BFI Midlands Directors Lab 2024 Selection Announcement

BFI Film Hub Midlands have released their announcement of the twelve directors selected for the first Midlands Directors Lab. We are thrilled to say that YSP Media’s Christopher Bevan has been chosen as one of the filmmakers in the region to receive this incredible opportunity.

In their official announcement posted earlier today, BFI Film Hub Midlands said, ‘Our class of 2024 will be joining us for a weekend of learning and networking at Broadway Cinema, Nottingham as they develop their directorial skills and gain insights to support them in the next steps of their creative journey. Over the weekend we will be joined by established directors from television and film, as well as other industry experts to share their insights on taking those next steps into high-end television and feature films. They will also be joined by members of the cohorts for Creative Producers Lab 2023 and Stories to Shorts Script Development to help build their networks.

The selected directcohort brings together a wealth of directorial experience from across the region, each bringing different perspectives and backgrounds to the weekend. We have been enjoying their work already and we can't wait to see what is in store for them next.’

This first ever Directors Lab will be held at the Broadway Cinema between 9th-10th March and will be allow for new connections and networks to be formed, as well as a shared learning environment from experienced directors, producers and writers from across the world of film and TV. The full announcement from BFI Film Hub Midlands is available online here along with details of the full cohort of selected directors from across the region.

'Magic Carpet Ride' Lands At Birmingham Film Festival

Last weekend Birmingham Film Festival welcomed filmmakers from across the UK to Millenium Point for a week of short films, features, music videos and much more. A receptive audience packed into the enormous cinema for regular blocks of film screenings and Q&As with some of the talent involved in the productions.

Earlier this year YSP Media was thrilled to receive word that we had been nominated for two awards at BFF including Best Music Video and the BFF Bull Award, the grand prize for the best work in the entire festival. Director Chris Bevan was in attendance for the screening of our music video for the screening of Gazelle’s ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ which was showcased amongst an excellent block of short films on Sunday 19th November. The experience of watching our work on such an incredible cinema screen was a memorable one

YSP Media sends thanks to the entire cast, crew and of course Gazelle! The response to the video has been amazing since the first launch and we're grateful for the BFF team for these awards nominations and organising such a welcoming and exciting screening event. We hope to return to the festival in future! You can watch the full video for ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ online as part of our music video portfolio here.

Short Teaser for 'The Other’ Arrives Online

Following completion of post-production and the start of festival submissions, a very short teaser for our film ‘The Other’ has been released online. A co-production between Dreamfusion Productions and YSP Media, the short thriller stars Adam Horvath as Marcus, a serious and meticulous young chef who begins to experience increasingly strange and unexplained events that challenge his sanity. With his mindset spiralling into paranoia his desperation is intensified by sightings of a familiar figure. Dani Tonks, Christopher Tajah and Liz Leonard co-star in the film which is set to premiere in 2024.

After a challenging few years through a global pandemic, personal loss and challenges faced by core team members and post-production crew availability, we are hoping it will soon be time to allow our cast, crew, supporters, crowdfunding backers and audiences the opportunity to finally watch The Other in the way it was intended. Stay tuned for further updates in the coming months and visit our dedicated page for the film here to find out more about this ambitious production.

Adam Horvath as Marcus in ‘The Other’ from Dreamfusion Productions and YSP Media

YSP Media Director Chris Bevan BBC Radio Derby Interview

Filmmaker and creative director of YSP Media Christopher Bevan joined BBC Radio Derby presenter Ian Skye this week for an interview to discuss filmmaking work, family and among other things a shared love of the Star Wars saga. After recently being interviewed as part of a feature on Derby’s BFI Film Academy where Chris works as course leader, the station approached with an offer to appear on the ‘Lunch With…’ show which features conversations with local individuals working in arts, culture, politics, business and more. Chris was delighted to accept the invite and grateful for the opportunity. Our thanks go to Ian Skye and the production team for the warm welcome and interview. An abridged version of the broadcast recorded on 13th September 2023 is available to listen back to at the link.

Award Nomination and Official Selection at Mansfield Town Film Festival

The inaugural Mansfield Town Film Festival takes place in July this year and we’re delighted to have two of our recent music video projects selected to screen, including an award nomination at the closing ceremony of the three-day event. Our video for ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ by Gazelle has been nominated in the Best Music Video category and we are also thrilled to have the video for ‘Arcadia’ screening as an Official Selection in the festival.

