TIGERX ‘movie’ supports £6 million RNLI boathouse application

TIGERX, computer generated imagery & animation experts have created a mini-film for the RNLI to support a £6 million major planning application for a new lifeboat house at The Lizard in Cornwall.

Based in the seaside town of Hayle, the Cornish company was commissioned by Royal Haskoning (the civil engineers), architects Poynton Bradbury Wynter Cole (PBWC) and the RNLI to produce a computer generated image (CGI) film to capture the full essence of the project, the RNLI’s role and what the charity stands for.

With plans for the lifeboat station due to be submitted to the local authority in mid January 2009, TIGERX’s CGI movie has already played a significant role in helping decision makers grasp the concept of the new building and view it in a geographical and working context.

Dougie Cross, TIGERX managing director said: “The whole concept of the film was to show the actual structure as secondary to the main ‘selling point’, which was the RNLI itself.

“The typical ‘archviz’ usually implies a mundane walk-around a pristine building and always on a perfect day. What we have shown is a host of weather conditions, from torrential night-time down pours and incredible ocean swells to misty mornings and bright Cornish sunshine.

“Using CGI technology we have put the Lizard lifeboat house in context i.e. showing how the new build is crucial to the RNLI’s success as well as telling the tale of the incredibly brave volunteers who crew the lifeboats.”

The new station is designed to hold a Tamar Class all-weather lifeboat, which will replace the existing Tyne Class boat. It was the design of the new high spec Tamar Class lifeboat that has required a general rebuild of some lifeboat stations around the coast of Britain.

TIGERX has a long standing relationship with all the parties involved in the project, having created a CGI film for the Padstow lifeboat station back in 2004. Since that date TIGERX’s work has been on show at the lifeboat house to the delight of the many frequent visitors.

Johnathan Kirkland, Royal Haskoning said, “TIGERX’s film has played a key role in helping decision makers involved in the planning process fully understand the significance of this building as well as reminding them about the RNLI’s actual job and the individual stories of the volunteers.

“We have been delighted with the result as have the RNLI and architects PBWC and we are expecting a positive planning decision in the early Summer 2009.”

Mike Richter, TIGERX’s project leader was the driving force behind the film and worked with the engineers and architects to realise his creative vision and bring the story to life.

Mike said: “It was important that our films become even more cinematic to capture the emotion and enormity of the projects we are working on. With the Lizard lifeboat station we raised the bar yet again and produced an enthralling glimpse into the role of the RNLI.”

Dan Zak, TIGERX’s head of modelling worked with a team of three to achieve the high level of detail required throughout the film particularly on the boat and boathouse shots.

Dan said: “The RNLI certainly know their lifeboats so the pressure was definitely on to make sure every bit of detail was right. Fortunately we had access to fantastic information as well as being able to visit the actual lifeboat at work.

Simon Pryce, RNLI Southwest Divisional Inspector said: “New lifeboat stations such as the one proposed at the Lizard need to be of the highest quality in terms of design, materials and functionality, which of course means a substantial investment on behalf of the RNLI.

“Through working with TIGERX we were able to demonstrate very accurately the need for the new station as well as communicating its role and the story of the people who crew the lifeboats.”