tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56260351214293718492024-03-13T11:13:24.701+00:00Stickleback ProductionsSmall But Feisty Film MakingBrendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-33044876752372271412023-04-05T13:27:00.001+01:002023-04-05T13:27:47.168+01:00First Festival Selection and New Poster!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHwFNYuP87_xeYhim1jBFV_uP0B_aBHWKgN1BCxW4H-0vLjxQcwmEE3KzjWVxFmkmWYWEDS-Vfhq4BzHWVB2fESOoKytKFJ262vMxw5FWJ6H8mrm31sHCuHLd8v0vWvXLPbdfOI5_jStCI_MnePwAcrZCWuktpafnkEoyAGqIUDxbpOhKc0M-pE0h/s589/IMG_20230404_092426_299.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="589" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHwFNYuP87_xeYhim1jBFV_uP0B_aBHWKgN1BCxW4H-0vLjxQcwmEE3KzjWVxFmkmWYWEDS-Vfhq4BzHWVB2fESOoKytKFJ262vMxw5FWJ6H8mrm31sHCuHLd8v0vWvXLPbdfOI5_jStCI_MnePwAcrZCWuktpafnkEoyAGqIUDxbpOhKc0M-pE0h/s400/IMG_20230404_092426_299.jpg"/></a></div>
I was delighted that The Harrowing received its first festival selection at the <a href="https://filmfreeway.com/MayThe4thSciFiFilmFestival" target="_blank">May the 4th Sci-Fi festival</a>. The festival takes place in Portmagee which was the Unit Base when Star Wars filmed on Skellig Michael. It also happens to be my parents home village. Mark Hamill AKA Luke Skywalker famously pulled a pint of Guinness in my cousin's pub.
<p>
The awards ceremony will be at The Royal Hotel, Knightstown, Valentia Island on May 7th 2023.
<p>
<iframe class="BLOG_video_class" allowfullscreen="" youtube-src-id="ApcBYWhte0Q" width="400" height="322" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ApcBYWhte0Q"></iframe>
<p>
The film also has a new poster by my Graphic Designer friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_ryankill/" target="_blank">Ryan Killeen</a>. Ryan is also the Lead designer for the Mobo Awards!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm7Ks2JYlHDAttMQZV6fadzKniRnxG51RMazciU9myirZrGTGU_4GDvX4PFpcmlCdIiSIJFqUna_2aIYePeTlmqc36-Vh6sWexMTBvpwtQSHTRp_3jhIBexc9d9cZzKArxca8A2MPDaI4Dd1-XuyXbSBbWRe8uf_Wr9OIu-ykHQdYxteCh-xirbzj/s1600/IMG-20230405-WA0002.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm7Ks2JYlHDAttMQZV6fadzKniRnxG51RMazciU9myirZrGTGU_4GDvX4PFpcmlCdIiSIJFqUna_2aIYePeTlmqc36-Vh6sWexMTBvpwtQSHTRp_3jhIBexc9d9cZzKArxca8A2MPDaI4Dd1-XuyXbSBbWRe8uf_Wr9OIu-ykHQdYxteCh-xirbzj/s600/IMG-20230405-WA0002.jpg"/></a></div>Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-37169771297332632392022-09-14T19:45:00.000+01:002022-09-14T19:45:08.039+01:00London Sci-Fi Society 48 hour Filmmaking Competition 2022.I was delighted to be able to put together a great little team to do the London Sci-Fi Society 48 hour filmmaking <a href="https://48hour.sci-fi-london.com/" target="_blank">competition</a> last weekend. The team was very ably anchored by multi-talented Black Country Director of Photography Matt Hickinbottom of <a href="musicalmotionpictures.co.uk%20" target="_blank">Musical Motion Pictures</a>. Not only did he shoot the film - he also edited, scored and did sound design. The VFX shots were provided by <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11568037" target="_blank">Mark Lunn</a> to cap off what I think is a great little film. I even did my first ever practical effect!
<p>
Birmingham actress <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0244075/" target="_blank">Gem Durham</a> (Felicia's Journey) played the lead alongside her daughter Honey Harris and newcomer Arthur Benson. Both child actors did really well and Gem was excellent as the Mother.
<p>
My artist friend Darryl Georgiou stepped in to play the Man in the Street who has to say the all important line given by the competition organisers.
<p>
Unit Stills were provided by Shaun Temple and SFX/Make Up by <a href="https://rafainha19983.wixsite.com/mysite" target="_blank">Rafaela Rosado Mateus</a>.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIxSl01b9R704q1UkU8ctEWhCaE7B6iII-zVQPE6qpEYUbFY6_C_tfF5VS7CzUpnSRsEzr_Y6pZuOY221RlSfuCA0fDzEEG0iud5-TVIw5S5Ec9wrSpt7cwk4jwDgNd1F4mblotFrMlWE9ae9gBJjhKxnES5qMkjwFgxnYgzg8inr6drsjiwlzIPF/s5184/Cast%20and%20Crew%20shot%20-%20Claw.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIxSl01b9R704q1UkU8ctEWhCaE7B6iII-zVQPE6qpEYUbFY6_C_tfF5VS7CzUpnSRsEzr_Y6pZuOY221RlSfuCA0fDzEEG0iud5-TVIw5S5Ec9wrSpt7cwk4jwDgNd1F4mblotFrMlWE9ae9gBJjhKxnES5qMkjwFgxnYgzg8inr6drsjiwlzIPF/s400/Cast%20and%20Crew%20shot%20-%20Claw.jpg"/></a></div>
We filmed it on Saturday afternoon and early evening and then did Post Production on Sunday. I have to say it's the least stressful one of these time limited competitions of the several I've done and definitely the smallest budget. We'll know in a week or two if we make the shortlist which will mean a trip to London for the awards ceremony. I'm now planning a festival run.
Here's some more pics from the day.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Mqx2adOfOK4FClo9t1aI3AP9P3p8J2PeZGryT3Oq2pNDJ0YL2m8Pz08tLn9byCXLo75ro1yxlPvTiOjWO735Cz5Bw8AgKSbFmj5vati6Pcy9zB8Za0yjFNyL8CqFNo5L4AbtymMfe0-UlNW-jK2Hhg9hT5vOCejzm8flRrxGswi-L71FYL9KStpG/s4835/IMG_9149.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3223" data-original-width="4835" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Mqx2adOfOK4FClo9t1aI3AP9P3p8J2PeZGryT3Oq2pNDJ0YL2m8Pz08tLn9byCXLo75ro1yxlPvTiOjWO735Cz5Bw8AgKSbFmj5vati6Pcy9zB8Za0yjFNyL8CqFNo5L4AbtymMfe0-UlNW-jK2Hhg9hT5vOCejzm8flRrxGswi-L71FYL9KStpG/s400/IMG_9149.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVprYQuKIG9qGYfht7IUPzfhtB_5089ATQ8jTV5JgMh7Y133DriCNoWv3uLDlLGlSfsbLHlBzxpIhafKm7G9fcr-u3IXoBz2o-Qjmd5jRgVUSDhojIS7EWgUSrmuRdcdJ0OGsbgjnVdsUQh2Rocdgr8yClne7hhSWd8DtOVpJi7yDjw9OyILSOqLWr/s871/Monitor%20Image%20of%20Gemma%27s%20Breakfast%20room.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="653" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVprYQuKIG9qGYfht7IUPzfhtB_5089ATQ8jTV5JgMh7Y133DriCNoWv3uLDlLGlSfsbLHlBzxpIhafKm7G9fcr-u3IXoBz2o-Qjmd5jRgVUSDhojIS7EWgUSrmuRdcdJ0OGsbgjnVdsUQh2Rocdgr8yClne7hhSWd8DtOVpJi7yDjw9OyILSOqLWr/s400/Monitor%20Image%20of%20Gemma%27s%20Breakfast%20room.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjly1TYu6WDvWETmXkNgVJxropTsWyY7kA8-r7pvfcuOUiBxJbxgneHwToRFY9nNV0xtjhFADcpdhazvz2jvS1miHqeGkwakUOB0sdf7sZAf28rIa_qhqgV1fxbEdL4xS-MkurMu0HKIc42f0yELJ0TAQh1MXA1z8MZp1T9GyjIFxk2YXv-R_vaOy3O/s871/Sony%20FS7%20camera.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="653" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjly1TYu6WDvWETmXkNgVJxropTsWyY7kA8-r7pvfcuOUiBxJbxgneHwToRFY9nNV0xtjhFADcpdhazvz2jvS1miHqeGkwakUOB0sdf7sZAf28rIa_qhqgV1fxbEdL4xS-MkurMu0HKIc42f0yELJ0TAQh1MXA1z8MZp1T9GyjIFxk2YXv-R_vaOy3O/s400/Sony%20FS7%20camera.