Friday 11 December 2009

I'm a winner!

I've just been told that I'm THE winner of the A&C Black book pitch competition. I win a day at their Insider Guide To How to Get Published conference in March in London. My pitch was chosen from over 100 entries which is particularly satisfying!

This is super news as it will hopefully help me find an agent or publisher for my novel and/or the children stories I expect to have written by then.

That's all for now :-)

B x

Wednesday 9 December 2009

Latest News

Well I sent off my 3 applications for the i-features micro-budget feature scheme run by South West Screen. They had well over 500 applications according to their blog and will eventually short list that down to 3 - so odds of about 150/1!

The good thing is that we'll all know by 23rd of December whether we've made the cut.

I'm pleased enough with my applications however not least because I have two experienced producers attached.  The i-features folks aren't just looking for good film ideas but for teams with a good mix of experience so this will hopefully give my applications an added edge.

It was nice to see that a number of my Facebook screenwriter friends went for it too. It would be nice if some of them actually got short listed as it would hopefully give us all a chance to finally meet in the REAL world!

In other news I met with a group of people who are interested in helping me put on a Birmingham Irish Film Festival next year and we have tentatively decided to try to go for an early September festival so its is nicely positioned between the Galway Film Fleadh and Cork Film Festivals on the Irish Films festivals calender.

With Christmas and the party season in the way we decided to meet again in the New Year to fine out the details and really get things under way. I am however making ongoing enquiries with various film companies and distributors to try and get hold of some of the cream of Irish features, animations and documentaries made in recent times.

The other really good news is that The Harp which is an Irish community newspaper distributed throughout the Midlands has kindly offered to help spread the word and help make the festival happen.

In the meantime I'm going to try to keep to my promise of writing a childrens book before Christmas so that it can be illustrated by artist Claire Kiernan after Christmas as well as moving other screenplay projects on a bit more.

TAFN B x

Thursday 26 November 2009

Howduino!

I went to the FizzPop Howduino Hacker event at the weekend to help with the research for a serial killer/kidnapper idea I am developing called Panther. The basic premise is that the serial killer is a very savvy geek who can do all sorts of interesting things with hacked technology to stay ahead of the technologically disadvantaged police.




[caption id="attachment_248" align="aligncenter" width="453" caption="Hacked Image of Hackers Hacking at the FizzPop Howduino Hacker Event 23.11.2009"]FizzPopHowduino-Hacker-Event-in-Birmingham[/caption]

Going to the FizzPop Howduino was really helpful because everyone was very friendly and happy to suggest ideas and resources that could help me create my character and plot. So big thanks to Nicky from FizzPop and Antonio of hellocatfood blog fame for putting the event on. Thanks also to to the guys from the Brum2600 crew (no names ;-)) who pointed me in various useful directions.

TAFN

B

Sunday 15 November 2009

What's Up?

Well I managed to get my 4 Digishorts applications in just in time as my blasted computer promptly went bump. I spent a couple of days re-installing everything so its now fully dual boot with Windows XP and the latest flavour of Ubuntu Linux Karmic Koala.

This will allow me to gradually transition all my stuff across into appropriate open source formats. I can then say goodbye to Windows for good. To add to that I'm also getting the open source Android based HTC Hero phone which has been getting some great reviews and is said by some to be better than the i-phone.

Karmic Koala is really fast and stable and I would recommend it highly not to mention all the great and free software packages you can get for it i.e. Gimp for graphics, Open Office for productivity, Scribus for DTP. Check out the OSALT website for all sorts of excellent and free well supported goodies.

Now that Digishorts is out the way I'm developing 3 x 4 page outlines for the Bristol based i-features scheme. Happily the experienced producers I am developing 2 feature ideas with have also agreed to be on my application for this scheme as well so its well worth a shot. 300k is a good micro-budget :-).

Even if I don't get anywhere I will have some more developed outlines to show people or simply develop further.

I'm also going to spend some time each day developing a children's story so as to finish before Christmas. Talented illustrator Claire Kiernan of Cartoon Arts will then add pictures while I start work on another one post Christmas. The aim is to publish both books by Easter on Amazon and also a proprietary i-phone application.

All this on top of commencing work on writing a book explaining some open source software which will eventually be published through Amazon etc. I've noticed that they didn't have a book and suggested I write one for them so I have now teamed up with the developers to fill the gap. They're pleased to be getting a book as the software is used in a lot of schools and colleges. Likewise I will benefit from promotion on the official site -  so win/win hopefully. The other good thing about publishing these various books is that they will hopefully help fund my various film projects.

