VIRTUAL PRODUCTION STUDIO

Cold Star Media’s projects are hubs for innovation in both production techniques and how our stories are told.

With the support of a New Ideas Fund award from Creative UK, the company has developed an in-house virtual production studio, enabling in-house production of narrative video content, music videos and immersive live events, utilising the latest developments in VFX and innovative production techniques.

BACKGROUND

Cold Star Media first introduced the characters and environments that became AEON in an iPad app called Persona (2013), which was one of the first apps to explore multi-platform narratives.

When launching Aeon in 2016, we consistently adapted our storytelling as the project evolved - moving from web series to app to immersive live experiences mixing theatre with video and real-world science. Aeon’s underlying themes - climate change, disease outbreaks and gene editing - have enabled our audiences to explore these unsettling futures through drama with additional context from scientists.

Sentinel, first conceived in 2017, features animated visualisations developed from real-world climate data, turning the headlines into animated abstract patterns within an electronic music and video performance. The production presents science as art and entertainment, creating new ways for audiences to engage with complex, global themes.

DEVELOPING TALENT

Both in front of and behind the camera, Cold Star Media is committed to providing opportunities for new talent within our productions.

Our production teams feature a mix of experienced industry professionals working alongside emerging talent to create an inspiring and supportive production environment.

Between 2016 and 2024, our filmed and live projects created paid roles for over 80 cast and crew members, along with post production work for a number of companies across the North West.

Working with the University of Salford at MediaCityUK, our productions offer professional practice experience to students on the BA in Television, Radio and Production course as part of their Live Brief work. In addition, Cold Star Media’s director, Richard Evans, provides advice sessions on the development of multi-platform narratives for students on the course.