LONDON — Based in Hackney’s bustling Broadway Market, Bleat (www.bleat.tv) is a new, high-end post production finishing house. The studio is the brainchild of composer, producer and mixer Tristin Norwell, and offers theatrical and HETV Dolby Atmos mixing, along with color grading, online and conform for scripted dramas and documentaries. The post house takes pride in its opulent interior, which includes a marble-top bar.
At the heart of the boutique are two Dolby Atmos theatrical mix stages, with an additional four multi-functional, hybrid suites that can be employed for grading, online and conform, and/or Dolby Atmos HETV. The plush, living-room-like theatres are complemented with 4K HDR projection and Alcons speakers, while the four multi-function suites each employ ATC monitors. A marble bar serves drinks, while catering is handled by neighboring restaurant, Café Cecelia. Additional space at King's Cross houses a dedicated 4K grading suite for 9.2.4 PMC HETV mixing and theatrical premixing.
The Hackney site spans 4,000-square feet and was designed by Level Acoustic Design, with construction and technical design by Studio Creations. Additional features include a 10gb infrastructure, QSC’s Q-Sys, and gear from Blackmagic Design.
“We began Bleat with the aim of creating a highly desirable finishing house that would lure people out of the post-COVID hamster-wheel of working from home, and back into the creative joy of sharing a face-to-face, collaborative process,” explains Norwell. “We are totally made-up to have formed a world-class team of operatives who actually make this seamlessly happen – Bleat is post production catnip.”
Technical operations are led in picture by Matt Edwards (Azimuth, Coda, Fifty Fifty) and in audio by Saxon Greenep (Splice, Jigsaw24). Sales is headed up by Dan Pagan. Max Norwell is executive management assistant, and operations and ADR management are run by Tatiana Shelbourne.
Prior to its launch, Bleat had already accumulated a number of credits, including the final Dolby theatrical mix for the premiere of Amazon’s Jungle. George Foulgham also mixed two feature documentaries that screened at the 2022 BFI London Film Festival.
“The George Foulgham Soundscape [GFS] audio crew had a great time putting the final finishing touches to Getting it Back - the Story of Cymande and Bobi Wine: The People’s President at London’s newest re-recording facility - Bleat,” says Foulgham. “The studios are substantial, equipped to the highest spec and the soundtrack for Cymande rocked. The Bleat team are very welcoming and attentive. GFS will certainly be back.”