I didn't get any money from Screen WM for my Birmingham Irish Film Festival idea but will be getting some support in the form of mentoring  which is good. The whole idea is to start off small and grow it into something bigger so that's fine with me.

I have recently created 3 projects on IndieGoGo which is a brilliant crowd-sourcing finance for film website. Film makers offer various perks in exchange for micro-financing i.e. posters, set visits etc. You decide. Its pretty neat and actually generates a Facebook page automatically for your projects - Facebook has become invaluable for me as a Indie film maker.

On the micro budget front there is still some fall out from a certain person leaving the Paper Aeroplane project but I am hoping to get that resolved soon one way or the other. I'm hoping to put some new momentum into it by linking up with a new producer team who will hopefully also help me to make my longish short Skunk plus my horror idea Hell Hall.

The best news is that Hell Hall is getting a lot of interest! People seem to really like the idea. Plus it'll make a great poster!

I also have a serial killer/ kidnapper thriller idea called Panther that I am developing and intend to shoot Dogme style using only resources/locations etc that I know I can get for nowt.

As ever those who say it cant be done should stand out of the way of the people who are trying to do it!

What's Up?

Well I managed to get my 4 Digishorts applications in just in time as my blasted computer promptly went bump. I spent a couple of days re-installing everything so its now fully dual boot with Windows XP and the latest flavour of Ubuntu Linux Karmic Koala.

This will allow me to gradually transition all my stuff across into appropriate open source formats. I can then say goodbye to Windows for good. To add to that I'm also getting the open source Android based HTC Hero phone which has been getting some great reviews and is said by some to be better than the i-phone.

Karmic Koala is really fast and stable and I would recommend it highly not to mention all the great and free software packages you can get for it i.e. Gimp for graphics, Open Office for productivity, Scribus for DTP. Check out the OSALT website for all sorts of excellent and free well supported goodies.

Now that Digishorts is out the way I'm developing 3 x 4 page outlines for the Bristol based i-features scheme. Happily the experienced producers I am developing 2 feature ideas with have also agreed to be on my application for this scheme as well so its well worth a shot. 300k is a good micro-budget :-).

Even if I don't get anywhere I will have some more developed outlines to show people or simply develop further.

I'm also going to spend some time each day developing a children's story so as to finish before Christmas. Talented illustrator Claire Kiernan of Cartoon Arts will then add pictures while I start work on another one post Christmas. The aim is to publish both books by Easter on Amazon and also a proprietary i-phone application.

All this on top of commencing work on writing a book explaining some open source software which will eventually be published through Amazon etc. I've noticed that they didn't have a book and suggested I write one for them so I have now teamed up with the developers to fill the gap. They're pleased to be getting a book as the software is used in a lot of schools and colleges. Likewise I will benefit from promotion on the official site -  so win/win hopefully. The other good thing about publishing these various books is that they will hopefully help fund my various film projects.

I didn't get any money from Screen WM for my Birmingham Irish Film Festival idea but will be getting some support in the form of mentoring  which is good. The whole idea is to start off small and grow it into something bigger so that's fine with me.

I have recently created 3 projects on IndieGoGo which is a brilliant crowd-sourcing finance for film website. Film makers offer various perks in exchange for micro-financing i.e. posters, set visits etc. You decide. Its pretty neat and actually generates a Facebook page automatically for your projects - Facebook has become invaluable for me as a Indie film maker.

On the micro budget front there is still some fall out from a certain person leaving the Paper Aeroplane project but I am hoping to get that resolved soon one way or the other. I'm hoping to put some new momentum into it by linking up with a new producer team who will hopefully also help me to make my longish short Skunk plus my horror idea Hell Hall.

The best news is that Hell Hall is getting a lot of interest! People seem to really like the idea. Plus it'll make a great poster!

I also have a serial killer/ kidnapper thriller idea called Panther that I am developing and intend to shoot Dogme style using only resources/locations etc that I know I can get for nowt.

As ever those who say it cant be done should stand out of the way of the people who are trying to do it!

Thursday 22 October 2009

Hell Hall

One of the best pieces of advice I've been given whilst learning about the film business over the last few years is to always have other projects in the pipeline. So while my short Skunk and my budget feature idea Paper Aeroplane are my short term goals I've also been thinking about my original comedy horror idea Hell Hall.