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXs_nriHRtpi75q7n3HkHTlCJg_bZdvx8rfurPZRuOAgku_-HQklSfNhjlpEItv02RxDD-v69mz5TOLCGlr8wbf7QHRymSobvn6I2cTIzv4pKJ1mJ14XBnrB4oBJnCx_wQcZYs8ggMcUTmhRyfswvICF4dga4U6w6S9joWby4hIzNgJIHCZFA-rk2H/s5184/IMG_9004.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXs_nriHRtpi75q7n3HkHTlCJg_bZdvx8rfurPZRuOAgku_-HQklSfNhjlpEItv02RxDD-v69mz5TOLCGlr8wbf7QHRymSobvn6I2cTIzv4pKJ1mJ14XBnrB4oBJnCx_wQcZYs8ggMcUTmhRyfswvICF4dga4U6w6S9joWby4hIzNgJIHCZFA-rk2H/s400/IMG_9004.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRkiK_rGbOpm56N3NVoDuoKdUeWCF-sDC3EoNVK6eC0yS8amWSL6pgDL80TlwH0H6b0WwSQTrb75Cfq8lHIa0bgUFRWfMYw_Imb7TgKZBYeVs3LnBOoHE1_ojyf7uD-uE5kuGkN1vHyhdDTAGzdugjL_z9bnO1lQ6NST2xSx04yu89jsVuW4d3RVX/s4811/IMG_9041.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3207" data-original-width="4811" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRkiK_rGbOpm56N3NVoDuoKdUeWCF-sDC3EoNVK6eC0yS8amWSL6pgDL80TlwH0H6b0WwSQTrb75Cfq8lHIa0bgUFRWfMYw_Imb7TgKZBYeVs3LnBOoHE1_ojyf7uD-uE5kuGkN1vHyhdDTAGzdugjL_z9bnO1lQ6NST2xSx04yu89jsVuW4d3RVX/s400/IMG_9041.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_7lm5RaMlGN4kvY3jRv3UpsHbrYKd_vxKxx1uXJrW-RH-1syQFVeFpGvqBm2ZawDAeuW4nk2V7ajhRTEpZSO7EihfhHEY3EhVosMpYDD4wHF8brqGJKsCDXGw-QgiojDcG0pIRrN6CALQsPpnlA3_8V1tw4FMNbwo0Zra9X2_Yje9orXq8lGXiK-/s5184/IMG_9092.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_7lm5RaMlGN4kvY3jRv3UpsHbrYKd_vxKxx1uXJrW-RH-1syQFVeFpGvqBm2ZawDAeuW4nk2V7ajhRTEpZSO7EihfhHEY3EhVosMpYDD4wHF8brqGJKsCDXGw-QgiojDcG0pIRrN6CALQsPpnlA3_8V1tw4FMNbwo0Zra9X2_Yje9orXq8lGXiK-/s400/IMG_9092.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMleY1tuzu1Usgv5cwS1HpQQzUNXHLmw-j2TK6mKkk_aDqlnmrbqzdzxDsUfmknHZwg-jCZsoqwQJOO2uPJ0gTPLephZgCJuU_3iLDomxV_aS7OAaFIwOuuvUigEeyvv6jXNzlqWW9jJOLnre2c597t7aU_Hb6cDDlA5i0VHvKGgSgtfOwApPHzpoL/s4648/IMG_9169.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3099" data-original-width="4648" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMleY1tuzu1Usgv5cwS1HpQQzUNXHLmw-j2TK6mKkk_aDqlnmrbqzdzxDsUfmknHZwg-jCZsoqwQJOO2uPJ0gTPLephZgCJuU_3iLDomxV_aS7OAaFIwOuuvUigEeyvv6jXNzlqWW9jJOLnre2c597t7aU_Hb6cDDlA5i0VHvKGgSgtfOwApPHzpoL/s400/IMG_9169.jpg"/></a></div>Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-66606721539964275562021-07-18T15:02:00.002+01:002021-07-18T15:03:31.164+01:00Stowe Story Labs Finalist!I wes delighted to be selected as a <a href="https://www.stowestorylabs.org/news-1/2021/3/24/2021-fellowship-finalists-announced" target="_blank">Stowe Story Labs Fellowship finalist</a> a couple of months ago. It's a very prestigious lab in my opinion. I applied via the new <a href="https://www.irishfilmfestivallondon.com/blog/2021/2/24/ifl-launches-new-fellowship-with-stowe-story-labs" target="_blank">Irish Film London scholarship</a> and made their shortlist of three.
My story is called <i>The Little Winding Road</i> and is based on a true story about a remote hill village in Southern France. The village is suddenly visited for the first time at the end of the war by a group of retreating, trigger-happy German soldiers.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Of3Mq4_DD-4/YPQzGzifnJI/AAAAAAAAijs/_t1aMTzP4w853LqTAqtmq-PkAKTwfSAdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/IFL-F%2BStowe%2B21.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Of3Mq4_DD-4/YPQzGzifnJI/AAAAAAAAijs/_t1aMTzP4w853LqTAqtmq-PkAKTwfSAdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/IFL-F%2BStowe%2B21.jpg"/></a></div>Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-82081952838064894052020-02-15T14:38:00.002+00:002020-02-15T14:38:39.176+00:00Now on Bark!<a href='https://www.bark.com/en/company/stickleback-productions/Jmmvd/' target='_blank' class='bark-widget' data-type='pro' data-id='Jmmvd' data-image='large-navy' data-version='3.0'>Stickleback Productions</a><script type='text/javascript' src='https://d1w7gvu0kpf6fl.cloudfront.net/assets/js/frontend-v2/widgets-v2-ad82dbeea9.js' defer></script>Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-14838092441529559642020-01-14T14:21:00.000+00:002020-01-14T14:22:53.183+00:00Advice to New Screenwriters on Finding a Producer: Why You Are Just One of Many Voices Wanting to be Heard!<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A
newbie screenwriter asked on a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukfilmmakersalliance/" target="_blank">Facebook group</a> I run about how to find a producer
for their scripts. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDV3UY77rDo/Xh2_g0ntWTI/AAAAAAAAabw/GtW6Mkf9L8opsZtjfEqmSD0lMYjTpCpwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/brabus-biturbo-CKPme5EVNCo-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDV3UY77rDo/Xh2_g0ntWTI/AAAAAAAAabw/GtW6Mkf9L8opsZtjfEqmSD0lMYjTpCpwACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/brabus-biturbo-CKPme5EVNCo-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="_3bJ2H CHExY">
<div class="_1l8RX _1ByhS">
Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@brabusbiturbo?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">brabus biturbo</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/chicks-in-nest?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Firstly
you must seek out honest critiques of your work. Asking your friends
or family is an absolute NO NO! They won’t tell you what you need
to hear. Read <a href="https://connorgrooms.com/2-types-of-criticism/" target="_blank">this</a>
useful take on Criticism.
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My
initial advice would be to get some professional coverage on what you
think is your best script. Buy coverage from an experienced script
editor who will give you an honest opinion. The best ones are
expensive. Find out about them. Ask on forums who is good. Do they
have the experience and connections you need?</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If
you can't afford that then join a supportive writers group such as
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/Bang2writers/" target="_blank">Bang2Writers</a> or <a href="http://www.scriptadvice.co.uk/" target="_blank">Yvonne
Grace</a>’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/scriptadvice/" target="_blank">Script
Advice Writers’ Room</a> on Facebook where you can ask questions
and learn a lot.
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ask
writers if they will read your script in exchange for you reading
theirs and giving notes etc. Read Lucy Hays excellent blog
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.bang2write.com/">Bang2Write</a></u></span></span>.
