undoubtedly be a great experience and we hope to play a key role in the success of this production. It will also be invaluable experience for the PMS team to be working with such a creative Director as Mark, and hope this is the first of many collaborative projects.”

January 2008

PMS commissioned for Aberdeenshire Safe Drive Stay Alive Campaign

Due to the success of last years campaign, Pigeon Media Solutions have been appointed for the fourth year running to provide the audio/visual services for the 2008 Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign. Organised by the Aberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership, PMS will be responsible for all media requirements for the show, including Multi-Camera coverage, large screen projection, VT inserts and graphics.

Safe Drive Stay Alive is a hard-hitting, thought-provoking road safety initiative aimed at over 5000 5th year school pupils, and shows the full effects of a fatal car crash. The multimedia show will be running at the Beach Ballroom between the 3rd and 7th of November.

Managing Director, Ross Hunter states:

“It is an honour to be involved in such an important initiative to increase safety on North-East roads. There has been a great team spirit over the years in creating this scheme, and it will be a pleasure to work with everyone who makes this event possible, including local councils, community safety partnerships, emergency services, and Granite City Events to mention a few.”