I'm not a particular fan of horror movies - they scare me :-) - but I have an Aunt who owns a suitably creepy and impressive wing of a stateley home. She has given me permission to shoot there so it would be a shame not to. It helps that her son (and my cousin) Johnny happens to be an actor and film maker too. 40 minutes or so from Birmingham - its ideal for a horror shoot - impressive grounds, cellars, creaky corridors. perfect in every way

[caption id="attachment_202" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="This is based on a photo of the actual Hall."]This is based on a photo of the actual Hall[/caption]

I've started a Facebook group (as usual!) for those who want to be involved but the synopsis is as follows:

"Hell Hall is a comedy horror feature film about Johnny - a student who inherits a stately home from the eccentric Aunt who raised him.

His girlfriend and friends are amazed at his good fortune unaware that the property is located over one of the entrances to Hell and all manner of spooks and monsters come and go whilst on their dastardly, murderous business.

When his friends insist on checking out the Hall for its party potential Johnny becomes engaged in increasingly desperate attempts to keep them all alive whilst at the same time trying not to reveal the terrible truth."

The idea is to spoof various horror conventions and stereotypes whilst also subverting them a bit.

In other news I'm working on a children's book that will go out on a specialist Iphone platform plus as an e-book. I'm talking to various illustrators about graphic novel projects. I'm doing a couple of new animation scripts for a talented Birmingham based Romanian animator to try and get on the Digishorts scheme and if that wan't enough daytime I'm writing a user manual for some open source software.

TAFN

B x

Hell Hall

One of the best pieces of advice I've been given whilst learning about the film business over the last few years is to always have other projects in the pipeline. So while my short Skunk and my budget feature idea Paper Aeroplane are my short term goals I've also been thinking about my original comedy horror idea Hell Hall.

I'm not a particular fan of horror movies - they scare me :-) - but I have an Aunt who owns a suitably creepy and impressive wing of a stateley home. She has given me permission to shoot there so it would be a shame not to. It helps that her son (and my cousin) Johnny happens to be an actor and film maker too. 40 minutes or so from Birmingham - its ideal for a horror shoot - impressive grounds, cellars, creaky corridors. perfect in every way

[caption id="attachment_202" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="This is based on a photo of the actual Hall."]This is based on a photo of the actual Hall[/caption]

I've started a Facebook group (as usual!) for those who want to be involved but the synopsis is as follows:

"Hell Hall is a comedy horror feature film about Johnny - a student who inherits a stately home from the eccentric Aunt who raised him.

His girlfriend and friends are amazed at his good fortune unaware that the property is located over one of the entrances to Hell and all manner of spooks and monsters come and go whilst on their dastardly, murderous business.

When his friends insist on checking out the Hall for its party potential Johnny becomes engaged in increasingly desperate attempts to keep them all alive whilst at the same time trying not to reveal the terrible truth."

The idea is to spoof various horror conventions and stereotypes whilst also subverting them a bit.

In other news I'm working on a children's book that will go out on a specialist Iphone platform plus as an e-book. I'm talking to various illustrators about graphic novel projects. I'm doing a couple of new animation scripts for a talented Birmingham based Romanian animator to try and get on the Digishorts scheme and if that wan't enough daytime I'm writing a user manual for some open source software.

TAFN

B x

Sunday 27 September 2009

Good News!

I'm pleased to announce that 2 out of the 3 projects I submitted to Screen West Midlands Investment Fund have got through to the next full application stage.

One is my  feature idea Finders Keepers which has an established producer and script editor attached. The other is an exhibition project which I cant really say much more about it other than it too has a lot of talent attached.

I'm also currently rewriting the short another producer is interested in plus a few other top secret bits and pieces.

More as it happens!

Good News!

I'm pleased to announce that 2 out of the 3 projects I submitted to Screen West Midlands Investment Fund have got through to the next full application stage.

One is my  feature idea Finders Keepers which has an established producer and script editor attached. The other is an exhibition project which I cant really say much more about it other than it too has a lot of talent attached.

I'm also currently rewriting the short another producer is interested in plus a few other top secret bits and pieces.

More as it happens!

Monday 7 September 2009

No news is good news?

Still waiting to hear on a number of bids and projects that are being looked at by various people both here and abroad.

As usual its a bit like watching paint dry.

Still no news on the rescheduled dates for Skunk but I know the producers are quite busy finishing off some other things so hopefully the momentum will pick up again soon.

In the meantime I've been converting my hacker/gamer/sci-fi idea kidZ: The Trident Inheritance from a longish treatment into an actual screenplay. I'm hoping to get it into a serviceable draft form in time for the Rocliffe new Writing Forum deadline on the 25th September but I want to keep up the momentum whatever.

