Skip to main content Go to Site Map

Innovation Studio

Treehouse Digital

Industry-engagement and our strong maker culture puts collaboration at the heart of everything we do.

Treehouse Digital

Developing a short horror film, ‘Treaters’. Supported by European Regional Development Funding (ERDF).

About the project

Treehouse specialises in high-concept family entertainment. They are a ‘Story Laboratory’ that nurtures original ideas through each stage of production via their writer’s room, VFX studio, editorial and sound facilities in Bournemouth.

They wanted to experiment with filming live-action using the same camera techniques as animation. This involved building specialised sets and camera rigs and inserting CG enhancements in afterwards. Wayne Humphrey from AUB contributed prosthetics and mask work supported by AUB alumni in Make-Up.

The short film would also act as a showcase for Treehouse with extensive video diaries of every aspect of the production to help them secure new business.

‘Treaters’ was debuted on 35 mm film at the Shelley Theatre, Dorset on Halloween 2017 and is available to watch online for free. The film caught the attention of Crypt TV, a well-known entertainment company in the US focused on developing, producing and distributing horror-themed digital content.

Paul Hamblin, partner at Treehouse says: “The funding support from AUB gave us the confidence to invest more in the production and there are plans to develop another film in the ‘Treaterverse’.”

After the above project, Treehouse were commissioned by Crypt TV to develop a new short film, Shelley.

AUB Staff: Wayne Humphrey, Lecturer on BA (Hons) Make-up for Media and Performance.

European Regional Development Funds

This project is supported through match-funding by the England European Regional Development Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. This fund was established by the European Union to help local areas stimulate their economic development. This investment will help to support innovation, businesses, skills and employment to improve local growth and create jobs. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

Explore the Innovation Studio

Innovation Studio, photographed by Richard Bryant. Photo of an exterior wall with two reverse-L shaped windows and three semi-circle panels visible. A person walks past towards the right.

Overview

The Innovation Studio operates as a lab for creative technologies, a nucleus for start-ups and enterprises and an industry engagement hub.

Two people stand and look at a collection of lit-up transparent boxes stacked on top of one another.

Events

A series of workshops and lectures for industry professionals to develop innovation and creative capabilities.

Abstract image

Projects

Take a look at some of our recent collaborative projects with external partners and businesses

Sunseeker employee working on schematics of a boat

Associate Programme

Our Associate Programme offers membership of our Innovation Studio to regional businesses seeking research and development support.

People putting post its on a window

Pre Start-Up Programme

Our Pre Start-Up Programme offers membership for creative individuals or businesses looking to develop new products or services.

Innovation Studio, photographed by Richard Bryant. Photo of an interior space, with several people sat working at tables. A rectangle-shaped railing is in the middle of the room.

Creative Technologies

The Innovation Studio features state-of-the-art equipment and digital resources, and the latest manufacturing technology.