Humanoid were in attendance as the Broadcast Video Expo left London for the first time with the inaugural BVE North event at Manchester Central. Shooting footage for event organisers EMAP, Humanoid's two camera crews captured the buzz of excitement over the move north, speaking with representatives of major broadcast technology companies, seminar presenters, exhibitors and a handful of the 2400 professional attendees.

The 2-day event featured 36 free seminars, including a talk from acclaimed director Shane Meadows on digital film making. Over 90 of the top industry names were exhibiting, including 26 new product launches.

"It really is a necessity that BVE's up here, representing those manufacturers, resellers and dealers from around the UK," explains Event Director Charlotte Wheeler, "really focusing them in a great city like Manchester". The move north was hugely popular with attendees; many interviewees commented on the talent in the region, the link to MediaCityUK and the "northern welcome".

"Quite frankly," exhibitor Eric Joseph told the cameras, "this show's been a hit!"

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In what promises to be the start of an ongoing affiliation, Humanoid recently took the chance to pass along valuable lessons from their first two years to the next generation.

Directors Martyn Lomax and Tom Down shared tips and anecdotes with students of animation at Newcastle-under-Lyme College. The learners will spend the next few months working on 2D animations for charities in their local area as part of their studies.

Curriculum leader Paul Tanner commented "We are all looking forward to working with Martyn and Tom and have already received very positive feedback from our students about their recent visit" .

Humanoid can't wait to see the students' creativity take to the screen in 2012, when their work will be unveiled at a screening in the college auditorium, together with a viewing of the websites being produced as part of the same project.

Humanoid has recently created a series of short documentaries for South Staffordshire & Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust.

“Combating Stigma Within Mental Health” is the Trust’s campaign to end prejudice against people with mental health issues. Humanoid conducted interviews with current and former service users, all of whom had experienced stigmatisation. A series of reconstructions illustrate these harrowing events.

The documentaries were screened to Trust affiliates at their annual assembly. Several audience members remarked how moving they found the service users’ stories. Humanoid are optimistic that the perspective gained from these interviews will prompt a lasting improvement to the Trust’s services.
The videos will be available shortly on the Trust website.

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