A renowned commercials producer has opened an HD facility in Soho after demand for his self-bought kit went through the roof, writes Sam Espensen.
The six-strong AHC Post is the brainchild of Alan Cummings, a producer with 10 years' experience, whose credits include ads for Schweppes, Unilever and Mobil. Speaking exclusively to Broadcast, he revealed that the decision to open the facility came after buying HD kit for his production company AHC. Cummings bought his own editing equipment to gain better control over production after a disastrous commercial shoot in Africa last year, but has since found that "people kept wanting to hire it".
Cummings insists there is "virtually no one in Soho offering a genuine HD service, and it's a fantastic format. It's being held back by a combination of uninformed prejudice, vested interests wanting to maintain the status quo and fear of the unknown."
Although Cummings is an ad producer, he is also offering an advice service for first-time HD users, whatever the genre. He told Broadcasthe will be able to suggest drama or documentary cameramen and is working alongside five leading DoPs, including Adam Biddle and Andy Boulter.
AHC Post will offer a Quantel eQ editing system, along with its Q Color grading option. Reseller McMillan handled all the sales of the kit going into the Newburgh Street building. Cummings chose Sony HD equipment for monitors, VTRs and cameras.
The facility will also offer a Panasonic 42 inch HD plasma screen with 5.1 surround sound. Cummings revealed that he had looked for a "stable system for HD" for some time. His decision to go with Quantel's package was because it was "the only thing around that's nearly up to speed. I have put in a Sony 900 HD camera and HDCAM deck alongside the eQ and we are offering a complete HD package where a client wants it."
AHC Post will also offer a graphics studio and DVD authoring.
No comments yet