BSR
Bringing British Stunt Register's directory
to life digitally
THE BRIEF
The British Stunt Register (BSR) launched a mobile application and website to digitise their catalogue of professional stunt performers. Industry professionals, particularly those in film, could use both platforms to search for and browse performer profiles, which included headshots, key information, skill sets, and work history.
BSR staff could manage this catalogue by verifying and approving new members, ensuring all content on the site and app remained accurate and credible. Over time, frequent use by both staff and users highlighted areas for improvement. Users began requesting new features and shared feedback on pain points they wanted BSR to address.
THE PROBLEM
The concept of the BSR application and website was a huge success; however, with the growth of the BSR member pool, it was time to review the current technical stack and see if there are areas to improve. With the end goal of providing a slicker performance, enhancing the user experience and add much-needed features.
The application needed to be worked on from the ground up, and BSR needed an application development partner who understood the requirements and would learn from the previous product development. They wanted an application that worked on iOS and Android, connected to their existing website, and one that was built in a way it easy to maintain and update.
THE SOLUTION
The Distance began by reviewing BSR’s existing application and tech stack to understand how it had been built and to identify the pain points within the current architecture. With a clearer picture of the system and its limitations, we assessed the necessary integrations and outlined the work required.
To enhance flexibility, The Distance developed a middleware layer that pulled data from BSR’s existing WordPress backend. This gave the app more freedom to operate independently while still using the core content, enabling features such as push notifications that didn’t rely on the WordPress backend.
The new mobile app was built using React Native, allowing us to maintain a single codebase for both iOS and Android. This not only streamlined maintenance and updates but ensured a consistent user experience across both platforms. While the app retained familiar core features, it now included new capabilities such as push notifications, PDF generation, and offline functionality.
THE RESULTS
The updated BSR application was successfully launched on both app stores and quickly adopted by members. It delivered a faster, smoother experience compared to the previous version and allowed users to register as either a member or a guest to access the digital catalogue. Push notifications proved particularly effective, enabling direct communication with users and prompting them to complete specific actions as needed.
After launch, user feedback highlighted a few enhancements they wanted to see, most notably, a notice board feature. This addition allowed members to create and share job notices directly within the app, enabling other users to view and apply for opportunities easily.
Ultimately, the new application helped BSR stay ahead of technological shifts by offering a streamlined, user-focused platform that better served its members and simplified internal processes.
Success Stories
Testing bold ideas in the field without the risk
Revolutionising how field teams report and inspect
Testing bold ideas in the field without the risk
Revolutionising how field teams report and inspect