We've been busy here at Reeltime, producing filmed elements for an exciting alternate reality game called Violette's Dream. The internet-based game has seen players seeking clues in the virtual and real worlds which could lead to a pot of gold! Well, maybe not a pot but certainly a large, solid gold bar worth thousands. Violette's Dream - the cast is pictured opposite - has been created by UK-based immersive social entertainment developers, Expanding Universe, to promote the upcoming video game. Velvet Assassin is a stealth-action game for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows that is under development by Replay Studios and due for release shortly.

Everyone loves something new once in a while and at Reeltime Productions Ltd, we're no different. Our passion is creating the best images from the equipment and budget at hand. We've managed to squeeze a little more creativity from our existing cameras by equipping them with 35mm film adapters. It means that a look, approaching film, can be achieved from video cameras. We now use Carl Zeiss and Nikon lenses to give that shallow depth of field film look that is so lacking in standard video productions.

We are also able to offer clients a look every bit as good, if not better than, 35mm cinema quality film with the use of a revolutionary camera called RED. Unlike conventional 35mm or 65mm film, budgets for RED camera use are akin to high end video budgets. There are no lab costs or expensive film transfers, just a video-like workflow with stunning film-like images.

At the outset, 2009 may look like a gloomy year to come but some reports are predicting a more positive outcome with growth potential forecast, particularly in marketing-related businesses. An insightful report from Marketing Week, 09 The Year Ahead, calls on a diverse range of professionals - from brand design consultants to direct marketers, PR and market research leaders - to give their view of the year ahead.

Google UK director Mark Howe says in one of the report articles, Welcome to Channel Me: History tells us that slowdowns are when winners get ahead. The performance gap between the most successful companies and their competitors becomes greater than during a growth period. The winners continue investing in growth, and focus on profitable products and customers, while carefully managing costs.

In the same article, MRM Worldwide chief executive Alastair Duncan says: Consumers will spend more and more time online, which means that brands will need to create useful and meaningful experiences that connect well with everything else the brand is doing.

The online space is dealt in a separate article from the creative digital marketing agency, Strange. MD Paul Honey has created what he calls 16 online marketing trends for 2009, including the prediction that mobile advertising will grow this year as an increasing array of devices that can link to the internet come on stream.

Reeltime Productions Ltd has produced content for the mobile space and is looking to continue doing so as demand increases.