Likewise <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ScriptwritingUK/" target="_blank">UK
Scriptwriting Opportunities</a> which is good for opportunities and
links to good lists etc.<br />
<br />
There are literally hundreds of
thousands of writers and scripts out there. Put yourself in the mind
of a time poor producer - many of whom are 1 or 2 person bands. Why
should they read your script rather than anyone else? What makes
yours stand out?<br />
<br />
Placing in a competition or talent scheme
might. Find a reputable screenwriting contest. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BBCWriters/" target="_blank">BBC
Writers Room</a> lists many competitions and opportunities. Consider
writing for the stage as well. Fleabag started as an Edinburgh fringe
act. There is a lot of crossover of writers from stage to screen and
back. Winning or placing in a competition might help you get
representation by a literary agent or manager.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Good
coverage from a reputable reader or editor with industry connections
might get you noticed too. Without this you are just one of many
voices wanting to be heard - so very difficult to sort the wheat from
the chaff from a producer point of view.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
I
strongly suggest that you go to the <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/">London
Screenwriters Festival</a></u></span></span> in London where you will learn a
lot and make a lot of contacts. <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.scriptangel.com/">ScriptAngel</a></u></span></span>
- which has a good mailing list - usually releases a discount code for this. The on-site accommodation
is good value.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
Its
also worth keeping an eye out for when <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.samanthahorley.com/">Samantha
Horley</a></u></span></span> runs her next <a href="http://samanthahorley.com/courses/" target="_blank">Make
A Film the Market Wants</a> seminar. She knows all about audience and
what works in the market.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
You
can also join <a href="http://www.shootingpeople.org/" target="_blank">Shooting
People</a>. Their mailing list for screenwriters, filmmakers etc are
useful places to learn and ask questions.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My
other piece of advice is find some cast, crew and locations and make
your own film. It will give you an invaluable understanding of the
process etc. That’s how I started.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Please
support my Patreon <a href="http://www.patreon.com/stickleback" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
Follow me on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Stickleback_Pro" target="_blank">@Stickleback_Pro</a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
Follow me on Instagram <a href="http://www.instagram.com/Stickleback_Pro" target="_blank">@Stickleback_Pro</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<style type="text/css">
p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; direction: ltr; color: #00000a; line-height: 120%; text-align: left; orphans: 2; widows: 2 }
p.western { font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; so-language: en-GB }
p.cjk { font-family: "SimSun"; font-size: 12pt; so-language: zh-CN }
p.ctl { font-family: "Lucida Sans"; font-size: 12pt; so-language: hi-IN }
a:link { so-language: zxx }</style>Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-47624547037884778082019-11-15T15:04:00.000+00:002019-11-15T15:04:24.514+00:00The Stanley Fisher StoryI'm planning to shoot a short documentary about 95 year old Stanley Fisher - a Jewish British Army veteran who fought in Normandy and then at Nijmegen to help relieve the Paras caught up in Operation Market Garden. He then witnessed the horrors of Bergen-Belsen shortly after its liberation. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXKRe6jecL0/Xc69GVnjCmI/AAAAAAAAZoY/Yx01XNpB3GUu_DUY6ZIdMJN6pTn4R9F6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Stanley%2BFisher%2Bin%2BUniform%2Baged%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="505" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXKRe6jecL0/Xc69GVnjCmI/AAAAAAAAZoY/Yx01XNpB3GUu_DUY6ZIdMJN6pTn4R9F6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Stanley%2BFisher%2Bin%2BUniform%2Baged%2B18.jpg" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stanley Fisher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've had a preliminary meeting with him and hope to film his story in the next couple of months. Watch this space!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTNcS-IUAss/Xc69JaoWGQI/AAAAAAAAZoc/hM-r5k8mbZAQvy9kyEuY7lXAhhdrvQOywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Both%2BDog%2BTags%2BCUP%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="819" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTNcS-IUAss/Xc69JaoWGQI/AAAAAAAAZoc/hM-r5k8mbZAQvy9kyEuY7lXAhhdrvQOywCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Both%2BDog%2BTags%2BCUP%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stanley's Dog Tags</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-9095619599533961032019-08-16T20:39:00.005+01:002019-08-16T20:40:21.868+01:00Crowdfunding Campaign to do a Script Editing for TV CourseI've just started a crowdfunding campaign to do a Script editing for TV course.<br />
<br />
You can read more on my GoFundMe page <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/script-editing-for-television-course" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NquusfpcENA/XVcGWLj13_I/AAAAAAAAYUg/9vjnrK4uLUE8kdMzoL5luJIGD7aj8ENgACLcBGAs/s1600/Selection_135.png" title="" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-55092128006074489222018-12-14T11:35:00.001+00:002018-12-14T11:35:47.121+00:00Legion Script Success!<div data-contents="true">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6pk66" data-offset-key="9lcic-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9lcic-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="9lcic-0-0"><span data-text="true">I'm looking to film my short script Legion in the spring. It recently came 2nd in a national short script competition so I'm eager to get the story on screen. The organiser Daniel Alexander of <a href="http://www.danielalexanderfilms.com/" target="_blank">Daniel Alexander Films</a> told me:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6pk66" data-offset-key="9hgu2-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9hgu2-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="9hgu2-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6pk66" data-offset-key="cpne5-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cpne5-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="cpne5-0-0"><span data-text="true">"Really appreciate you entering and the conversations some of the judges had around your script were amazing to hear. I think out of all of them, your story was the one that had everyone the most excited about and was a very, very close second."</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6pk66" data-offset-key="ajivu-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ajivu-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="ajivu-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6pk66" data-offset-key="cp17n-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cp17n-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="cp17n-0-0"><span data-text="true">There were judges from the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/" target="_blank">BBC</a> and <a href="http://www.creativeengland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Creative England</a> amongst others so I'm taking that as an accolade.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6pk66" data-offset-key="bs6g9-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bs6g9-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="bs6g9-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6pk66" data-offset-key="3a29a-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3a29a-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="3a29a-0-0"><span data-text="true">Its a story about the Devil contending for the soul of an injured boxer. It was originally written for another director with a brief to "Go Weird" so I did!</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6pk66" data-offset-key="bo62g-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bo62g-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="bo62g-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6pk66" data-offset-key="8tkaa-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8tkaa-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8tkaa-0-0"><span data-text="true">Watch this space.</span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8tkaa-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8tkaa-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__pQnk87qrE/XBOTSoAYHlI/AAAAAAAAUkM/MNfigIWPXVUHxyDrE2CnoNR7JYQhtORvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Corridor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1024" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__pQnk87qrE/XBOTSoAYHlI/AAAAAAAAUkM/MNfigIWPXVUHxyDrE2CnoNR7JYQhtORvwCLcBGAs/s400/Corridor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8tkaa-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8tkaa-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-41367133185547294772018-04-05T16:21:00.000+01:002018-04-05T16:21:24.087+01:00FilmonomicsI graduated from the fabulous <a href="http://birds-eye-view.co.uk/training/filmonomics-iv/" target="_blank">Filmonomics</a> 5 scheme a few weeks ago. I applied on the back of conceiving and curating <a href="https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/mockingbird-cinema-six-best-fest-12454272" target="_blank">6 of the Best Fest </a>back in January 2017. Its been a great experience and I'm hoping to find the time to blog about it in detail soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8kcMhWITuE/WsY-bhqMEiI/AAAAAAAARu4/FJD73uCmfzM45MTEMY6ox1cVkz0i75yvACLcBGAs/s1600/%2523timesup%2B%2523Filmonomics%2Bgraduation%2B080318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8kcMhWITuE/WsY-bhqMEiI/AAAAAAAARu4/FJD73uCmfzM45MTEMY6ox1cVkz0i75yvACLcBGAs/s400/%2523timesup%2B%2523Filmonomics%2Bgraduation%2B080318.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-89322762888964810442017-05-02T18:36:00.003+01:002017-05-02T19:55:31.170+01:00May '17:Gwen Documentary and Other Film NewsI recently made a documentary about an old lady called Gwen McKendry who was a nurse of sick children and servicemen during World War II. It was fascinating to hear about her life and wartime experiences.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLLQkZ-Z5xM/WQiufrT8frI/AAAAAAAAJd4/a47NQ1QOAHsUY6DQSlXrMLlbpWioY-nxQCLcB/s1600/Gwen-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLLQkZ-Z5xM/WQiufrT8frI/AAAAAAAAJd4/a47NQ1QOAHsUY6DQSlXrMLlbpWioY-nxQCLcB/s640/Gwen-001.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