The producer for my Anglo-Indian cop comedy idea Dirty Hari is going to have more time soon to develop that idea for a UKFC bid so I'm going to be shuffling quite a lot back and forth between projects.

I'm also hoping to do a play/musical idea around the turn of the year as well as chipping away at the Paper Aeroplane script in an effort to have that ready for shooting in April 2010.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="463" caption="Dont Blame It on the Wolf shoot"]Dont Blame It on the Wolf shoot[/caption]

Had a lot of fun on a small shoot last week helping out Gillian Twaite who was my lead lady in Black Widow. My twin Gerard and I did our 4th outing on camera as heavies/bouncer types to help Gillian get some background visuals for a children's show she is producing called Dont Blame It on the Wolf.

The show is on at the Library Theater on the 16th and 17th of  october. More details on the Facebook page.

No news is good news?

Still waiting to hear on a number of bids and projects that are being looked at by various people both here and abroad.

As usual its a bit like watching paint dry.

Still no news on the rescheduled dates for Skunk but I know the producers are quite busy finishing off some other things so hopefully the momentum will pick up again soon.

In the meantime I've been converting my hacker/gamer/sci-fi idea kidZ: The Trident Inheritance from a longish treatment into an actual screenplay. I'm hoping to get it into a serviceable draft form in time for the Rocliffe new Writing Forum deadline on the 25th September but I want to keep up the momentum whatever.

The producer for my Anglo-Indian cop comedy idea Dirty Hari is going to have more time soon to develop that idea for a UKFC bid so I'm going to be shuffling quite a lot back and forth between projects.

I'm also hoping to do a play/musical idea around the turn of the year as well as chipping away at the Paper Aeroplane script in an effort to have that ready for shooting in April 2010.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="463" caption="Dont Blame It on the Wolf shoot"]Dont Blame It on the Wolf shoot[/caption]

Had a lot of fun on a small shoot last week helping out Gillian Twaite who was my lead lady in Black Widow. My twin Gerard and I did our 4th outing on camera as heavies/bouncer types to help Gillian get some background visuals for a children's show she is producing called Dont Blame It on the Wolf.

The show is on at the Library Theater on the 16th and 17th of  october. More details on the Facebook page.

Wednesday 26 August 2009

Skunk Shoot Postponed!

The Skunk shoot has had to be postponed until October due to problems with child licencing and insurance so apologies to everyone who was prepared to give up their Bank Holiday weekend in the name of zero  budget film making!

The good news is that the Archer family have kindly agreed to make the location available for the rescheduled shoot so we're planning to go again in October - probably in half term week.

The other bonus is that it gives me more time with the script and the producers more time in pre-production. This will hopefully result in a much better film that we can all be proud of.

Thats all for now.

PS. If you're in Brum this Friday and of an artistic bent then you could do worse than the Happy Artists Social Club at The Edge. Runs the last Friday of every month.

Skunk Shoot Postponed!

The Skunk shoot has had to be postponed until October due to problems with child licencing and insurance so apologies to everyone who was prepared to give up their Bank Holiday weekend in the name of zero  budget film making!

The good news is that the Archer family have kindly agreed to make the location available for the rescheduled shoot so we're planning to go again in October - probably in half term week.

The other bonus is that it gives me more time with the script and the producers more time in pre-production. This will hopefully result in a much better film that we can all be proud of.

Thats all for now.

PS. If you're in Brum this Friday and of an artistic bent then you could do worse than the Happy Artists Social Club at The Edge. Runs the last Friday of every month.

Thursday 13 August 2009

Skunk - Another Short Film

Latest news is that I'm going to be shooting another short over the bank holiday weekend with a volunteer cast and crew. I have the location sorted and most of the actors I need and following the first production meeting yesterday probably most of the crew.

This has come about through a collaboration with Leanne Bayliss of Post Office Studios and Simon Lewis Marriot of Artists Being Creative. Leanne is going to to co-produce alongside my own production partner This is England actor Kriss Dosanjh.

She is putting her own team together to make it happen. Simon who had a small part in What Goes Up Must Come Down will have something much more gritty to get his teeth into on this one - as well as helping Leanne and Kriss out with producing it.

So whats it about?

The film is about a dysfunctional middle class family that come together on the death of their domineering father. Following the burial and back at the family home the tension mounts as recrimination and revelation compete for our attention culminating in an unexpected and bitter twist.

