Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Standing on the shoulders of giants: The start-up reinventing editing software

08/12/2022

TVBEurope talks to Stornaways Kate Dimbleby about the companys new editing software that aims to democratise content creation across video and gaming

By Jenny Priestley

Published: December 8, 2022

TVBEurope talks to Stornaway's Kate Dimbleby about the company's new editing software that aims to democratise' content creation across video and gaming

target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>

First launched in 2020, Stornaway.io is a production tool that aims to enable producers to create and deliver interactive films and TV series without the need for coding.

The tool's player is built with open standards, and content can be published on Stornaway's own platform or exported to other systems.

Fast forward two years and the company recently received a grant to create what it describes as a radically new type of video editing software, designed for the next generation of interactive and immersive video stories and games.

TVBEurope caught up with co-founder and creative director Kate Dimbleby to find out how the company has navigated the past few years, and its plans for the new editing software.

Kate, we first talked about Stornaway in 2020, how has the company developed since then? That's a big question! When we last spoke, we were beta-testing with TV and film production companies, theatres and gamemakers to perfect an interactive film workflow. As we launched properly in 2021, we were discovered by thousands of people wanting to make video more exciting in lots of different industries around the world.

We knew that this was our eventual aim but the pandemic really escalated that because of the way that video was adopted in so many different ways.

How did you navigate the pandemic? Before the pandemic, Netflix were increasing investment in interactive entertainment and all the other platforms were figuring out what would be possible. When lockdown hit, the huge rise in demand for linear content across platforms meant that this kind of innovation took a backseat for a while. Luckily for us, the trends everywhere else outside of TV were not just for more video use but also to increase interactivity, personalisation and gamification. TV remains a bit slower in this area because of its existing infrastructure constraints but you can see from what's happening at places like Peacock that they are now catching up with interactive content.

What's been your biggest achievement over the past couple of years?

In terms of the people using Stornaway, it's been amazing to enable small independent filmmakers like Aviary Films to release The Gallery (pictured) on consoles, apps and in cinemas, saving money and time, retaining full ownership and selling directly to their audiences. At the same time, we are being used for campaigns by huge international names like Deutsche Telekom, Diageo and the UN but probably our happiest achievement is that everyone always says they love using Stornaway.

What's been the biggest challenge? As a small company with an ambitious vision, there is quite a lot of cultural pressure in the start-up industry to take investment and grow inorganically. But we're really proud of staying lean and independent and winning hard-to-get grant funding to dream up the future of video without needing to work to anybody else's agenda.

You've just been awarded a SMART grant to develop what you describe as a radically new type of video editing software are you preparing to take on the likes of Avid and Adobe? My co-CEO Ru Howe's background is in broadcast post production workflow and he's built the whole product vision on interoperability and integration with best in class tools like Adobe and Unity. So, no, we're not so much trying to take them on, as we are standing on their shoulders to build the future of video production.

It's obvious to us that video and games are converging rapidly but none of the existing vendors have any helpful solutions for this. Making any kind of game or interactive experience using video is way too complicated and expensive for the vast majority of people who don't know how to code in Unity and Unreal.

Tell me more about the software The first version of Stornaway.io that people are using right now lets non-technical producers create interactive and immersive stories for the web, apps, consoles, YouTube, VR and cinema without coding.

What we are building in this next phase, funded by Innovate UK, is a much more fully featured interactive video editor and game engine, letting producers visually design, edit and deliver interactive journeys through all kinds of media. And it'll be built on an Object Based Media model to allow for interoperability with TV streaming platforms and broadcast production tools.

Who are you aiming it at? Our aim is to properly democratise' this type of content creation. So it's aimed at all the people who would currently use, for example, the Adobe toolset from their high-end After Effects and Premiere power users to non-experts using web-based tools like Adobe Express and Canva. Making game-like experiences with video should be as easy as it is to make linear video now but should also have the advanced features required for high-end workflows.

When will it go to market? You can sign up to use Stornaway for free now at our website www.stornaway.io and see the range of story games already being made. We'll be releasing new features incrementally over the course of this next phase so tick the box to stay in touch when you sign up for a trial and we'll let you know.
LINK: https://www.tvbeurope.com/production-post/standing-on-the-shoulders-of...
See more stories from tvb

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

27/03/2026

SVG GameDay, Ep. 9: Chicago Cubs' Chris Simonson - Flying the W at Wrigley Field

In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...