The film was made for the <a href="https://whickersworldfoundation.com/awards/" target="_blank">Whickers World Foundation Sage Award</a> for new documentary filmmakers over 50. Unfortunately it wasn't shortlisted but they have promised me some "deserved feedback"!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08BSq_3Drd4/WQi4QeIzO6I/AAAAAAAAJew/UuF6DvlOiww2FOhH6c1xVBlMcL-ccmaSgCLcB/s1600/03_Gwen%2BMS_with%2Bbaby.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08BSq_3Drd4/WQi4QeIzO6I/AAAAAAAAJew/UuF6DvlOiww2FOhH6c1xVBlMcL-ccmaSgCLcB/s640/03_Gwen%2BMS_with%2Bbaby.png" width="428" /></a></div>
I'm currently having the film properly scored and then hope to screen it for Gwen and put it in to festivals. I may have to do a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for the creation of a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) and festival fees to try and get it out there so watch this space.<br />
<br />
Thanks to my crew Nina Baillie (Camera), Josche Eickel (Sound) and Chantal Felui Gurri and Mike Goreham (Editors). Thanks too to David Shipman for helping set things up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="western">
<br />
<br />
<b>FreeFire Q & A at Ritzy.</b></div>
<div class="western">
<br /></div>
I was delighted to be offered a complimentary ticket to a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Fire#Production" target="_blank">FreeFire</a> Q & A at the Ritzy in Brixton with director Ben Wheatley back at the end of March. The ticket was provided by Michael Smiley who some of you may remember played Tires O'Flaherty in the sitcom <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaced" target="_blank">Spaced</a>.<br />
<br />
Michael stars alongside Cillian Murphy (<i>Peaky Blinders</i>), <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brie_Larson" target="_blank">Brie Larson</a> (<i>Room, Short Term 12</i>) and others in a great ensemble effort. Brie won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenny_Abrahamson" target="_blank">Lenny Abrahamson</a>'s multi award winning film <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Room_(2015_film)#Accolades" target="_blank">Room</a> in 2016<br />
<br />
I was fortunate to meet and chat with Ben and his producer Andy Starke before the screening. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ktzyt_6U0p8/WQi9ZynXlJI/AAAAAAAAJfE/Ff9niclgOTEwRqiVWUcxaB-OiSSRhYO6wCLcB/s1600/Ben%2BWheatley%2Bat%2BRitzy%2B300317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ktzyt_6U0p8/WQi9ZynXlJI/AAAAAAAAJfE/Ff9niclgOTEwRqiVWUcxaB-OiSSRhYO6wCLcB/s400/Ben%2BWheatley%2Bat%2BRitzy%2B300317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western">
<br />
<b>A Poitín Whiskey Fuelled Romp through Time, Space
and the Irish Countryside.</b></div>
<br />
In other news I'm having a big push on finishing my novel Ulysses O'Mooney after being selected for the Penguin Books <a href="http://www.write-now.live/" target="_blank">#WriteNowLive</a> scheme before Christmas. I was delighted to be selected for the scheme which had over 2000 applicants for only 150 places devided between Birmingham, London and Manchester events.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3Sm-UD_AZA/WQjVRff3OlI/AAAAAAAAJfs/pZ6lER-EemoZiAFZclbzuwHYT6rbkot9wCLcB/s1600/%2523WriteNowLive-Penguin-Upright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3Sm-UD_AZA/WQjVRff3OlI/AAAAAAAAJfs/pZ6lER-EemoZiAFZclbzuwHYT6rbkot9wCLcB/s320/%2523WriteNowLive-Penguin-Upright.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
Its a story about a young alien who crash lands in rural Ireland in 1969 and has to try and find a way back home.The Penguin editor that I had the 1-2-1 with loved the story world that I have created. She did ask me at the time what books I could compare it to and I was stumped. I now think that in terms of the myriad of interesting characters it could be loosely described as an Irish <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy" target="_blank">Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy</a>.<br />
<br />
You can read 3 extracts on Wattpad <a href="https://www.wattpad.com/3455680-ulysses-o%27mooney" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sqQmpx_lHt0/WQiyihFuJeI/AAAAAAAAJec/GVVWbGGMlbk2bF7PmsNa9_bbrm237ZtOACLcB/s1600/%2523WriteNowLive-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sqQmpx_lHt0/WQiyihFuJeI/AAAAAAAAJec/GVVWbGGMlbk2bF7PmsNa9_bbrm237ZtOACLcB/s320/%2523WriteNowLive-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Film Production News.</b><br />
<br />
My plan for the rest of the year is to make at least two quality shorts that I can enter into BAFTA and Oscar feeder festivals. Assuming I can get these films selected this would then qualify me for prestigious talent development and mentoring schemes such as <a href="http://www.lighthouse.org.uk/guiding-lights/about-guiding-lights-scheme" target="_blank">Guiding Lights</a>. <br />
<br />
I'm also aiming to have a nano budget feature ready for entry into the London Screenings <a href="http://filmlondon.org.uk/industry/sales" target="_blank">Breakthrough Strand</a> in March 2018. Any producers,crew or financial backers that wants to help with these projects should get in touch via email to info [AT] sticklebackproductions.co.uk<br />
<br />
NB I'm nowhere near casting yet so would request that actors send a short covering letter and CV with links to reel etc.<br />
<br />
<b>New Battle of Britain Documentary Project</b> <br />
<br />
I'm also currently trying to put some funding together to go and interview a 102 year old Battle of Britain pilot about his wartime experiences. This would hopefully form the basis of a longish short or even feature length documentary.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6JAlKF-fwZE/WQi_dJ5xNhI/AAAAAAAAJfQ/gGS1-yMRHNMFB14o64nOBifTfQmfLodVwCLcB/s1600/Jan%2BLinzel%2B-%2BSpitfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6JAlKF-fwZE/WQi_dJ5xNhI/AAAAAAAAJfQ/gGS1-yMRHNMFB14o64nOBifTfQmfLodVwCLcB/s400/Jan%2BLinzel%2B-%2BSpitfire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Finally here's a gratuitous but great picture of Juno - my constant canine companion taken by my pro photographer friend <a href="http://www.owendevisser.com/" target="_blank">Owen de Visser</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAkG794S9AQ/WQjAYEauLrI/AAAAAAAAJfY/-s2kPyOnUAk9gJ3wuhTsouZjSyIv6y-EwCLcB/s1600/Juno-snout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAkG794S9AQ/WQjAYEauLrI/AAAAAAAAJfY/-s2kPyOnUAk9gJ3wuhTsouZjSyIv6y-EwCLcB/s400/Juno-snout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
TAFN<br />
<br />
Brendan<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/Stickleback_Pro" target="_blank">@Stickleback_Pro</a><br />
<br />Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-81682598533509172732017-01-09T12:27:00.000+00:002017-01-09T12:27:07.851+00:006 of the Best Fest, Birmingham 2017I'm curating an inaugural mini-festival of new films by 6 UK women filmmakers on the weekend of 20th-22nd January at the <a href="http://www.mockingbirdcinema.com/" target="_blank">Mockingbird</a>, Birmingham called 6 of the Best Fest. There's a great line up of award winning films plus 4 x Q & A's with the writer/directors or producers. Festival pass is a January Blues busting £30 pounds and can be booked at the Mockingbird (<a href="http://www.mockingbirdcinema.com/">www.mockingbirdcinema.com</a>).<br />
<br />
The festival is supported by <a href="http://birds-eye-view.co.uk/" target="_blank">Birds Eye View</a>, <a href="http://flatpackfestival.org.uk/" target="_blank">Flatpack</a> and <a href="http://www.producersforum.org.uk/producers-forum/" target="_blank">Producers' Forum</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DoRgDxF-Lcw/WHN0chBpF1I/AAAAAAAAG3A/lLvK8NJ9EQ84oJdyn9wZQUHgSmfERSflwCEw/s1600/%25236BestFest-Poster2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DoRgDxF-Lcw/WHN0chBpF1I/AAAAAAAAG3A/lLvK8NJ9EQ84oJdyn9wZQUHgSmfERSflwCEw/s400/%25236BestFest-Poster2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Oscar winning producer Mia Bays – Director-at-Large of women’s film organization Birds Eye View said:<br /><br />“We are excited to be heading to Mockingbird Cinema in Birmingham, it’s a key location for great film programming, and their ‘6 of the Best Fest’ is a terrific initiative. The Incident is a film we released, so we are happy this gets a prime slot, and the other films – such as Light Years and Adult Life Skills – are films we admire enormously. We hope more cinemas take up this idea and screen some of the best female-led UK films of the year side-by-side.” <br /><br />Other great films include Prevenge – the directorial debut of Alice Lowe (Sightseers, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, Hot Fuzz) and The Levelling by Hope Dickson Leach and Couple in a Hole starring my friend Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones, The Witch) and Paul Higgins (In the Loop, Utopia).<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fqIwy6RKDuA/WHN206UwatI/AAAAAAAAG3I/YUrkD3gQFgEE0is2m2m4Rol6SFkQJ0qkACLcB/s1600/CIH%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fqIwy6RKDuA/WHN206UwatI/AAAAAAAAG3I/YUrkD3gQFgEE0is2m2m4Rol6SFkQJ0qkACLcB/s400/CIH%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Full Q & A and film schedule is on the <a href="http://www.bfi.org.uk/neighbourhoodcinema/stickleback-cinema" target="_blank">Stickleback Cinema</a> site. The hashtag for the festival is #6BestFest</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-47790669527561979752016-09-26T22:27:00.001+01:002016-09-28T11:25:07.553+01:00The Girl With All The Gifts Screening + Q & A 8th October<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APfXSqR-paQ/V-mPjG1suOI/AAAAAAAAFko/0OduKI1WnQsF0tlhiI1w9KGTvbSa9D8zQCLcB/s1600/The%2BGirl%2BWith%2BAll%2BThe%2BGifts%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APfXSqR-paQ/V-mPjG1suOI/AAAAAAAAFko/0OduKI1WnQsF0tlhiI1w9KGTvbSa9D8zQCLcB/s640/The%2BGirl%2BWith%2BAll%2BThe%2BGifts%2Bposter.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