The ideas is to get the film into the Foyle Film Festival in Ireland. This is a qualifying festival for BAFTA nominations plus it also has a special award - the LIM Award that can lead to Oscar nominations. So in my opinions its two bites at the cherry if it does well.

At the very least it gives myself and Kriss something to show possible investors in our Paper Aeroplane feature project that we can create compelling drama. Plus the chance of working with some great people.

Cant wait for the 29th.

Watch this space as I think i'll try to do a making of blog this time.

Skunk - Another Short Film

Latest news is that I'm going to be shooting another short over the bank holiday weekend with a volunteer cast and crew. I have the location sorted and most of the actors I need and following the first production meeting yesterday probably most of the crew.

This has come about through a collaboration with Leanne Bayliss of Post Office Studios and Simon Lewis Marriot of Artists Being Creative. Leanne is going to to co-produce alongside my own production partner This is England actor Kriss Dosanjh.

She is putting her own team together to make it happen. Simon who had a small part in What Goes Up Must Come Down will have something much more gritty to get his teeth into on this one - as well as helping Leanne and Kriss out with producing it.

So whats it about?

The film is about a dysfunctional middle class family that come together on the death of their domineering father. Following the burial and back at the family home the tension mounts as recrimination and revelation compete for our attention culminating in an unexpected and bitter twist.

The ideas is to get the film into the Foyle Film Festival in Ireland. This is a qualifying festival for BAFTA nominations plus it also has a special award - the LIM Award that can lead to Oscar nominations. So in my opinions its two bites at the cherry if it does well.

At the very least it gives myself and Kriss something to show possible investors in our Paper Aeroplane feature project that we can create compelling drama. Plus the chance of working with some great people.

Cant wait for the 29th.

Watch this space as I think i'll try to do a making of blog this time.

Friday 31 July 2009

Short Sold!

Well hopefully :-)

Following a script call on Mandy.com - a producer rang me yesterday about So Beautiful - a short I wrote a couple of years ago and seems keen to do it.  It was written as a commissioned piece but the original producer didn't like that script so I started again from scratch and wrote him something he did like.

It was a strange commission as I had to do a modern version of a Shropshire folk tale called Wild Edric -  something that wouldn't normally be what I'd go for even though my range goes from children's animation i.e.  Scampenstein all the way through to gritty social realism i.e. Paper Aeroplane via horror, sitcom etc etc.

Anyway hopefully I now have the chance to sell the original story which bears out the advice Tony Jordan gave at the Screenwriters Festival last year about putting things in draws and waiting for the right opportunity to come along to dust them down and send them off.

Short Sold!

Well hopefully :-)

Following a script call on Mandy.com - a producer rang me yesterday about So Beautiful - a short I wrote a couple of years ago and seems keen to do it.  It was written as a commissioned piece but the original producer didn't like that script so I started again from scratch and wrote him something he did like.

It was a strange commission as I had to do a modern version of a Shropshire folk tale called Wild Edric -  something that wouldn't normally be what I'd go for even though my range goes from children's animation i.e.  Scampenstein all the way through to gritty social realism i.e. Paper Aeroplane via horror, sitcom etc etc.

Anyway hopefully I now have the chance to sell the original story which bears out the advice Tony Jordan gave at the Screenwriters Festival last year about putting things in draws and waiting for the right opportunity to come along to dust them down and send them off.

Sunday 12 July 2009

Paper Aeroplane Crash!

Not really - its only a postponement!

Myself and actor/producer Kriss Dosanjh's ambitious plan to shoot a micro-budget feature was a little bit too ambitious. The script is nowhere near where I would want it to be for my directorial feature debut so we have decided to postpone.

Thankfully most of the key cast and crew who were on board the project have already indicated that they still want to do it. This means that with more time to develop the script and pre-produce/audition/fundraise its actually looking like a better prospect for making a great film in the spring.

Will keep you all informed via this blog and the Facebook group.

TAFN

Brendan

Paper Aeroplane Crash!

Not really - its only a postponement!

Myself and actor/producer Kriss Dosanjh's ambitious plan to shoot a micro-budget feature was a little bit too ambitious. The script is nowhere near where I would want it to be for my directorial feature debut so we have decided to postpone.

Thankfully most of the key cast and crew who were on board the project have already indicated that they still want to do it. This means that with more time to develop the script and pre-produce/audition/fundraise its actually looking like a better prospect for making a great film in the spring.

Will keep you all informed via this blog and the Facebook group.

TAFN

Brendan

Tuesday 23 June 2009

Filmaka Result :-(

I’m afraid we didn’t get through to the next round. Thought we had a good chance due to lots of nice comments from other competitors but they didn’t translate into votes.


