First internet-only firm for Birmingham production company

Jun 24 2008 By Mail Reporter

A BIRMINGHAM production company has launched its first film with the use of some innovative new marketing and distribution methods.

European Drama Network, specialising in making modern movies from classic plays, has released its film, The Mandrake Root, for internet-only distribution.

The film, a bawdy comedy based on the work of Niccolò Machiavelli, will also be marketed by offering mobile phone users free clips transferred with the use of bluetooth technology.

Managing director and producer Simon Woods said: “The risk- averse nature of TV drama commissioning is doing for creativity what Macbeth does for sleep and when combined with the dominance of Hollywood blockbusters in cinema, it is squeezing out anything that is seen as culturally difficult.

“The Mandrake Root is just silly and very funny. We think it appeals to a broad global audience and Bluetooth marketing combined with internet distribution allows us to take the risk of judging audiences to be brighter and more courageous than TV broadcasters and film distributors imagine.”

Although shot in Sardinia, the film has been almost entirely produced in Birmingham. Four out of seven of the film’s lead actors were from the city, post production work was carried out by The Audio Suite and HD Heaven in Digbeth and Aquila TV, Broad Street.

The soundtrack was recorded at the Birmingham Conservatorie, the artwork was created by Gas Street-based Two-Thirds Design and photography was by Jennifer Arundel from Redditch.

Mr Woods said: “I am very pleased that the film has that Birmingham link, I really didn’t want to go to London. I am a great believer made from Birmingham rather than in Birmingham.

The film is also being distributed on-line and is available to download, stream or as a DVD from the IPTV site www.europeandrama.net which also provides free TV programming and video blog from the making of the movie as well as downloads of the music, artwork and script. It will be launched in Europe on August 7.