I'm really looking forward to hosting writer/screenwriter <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Carey_(writer)" target="_blank">Mike Carey</a> at a screening of The Girl With All The Gifts at the Mockingbird Theatre, Birmingham on Saturday 8th October. Mike is in town for the <a href="http://www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org/" target="_blank">Birmingham Literature Festival</a> the next day and has kindly agreed to do a Q & A. The film is getting rave reviews including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhwwEJXdinY" target="_blank">one</a> from the highly respected Mark Kermode on the BBC.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cLYdFWheao8/V-mPdoZ-irI/AAAAAAAAFkk/7eCiYEKCBmoWi8xeWIkH3L6UElUNSqMdQCLcB/s1600/The%2BGirl%2BWith%2BAll%2BThe%2BGifts%2Bposter%2Ball%2Bstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cLYdFWheao8/V-mPdoZ-irI/AAAAAAAAFkk/7eCiYEKCBmoWi8xeWIkH3L6UElUNSqMdQCLcB/s400/The%2BGirl%2BWith%2BAll%2BThe%2BGifts%2Bposter%2Ball%2Bstars.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The film is getting some fantastic press - not least for its young lead actress Sennia Nanua on her feature debut. Better still most of the film was shot in Birmingham, Dudley and Cannock Chase.<br />
<br />
I expect this screening to sell out so buy your tickets <a href="https://www.designmynight.com/birmingham/bars/digbeth/the-mockingbird-theatre-and-bar/the-girl-with-all-the-gifts-film-qa-with-mike-carey?t=tickets" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> if you dont want to miss out. #<br />
<br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Stickleback_Pro" target="_blank">Stickleback _Pro</a> <br />
<br />
<br />Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-68045651574882902712016-06-25T17:01:00.000+01:002016-06-25T17:03:16.533+01:005 Great Films at Brum Spirit 2016: We're All In This TogetherI've been asked to programme the cinema strand of Brum Spirit 2016 at
the old Moseley School of Art in Balsall Heath, Birmingham. Its where
various members of UB40 went to art college.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p55TsOh9jqU/V26kgw08EEI/AAAAAAAAEW0/j989mYZBGKITuTDIUW5-u3kiOZrbo0NrQCLcB/s1600/BrumSpirit16-Poster001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p55TsOh9jqU/V26kgw08EEI/AAAAAAAAEW0/j989mYZBGKITuTDIUW5-u3kiOZrbo0NrQCLcB/s640/BrumSpirit16-Poster001.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<span class="_4n-j fsl">Its billed as</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl">"A weekend of music, film, visual arts and feasting, exploring the thrills and challenges of sharing space in a changing world. Family friendly, free and affordable events, with headline performance
from Panorama do Choro (Brazil), arts interventions curated by Darryl
Georgiou, and film screenings by <a href="http://www.bfi.org.uk/neighbourhoodcinema/stickleback-cinema" target="_blank">Stickleback Cinema</a>"</span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oG1q5IrVdyA/V26nAnvB75I/AAAAAAAAEXA/GRVdiFBJJtkNUHlK-MLIWTvd6n-IVzzcQCLcB/s1600/court%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oG1q5IrVdyA/V26nAnvB75I/AAAAAAAAEXA/GRVdiFBJJtkNUHlK-MLIWTvd6n-IVzzcQCLcB/s640/court%2Bposter.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span class="_4n-j fsl">I'll be screening 5 great films. </span>My programme includes Court - India's Official Entry for the 88th Academy
Awards and Mustang - a fantastic Turkish debut film which was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the
88th Academy Awards.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqPcvbvXV2E/V26nGSwK3oI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/-JwtiByE7L8596aLDPes47m0VKShgaDawCLcB/s1600/mustang-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqPcvbvXV2E/V26nGSwK3oI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/-JwtiByE7L8596aLDPes47m0VKShgaDawCLcB/s400/mustang-poster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"></span>First screening is Mustang at <a href="http://www.ortcafe.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ort Cafe</a> on 22nd July at
19.30. All other screenings are next door at Moseley School of Art. The other films are Tina Gharavi's <a href="http://iamnasrine.com/" target="_blank">I Am Nasrine</a>, Sean McAllister's <a href="http://asyrianlovestory.com/" target="_blank">A Syrian Love Story</a> and a new Brazilian documentary <span class="entity"><a href="http://www.s2s-media.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">O Outro Lado do Cartão-Postal</span></a>
</span><span class="5yl5"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(The
Other Side of the Post Card)</span></span>.<br />
<br />
The Facebook page for the event is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1754308598125266/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
TAFN<br />
<br />
Follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/Stickleback_Pro" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stickleback_pro/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or even <a href="http://uk.linkedin.com/in/stickleback" target="_blank">Linked In</a>.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-15115563252327465482016-04-07T20:24:00.003+01:002016-04-07T20:43:07.154+01:00Slow West Screening ReportIt was great to have Slow West writer/director John Maclean come up to Birmingham to do a Q & A for me. It was my first big <a href="http://www.bfi.org.uk/neighbourhoodcinema/stickleback-cinema" target="_blank">Stickleback Cinema</a> event though soon to be followed by my Cathy Come Home <a href="http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cathy-come-home-screening-with-q-and-a-by-producer-tony-garnett-tickets-22628028041" target="_blank">screening</a> on April 9th with legendary <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064541/" target="_blank">Kes</a> producer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Garnett" target="_blank">Tony Garnett</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qSaVisg-71A/Vwazliu8kAI/AAAAAAAAET8/brucZ-fuDQUObsGSoKA1uGCLxvgOEV5pg/s1600/SLOW_QUAD_AW%254050%2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qSaVisg-71A/Vwazliu8kAI/AAAAAAAAET8/brucZ-fuDQUObsGSoKA1uGCLxvgOEV5pg/s400/SLOW_QUAD_AW%254050%2525.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
John is a great guy and a really talented director. I think I appreciated the film more second time round and the feedback from the audience was very positive. John spoke at length about his filmmaking career and the move from shorts to a debut feature. All in all it was a great night. Here's some pics from the evening.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l0p4USSO4LU/VwazGkRLGrI/AAAAAAAAETg/LqE9neeJLWsZHYFi3EYK5RpTIWaW6HW6A/s1600/John%2BMaclean%252C%2BJuno%2B%2526%2BI.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l0p4USSO4LU/VwazGkRLGrI/AAAAAAAAETg/LqE9neeJLWsZHYFi3EYK5RpTIWaW6HW6A/s400/John%2BMaclean%252C%2BJuno%2B%2526%2BI.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juno getting in on the act!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dM9pT45k8vQ/VwazG4Q_9nI/AAAAAAAAETo/vrp_PgiPqWE6AaV63bf_3OHNkoD5U842Q/s1600/John%2BMaclean.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dM9pT45k8vQ/VwazG4Q_9nI/AAAAAAAAETo/vrp_PgiPqWE6AaV63bf_3OHNkoD5U842Q/s400/John%2BMaclean.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Maclean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpGhcLbbKqw/VwazG3BaRkI/AAAAAAAAETk/L9ElN8ByREk8QOEk3q7kn9WYrd07FyNXw/s1600/Slow%2BWest%2BQ%2B%2526%2BA%2B-%2BCameron%2B%2526%2BJerome.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpGhcLbbKqw/VwazG3BaRkI/AAAAAAAAETk/L9ElN8ByREk8QOEk3q7kn9WYrd07FyNXw/s400/Slow%2BWest%2BQ%2B%2526%2BA%2B-%2BCameron%2B%2526%2BJerome.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmZNskB3QYA/VwazHp130CI/AAAAAAAAETs/gIohztX_rkcMhYBK0tIv0Mvce0TK7zhIA/s1600/Slow%2BWest%2BQ%2B%2526%2BA%2B-%2BDamian%2Band%2BJerome.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmZNskB3QYA/VwazHp130CI/AAAAAAAAETs/gIohztX_rkcMhYBK0tIv0Mvce0TK7zhIA/s400/Slow%2BWest%2BQ%2B%2526%2BA%2B-%2BDamian%2Band%2BJerome.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ftYBi5hkLkI/VwazIEAtPVI/AAAAAAAAETw/-7iwYkREavYeQTcTMtU0jUNFzXEM9yyHg/s1600/Slow%2BWest%2BQ%2B%2526%2BA%2B-%2BJohn%2BMaclean%2B7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ftYBi5hkLkI/VwazIEAtPVI/AAAAAAAAETw/-7iwYkREavYeQTcTMtU0jUNFzXEM9yyHg/s400/Slow%2BWest%2BQ%2B%2526%2BA%2B-%2BJohn%2BMaclean%2B7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p0deIgcvizw/VwazIaEx7oI/AAAAAAAAET0/q7E3MOtLRgAjCthNpL2rK0kMSOoYIYfRA/s1600/Slow%2BWest%2BQ%2B%2526%2BA%2BJane%2Btalking%2Bto%2BJohn%2BMaclean.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p0deIgcvizw/VwazIaEx7oI/AAAAAAAAET0/q7E3MOtLRgAjCthNpL2rK0kMSOoYIYfRA/s400/Slow%2BWest%2BQ%2B%2526%2BA%2BJane%2Btalking%2Bto%2BJohn%2BMaclean.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4OsZMYgyEc/VwazIkiggAI/AAAAAAAAET4/in5yMITKKZYNsD0pwoU5_mU5sPWP6EIwA/s1600/Slow%2BWest%2BQ%2B%2526%2BA%2Bwith%2BJohn%2BMaclean%2B-chatting%2Bafterwards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4OsZMYgyEc/VwazIkiggAI/AAAAAAAAET4/in5yMITKKZYNsD0pwoU5_mU5sPWP6EIwA/s400/Slow%2BWest%2BQ%2B%2526%2BA%2Bwith%2BJohn%2BMaclean%2B-chatting%2Bafterwards.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-37816018335306034032016-03-06T18:11:00.000+00:002016-03-08T12:07:00.394+00:00Stickleback Cinema Presents...Slow West, Cathy Come Home, The Kings Speech & more!I'm going to be doing some screenings under my new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/stickleback.cinema/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Stickleback Cinema</a> pop up label. These will be mostly at The <a href="http://www.mockingbirdtheatre.com/" target="_blank">Mockingbird</a> Theatre Bar at the Custard Factory in Birmingham. They're letting me do some off peak programming for them.<br />
<br />
I want to try and bring directors, producers, actors etc to Birmingham to talk about their films in order to educate and entertain the local filmmaking community and wider cinephile public. I'll also be doing themed and issue related event both at the Mockingbird and other venues.<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XmA0rm0Dhw/Vtxlol7aRoI/AAAAAAAAERg/-oO8IqDbkbA/s1600/SW-desktop-grab2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XmA0rm0Dhw/Vtxlol7aRoI/AAAAAAAAERg/-oO8IqDbkbA/s1600/SW-desktop-grab2.png" /></a><br />