Taking place from July 14th-16th at the Mansfield Palace Theatre, the festival ‘promises to be the largest cultural event in Mansfield’s history, with filmmakers travelling from all over the world to check out the over 120 films on show, and engage in the many workshops, masterclasses, and Q&As across three exciting days.’ Thanks to Jay and the festival team for selecting our work and organising this terrific event. You can find out more at their website mansfieldtownfilmfestival.com.

Keep an eye on our social media channels for more from the festival when we attend next month!

'Lady Blue Sky' New Video for Gazelle Released

A brand new music video for Leicester-based band Gazelle has been released online ahead of the new single ‘Lady Blue Sky’ later this month. Taking inspiration from iconic rooftop music performances of the past, most notably of course The Beatles, this take from Gazelle features the band’s signature flair and style which have become a hallmark of their music and video releases. Take a look!

The video for ‘Lady Blue Sky’ was filmed over an afternoon on a rooftop in central Leicester, bringing together a crowd of local extras and fans of the group. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their time and dedication, as well as the location for providing permission to shoot. It was another tough shoot due to accessibility but the end result was certainly worth it.

‘Lady Blue Sky’ is now available for download ahead of the release on June 16th. Download here.

Macmillan Charity Campaign Video for 1000 Mile Bike Ride

YSP Media has just completed work on a promotional video for a charity campaign to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Derby-based Damien Ransome will be taking on a 1000 mile bike ride, travelling the length of the UK from Land’s End to John O’Groats in a so-called ‘Iron Butt Challenge’.

To date Damien has raised over £1000 for Macmillan through charitable donations from individuals and businesses. YSP Media’s Christopher Bevan was approached by Damien’s wife Pam to produce the video and we were absolutely committed to getting involved and supporting this worthy cause. Filming took place in Long Eaton at the Roy Pidcock BMW dealership which allowed for us to capture footage of the showroom, workshop and Damien’s interview with BBC Radio Derby to promote the charity challenge he is taking on.

The ride takes place on Thursday 15th June and we send our support to Damien as he faces this huge undertaking. It’s not going to be easy! You can back the Just Giving campaign page here and please do support this fantastic charity effort.

'Making Our Place' Nominated at Midlands Movies Awards 2023

'Making Our Place' has been nominated for the Midlands Movies Awards 2023 in Best Documentary category. Commissioned by Junction Arts alongside the production of ‘Our Place’, a project which saw seven East Midlands based arts organisations co-create work with their local communities, the documentary has been released online and screened at events to celebrate the work undertaken by all involved.

Our thanks to Mike Sales and the Midlands Movies selection panel for nominating ‘Making Our Place’ in this category. It means a great deal to have our work recognised and have a platform to further spread the word about the work community arts organisations like Junction Arts are undertaking. A full list of nominees for the awards is now available here and we’d like to share our congratulations with all the deserving filmmakers who have been selected. The awards ceremony takes place on June 10th at the Y Theatre in Leicester.

You can watch ‘Making Our Place’ below and please visit junctionarts.org/our-place/ to find out more about the full project and watch the films made by each community.

“
Making Our Place has been a journey; both physically and creatively. A project created to unite artists, organisations and participants across the East Midlands, Our Place really does showcase the best the region has to offer through art and through the spirit of the communities it touches.”

— Christopher Bevan, Filmmaker

You can visit the official Junction Arts page on the making of Our Place here for further information.

Short Stack at Broadway Selects 'Arcadia' Music Video for Screening

‘Arcadia’ rolls into Short Stack Festival this month! We are pleased to reveal that our recent Western music video for Gazelle will play on the big screen at the Broadway Cinema in Nottingham on Sunday 15th January. This promises to be a jam-packed evening of short film, music videos, animation, documentaries and more in a showcase curated by the Short Stack selection team.

Our thanks to David Lilley and his team for selecting our work and organising the event. Nottingham publication Left Lion have previewed the event which you can read here. Tickets are also available through the box office at the Broadway website now.

Gazelle 'Arcadia' Western Music Video Premieres

We’re proud to unveil our latest collaboration with Gazelle for their brand new track ‘Arcadia’ in the form of a Western-set video. This ambitious project was the result of the hard work of all involved and we’re incredibly grateful to the team both in front of and behind the camera who pulled together to make it happen.

