Idryonis News & Projects

Healthcare Convention Videos

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:26:24 EST

    In 2006, Poretta & Orr -- a global marketing and communications company -- approached Idryonis Studios for the first time to record voice over for a video presentation they were developing. The phone call was brief, details were established, and a schedule for recording was set. 5 minutes later the phone rings again.

    "Do you guys write music too?"
    "Yes, we sure do."
    "Okay great, we need that too."

And then a couple minutes later another phone call. "I'm looking at your website, you guys do video?"

And within less than 10 minutes a single-day recording job turned into a 3-year partnership that has yielded unsurpassed results with interactive and linear media.

But back to the job at hand. With a days notice, we had to begin production on a 5 minute video, complete with 3D modeling, animating, special effects, voice over recording, sound effects, and a full orchestral score -- to be delivered in a couple of weeks.

2006 - An Ocean of Discovery

The 2006 Health Care Convention and Exhibitors Association would use the video, "An Ocean of Discovery", as part of a massive kick-off event for their annual meeting by the same name. The dramatic presentation was huge success and anecdotes of the video and music actually bringing tears to the eyes of audience members certainly set the standards high for future work.

2007 - Keys to Success

In 2007, after having been able to work closely with Poretta & Orr on many projects in between, we were again asked to produce the HCEA keynote video. The HCEA annual meeting was being hosted close to home in Philadelphia and centered around Benjamin Franklin. Our "Keys to Success" video also featured animations and special effects and an equally dramatic musical score.

2008 - Reach for the Top

The convention in Salt Lake City featured the video production work of Idryonis Studios in 2008 as well. This video featured general inspirational themes. With the Summer 2008 Olympics right around the corner, triumphant athletic imagery and powerful orchestral music made the film a success.

2009 - Waves of Change

The annual HCEA keynote video was once again created by Idryonis Studios. This years theme and location was the Waves of Change in Tampa Bay, Florida. Photos and videos of oceans, waves, and sailing as well as several created 3D rendered scenes were utilized to round out the package. As for the audio, just like the other 3 years, Idryonis did the full sound design (including recording the voiceover) and composed another incredible orchestral piece!

2010 - Big Challenge. Big Opportunity. Big Easy.

For the 5th year in a row, the annual HCEA keynote video was produced by Idryonis. This years video was a little bit different, as a live New Orleans band would be providing the music. The video had to provide a visual backdrop for the live music. As such, no voiceover or composed music was needed this year. The video was comprised of a multitude of New Orleans photography and imagery. Animated frames and musical elements and completed this years successful production.

Wild Earth: Deep Ocean Safari

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:15:22 EST

Getting the Job

Riding high on the success of their Wild Earth line of educational motion simulators, Entertainment Technology Corporation (EnTCo) took the brand a step further by developing an underwater version. Wild Earth: Deep Ocean Safari (WEDOS) is an interactive deep ocean exploration that takes place off the coast of California.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) directed all subject matter relating to marine life and helped ensure that the ride is truly accurate in teaching children and adults about marine life and conservation. Philippe Cousteau and his organization EarthEcho International have also taken a front-seat in shaping the game's conservation message.

Phillipe, grandson of famous captian Jacques Cousteau, is best known as the Chief Ocean Corespondent for Animal Planet and his production work on award-winning documentaries and special programs.

Idryonis' job came into play near the end of development. EnTCo required vast amounts of sound design work, including species sound effects, ambient sound design, triggered sounds, and a custom-composed dramatic score. EnTCo has had plenty of experience working with Idryonis in the past; and every project was an astounding success. In fact, when this project was in pre-production over two years ago, Idryonis had bid for the development of the entire production. Unfortunately, due to previous contractual obligations, we were unable to develop the software component. In the end EnTCo came back to us for the music and audio portion because Deep Ocean Safari needed Hollywood-quality sound and music at a budget price.

The Result

In June of 2009, Idryonis Studios wrapped up production on the sound design and music aspects of the ride.

The original soundtrack consists of 4 main tracks, and "overture" which is played when the ride is idle, and a short cue for the final ascent. The entire score is written for full orchestra with a subtle blend of synthesizers and unique percussion elements. When combined with the visuals, the dramatic music creates a truly immersive deep-ocean experience. From the light piano, celeste, and classical guitar in the coral reef to the menacing synthesizer and hugely dramatic sweeping strings in the shipwreck, the music alone can truly transport you to another world.

The individual sound effects and environmental sound design was another challenge. Usually this is a job that the Idryonis Audio Team can produce very quickly. But when marine life specialists and conservation experts are checking your work for 100% accuracy, things become difficult. Idryonis had to research and locate - and in many cases create - sounds from obscure fish and marine animals that were main focal points of the game. After many rounds of revisions on several species, Idryonis finally accomplished the sound design with a perfect blend of accuracy and drama.

The third big task was editing, processing, and mastering the voice over recordings... in two languages! Our goal was to process the VO so it sounded as though the narraraters were above the ocean surface communicating to the research submarine via wireless radio. In real life, the wireless transmission would lose some clarity and quality as the sub descends lower and lower. The Idryonis Audio Team conceived a process consisting of 6 different digital signal processers and effects in a thoughtfully arranged chain to attain the perfect level of "distortion" depending on how deep the sub is in the game. However, after rigorous play testing and internal testing we found that this "perfect" and accurate level of distortion in the game was distracting and just made you think, "Wow! What an awful broken speaker!"

This is one of the many cases where you have to sacrifice accuracy for the overall sanity of the riders! In the end, we toned it down a lot to give the impression of the transmission losing quality without making it such a focal point of the game.

In the end, Idryonis produced truly world-class music and sound design that added a new dimension of drama, enjoyment, and immersion to and already incredible experience!

3 versions of the simulator ride will be manufactured and sold around the globe; a single-player kiosk, a 2-player motion simulator, and a 4-person motion simulator. The latter two will feature our audio and music work in full surround sound.

Monster Roll Cage

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:55:03 EST

Monster Roll Cage - The ultimate full motion off-road driving experience.

Burn treads, smash bumpers and feel every shake, shutter, flip, and roll in this exhilarating off-road driving experience! Based on the X-Vector motion platform from Entertainment Technology Corporation (EnTCo), which features 360 degrees of continuous rotation on the pitch and roll axis, riders will feel every bump in the terrain as they perform wild stunts, pick up and use items and powerups, and try beat three AI opponents to the finish line. Monster Roll Cage allows guests to experience movement and thrills while driving their own monster truck through a variety of obstacles, stunts, and environments.

The HD projection system delivers a crisp, clear, and realistic "out of the front window" display. The motion base will let you feel the rumble of the road and the awesome horsepower under your virtual hood. Driving simulation will never be the same again!

Visit the official Monster Roll Cage site here.