The next event is <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3205376/" target="_blank">Slow West</a></i> starring <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1055413" target="_blank">Michael Fassbender</a>. This is on April 1st with a Q & A by writer/director <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Maclean_%28film_director%29" target="_blank">John Maclean</a> who has very kindly agreed to come up from London to do it. John has had an interesting career as he was in both <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beta_Band" target="_blank">The Beta Band</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Aliens_(Scottish_band)" target="_blank">The Aliens</a> before crossing over into film.<br />
<br />
John won a BAFTA for an excellent BAFTA winning short called <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1950304/" target="_blank">Pitch Black Heist</a></i> which I'll be screening prior to Slow West. There's more information here on the <a href="http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/slow-west-screening-with-q-a-by-writerdirector-john-maclean-tickets-22537202379" target="_blank">Eventbrite</a> page.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.michaelfassbender.org/pitchblackback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.michaelfassbender.org/pitchblackback.jpg" height="356" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Shortly after that I'll be putting on a 50th aniversary screening of <i>Cathy Come Home</i> with a Q & A by veteran producer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Garnett" target="_blank">Tony Garnett</a> who also produced the fabulous <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064541" target="_blank">Kes</a>. Thats on April 9th and will be a fundraiser for local homeless charity <a href="http://www.sifafireside.co.uk/" target="_blank">SIFA Fireside</a> and <a href="http://www.shelter.org.uk/" target="_blank">Shelter</a>. A 1998 <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Times" title="Radio Times">Radio Times</a></i> readers' poll voted it the "best single television drama.Tickets <a href="http://bit.ly/1p2wQ3Y" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<i>Cathy Come Home</i> caused a public outcry on the issue of homelessness when it first came out so its going to be an interesting discussion with local producer and professor Roger Shannon asking the question alongside SIFA Fireside's CEO Cath Gilliver who will also be on the panel.<br />
<br />
I'm told that part of <i>Cathy Come Home</i> was filmed in nearby Highgate which is just a stone's throw from the Mockingbird. It'll be interesting to find out more about the local connection.<br />
<br />
Other films lined up include the Oscar winning <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank"><i>The Kings Speech</i></a> with producer <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1060902/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr14" target="_blank">Gareth Ellis-Unwin</a>.<br />
<br />
I'll also be showing <a href="http://www.nelsonnutmeg.com/" target="_blank"><i>Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg</i></a> - a micro budget children's film made by two writer friends of mine Tim Clague and Danny Stack. They run the popular and informative <a href="http://ukscriptwriters.podomatic.com/" target="_blank">UK Scriptwriters</a> podcast. The film was selected for the BFI London Film Festival which is a massive achievement in my opinion.<br />
<br />
Here's the trailer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WvA92jJO6aU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WvA92jJO6aU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
TAFN. Juno needs to go!<br />
<br />
Follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/Stickleback_Pro" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stickleback_pro/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or even <a href="http://uk.linkedin.com/in/stickleback" target="_blank">Linked In</a>.<br />
<br />Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-7075001809798472552015-10-13T09:16:00.000+01:002015-10-13T09:30:21.306+01:00European Première of Lenny Abrahamson's Room in LondonI had the unexpected pleasure of attending the European Première of Irish director Lenny Abrahamson's <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3170832/" target="_blank">Room</a> at the Vue cinema in Leicester Square, London on Sunday evening.<br />
<br />
I won a Twitter competition run by the nice folks at the <a href="http://irishfilmfestivallondon.com/" target="_blank">Irish Film Festival London</a>. It was nice to meet Lenny briefly after the packed out double screening - I'd met him once before when he was a speaker at an Irish Film Board scheme I was selected for in Dublin 2013.<br />
<br />
I thought the film was fabulous. Lenny has done really well to bring <a href="http://www.emmadonoghue.com/" target="_blank">Emma Donoghue</a>'s difficult story to screen. He was helped greatly by terrific performances by Brie Larsen and child actor Jacob Tremblay who was outstanding.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gq3f-Tcpfwg/VhyeE4Or4AI/AAAAAAAAEN4/duyrSp8dDok/s1600/Lenny%2Band%2BBrendan%2B111012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gq3f-Tcpfwg/VhyeE4Or4AI/AAAAAAAAEN4/duyrSp8dDok/s400/Lenny%2Band%2BBrendan%2B111012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brendan O'Neill and Lenny Abrahamson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Room has picked up several awards so far - winning the People's Choice award at Toronto and Audience Award at Aspen. It has also been nominated as Best Film in official competition at the BFI London Film Festival.<br />
<br />
There is talk of Oscar nominations which in my opinion would be well deserved. I think it may be a watershed film for Lenny allowing him to tell some great stories by working with bigger budgets and other big names in future.<br />
<br />
Here's some <a href="http://www.justjared.com/photo-gallery/3481751/brie-larson-room-screening-london-03/" target="_blank">photos</a> from the <a href="http://www.justjared.com/" target="_blank">Just Jared</a> Celeb site of the Red Carpet action before the show.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn02.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/brie-london/brie-larson-room-screening-london-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn02.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/brie-london/brie-larson-room-screening-london-03.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room star Brie Larsen with director Lenny Abrahamson</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's a great 5 star <a href="http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2015/10/59th-bfi-london-film-festival-review-room-2015.html" target="_blank">review</a> by Scott Davis on the <a href="http://www.flickeringmyth.com/" target="_blank">Flickering Myth</a> site<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Even the most hardened cinemagoer will fall under the spell of Room at
least once, and so far it seems every audience have fallen suit. Almost
out of nowhere, <b>Room</b> has enchanted, enthralled and
uplifted itself into the Oscar race with an emotionally complex but
supremely rewarding, heartbreaking and transformative tale of the love
between mother and child, supported by two astounding central
performances that will stay with you for days afterwards."</blockquote>
Thats all for folks now. You can follow Room news on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/RoomTheMovie" target="_blank">here</a>. You can follow my Stickleback Productions tweets <a href="http://www.twitter.com/stickleback_pro" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-65633718764737658562015-10-09T10:38:00.000+01:002015-10-09T10:46:24.609+01:00Colchester Film Festival 60 Hour Film ChallengeI did the Colchester Film Festival 60 Hour Film Challenge at the weekend. Only decided to do it about 2 weeks before so it was somewhat thrown together but managed to get a good crew and the Mockingbird Theatre Bar as a main location.<br />
<br />
I also had a second unit filming in Minneapolis, USA directed my filmmaker friend Phil Harder. They were filming a segment featuring <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5831543" target="_blank">Barkhad Abdirahman</a> who starred in Captain Philips with Tom Hanks.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping a festival cut of the film will be available in a couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
We'll here on 10th October whether we've been shortlisted. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVj575HF0Bc/VheGQOprpAI/AAAAAAAAENA/2Q4SZIUBo2Y/s1600/Barkhad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVj575HF0Bc/VheGQOprpAI/AAAAAAAAENA/2Q4SZIUBo2Y/s320/Barkhad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here's some pics and an early draft of the credit roll.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVa5I0bd9xo/VheGOLB23QI/AAAAAAAAEM0/fdJBjAnp-Yo/s1600/IMG_3857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVa5I0bd9xo/VheGOLB23QI/AAAAAAAAEM0/fdJBjAnp-Yo/s320/IMG_3857.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-syDFStDKY5E/VheGIdXFt_I/AAAAAAAAEMk/meu-86VhgN8/s1600/IMG_3866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-syDFStDKY5E/VheGIdXFt_I/AAAAAAAAEMk/meu-86VhgN8/s320/IMG_3866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C22BSUhbZX4/VheGdTcXs7I/AAAAAAAAENI/F4dMHjMiLCE/s1600/IMG_3877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C22BSUhbZX4/VheGdTcXs7I/AAAAAAAAENI/F4dMHjMiLCE/s320/IMG_3877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3oBDvY5ZSXg/VheGceGOEQI/AAAAAAAAENE/4WtY2KebY4I/s1600/IMG_3979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3oBDvY5ZSXg/VheGceGOEQI/AAAAAAAAENE/4WtY2KebY4I/s320/IMG_3979.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtnQAUcsrqg/VheG1R_WyLI/AAAAAAAAENU/2iYZpBdJOyU/s1600/IMG_3862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtnQAUcsrqg/VheG1R_WyLI/AAAAAAAAENU/2iYZpBdJOyU/s320/IMG_3862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzfB3_zLl11pZeMtscnDOdNoe3X_gfO7yQPg8rm2Ri6kQzavETFS9Qt4o8DxWHM20a_nhPo47d8isHoYrr3sw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Thats all for now!Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-255769503426430502015-03-14T20:19:00.002+00:002015-03-25T11:50:45.459+00:00Around Again Wins UK Parliaments' Film The House Competition!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C0NAiflj9kk/VQSVQKKN7PI/AAAAAAAACM8/4YO8ehIHMII/s1600/film-the-house-header2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C0NAiflj9kk/VQSVQKKN7PI/AAAAAAAACM8/4YO8ehIHMII/s1600/film-the-house-header2.jpg" height="120" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm delighted to be able to tell you that Around Again has won the UK Parliaments' <a href="http://www.filmthehouse.com/" target="_blank">Film The House</a> Competition 2015. Here's some more info about the competition<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Founded by Hon. Mike Weatherley MP, Rock The House and Film the House are the largest ever Parliamentary competitions and raise awareness of the importance of protecting intellectual property rights among legislators and the general public.<br />
