Chris Brooke

n summer 2013 we were commissioned to produce an official app as part of the legacy for the Le Tour de France Grand Depart 2014. This formed the beginning of an ongoing project and collaboration with multiple partners, and is currently undergoing a refresh for 2022 / 23. The initial brief was to produce an informative app detailing the two stages of the Grand Depart through Yorkshire with the product squarely aimed at amateur to semi pro cyclists who would be inspired to ride all, or part, of the course. ​ From an early stage we envisioned a video heavy app where users could view animated flyovers of the terrain for the entire route as well as informative videos showing a professional cyclist riding various sections which could prove hazardous and even dangerous. This was in response to concerns raised by local authorities and North Yorkshire Police about the increasing number of cyclists on North Yorkshire's roads in the lead up to the Grand Depart and the resulting rise in serious road incidents. Project management and creative direction for a mobile app commissioned and funded by City of York Council to provide safety advice for cyclists wishing to follow the route of the Tour de France Grand Depart. Our aim was to provide cyclists with as much information as possible about the two tour stages in an engaging way.

A poignant documentary chronicling stories from survivors of the 1945 Hiroshima atomic bomb, their terrifying experiences, the emotional tolls and the way the event informed their lives. Through drawing parallels with the seven rivers that flow through the city – these “Rivers of Souls” symbolise the indomitable spirit of these extraordinary people.

Spoke on the Water documents the not quite impossible, but seemingly mad, attempt to pedal the deep and temperamental waters of the largest lake in the British Isles while inadvertently setting a new British record. Set against the backdrop of stunning scenery in the Scottish Highlands and with echoes of Jerome K. Jerome, this cinematic escapade encapsulates the eccentricity of the English and reaches new heights (depths?) of the non-existent art of pedaloing. Featuring the sporadic, sharp-tongued interventions of Graham Hughes (The Libertine), the smallest presenter with the biggest mouth and narrated by Ralph Ineson (The Office, First Knight) Spoke on the Water is a feel-good tale of ordinary people doing an extraordinary thing as the Ales Angels drink, bicker and bond over their three day adventure.

When Revolution software approached Chris to provide a film to front a Kickstarter campaign aimed at securing the finance to produce a fifth instalment in their hugely successful Broken Sword series, he jumped at the chance. Produced with Revolution C.E.O. Charles Cecil and directed by Chris Brooke, the resulting film was central to attracting interest in the campaign and explaining its goals and aims. The project was enormously successful, with the film being shown on British, German and French television and attracting well over 100,000 online views, as well being screened at the BAFTA video games awards. During the 30 day campaign Chris devised and produced several update videos to maintain the momentum generated by the initial film. The result was the campaign exceeded the target of amount of $400,000 by more than double with just over $800,000 raised through Kickstarter and PayPal investments, making it the second ever most successful Kickstarter campaign at the time.

I produced all video content for the global marketing campaign for the video game Broken Sword: The Serpent's Curse. The content was released and promoted through major gaming press including IGN and Eurogamer, as well as official channels for Sony Playstation, Microsoft Xbox and Steam. The campaign was managed by Rennaisance PR Agency and released in multiple languages throughout Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

Following the success of the 2014 mobile app we were asked to update tthe project o reflect the inaugural Tour De Yorkshire. Responding to emerging trends and improved web browser technology we discontinued the mobile app in 2016 and converted the design to a web-based app that could function in all major browsers and be accessible via both mobile and desktop. Funded by City of York, East Riding and Kirklees Councils.

Production of a six part series commissioned by Koch Media. The series was initially released as part of a collectors edition box-set celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the video game developer Revolution Software, makers of the hugely popular Broken Sword franchise and cult classic, Beneath A Steel Sky. The series was subsequently released as video-on-demand via Steam.

Consultancy and directing advice for selected cutscenes in a video game released initially as an exclusive launch title on Apple Arcade.

Online editing for the project Yn Y Golau. Yn Y Golau (‘In the Light’ in English) is based on research initiated by photonics scientist Ray Davies and Vertical Dance pioneer Kate Lawrence. It has been made possible by the curious work of many collaborators and generous support from: Arts Council Wales, Pontio, Clwstwr, Bangor University, UCAN, Disability Arts Cymru, North Wales Society for the Blind.

Video production consultancy, design and editing for the official Microsoft Xbox announcemnet of a new video game title at the 2023 Gamescom trade fair.

European video marketing campaign for publisher Microids for the video game Beyond A Steel Sky. The work included trailers and behind-the-scenes documentary media released across multiple platforms in several languages. The campaignwas to support the console release of the game on Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo Switch.

Edited a trailer for the upcoming remastered version of the clasic video game Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars for the official announcement at the 2023 Gamescom trade fair.

Whilst traveling in the Middle East, the political activist and author, Heather Stroud, entered Palestine with a video camera and allowed people she met to film for themselves what life is like under military occupation. From York to Palestine is a portrait of those who live in the occupied lands and the British people who fight in their name. Set to the backdrop of British public protest against continued western aggression in the Middle East the film is an exploration of legacy and responsibility from a nation that has played an indispensable role in the Palestinian tragedy.

I produced and edited a series of behind-the-scenes documentary videos designed as unlockable content as players progress through the game. The videos were formatted in multiple European languages (EFIGS). I also produced the official trailer for the Nintendo Switch store, and launch campaign.