‘Arcadia’ stars Gazelle’s Ryan Dunn, Darren Maffucci and Kenny Dunn as the central cast of the video, which features a story of revenge and retribution in a small Western town. Drawing on a string of influences spanning the decades of Western genre films in cinema, director Christopher Bevan worked closely with the creative team including DOP Mike Brindley, editor Stef Hrycyk and MUA Vicky Buxton to build this world on a incredibly limited budget, and we are thrilled with the results. Staff at the location of Laredo Western Town in Kent were key to the success of the shoot, with a detailed location and hired costumes being key to the authenticity of the setting. A rapid-fire filming day meant we had to move quickly, with assistant director Matthew B.C. supporting and ensuring we got everything in the can.

Our micro crew also included AC Jonathan Dwyer and MU assistant Kellie Carpenter, both of whom were integral to the shoot and providing creative input during the day. The word collaborative is used a lot when it comes to these kinds of shoots, and it really does represent the effort that went into the production. A Western is the kind of project we’ve hoped to work on but never expected, so we’re thankful to Gazelle for helping make it happen! Hope you like the video, check it out below along with a selection of stills.

Filming Completed on Western 'Arcadia' Music Video for Gazelle

Filming has wrapped on the latest music video for Leicester based band Gazelle’s upcoming track ‘Arcadia’. The production took place at Laredo Western Town in Kent and stars the band alongside an extensive cast and supporting cast. This was a significant undertaking for a relatively small production crew and YSP Media was thrilled to take on the challenge and make the most of this incredible production location.

Directed by Christopher Bevan and shot by DOP Mike Brindley, the new video will be released later this month ahead of the ‘Arcadia’ single hitting download and streaming platforms. Ryan Dunn, Kenny Dunn and Darren Maffucci lead the cast in a story of retribution, utilising the atmospheric saloon setting at Laredo and main street to great effect. The production took place over a single day and was an incredibly busy one, with lots of material to capture and a story to tell, all whilst trying to take advantage of the best spots on location. We hope the final result does it justice! Our thanks to the crew, cast and Laredo staff for their support and hard work. Keep an eye out for the full video soon.

10th Tapton Lock Festival Filming for Junction Arts

To commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Tapton Lock Festival in Chesterfield, organisers Junction Arts have commissioned YSP Media to create a short documentary which will look at the event’s history, impact and importance to the community.

Filming took place over two days with plenty of opportunities to capture the fun and energetic atmosphere the festival provides. The occasion included community-driven stalls with delicious world cuisine representing Chesterfield’s wonderfully diverse population. In addition to this, a number of performances took place within the big tent including puppet shows, dancing, singing, with the highlight of the weekend being a lively Chinese lion dance and parade through the festival grounds.

YSP Media’s Christopher Bevan had the opportunity talk with artists, volunteers and members of the public who attended the event, all of them giving a positive picture of a festival which has really built up an important legacy and place in the Chesterfield calendar. We look forward to completing the film after further interviews with the organisers, and our thanks go to Junction Arts for commissioning us to take on this project.

New Music Video for Gazelle 'Clementine' Released

Following the success of ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ earlier this year, YSP Media has once again collaborated with Gazelle to produce the music promo for their new track Clementine. The video shoot took place on location in Leicester, the band’s home town, and showcases a laid back look at the band which is an ideal fit for the summer sound of this latest track. Clementine was released last month and is now available to stream and download from all major platforms. Take a look at the video below!

Reimagine Project Produced with Derby Theatre Launched at Festival

Over the past five months we’ve worked closely with Derby Theatre and Year 7 Elmtree students at Bemrose School in Derby to deliver and co-create a film project for the Reimagine Festival. This has been such a rewarding experience and watching the creative development of the young participants over the time we have been working together has been a joy.

The creative direction of the Reimagine project resulted in a mixed-media project highlighting an A-Z of Derby which showcases the participants skills, interests and feelings about their place within the city. The intention behind the project was always to ensure participants were central to the creative process, authoring each of the mini-films which were created for the letters of the alphabet. Students had the opportunity to move between activities and each week we aimed to rotate the art forms undertaken to keep the students engaged and move towards our goal of an anthology of shorts linked by theme.