<br />
Musicians and film makers enter their original material to their MP, who ultimately nominates one entrant per competition category. A panel of industry executives presides over choosing the finalists and winners, who go on to have their pieces played in Parliament and win an array of prizes, from equipment, festival slots, exposure, recording sessions, radio and TV airplay and more.<br />
<br />
The competitions give Parliamentarians an opportunity to engage with a grass-roots creative demographic and provides the creative community with a vehicle through which to communicate their issues to legislators. In short, the House Initiatives provide a means for the UK creative."</blockquote>
I produced Around Again with my former collaborators in <a href="http://www.filmdivision.co.uk/" target="_blank">Film Division</a>. It was directed by Stewart Addison and edited by Annie Langrick.<br />
<br />
We'll be going to London to a very swish Awards event soon to pick up certificates and prizes. More to follow..!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWewVvDpfCs/VQShzpvoNRI/AAAAAAAACNM/Iv_cG5o3Fek/s1600/Around%2BAgain%2BJPG%2BHD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWewVvDpfCs/VQShzpvoNRI/AAAAAAAACNM/Iv_cG5o3Fek/s1600/Around%2BAgain%2BJPG%2BHD.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-60188208591639415672015-02-11T11:55:00.001+00:002015-02-11T11:55:12.591+00:00February News Round Up<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWwkzFHbgpw/VNs7nECvKvI/AAAAAAAABvM/pvxXOVArGOw/s1600/Scamp%2Bcentre%2Bpiece-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWwkzFHbgpw/VNs7nECvKvI/AAAAAAAABvM/pvxXOVArGOw/s1600/Scamp%2Bcentre%2Bpiece-Final.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I was delighted that my <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/scampenstein-a-gothic-animated-film/x/8189" target="_blank">Scampenstein</a> crowdfunding campaign was successful but it was very hard going especially with Christmas falling during the middle of the campaign. I didn't meet my stretch goals but that was always going to be a tall order. In the end the campaign had 67 backers with most of the contributions coming from people I knew but also some very welcome donations from the USA, Australia, Canada and Italy.<br />
<br />
Hopefully with a cracking script in place I can push on by circulating it amongst animation production companies and seeing if anyone likes it. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_Gate_Entertainment" target="_blank">Lionsgate</a> said they'd give it a read so that’s a big incentive for me as I get stuck into writing and revising the script over the next couple of months.<br />
<br />
I also had some meetings before Christmas with some nice folks who are setting up a new Birmingham based animation company. I pitched various ideas to them and they really liked one of them. Its a exotic twist on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Whittington_and_His_Cat" target="_blank">Dick Whittington</a> story that I'm hoping will go on their development slate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Richard_Wittington_and_his_Cat.jpg/250px-Richard_Wittington_and_his_Cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Richard_Wittington_and_his_Cat.jpg/250px-Richard_Wittington_and_his_Cat.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
In other news I've been developing a short script based on a true World War II short story by a writer I've known through the independent filmmakers network <a href="https://shootingpeople.org/home" target="_blank">Shooting People</a> for a number of years. Its about a sleepy French village that somehow manages to avoid having a visit from the Germans until 1944. I'm hoping we can use the same costume wardrobe and decommissioned arms we used on Around Again to make it. We achieved fantastic production values on that so it'd be silly not to use that resource again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-osh2bRKXyyc/VNs8e0DTDRI/AAAAAAAABvU/adVda1hpRNQ/s1600/Around%2BAgain%2B-%2BPoster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-osh2bRKXyyc/VNs8e0DTDRI/AAAAAAAABvU/adVda1hpRNQ/s1600/Around%2BAgain%2B-%2BPoster.png" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've entered the script into two competitions but also now have interest from a producer who told me he liked it "a lot". I know its not the finished article but that is very encouraging.<br />
<br />
Here's the 48 hour competition version of <a href="https://vimeo.com/40646636" target="_blank">Around Again</a>. There is an extended, graded and re-imagined out of competition version but thats not in the public domain just yet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-72672867700084763322014-12-27T17:02:00.002+00:002014-12-27T17:02:20.198+00:00Scampenstein's Celebrity Supporters<br />
I was delighted just before Christmas to get some celebrity support for the Scampenstein crowdfunding <a href="http://igg.me/at/Scampenstein/x/8189" target="_blank">campaign</a>.<br />
<br />
The inestimably wonderful <a href="http://www.stephenfry.com/" target="_blank">Stephen Fry</a> of <i>Q.I. </i>and <i>Black Adder</i> fame tweeted his support on December 16th with this Tweet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4oPj1G4FL0/VJ7auGB_UBI/AAAAAAAABtU/w6n-eLebzaA/s1600/StephenFryTweet2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4oPj1G4FL0/VJ7auGB_UBI/AAAAAAAABtU/w6n-eLebzaA/s1600/StephenFryTweet2.png" height="85" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He "would <u>love</u> to see this happen"!!!<br />
<br />
I was even more delighted when renowned film composer <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0543739/" target="_blank">Clint Mansell</a> added his support just today. Exactly the post Christmas boost the campaign needed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1CeRZeIDzE/VJ7byE_sUJI/AAAAAAAABtc/KB4S0r-oMqE/s1600/Clint.Mansell.ScampRT271214.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1CeRZeIDzE/VJ7byE_sUJI/AAAAAAAABtc/KB4S0r-oMqE/s1600/Clint.Mansell.ScampRT271214.png" height="140" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
West Midlands native Clint who has worked extensively with hit director <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=381081161957991" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darren-Aronofsky/381081161957991">Darren Aronofsky</a>
(<i>Black Swan, The Wrestler, Noah</i>) has a fabulous filmography as
composer. He has also worked with such luminaries as <i>Old Boy</i> director
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0661791/" target="_blank">Park Chan-wook</a> on <i>Stoker</i>, with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1512910/" target="_blank">Duncan Jones</a> (<i>Source Code</i>) on the brilliant low budget
Sci-Fi hit <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1182345/combined" target="_blank"><i>Moon</i></a> and many others.<br />
<br />
I'm
particularly delighted with this as I hosted a Q & A with some of
the filmmakers behind Moon at the Giant Screen in Birmingham last year.
Thats me on the extreme right alongside veteran Miniatures specialist Bill Pearson, conceptual designer Gavin Rothery and Art Director Hideki Arichi.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6JfKGM7rQg/VJ7ft3ZfqdI/AAAAAAAABto/9PkO7JDZvto/s1600/Moon-Q%26A.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6JfKGM7rQg/VJ7ft3ZfqdI/AAAAAAAABto/9PkO7JDZvto/s1600/Moon-Q%26A.png" height="315" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So
its just after Christmas and nearly 1/2 way through the campaign. There
are 38 backers and the campaign is already 20% funded. Steady progress
is being made with the immediate key goal being the 30% mark when all
sorts of potential and invaluable indiegogo support could kick in.<br />
<br />
You too can help make a big difference and support the campaign by
choosing an affordable perk <a href="http://igg.me/at/Scampenstein/x/8189" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
<br />
TAFN<br />
<br />
Brendan <br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You can join the Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dognapped" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You can follow @Scampenstein on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Scampenstein" target="_blank">here</a> </div>
Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-73365197974934434522014-12-06T13:08:00.000+00:002014-12-06T13:08:10.431+00:00The Script, The Script And The Script - Why I'm Crowdfunding Scampenstein
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
"To make a great film you need three things - the script, the script and the script."</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Alfred Hitchcock</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Hitchcock,_Alfred_02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Hitchcock,_Alfred_02.jpg" height="400" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I've pitched this
idea to companies like Aardman and Lionsgate in the past. Aardman
passed on it as not being quite right for them. Given that they are more
of a stop motion animation outfit I can understand why. Lionsgate have
offered another read once the script is fully developed. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I want to
take time out to draft and redraft the script to make it the best
story it can be. I will also employ a seasoned script professional to
help me. The idea is to both amuse and scare children a little bit.