Still I’m proud of what we achieved and would like to thank you again for your all your efforts. I’ve put it on YouTube now so hope it goes viral.


Please feel free to spread the word.


Besos


B xx

Filmaka Result :-(

I’m afraid we didn’t get through to the next round. Thought we had a good chance due to lots of nice comments from other competitors but they didn’t translate into votes.


Still I’m proud of what we achieved and would like to thank you again for your all your efforts. I’ve put it on YouTube now so hope it goes viral.


Please feel free to spread the word.


Besos


B xx

Monday 1 June 2009

Still waiting!

Still waiting for that Filmaka competition result. Hopefully this week sometime.

Still waiting!

Still waiting for that Filmaka competition result. Hopefully this week sometime.

Tuesday 19 May 2009

What Goes Up Must Come Down Voting Ends Today!

The voting amongst fellow members of the Filmaka community on each others entries into the Hard Times themed 3 minute film competition ends at midnight Los Angeles time tonight.

I have had some lovely comments from other film makers about "What Goes Up Must Come Down"  which is very encouraging.

I include one particularly nice letter I received from US based fellow film maker  Michael Newman.

---

Ambition! Ambition!

Your film is so EPIC!
I can't believe how many locations you have within this one short... how long did this take to do?
It's very impressive for a filmaka round 1 type film, and certainly does most of the rest of us to shame in how you did manage to incorporate so much into so little time.
---

Thanks Michael.

How cool is that? I just hope all the positive things that people are saying about the film will translate into votes and help us get through to the next round.

We'll know tomorrow! So watch this space...

In other news the Paper Aeroplane feature project has been steaming ahead. We now have our own domain which will soon be developed.

Paper Angels?

We also now have lots of people attached including some excellent MA students who are going to help with pre-production/production and even a bit of acting maybe - so welcome to Dominika and Rai not to mention Martina who has been with us almost from the start.

More details on the Paper Aeroplane Facebook group which incidentally now has nearly 100 members in only two months.

Production office

Best news of all though is that we now have our very own production office/rehearsal/storage space for the film courtesy of the great folks at Friction Arts -  so a really big thank you to Sandra Hall and Lee Griffiths for their great kindness and infectious enthusiasm.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Echoes from the Edge"]Echoes from the Edge[/caption]

Echoes from the Edge

By the way if you are West Midlands/Birmingham based and haven't yet been to their Echoes from the Edge experience which was created in conjunction with U.S artist Shannon Flattery then get down there quick as its fab!

Best arts experience I've had in a long while.

TAFN

Brendan

What Goes Up Must Come Down Voting Ends Today!

The voting amongst fellow members of the Filmaka community on each others entries into the Hard Times themed 3 minute film competition ends at midnight Los Angeles time tonight.

I have had some lovely comments from other film makers about "What Goes Up Must Come Down"  which is very encouraging.

I include one particularly nice letter I received from US based fellow film maker  Michael Newman.

---

Ambition! Ambition!

Your film is so EPIC!
I can't believe how many locations you have within this one short... how long did this take to do?
It's very impressive for a filmaka round 1 type film, and certainly does most of the rest of us to shame in how you did manage to incorporate so much into so little time.
---

Thanks Michael.

How cool is that? I just hope all the positive things that people are saying about the film will translate into votes and help us get through to the next round.

We'll know tomorrow! So watch this space...

In other news the Paper Aeroplane feature project has been steaming ahead. We now have our own domain which will soon be developed.

Paper Angels?

We also now have lots of people attached including some excellent MA students who are going to help with pre-production/production and even a bit of acting maybe - so welcome to Dominika and Rai not to mention Martina who has been with us almost from the start.

More details on the Paper Aeroplane Facebook group which incidentally now has nearly 100 members in only two months.

Production office

Best news of all though is that we now have our very own production office/rehearsal/storage space for the film courtesy of the great folks at Friction Arts -  so a really big thank you to Sandra Hall and Lee Griffiths for their great kindness and infectious enthusiasm.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Echoes from the Edge"]Echoes from the Edge[/caption]

Echoes from the Edge

By the way if you are West Midlands/Birmingham based and haven't yet been to their Echoes from the Edge experience which was created in conjunction with U.S artist Shannon Flattery then get down there quick as its fab!

Best arts experience I've had in a long while.

