2011 is almost over?  Incredible. Where did the past12 months go? We don’ t remember a year passing so quickly. How was it for you – also a blur?

Anyway, it’ s been an amazing time at BRP. Much achieved, and truly solid foundations for the future. We worked with our biggest clients to- date, had some very exciting meetings, discussions and experiences, totally re- branded and launched a new site and show- reel. More importantly we also completed our debut documentary film: VOICES. More news about the film in January.

In just3 years BRP has made the transition from a good idea to an international contender. Quite an achievement against an extremely scary financial backdrop – so forgive- us if we pat ourselves on the back.

Has it all been rosy? Not at all. Like just about everybody else in the creative sector we’ ve had some serious ups and downs. These are challenging times. But when you look back at history it’ s the periods where hardship was greatest that artistic expression blossomed and bloomed the most. Also, being leaner and meaner than our competitors makes it likely that we can weather the storm. So, bring- it- on!

1 thing we do want to touch- upon is project expectations. 2011 was the year – of all of the years so- far - that we had a big project dissapointment. The details are very boring, but the central issue was that we relied on the partner to deliver without really checking if they could; and they couldn’ t. Our advice to other creatives? As nice and capable as a partner (or client), may appear to be, ask the difficult questions – and check and double- check everything. Or, like us, you’ re likely to be let- down and made to look un- professional, as we were. Never take anything at face value as it could cost you a great deal indeed.

Lesson- learned? Yes. We are wiser, and in the future can pass this knowledge on to our customers and collaborators to the advantage of all. At BRP we look forward to2012, to eliminating failure, and building positively always on our successes.

Is a documentary film ever really complete? Even when filming has concluded, and the often long editing process is over, publicity and promotion must commence – and the project needs to be entered into film festivals and sent to distributors and broadcasters for consideration. This is where we are now with our documentary: VOICES – Nobody Will Silence Them!

Right at the beginning – in the Spring of2008 – we decided to give the film an identity, and worked with a local agency to create a branded website and a DVD cover and poster/ postcard design. Too early? Perhaps. But we felt it was really important to graphically visualise the film; in order to impress and interest potential partners and sponsors, etc. And it was a compliment indeed when we noticed that our branding approach and colour choices were adapted and utilised by other film- makers in2008 and2009.

The designs for the poster/ postcard still look great and you can see the2 versions here – black and white and black and red. As well as arresting images the poster also features the logos of a few of our key partners and sponsors. Lastly, the brief synopsis gives a very good idea of the central story and the characters involved.

I think we will do the same thing again. Leaving film branding and identity until after you’ ve finished a film could be a mistake and for pre- selling and pitching it’ s a very useful tool. If we had to start now to begin to produce the promotional material for VOICES I don’ t think we would be able to do- it because of the time it takes. So we recommend the same path to others. Build- it into your pre- production budget!

Recently we launched2 new BRP pages – an Africa page and an Asia page and you can view these2 pages here:

http://www.brpltd-africa.net/

http://www.brpltd-asia.net/

The purpose of these pages is not only to widen our horizons and opportunities, but also to penetrate overseas markets, and, to secure co- producers, collaborators and partners. Because our work is visual and should speak for itself the pages are fairly plain, and don’ t differ fundamentally from our main BRP site; but we have added main regional languages. Fortunately, we are able to also add English – which is largely spoken as a second language everywhere.

A few months after we decided to create these multi- lingual pages and refresh the BRP identity – earlier in2011 – we noticed a clever and very graphic magazine advert. Generated by an Abu Dhabi government intitiatve, the page explained that while more Arabs than Europeans use the net; only1 % of sites are Arabic, or, feature Arabic text. It also further explained that while5 % of web traffic is currently Arab it is growing, and, since the recent ‘Arab Spring’, we would say that this statistic is probably (already) very out of date indeed. Anyway, it seemed we were on the right track!

The core message? Add other languages to your site or sites? Yes, but also think about how you work and maybe look beyond your learned and comfortable successful/ unsuccessful patterns of working. There are markets and opportunities out there that are un- tapped and under- developed all over the planet. Tap into them and increase your potential and profit and impact. Oh, and if you need a short film or clip that tells your story to the world then you know where to come!