27/03/2026

Comcast Business Powers 2026 THE PLAYERS Championship Network and Broadcast Infrastructure

Comcast Business deployed network infrastructure for the 2026 PLAYERS Championsh...

27/03/2026

CS live Equips New OB Van With Riedel MediorNet, hi Control System, and Artist Intercom

Czech production company CS live has equipped its newest outside broadcast van w...

27/03/2026

Edith Cowan University Installs Lawo VSM, HOME, and mc36 in New Broadcast Facility

Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Western Australia has developed new broad...

27/03/2026

Deltatre Appoints Marc Watson as CEO; Andrea Marini Transitions to Deputy Chairman

Deltatre has announced that CEO Andrea Marini will step down after five years in...

27/03/2026

DAZN to Launch Inflight and Onboard Live Sports Service in 2027

DAZN has announced plans to launch DAZN Inflight, a live sports service for airline and maritime passengers, slated for 2027. Aviv Giladi, President of DAZN Par...

27/03/2026

Grass Valley and NVP Deploy Camera Systems for LALIGA Broadcast Production

Grass Valley has announced the completion of a live production deployment with NVP, a European media company specializing in live sports production, for LALIGA ...

27/03/2026

The Masters, Prime Video Will Debut Inside Amen Corner' Stat-Enhanced Viewing Experience

The Masters and Prime Video will debut Inside Amen Corner, a dedicated feed that...

27/03/2026

ESPN and World Series of Poker Reach Multi-Year Agreement

ESPN and the World Series of Poker (WSOP) have reached a multi-year agreement to bring the WSOP Main Event back to ESPN platforms. Coverage will include a three...

27/03/2026

USSI Global Opens Media Transport Solutions Lab Ahead of C-Band Transition

USSI Global has opened its Media Transport Solutions Lab on its Melbourne campus. The engineering center provides a platform-agnostic environment for testing al...

27/03/2026

UFL Names Sportable Official Connected Ball and Player Tracking Partner

The United Football League (UFL) has named Sportable its Official Connected Ball and Player Tracking Partner. Sportable's connected football and wearable pl...

27/03/2026

Atlanta Braves and Fubo Reach Multiyear Distribution Agreement for BravesVision

The Atlanta Braves and FuboTV have announced a multiyear distribution agreement to carry BravesVision on Fubo's live TV streaming platform beginning Opening...

27/03/2026

As UFL Structure Evolves, League Boosts Broadcast Infrastructure at New Home Stadiums

Besides restructuring for Season 3, the league worked with FOX and ESPN over the...

27/03/2026

Atlanta Braves and DIRECTV Reach Multiyear Distribution Agreement for BravesVision

The Atlanta Braves open their 2026 MLB season tonight against the Kansas City Ro...

27/03/2026

New Venues, New Tech: How FOX Sports, ESPN Are Reinventing Their UFL Broadcasts for Year 3

With new teams and new venues to adapt to, the spring-football league's part...

27/03/2026

Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Grace Glowicki, the Filmmaker Behind Dead Lover

By Lucy Spicer One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival...

27/03/2026

GIK Acoustics expand Bass Trap Panel range

New Classic, Amplitude & FlexRange units introduced GIK Acoustics have just introduced a trio of new bass trap designs that bring improved low-end absorptio...

27/03/2026

Sonarworks release SoundID Tools app

Offers personalised Dolby Atmos headphone monitoring Sonarworks have put their calibration expertise to work on a new mobile app that allows users to create...

27/03/2026

NITV to broadcast farewell to Rhoda Roberts AO with special coverage and week-long tribute

NITV to broadcast farewell to Rhoda Roberts AO with special coverage and week-lo...

27/03/2026

FCC Opposes Emergency Motion to Stay Nexstar/Tegna Merger

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/03/2026

NAB Pans Netflix's Coverage of MLB Opening Day

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/03/2026

2026 NAB Show Exhibitor Insight: Netgear

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/03/2026

Marshall Electronics Showcases New Feature-Rich CV320 and CV520 IP and 3G-SDI POV Cameras at NAB 2026

Marshall Electronics Showcases New Feature-Rich CV320 and CV520 IP and 3G-SDI PO...