TAFN

Brendan

Monday 11 May 2009

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser #1

The fund raiser went well considering all the other events it was competing with such as the multi-venue Project X in Moseley. We raised the price of the insurance that we'll need in order to be "street legal" shooting in and around Birmingham so a big step forward

It was a good chance for various team members to meet for the first time and the various bands and DJs did us proud with great sets.  So thanks to Paul Murphy, Kings of the Heath, Mary and Martin and Frutaloka and DJs -  SJ, Jazz Andy and Pedro for volunteering their time and talent to support us.

It was great too that the films producer and star Kriss Dosanjh was able to fly back from touring in Spain to be there to meet, greet, shmooze and booze along with all the other lovely folk who came along!

Onwards and upwards!

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser #1

The fund raiser went well considering all the other events it was competing with such as the multi-venue Project X in Moseley. We raised the price of the insurance that we'll need in order to be "street legal" shooting in and around Birmingham so a big step forward

It was a good chance for various team members to meet for the first time and the various bands and DJs did us proud with great sets.  So thanks to Paul Murphy, Kings of the Heath, Mary and Martin and Frutaloka and DJs -  SJ, Jazz Andy and Pedro for volunteering their time and talent to support us.

It was great too that the films producer and star Kriss Dosanjh was able to fly back from touring in Spain to be there to meet, greet, shmooze and booze along with all the other lovely folk who came along!

Onwards and upwards!

Saturday 18 April 2009

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser - TICKETS AVILABLE NOW

Paper Aeroplane is a low budget feature film to be shot in Birmingham, England during August 2009. It will star Kriss Dosanjh (This is England, East is East, Dirty Pretty Things) who will also produce.

A grand fundraiser with bands and DJ's supporting our effort to make a great low budget feature will take place on Saturday 9th May at the Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath High Street (Bus No. 50 from City Centre) from 8pm until 2am. Great Raffle with cash and other prizes.

Please email info AT sticklebackproductions.co.uk  for tickets and information.

Confirmed Line up -

Paul Murphy

Kings of the Heath

Mary and Martin

plus at least 3 guest DJs. More acts to be confirmed.  Facebook group here


Event Flyers here.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="431" caption="Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser"]Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser[/caption]

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser - TICKETS AVILABLE NOW

Paper Aeroplane is a low budget feature film to be shot in Birmingham, England during August 2009. It will star Kriss Dosanjh (This is England, East is East, Dirty Pretty Things) who will also produce.

A grand fundraiser with bands and DJ's supporting our effort to make a great low budget feature will take place on Saturday 9th May at the Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath High Street (Bus No. 50 from City Centre) from 8pm until 2am. Great Raffle with cash and other prizes.

Please email info AT sticklebackproductions.co.uk  for tickets and information.

Confirmed Line up -

Paul Murphy

Kings of the Heath

Mary and Martin

plus at least 3 guest DJs. More acts to be confirmed.  Facebook group here


Event Flyers here.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="431" caption="Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser"]Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser[/caption]

Tuesday 14 April 2009

What Goes Up...

Today is the last day of shooting on "What Goes Up Must Come Down". I spent all day Friday and a good bit of Saturday doing the edit with Ed Williams who stepped in when my other editor had to pull out - so a big thank you to him.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="455" caption=""What Goes Up Must Come Down" Shoot - Samantha Ferry and Chara Jackson"]What Goes Up Must Come Down Shoot - Samantha Ferry and Chara Jackson[/caption]

We'll be doing the rest of the shoot today and then adding that to the edited material already done - which looks really good!

We'll then add some specials and hand it off to Phil Mountford who has again volunteered to provide the music - so its in safe hands. This is particularly important on this short as its basically a silent movie!

The Paper Aeroplane fund raiser is now all booked and ready for 9th May - so please let me know your ticket requirements as I expect it to sell out. I have 3 DJ's and at least 3 acts giving their time for free to support this worthy cause. Well its the Arts innit?

Thats all for now folks!

What Goes Up...

Today is the last day of shooting on "What Goes Up Must Come Down". I spent all day Friday and a good bit of Saturday doing the edit with Ed Williams who stepped in when my other editor had to pull out - so a big thank you to him.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="455" caption=""What Goes Up Must Come Down" Shoot - Samantha Ferry and Chara Jackson"]What Goes Up Must Come Down Shoot - Samantha Ferry and Chara Jackson[/caption]

We'll be doing the rest of the shoot today and then adding that to the edited material already done - which looks really good!

We'll then add some specials and hand it off to Phil Mountford who has again volunteered to provide the music - so its in safe hands. This is particularly important on this short as its basically a silent movie!