Working with artist Helen Jackson and Abi Canning, YSP Media filmmaker Christopher Bevan collaborated with Derby Theatre’s Kai Bools to run weekly creative sessions and workshops at the school. The school group, all of whom have SEND considerations, were invited to take part in art practices such as filmmaking, acting, painting, animation, stop-motion, mask creation, photography and more. The end result produced on the project is a true co-creation and feels like a tapestry of young people’s creative talent.

The film premiered as part of the Reimagine Festival at Derby QUAD on 23rd July as part of a showcase of films including projects created by Sinfonia Viva. Derby Theatre also arranged for a preview screening at Bemrose for participants on the project, which was warmly received by students and staff alike. The film also screened at the pop up venue The Tramshed as part of a projection showcase of short films and live performances by young participants from across the city.

Best Music Video Award for 'Magic Carpet Ride' at Repton FilmFest

YSP Media had brilliant evening this past Sunday at Repton FilmFest’ 22 which took place as part of the annual Repton Literary Festival. Our latest music video for Gazelle' ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ was successful on the awards evening, picking up the award for Best Music Video.

This year marked the inaugural Repton FilmFest and if the set up is anything to go by, the event should continue to have success long into the future. Set in the beautiful grounds of Repton School, the festival hosted several days of screenings, special events and Q&A sessions, culminating in the awards event on the final evening of the festival.

We would like to share our thanks to Gazelle, lead actor Danielle James and the entire crew and cast for making this possible, and our gratitude to Tom Craig and the Repton Festival team for the selection and warm welcome. You can watch the award-winning video below!

Derbyshire County Council Documentary on Sexual Health Education Released

We’re pleased to have completed work on a short film project for Education Improvement Service at Derbyshire County Council, working closely with the NHS Derbyshire Community Health Services.

The film centres on the Derbyshire Fly Project, a series of creative arts workshops and exhibitions delivered in schools to reduce stigma and offer support around sexual health and consent for young people. We were commissioned to produce the film and attend a series of workshops and exhibitions at schools across Derbyshire, filming with students, teachers, artists and funders to help raise awareness of the importance of art in health education. The full film is now available online and will be sent to educators and partners across the region.

'Magic Carpet Ride' Music Video Premieres Online

Now available online! The brand new music video for Gazelle’s energetic anthem ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ has premiered across all platforms to a fantastic response. Starring Danielle James (This Is England) in the lead role, the video was filmed in Belper, Derbyshire and is an ode to Northern Soul both in sound and visual style. We had an incredible experience collaborating with Gazelle to develop and produce this project, and the enthusiasm from the band’s vocal and supportive fan base really helped elevate the end result.

Working with Danielle was terrific and she was fully committed throughout in performance, delivering a high energy star performance which truly carries the ‘feel good’ theme of the video. Thanks on behalf of the team to all who worked with us in front of and behind the camera to make it happen. Check out the video below!

Production Credits

Starring Danielle James

Director - Christopher Bevan

Production Company - YSP Media

Assistant Producer - Lee Dilley

Director of Photography - Matthew Scott

Gaffer - Joao Faria

Camera Assistant/Focus Puller - Matthew Hodgen

Editor and Colourist - Stef Hrycyk

Sound Recordist - Benjamin Hodge

Production Assistants - Kira Lathbury, Edward Archer, Finley Millican

Filming Wraps on Music Video for Gazelle 'Magic Carpet Ride'

Filming has been completed on the music video for Leicester-based rock’n’roll band Gazelle’s new track Magic Carpet Ride, taking place in locations across Belper, Derbyshire. The video stars Danielle James (This Is England) in the lead role and features an extensive supporting cast and extras made up of the band’s loyal fanbase. The video, directed by Christopher Bevan, will be released in early Spring in the lead up to the launch of the single through online outlets. Our thanks go to the entire cast and crew for their dedication and talent which helped bring a positive energy to the set in sometimes trying weather conditions!

A selection of behind the scenes photos by Unit Stills Photographer Kira Lathbury have been released to promote the video, and we hope to be able to share a first look at the video soon.

