Clone is a new 'team written' comedy series created by Adam Chase, (Friends) Which opens with a brilliant scientist, Victor (Jonathan Pryce) unveiling the result of his life's work: The first human clone (Stuart McLoughlin).
The Clone is intended to be a prototype super soldier who will eventually replace Britain's volunteer army, Victor quickly realizes his super weapon is more likely to hug someone than shoot them. Also starring Mark Gatiss, Fiona Glascott and Oliver Maltman. Joint Exec Produced by Ash Atalla / Adam Chase, Directed by Rob Schiller, Associate Producer Murray Peterson and Line Produced by Charlotte Cinalli. Qurios was called upon to produce shots of an apache helicopter chasing Victor (Jonathan Pryce).
Qurios has recently completed several VFX shots for the new ITV 1 drama Sharpe's Peril.
Sean Bean returns as Sharpe in the long running TV series based upon the book by Bernard Cornwell. Qurios created several CGI swords for shots of actors being stabbed through the back.
The swords were tracked to the moving actors and animated to match the stabbing movement of attacking soldiers. Lighting was also matched to the scene and the illusion was completed by recreating the soldiers tunic in the computer and animating it to interact with the movement of the sword.
No actors were killed by Qurios to produce this effect.
Qurios recently completed six trailers and an intro sequence for the highly anticipated game Multiwinia.
The trailers combined captured game play footage with 3D animation to help introduce players to new innovations in the game.
Qurios recently competed a second residential workshop for Northumberland Rising, an inspirational professional development programme for teachers and creative practitioners in film and music. It aims to reignite the passion for what they do, and so further inspire the young people that they work with.
Eight first schoolteachers, and 12 creative practitioners gathered at Longhirst Hall in early May for the fourth and final creative lab. Singer and songwriter, Sandra Kerr, animator Niel Bushnell and illustrator Curtis Jobling returned as leaders.
Using a lot of laughter and fun, Curtis and Niel worked together to show the rudiments of animation and character building, with the emphasis on working with younger children. They were joined by poet, musician and animator, Dougy Pincott.
Dougy had just returned from Louisiana where he was in discussions relating to post hurricane Katrina disaster victims and how creativity can act both as therapy and a platform for legislative change and social requirements. All four leaders stressed the importance of narrative in their creative work, be it animation or song, as well as the strength of collaboration.
The atmosphere was relaxed and informal, and the glorious weather meant that much of the work could be done outside. The beautiful grounds at Longhirst provided an inspirational backdrop for singing, poetry, and tree climbing!
Northumberland Rising is a partnership programme between Creative Partnerships Northumberland, ISIS Arts and Children’s Services, Northumberland County Council.
Its hard to believe its been 6 years since Qurios first opened its doors in 2002.
From those humble beginnings the studio has grown in size and reputation. We are proud to still be working with some of our earliest clients as well as adding some very recognisable names to them, such as the BBC.
The industry continues to change and evolve and we have had to move with it. Its not always been an easy journey but we've learnt some vital lessons along the way. There are some very exciting things happening behind the scenes here which will mean even more changes over the coming months and years, so who knows where we might be when we add another candle to the cake.
Working with The Digital City we have just completed some in-house training in 3D production for one of their clients.
The one-on-one 6 day training course was developed in conjunction with the participant and tailored exactly to his needs.
A team of high-flyers from the Hartlepool business world are showing off the town's assets in the Houses of Parliament this week. Representatives from nine companies, including Qurios, will spend several days at the Palace of Westminster to promote Hartlepool as a business destination to the country's most influential people.
The visit was spearheaded by Hartlepool MP Iain Wright, who hopes that the delegates can really put the town on the map. He explained: "To be frank, people have stereotypical views of the town. They think of Hartlepool United's re-election years, the monkey-hanging legend and more recently the canoeist story.
Reputation is everything in business and I hope this visit goes some way to challenging those views and showcasing what the town is really like. The regeneration that has gone on, the great opportunities we have here and the real spirit of the town. Businesses can relocate anywhere in the world these days and I want them to have the confidence to come to Hartlepool."
The visiting party consists of Niel Bushnell of Qurios Entertainment, Alby Patterson of Hart Biologicals, Vikki Jackson-Smith of J&B Recycling, Andy Burton and Suzie Dear from the Big Glass Design Studio, Heather Smiles from Altered Images, Rob Jones and Brian Holden from Northern Creative, Jamie Borthwick from Borthwick Marble & Granite, Vinod Nair of Tejas Energy and Sarah Newcombe of Work Matters. Joining them are Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs, town Mayor Stuart Drummond and Joe Docherty of Tees Valley Regeneration.
Hartlepool Borough Council enterprise centre manager Andrea Miles said: "In Hartlepool we don't blow our own trumpets enough. When this opportunity came up we jumped on it. We have so much to shout about; the Marina, the Tall Ships' Races and the many opportunities for businesses that locate here."
The exhibition space, on the Upper Waiting Floor at the Palace of Westminster, is allocated to individual MPs on a ballot basis, and will have various stands showcasing the town and its business opportunities.
Mr Wright added: "It took me over a year of trying to get my name pulled out of the hat. The Upper Waiting Floor is where all of the Parliamentary Committees take place so it will be on show to all the big movers and shakers."
Qurios has delivered a new animated commercial for the Lanes Shopping Centre in Carlisle. The commercial produced by Hunter Johnstone used a 2D style showing shoppers and big-name brands.
Qurios provided animation for Realtime UK’s development of the Sony PSP Go Website.
Four robotic characters were animated popping out of the floor and walking to their start positions.
Qurios recently completed animation for the Best New Business Awards, help at Middlesbrough Football Club’s Riverside Stadium. The event which celebrates new businesses and their achievements in the last year presented awards to a diverse range of companies.
Qurios produced a fast paced animated intro as individual category animation.
Qurios MD Niel Bushnell delivered an hour long lecture followed by a Q & A session to students at the University of Teesside in Middlesbrough.
The lecture included a potted history of the company so far including the lessons learnt along the way.
It’s been a busy time for events with Qurios in attendance at the Animex Animation Festival in Middlesbrough and Broadcast Live & Toy Fair in London.
A diverse and eclectic mix of creative leaders came together to inspire the participants for Northumberland Rising's Creative Lab, set against the picturesque backdrop of the George Hotel at Chollerford in early February.
Veteran animator and publisher Curtis Jobling was joined by Niel Bushnell, managing director of Qurios Entertainment. His company provides art and animation services for both the games industry and television.
On the final day, the Leaders and Participants worked together, and produced a short animated film, complete with their own original soundtrack.
This joint knowledge and expertise made for a lab that those who took part described as “raising aspirations”, “broadening outlooks” and “ a once in a lifetime experience.” As one participant said “we honestly couldn't have asked for a better mix of leaders and participants.”
“This is something that is going to stay with me for ever.”
Northumberland Rising is an inspirational professional development programme for teachers and creative practitioners in film and music. It aims to reignite the passion for what they do, and so further inspire the young people that they work with. It is a partnership programme between Creative Partnerships Northumberland, ISIS Arts and Children’s Services, Northumberland County Council.