Blue Rain Productions is now3 years old, and during this period of time we have met many persons and organisations: regionally, nationally and internationally. Some of these organisations and groups are doing amazing work with very scant resources and we admire and can relate to their tenacity, their drive and their determination.

Last week we read an article in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle that featured an interview with the Chief Executive of a local sport- focused charity. Basically the article was a look at their funding problems due to local and national cutbacks. It also suggests that it isn’ t really the fault of the organisation itself, or, it’ s managers.

We have met and engaged with this person and sadly what unifies him, and a few of the other organisations we know about, is a real failure to grasp the importance of a digital and online media strategy. What BRP has noticed – particularly in the last18 months – is that it is those endeavours/ companies/ charities that do understand online promotion, and in particular; the impact of promotional films and social media, that are un- affected, or least affected, by the new funding landscape. They are seen as more credible and viable and relevant.

A lack of understanding of the opportunities and benefits of internet promotion will be a significant factor in the future closure or down- sizing of these formerly fully publicly supported groups and charities. Ticking the old boxes is no longer enough.

Professional online films and short clips are a cost- effective and sometimes fun way to reach and communicate with funders or users or sponsors in the internet age. Undoubtedly, culture is increasingly visual and less about printed material such as: flyers, fold- outs, badges, posters and reports – they don’ t work anymore.

BRP believes that regardless of size, all charities, organisations, groups and anybody wishing to make a social impact needs to embrace social media fully and recognise that without a workable and innovative strategy – that includes a promotional clip or film – they are failing their supporters and users and backers. BRP welcomes you to talk to us about this anytime!

Update about the BRP DJ Vasey film and fund- raising event.

Due to poor advice about an appropriate date for our planned HENSHAWS/ BRP
fund- raiser we are currently re- thinking the timing and location. More news soon!

In the meantime, BBC Asian Network have acted on BRP’ s advice to highlight how
the Asian community in the U. K. treat their blind and partially- sighted young and
adult members.

It’ s great that the subject of our recent short film – DJ Vasey (aka as Avase
Tariq) is an interviewee. Listen here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013gk2x

Date: June6 th, 2011.
Subject: ‘DJ VASEY’ film and fundraising event

Sight loss is something we all fear. What would we do if we began to lose this faculty? How would it feel, and how would we cope in a world that is increasingly visual, and where even everyday tasks can require sophisticated hand/ eye co- ordination?? Who would be there to help us? Could we live normally?

This was a reality that North- East DJ and musician Avase Tariq (aka DJ VASEY) was forced to face; as revealed in a new short film by Blue Rain Productions. Avase and his friends and family speak very movingly in the film about some of the challenges he overcame, on his path to independence through music; and, how he is a role- model for anybody who faces similar setbacks. Here: http://vimeo.com/24521427

Blue Rain Productions plan to use this positive look at disability to raise funds and awareness about sight loss and blindness. Currently Blue Rain Productions are close to securing a local venue (for an event at the end of July), and are seeking sponsors and partners to support and facilitate an exciting and memorable evening.

The planned event will be ticketed and open to all, and is expected to feature great live performances by: talented musicians and performers, DJ s, a U. K. Asian star, food, a goody- bag and other promotions, and a potential fashion show. The ‘DJ VASEY’ film will also be screened and all money raised from ticket sales (and on the night) will go to charity.

The film and event are supported by Henshaws Society for Blind People, and their national ‘500 Challenge’ initiative. The ‘500 Challenge’ is Henshaws’ bid to assist companies in raising funds for the charity and those it supports in an innovative way.

For information regarding DJ VASEY, the film and the fundraising event:

Simon Constable (Blue Rain Productions Limited)
simon@brpltd.net/ 07706 736 636

For information regarding Henshaws and their ’500 Challenge’:

Tori Moore (Henshaws)
Tori.moore@henshaws.org.uk/ 0161 786 3661

Blue Rain Productions Limited – 2011