Stickleback Productions

Film Division Night at Ort Cafe 27th January

2012-01-05T00:32:00.000Z

Our kind friends at Ort Cafe have chosen to host a Film Division Night on Friday 27th January, 7.30pm.

"Film Division are an up and coming local filmmaking partnership. They will be screening a selection of their recent film work including award winning shorts, world premieres of new shorts and also work by close associates. For one night only at Ort! http://ortcafe.co.uk/

Panny Hire to offer new camera and Final Cut training courses

2011-11-02T14:45:00.006Z

Film Division's recommended hire partner Panny Hire are now offering new camera and Final Cut training courses in Birmingham or at client's premises UK-wide.

Final Cut Training Courses

Apple Final Cut Studio Training

This hands-on course covers basic editing functions while becoming familiar with the Final Cut Pro user interface. In this course, you will learn to use the same tools that are being used to cut music videos, documentaries and feature films.

Start with basic video editing techniques and work all the way through Final Cut Pro's powerful advanced features. Learn to mark and edit clips, mix sound, add titles, create transitions, apply filters, and more.

Topics include basic setup, customizing preferences and settings, capturing video and audio, various editing and trimming techniques, Ripple, Roll, Slip, and Slide tools, audio editing and audio creation, finishing and final output.

Apple Color 1.5 Colourist Training

Final Cut Studio edit suite already has a piece of industrial-strength color grading software integrated directly with your existing Final Cut workflow.

It's called Color.

Complex color corrections are no longer limited to high end post production houses. Color is an incredibly powerful piece of color correction software, designed for professional colorists, that allows you to create stunning color grades and effects. While Color is tightly integrated with Final Cut, it can also interpret EDLs from other editing environments, including Avid and Premiere.

In our Apple Color 1.5 Training course you will learn:

Understand scopes

Diagnose and correct common color deficiencies in your footage

Guarantee consistency between shots in a sequence

Create moods

Isolate and adjust specific features of your shot

Simulate different times of day

Relight scenes for corrective or creative purposes

Draw your viewer's eye to specific parts of your image

Simulate film stocks and processes

Build sophisticated procedural effect trees.

Apple Final Cut Pro X Training

Final Cut Pro X has been rebuilt from the ground up to meet the needs of today’s creative editors. With its revolutionary Magnetic Timeline, powerful media organization, and incredible performance, Final Cut Pro makes editing faster, more fluid, and more flexible than ever.

We provide 1 day, 2 day, and 3 day Final Cut Pro X courses in Birmingham or we can travel to your studio/office/home.

Camera, Cinematography and Lighting Training Courses

Camera Training Courses in Birmingham or at client premises - We provide hands-on camera training courses with the camera of your choice.

We specialise in training with these cameras (but we can train you with almost any):

* Canon 5D MK2 Training

* Panasonic HVX200 Training

* Panasonic AF101 Training

* Sony EX1R Training

* Sony EX3 Training

* 35mm DoF Adapter Training

* SGBlade Training

* Letus Ultimate Training

* Follow Focus Training

Cinematography Training

The 5 C's of Cinematography Course is hands-on training with Stewart Addison of Panny Hire & Film Division. This course branches out the five central subject areas; the 5 C's - Camera Angles, Continuity, Cutting, Close-ups, and Composition.

Included in the course in detail are these topics:

* Cinematic time and space

* Compositional rules

* Point-of-view (POV)

* Camera height and angle

* Master scenes

* Types of editing

* Screen direction and much, much more

Lighting Courses

Lighting knowledge & technique courses for corporate, film and broadcast television. Detailed guidance on lighting in studio and on location.

Hands-on practical workshops covering the following areas:

* Basic portraiture lighting

* Basic studio lighting equipment

* A strategic approach to basic location lighting

* Lighting for HD drama

* Training in the control of exposure, white balance, shutter and use of filters

* Risk assessment and professional safe working environment practices

* This course includes studio lighting methods related to multi-camera productions.

Contact Stewart Addison at www.pannyhire.co.uk ( 0754 163 6265 ) for more information on training courses and the best deals on dry/wet camera hire.

Some more good news

2011-10-22T19:14:00.000+01:00

Following a Directors workshop at the Nottingham Playhouse given by Michael Oakley courtesy of the JMK Trust we were all encouraged to apply by letter of application to the Young Vic Directors programme. This is a great London theatre so I thought I'd give it a go and apply. The good news is that they've accepted me even though I come from a very non drama school or theatre background.