The Paper Aeroplane fund raiser is now all booked and ready for 9th May - so please let me know your ticket requirements as I expect it to sell out. I have 3 DJ's and at least 3 acts giving their time for free to support this worthy cause. Well its the Arts innit?

Thats all for now folks!

Tuesday 7 April 2009

What Goes Up Must Come Down

Busy weekend last weekend shooting my Filmaka "Hard Times" competition entry "What Goes Up Must Come Down. We shot 80+ minutes of footage with still a little more to shoot. This has to be whittled down to 3 minutes!

As before with Black Widow this was a no-to -very low budget shoot and I would like to thank my volunteer cast and crew for basically giving up most of their weekend to help out. It was hard work but a lot of fun. I'd also like to thank all the people at the locations we shot at. They were all really helpful and went out of their way to help us. I haven't seen the footage on a proper monitor yet but if the stills are anything to go by then it added real value to the film.

So big ups to the managers and staff at Jacks of London Barbers, Broadway Casino, Callaghans bespoke tailors, Simpsons Restaurant, Malmaison Hotel and not to mention my Auntie who let us shoot at her house.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="345" caption="At Callaghans Tailors"]At Callaghans Tailors[/caption]

More later..

What Goes Up Must Come Down

Busy weekend last weekend shooting my Filmaka "Hard Times" competition entry "What Goes Up Must Come Down. We shot 80+ minutes of footage with still a little more to shoot. This has to be whittled down to 3 minutes!

As before with Black Widow this was a no-to -very low budget shoot and I would like to thank my volunteer cast and crew for basically giving up most of their weekend to help out. It was hard work but a lot of fun. I'd also like to thank all the people at the locations we shot at. They were all really helpful and went out of their way to help us. I haven't seen the footage on a proper monitor yet but if the stills are anything to go by then it added real value to the film.

So big ups to the managers and staff at Jacks of London Barbers, Broadway Casino, Callaghans bespoke tailors, Simpsons Restaurant, Malmaison Hotel and not to mention my Auntie who let us shoot at her house.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="345" caption="At Callaghans Tailors"]At Callaghans Tailors[/caption]

More later..

Saturday 28 March 2009

Paper Aeroplane - Micro-Budget Feature Shoot - August 2009

Plans are now well afoot to shoot a low budget feature in August 2009. The plan is to shoot for 9 days from Saturday 15th August 2009 until Sunday 23rd August 2009 using a volunteer cast and crew.

I am writing/co-producing/directing. The main producer however will be actor Kriss Dosanjh (This is England, East is East, Dirty Pretty Things) who will also star.

We hope to shoot in and around the Digbeth area of Birmingham.

We are having the first of we hope several fund raising events at the Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham on Saturday 9th May featuring bands, DJs and a grand raffle. Email me for tickets.

Those interested in taking part should email me at info AT sticklebackproductions.co.uk . In the meantime feel free to join the Paper Aeroplane Facebook group.

TAFN

Brendan

Paper Aeroplane - Micro-Budget Feature Shoot - August 2009

Plans are now well afoot to shoot a low budget feature in August 2009. The plan is to shoot for 9 days from Saturday 15th August 2009 until Sunday 23rd August 2009 using a volunteer cast and crew.

I am writing/co-producing/directing. The main producer however will be actor Kriss Dosanjh (This is England, East is East, Dirty Pretty Things) who will also star.

We hope to shoot in and around the Digbeth area of Birmingham.

We are having the first of we hope several fund raising events at the Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham on Saturday 9th May featuring bands, DJs and a grand raffle. Email me for tickets.

Those interested in taking part should email me at info AT sticklebackproductions.co.uk . In the meantime feel free to join the Paper Aeroplane Facebook group.

TAFN

Brendan

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Local Shorts Showing!

Finally got to see the new "Festival" cut of Black Widow on the big screen at the library theatre thanks to the industrious Sabine and Nigel - great night of local shorts attended by 150 people. I have never seen the LT so full. Lots of people said kind things afterwards too!

Moving on to planning other projects now too including a low budget comedy horror called Hell Hall.  Talking to various people about how to take it forward. Watch this space.

Local Shorts Showing!

Finally got to see the new "Festival" cut of Black Widow on the big screen at the library theatre thanks to the industrious Sabine and Nigel - great night of local shorts attended by 150 people. I have never seen the LT so full. Lots of people said kind things afterwards too!

Moving on to planning other projects now too including a low budget comedy horror called Hell Hall.  Talking to various people about how to take it forward. Watch this space.