being used in social care and farming,” says Doherty. “We were interested in incorporating some of those stories into our film. During the conversation, I explained the challenge we had with this fast-turnaround content, ingesting huge video files in a short space of time. The bandwidth and low latency of 5G was mentioned as something surely worth looking at.” Doherty was also pointed towards the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport’s (DCMS) Testbeds and Trials competition, called 5G Create. It was actively seeking people from the creative industries to create challenging 5G-enabled projects. Candour ’s application was successful and the Live & Wild project was approved. “In this industry, we have a tendency to work in a bubble, and there’s not a lot of scope for experimentation. We need to deliver our films on time and on budget, so you stick to the tried and tested. This project was a licence to experiment and push the boundaries, without fear of failure.” CLIFFS AND CAVES Live & Wild will be divided into five different mini projects, each one designed to test 5G to its limits. They consist of filming two climbers scaling sea cliffs in North Wales, an underground caving system in North Yorkshire, a triathlon in the Lake District, and an ultra run of 268 miles between the Peak District and Scotland. The final trial is yet to be decided. Broadcast live from each of these
locations, the plan is to use low-latency, high-bandwidth 5G connections. Candour partnered with aql, a major digital connectivity and data centre provider, also based in Leeds. The firm will be delivering technology expertise and building 5G infrastructure dedicated to Live & Wild’s specific requirements. Despite working in every major part of the UK’s digital infrastructure, aql is still ready to be challenged. “When Patricia and I first chatted, I said if you
CLIFFHANGER Filmmakers have left tried-and-tested methods behind, potentially discovering future workflows
can do the creative bit, we can do the 5G bit,” says aql founder and chairman, Professor Adam Beaumont. “We thought it would be fun and challenging to try to accommodate whatever it was that Candour wanted to do.
THIS PROJECT WAS A LICENCE TO EXPERIMENT AND PUSH THE BOUNDARIES, WITHOUT FEAR OF FAILURE
“Delivering this project through living theatre is a great way of presenting the technology. We are deploying 5G inside caves – which is not easy. We need to use unique technology in the middle of nowhere.” Another partner in the project is MTN Safety, experts in planning, location scouting, training and logistics for filming and events in the mountains and challenging outdoor environments. The UK-based consultancy will ensure the crew and participants stay safe in these rugged conditions.
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