YSP Media Official Sponsor For Spondon Rovers Strikers Football Team

YSP Media is proud to be the official sponsor for Derby-based junior league football team Spondon Rovers Strikers Under 7’s! We’ve been hugely impressed by this hard working, dedicated bunch of players and our thanks to the coaching staff for their commitment. Getting involved with the local community, sports and culture is something we are very passionate about. We're pleased to be able to support a local club in Spondon and grassroots football here in Derby, and we very much look forward to continuing to support the team going forward!

The Spondon Rovers Strikers U7’s for the 2021-2022 season with the coaching team

Three Films Premiere For Constella OperaBallet's 'Spin A Tale'

YSP Media have been working closely with Constella OperaBallet, an exciting, creative company dedicated to developing opera-ballet and creating multi-discipline performances for audiences. Their latest project Spin A Tale was developed over a two-year period, working in partnership with Derbyshire’s Darley Abbey to bring its heritage to life through a series of films with newly commissioned dance, music and drama. Commissioned by the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site in conjunction with Beam, the project was funded by Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Great Place Scheme.

Photography by Ray Gumbley Photography

YSP Media were commissioned to develop three of the seven short films which premiered as part of Spin A Tale for Darley Abbey Day 2021, beginning work in early April 2021 with the filming on location in Darley Abbey, home to the most complete surviving 18th Century Mill complex in the world. As a Derby-based film production company who are passionate about the arts and heritage, it was an honour to be involved in such a creative and rewarding project and we had the opportunity to work with some terrific collaborators and artists.

WATER HYMN

The first production out of the three our team were involved with is Water Hymn, an opera-ballet performance celebrating the power of water and paying homage to the unceasing energy of the River Derwent that gave power to the former cotton industry. Working closely with choreographer Sarah-Louise Kristiansen, director Christopher Bevan and cinematographer Jackie Teboul captured the dynamic and engaging performances of a quartet of dancers, with the filming taking place in a beautiful location on the banks of the River Derwent facing towards the mills of Darley Abbey. Water Hymn was performed by Bryony Harrison, Erica Mulkern, Bethan Smith and Rebecca Stead.

Photography by Ray Gumbley Photography

TANGLED

A smaller and more intimate film Tangled, choreographed again by Sarah-Louise Kristiansen and performed by Daniel Longhurst, was shot inside the old toll booth in Darley Abbey. This contemporary dance film was shot in beautiful slow motion and features a solo dancer entwined in thread, reflecting the former cotton industry in Darley Abbey and ties to the past. Cinematographer Jackie Teboul brought an incredible creative eye to this short film, and creatively working with director Chris, our team were able to make the most out of a very small location, creating a mysterious and alluring visual style complimenting Sarah’s choreography.

Photography by Ray Gumbley Photography

Photography by Ray Gumbley Photography

BRICK ROW

Lastly, a short scene entitled Brick Row from Ruth Mariner was filmed at the old schoolhouse in Darley Abbey. In this original piece, three of Constella OperaBallet’s singers showcase the architectural history of the area, focusing on the houses of Brick Row, which were built to attract workers away from the industrial hub of Derby and into the new industry of Darley Abbey. Joining the YSP Media filming team alongside Chris and Jackie for this project were Benjamin Hodge on sound and Monica Montalvo on hair and make up design. Our thanks to the Constella performers Claire Wild, Fleur de Bray, Rachel Maby and Roland Harrad for their incredible work on this unique production.

Photography by Ray Gumbley Photography

Photography by Ray Gumbley Photography

Each of the three films was a delight to film and edit, and our thanks go to artistic director Leo Geyer and producer Alice Bezant of Constella for their relentless hard work to bring the overarching project together, as well as designer Holly Pigott and costumier Sebastien Freeburn for their work and artistic insight. We also want to give thanks to photographer Ray Gumbley who was on location for the shoot and captured some terrific unit stills, as seen in this posted and fully credited to him. The full programme for Spin A Tale consists of seven films, with work from Deda in Derby, local schools and the university amongst others completing the line up. Constella estimate that several hundred people were involved overall which is a mighty achievement, made even more impressive by the fact that this was all brought together during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. Throughout filming all health and safety measures were adhered to by all of the creatives involved.

The ‘Spin A Tale’ collection of films premiered in full on Saturday 8th May during a live event hosted by Beam on YouTube. If you’d like to find out more about Spin A Tale, head to the link here. You can also watch all of the seven films made at the official Constella YouTube channel.