Still frame: Cornet playing and Manx Concert Brass rehearsal

Still frame: Music on stand

Still frame: Manx Youth Band New Zealand tour locations

Still frame: Band President Sir Laurence New, interviewee

Still frame: Dr Breesha Maddrell on Mera Royle

Patrick working with Mera Royle

Mera Royle at Milntown Estate

Filming for upcoming mental health web series The Spark

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DOCUMENTARY

Development | Crewing | Production Management

Editing | Sound Design

Real life is often stranger than fiction, as the saying goes. One of the quickest-growing genres today, documentary is an exciting avenue which also benefits from increased connectivity, with many real-life stories going viral online.

We're always on the lookout for surprising stories that the world deserves to hear, especially those important to the Manx community.

One of the best things about documentary is that you only have to talk to someone in the street to find a subject.

Do you know someone whose story needs to be shared with the world?

Tell Us Your Story

See Our Documentary Work

Patrick & Bethany from Dark Avenue Film approached the Executive Committee of the Manx Youth Band back in 2019 with the suggestion to make a film to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Manx Youth Band and 25th Anniversary of Manx Concert Brass in 2020.

The Committee were impressed with Patrick & Bethany's very professional approach to how the film would be structured i.e. looking at the past, present and future and they worked well with the Committee with regards to the film's content. They organised interviews with key members of the Organisation and attended concerts and rehearsals to film the bands performing.

Unfortunately due to the Covid 19 restrictions some plans for filming the Bands had to be abandoned however, Patrick & Bethany were not daunted by this and came up with alternative plans to enable the production of the film to continue.

The end product was excellent and has been well received by the Organisation as well as the Manx public. It premiered at the Manx Last Night of the Proms in September 2020 and was released on YouTube in the November.

Steve Garrett, Treasurer at Manx Youth Band

Manx Youth Band and Manx Concert Brass - 50 Years Of Music

Manx National Youth Band

Manx Youth Band and Manx Concert Brass - 50 Years Of Music

2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the Manx Youth Band and the 25th anniversary of Manx Concert Brass. The Manx National Youth Band was formed in 1970 by Jim Crosbie MBE. The band quickly developed a reputation for excellence and its success eventually led to the creation of Manx Concert Brass in 1995 for players over the age of 19. Now under the baton of Ian Clague MBE, the Manx Youth Band has nurtured some of the very best young musicians in the Isle of Man and provided generations of islanders with the chance to forge lifelong friendships and memories from their association with music. The influence of the band on the Isle of Man via their youth programme and the competitive success of Manx Concert Brass is undeniable. With their help, alongside the other bands on the island, brass has become a staple of Manx music culture. Produced by Dark Avenue Film with funding from Culture Vannin and the Department for Enterprise. Directed by Patrick Crellin and Bethany White.

Mera: A Short Documentary

Dark Avenue Film

Mera: A Short Documentary

On 4th April 2018, Manx harpist Mera Royle won the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. This is her story. Manx musician Mera Royle started playing the harp when she was only nine. Another nine years later, she was collecting the Young Folk Award at BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards ceremony in Belfast. This film explores Mera’s journey with music, from playing the penny whistle as a child, to harp playing in young Manx folk band Scran, to winning the award and beyond. Mera’s music is part of the Manx folk and traditional music scenes which has grown significantly over the past decade. Hear from Dr Breesha Maddrell of Culture Vannin, an organisation with Manx culture at its heart, and Rachel Hair, Mera’s harp teacher of eight years, about how Manx folk music has grown and the significance of Mera’s contributions. Produced by Dark Avenue Film with support by I-Cap Marine. Directed by Patrick Crellin and Bethany White Director of Photography and Editor - Patrick Crellin Sound and Post-Production sound mixing - Bethany White Camera assistant - Jordan Perry Drone Footage by Charles Guard and Glenn Whorrall Photos from Awards by Phil Carter Visit www.DarkAvenueFilm.com

Behind the Scenes of An Endless Summer, 1 of 3

Dark Avenue Film

Behind the Scenes of An Endless Summer, 1 of 3

Lockdown meant rethinking a lot of things - for us, it was how we made films. In this series of videos, follow how we made our award-winning short film An Endless Summer across two countries, all whilst trying to keep it looking like it was made traditionally. In this first episode, find out how the project came about and the logistical hurdles we had to overcome to work out how to shoot the film. Thanks to Isle of Man Arts Council, I-Cap Marine Ltd and Beechwood Financial Management for their support and sponsorship of An Endless Summer. Edited by Phoebe Knowles

Behind the Scenes of An Endless Summer, 2 of 3

Dark Avenue Film

Behind the Scenes of An Endless Summer, 2 of 3

Lockdown meant rethinking a lot of things - for us, it was how we made films. In this series of videos, follow how we made our award-winning short film An Endless Summer across two countries, all whilst trying to keep it looking like it was made traditionally. In this episode, hear from actress Freya Kingsley about how she get involved with the project, her experience of lockdown and the challenges of shooting herself in a film - not to mention working with a baby! Hit Subscribe and ring the bell to see the third and final part when it’s released 🔔 Thanks to Isle of Man Arts Council, I-Cap Marine Ltd and Beechwood Financial Management for their support and sponsorship of An Endless Summer. Edited by Phoebe Knowles

Behind the Scenes of An Endless Summer, 3 of 3

Dark Avenue Film

Behind the Scenes of An Endless Summer, 3 of 3

Lockdown meant rethinking a lot of things - for us, it was how we made films. In this series of videos, follow how we made our award-winning short film An Endless Summer across two countries, all whilst trying to keep it looking like it was made traditionally. In this episode, hear all about our editing and post-production process as well as the release and distribution process, and all our festival success! Thanks to Isle of Man Arts Council, I-Cap Marine Ltd and Beechwood Financial Management for their support and sponsorship of An Endless Summer. Edited by Phoebe Knowles

OTHER SERVICES

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FICTION

With fiction, the possibilities are endless. We love a gripping story, and bringing those to life gives us such a kick! If you've got a story you want to tell or are looking to shoot on the Isle of Man, give us a shout; we love to facilitate and collaborate on fiction.

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COMMERCIAL

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