27/03/2026

Sony Electronics Inc. Elevates Professional Video Workflows with Powerful Updates to Monitor & Control and Catalyst Tools

Sony Electronics Inc. Elevates Professional Video Workflows with Powerful Update...

27/03/2026

GatesAir Extends AirWatch365 Managed Service with Edge Gateway Site Appliance

GatesAir Extends AirWatch365 Managed Service with Edge Gateway Site Appliance Brie Clayton March 27, 2026 0 Comments NAB marks global launch of servic...

27/03/2026

GatesAir Expands AirWatch365 Managed Service

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/03/2026

Dejero, Eutelsat, Others to Offer 'Field to Air' Demo at NAB Show

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/03/2026

Global NextGen TV Takes Center Stage at 2026 NAB Show

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/03/2026

USSI Global Opens Media Transport Solutions Lab

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

27/03/2026

Net Insight Elevates Nimbra Edge to Govern Live Media Sys...

At NAB Show 2026, Net Insight will showcase the next evolution of Nimbra Edge, its orchestration and control layer designed to manage live media services across...

27/03/2026

Harmonic Delivers Winning Live Sports Streaming Innovatio...

Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced powerful new innovations that further elevate the company's sports streaming solution. The advanced capabilities enh...

27/03/2026

Bitmovin s Player Web X Expands with Performance First Ad...

Bitmovin, the leading provider of video streaming solutions, today announced significant new capabilities for Player Web X, its next-generation web video player...

27/03/2026

CS live Builds Future Ready OB Van With Riedel MediorNet...

Riedel Communications today announced that Czech-based production company CS live has equipped its newest outside broadcast (OB) van with an integrated Riedel i...

27/03/2026

MPTS 2026 Unveils First Wave of Speakers Featuring BBC Sk...

130 Industry Experts Confirmed as Show Celebrates its 10th Anniversary MPTS, the UK's largest and most influential event for the media, production and tech...

27/03/2026

Grass Valley and NVP Elevate LALIGA Broadcast Production...

Grass Valley today announced the successful completion of a major live production deployment with NVP, a leading European media company specializing in live spo...

27/03/2026

Appear Business Momentum Drives Leadership in Live Produc...

Showcases resilient solutions for satellite-to-IP migration, REMI and hybrid live production Appear ASA (Appear, OSE:APR), a global leader in live production t...

27/03/2026

Lightware MX2 delivers rock-solid 4K60 HDMI 10-bit signal...

San Francisco, California, March 2026 - Microsoft Ignite, a major annual conference hosted by Microsoft for developers, IT professionals, partners and business ...

27/03/2026

Clear-Coms EQUIP Wireless System Keeps Youth With A Missi...

Clear-Com is proud to highlight its support for worship teams through professional communication solutions, with the deployment of its EQUIP wireless system a...

27/03/2026

Orban Collaborates with Sage on Virtualized EAS Technology Demo

Orban Collaborates with Sage on Virtualized EAS Technology Demo Brie Clayton March 26, 2026 0 Comments Sage Alerting Systems (SAS), in cooperation wit...

27/03/2026

Berklee Alums Bring GIANT to Broadway

Berklee Alums Bring GIANT to Broadway Brian and Dayna Lee BM '13 met and fell in love at Berklee, and now their production companys first Broadway debut i...

27/03/2026

RT is Supporting 20 Arts and Cultural Events all over Ireland this April

RT Supporting the Arts RT is Supporting 20 Arts and Cultural Events all over Ireland this April RT is proud to support an exciting month of arts and cul...

27/03/2026

Average of 1.37 million viewers watched Irish World Cup heartbreak on RT2

Average of 1.37 million viewers watched Irish World Cup heartbreak on RT 2 Over one million streams on RT Player Highest number of streams for any single eve...

27/03/2026

Dolby Unveils Dolby House Shanghai, its First Global Flagship Experience Center

March 27 2026, 01:30 (PDT) Dolby Unveils Dolby House Shanghai, its First Global Flagship Experience Center A New Global Platform Showcasing Dolbys Innovatio...