Kids like being scared. Dr. Who proves this.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once the script is
ready I'll resubmit to the major animation companies. If that doesn't
get me anywhere then I'd like to make it into a graphic novel to
popularize the story and grow the audience. The tax credit here in
the UK has changed recently so good animation scripts are being
actively sought. This Guardian newspaper <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/apr/13/british-cartoon-industry-cbeebies-boom-tax-break" target="_blank">article</a> explains why.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I've always believed
in my Scampenstein idea and am determined to make it happen. I'm
inspired by indie animations like Signe Baumane's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RocksInMyPocketsMovie" target="_blank">Rocks In My Pockets</a> and Nina Paley's <a href="http://www.sitasingstheblues.com/" target="_blank">Sita SingsThe Blues</a> that prove that determined individuals can animated features
happen.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Thanks to those people who have already contributed and helped spread the word.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You can view the campaign and choose a perk <a href="http://igg.me/at/Scampenstein/x/8189" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You can join the Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dognapped" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You can follow @Scampenstein on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Scampenstein" target="_blank">here</a> </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://igg.me/at/Scampenstein/x/8189" target="_blank"><img alt="Scampenstein" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7wHvCpp2Mo/Tk0RSAf_z5I/AAAAAAAAAHc/pNbQB9mEZgY/s1600/scampenstein.png" height="640" title="Scampenstein" width="403" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-37957168407864284082014-07-06T19:23:00.001+01:002014-07-06T19:23:56.111+01:00July 14 UpdateIn May I was selected for a UK team that pitched various film ideas at <a href="http://dragonforum.pl/en" target="_blank">Dragon Forum</a> at the <a href="http://www.krakowfilmfestival.pl/en/" target="_blank">Krakow International Film Festival</a>. I pitched my animated series idea <i>Animal Operations Executive</i> which was very well received by both the <a href="http://dragonforum.pl/en/tutors/tutors-2014/" target="_blank">Dragon Tutors</a> and other delegates. I'm now looking for producer and co-producer partners.<br />
<br />
Its
a World War II themed idea based around Winston Churchill's wartime cat
Smokey - leader of the clandestine Animal Operations Executive - a
fictional counterpart to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Operations_Executive" target="_blank">SOE</a>.
The idea is to educate and entertain children with stories of animals
fighting the tyranny of the Nazis in Europe and North Africa.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiSTCTxLFa4/U7mITSHNhII/AAAAAAAABMY/66wL-RI9Sdg/s1600/220px-Wojtek_the_bear.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiSTCTxLFa4/U7mITSHNhII/AAAAAAAABMY/66wL-RI9Sdg/s1600/220px-Wojtek_the_bear.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></div>
Some of the adventures could be based on real animals such as <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FWojtek_%28bear%29&ei=boS5U-ffL7Do7Aa0x4HgBw&usg=AFQjCNFhTEGWSZKGLeFwJUhxAd0poXGF2Q&sig2=u1ezCT_9q5NImDmPqN0GFw&bvm=bv.70138588,d.ZGU" target="_blank">Wojtec</a>
the Polish fighting bear. Others could be based on fictional stories
based on real events. The Dragons thought it had real potential and
shelf life. I was delighted to find out that a new statue of Wojtec was
unveiled in Krakow on the day of my arrival - an auspicious omen I hope.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHUG8yE4Zyk/U7mITBbRgUI/AAAAAAAABMc/XFnqRsdsaG4/s1600/IMG_0907.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHUG8yE4Zyk/U7mITBbRgUI/AAAAAAAABMc/XFnqRsdsaG4/s1600/IMG_0907.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wojtec and I at Park Jordana in Krakow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Krakow was a brilliant experience and I met loads of new people and made some new friends. I was delighted to meet <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0796903" target="_blank">Bill Siegel</a> from Chicago who was screening his new documentary <a href="https://kartemquin.com/films/the-trials-of-muhammad-ali" target="_blank">The Trials of Muhammad Ali.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDGdKCwb73g/U7mFjYt4N_I/AAAAAAAABL8/Gig-pFrigZI/s1600/Bill+Siegel-Trials+of+MA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDGdKCwb73g/U7mFjYt4N_I/AAAAAAAABL8/Gig-pFrigZI/s1600/Bill+Siegel-Trials+of+MA.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
<br />
Back in the UK I attended an event for animation writers at the BFI. The event was put on by <a href="http://www.melwoodpictures.com/" target="_blank">Melwood Pictures</a>
in partnership with Euroscript. Melwood Pictures are a new UK-based
company aimed at developing animated features. There is renewed interest
in animation following the governments decision to extend the <a href="http://www.screendaily.com/news/chancellor-launches-uk-tax-credits/5054395.article" target="_blank">tax credit</a>.<br />
<br />
Melwood is run by Max Howard and Ramsay McBean. Max has "created and run studios for Disney in London, Paris, Orlando
and Los Angeles, working on some of Disney’s most memorable films
including Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the
Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. As President of Warner Bros Feature
Animation he oversaw such hit movies as The Iron Giant and Space Jam.
At DreamWorks, he was co-executive producer for Spirit, Stallion of the
Cimarron". Impressive.<br />
<br />
I managed to pitch Scampenstein and some other ideas to Max and am waiting to hear back.<br />
<br />
A
few days after that event I was back at the London Screenings event at
the BFI with 104 Films as part of their Generation 104 training scheme.
The London Screenings is a sales and distribution market for British
films. We learnt a lot about how the market evolved and also how the
sales and distribution world worked. Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-10968505377508072742014-06-02T11:12:00.000+01:002014-06-02T11:47:46.302+01:00Dragon Forum.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-513aTn9jaVc/U4xMn7ChvBI/AAAAAAAABK0/tBpSkjNsfwU/s1600/IMAG1132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-513aTn9jaVc/U4xMn7ChvBI/AAAAAAAABK0/tBpSkjNsfwU/s1600/IMAG1132.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've just come back from the 54th Krakow Film Festival where I was chosen to pitch with a UK based team at Dragon Forum. My idea was very well received by the heavy hitter producers on the panel so I'm hoping to get my WW2 and animals themed childrens animation series into development. In the meantime here is a picture of me and a statue of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wojtek_%28bear%29" target="_blank">Wojtec</a> the famous Polish bear soldier. Spookily it was unveiled on the day I arrived in Krakow! A good omen I hope.<br />
<br />
I'll be posting a full write up soon. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aW0cagdXsiQ/U4xMToiqdGI/AAAAAAAABKw/XNs5xBtjNT8/s1600/IMG_0907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aW0cagdXsiQ/U4xMToiqdGI/AAAAAAAABKw/XNs5xBtjNT8/s1600/IMG_0907.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wojtec the Polish Soldier Bear and me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-37319949142230769522014-01-26T20:08:00.003+00:002014-01-26T20:08:30.839+00:00Comedy Extravanganza Thursday 30th January - Prince of Wales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ky7lLfP3RkI/UuVoY9tZUII/AAAAAAAAA_g/Zpd9IdxFb8Y/s1600/Final+Brendan+Flier+A4+Colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ky7lLfP3RkI/UuVoY9tZUII/AAAAAAAAA_g/Zpd9IdxFb8Y/s1600/Final+Brendan+Flier+A4+Colour.jpg" height="640" width="451" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Please all come to my comedy night fundraiser on 30th January. There's a great line up. Tickets just £10 pounds on the door or in advance via <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mrs-barbara-nice-and-friends-comedy-night-extravaganza-tickets-9258954783" target="_blank">Eventbrite</a>. I'm raising funds for my next film with the help of some great Midlands comedians.</div>
<br />Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5626035121429371849.post-66935034977976807922013-10-13T16:11:00.001+01:002013-10-17T21:14:22.666+01:00Squeaker: Whats it about?Squeaker is a film about a boy who is bullied for supposedly being gay when he actually has always felt he is - and wants to become - a girl. He meets a damaged ex-boxer pigeon fancier with whom he forms an unlikely relationship - both ultimately finding some degree of salvation and redemption.<br />
<br />
A sort of <span class="il">transgendered</span> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kes_%28film%29" target="_blank"><i>Kes</i></a>. Please donate here. Thanks folks!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="_top">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="9PQ64XLZU6UCY" />
<input alt="PayPal – The safer, easier way to pay online." border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/GB/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" type="image" />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_GB/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tyBbo4VARPE/UmBFAMUFv4I/AAAAAAAAAgU/AjJVA82PmGQ/s1600/smiley-befestival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tyBbo4VARPE/UmBFAMUFv4I/AAAAAAAAAgU/AjJVA82PmGQ/s400/smiley-befestival.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
</form>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Brendan O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452051710983615217noreply@blogger.com1