In other news I'm helping some other people with shorts in an associate producer capacity. I'm also preparing my own short Squeaker which I'm hoping to shoot after Christmas subject to the talent I'm after being available. I've had some very encouraging responses from some great potential actors and agents.

Its a story about a gang bullied boy who meets an ex-boxer pigeon fancier. A sort of a modern day take on Kes.

I'm also hoping to spend more time developing my Roaring Forties men of a certain age football themed sitcom with my pal Dominic Carver now that winter is setting in. We have a producer on board who is going to help us pitch the project to the Beeb so full steam ahead on that one.

Here's a link to a film I had a small hand in helping my pal Robert Williams make.

TAFN

B

New Scampenstein Blog

2011-08-23T09:39:00.002+01:00

I've started a new blog for my Scampenstein feature animation project. Click the image to go there.

Scampenstein

The original poster was created for me by talented Birmingham artist Andy Baker.

Two Awards for Dwarf Vampire short

2011-08-15T15:54:00.023+01:00

Press Release

Jazz Virk and Brendan O'Neill of Birmingham based indie film production team Film Division are delighted that the pro bono project they did to help growth disabled student Carsum Din has now received 2 awards.

The 8 minute film Wilhelm the Dwarf Vampire which was shot at historic Aston Hall in just 1 day received Best Overall Media Production Coventry University and Best Degree Show Media Production Coventry University 2011.

Producer Brendan O'Neill commented:

"We're delighted for Carsum and hoping that the film will now do well on the festival circuit. I'm told that Carsum has now received interview offers from various places and even the offer of an acting role from a Pinewood based production company so we're doubly pleased to have been able to help.

I'd like to thank all the cast and crew for giving up their time to help with special thanks to Gurminder Kenth and her staff at Aston Hall and Stewart Addison of Pannyhire (www.Pannyhire.co.uk) for providing the camera equipment."

The film starred starred George Appleby (Being Human, Fanatic) alongside Coventry based actress Joanne Ryan with Birmingham based Sezer Unver and Dean Bamford in supporting roles.

Pictures Courtesy of Adam Hale Photography (http://www.adamhale.co.uk)

Awarded place on Producer Mentoring Scheme :-)

2011-08-13T17:30:00.019+01:00

I've recently been awarded one of only ten places on a regional Producer Mentoring Scheme run by Screen West Midlands and Producers' Forum West Midlands. This means I will be receiving mentoring from established producer Rachel Robey of Wellington Films in Nottingham.

Rachel and her partner Al Clarke are responsible for critically acclaimed films such as Paul Andrew Williams' London to Brighton and Duane Hopkins' Better Things - co produced by Sam Hailley.

The Terrible O'Neill Twins?

In other news my twin Gerard and I had some acting headshots done by my friend and collaborator stills photographer Adam Hale. Our acting/extra career has been in the doldrums since our debut back in 2006 so we're hoping these headshots can revive it.

Cant' find an NHS dentist?

Finally I'm delighted to announce that our long awaited screening of recent Film Division work will take place on 18th August from 9pm at the Spotted Dog public house in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Its a cast and crew screening but other filmmakers and writers are welcome to attend. Please RSVP via the Facebook event page to give me an idea of numbers.

TAFN

B

Film Division

2011-07-13T10:45:00.000+01:00

I'm working in partnership with director Jazz Virk and cinematographer Stewart Addison over at Film Division these days.

Hoping to make our first feature very soon...

Good things happen..?

2010-12-05T00:43:00.001Z

Well I had a great time at the London Screenwriters' Festival which I must say despite some minor teething difficulties was the best of the screenwriters festivals I have been to in recent years. London is a much more sensible place to have it - reflected mostly I think by the stellar speaker line-up it attracted. The speakers seemed much more friendly and approachable too - so well done to Chris Jones, David Chamberlain and Lucy Hay and others for putting it together.

I met lots of other screenwriters and made some good connections. I also met some established Facebook friends for the first time though not all unfortunately - I had been looking forward to meeting Elinor Perry-Smith - Mother Superior at the Convent of Eternal Armament in Peckham but somehow we missed each other!

I was also present late on in the bar when myself, Danny Stack, Piers Beckley and others hatched up the St Patrick's Day short film challenge - " It's got to be between 3-5 minutes (not including credits), have no more than 5 actors in it (counted as anyone with a line, on screen or off), and you need to either write or direct the film." Deadline 17th March 2011. So please join us and have a go!

When I returned from the festival I was fortunate to be able to pitch separate ideas to two different producers - mostly as a result of my relentless networking. A Birmingham set feel-good recessionary fable to some producers here in the UK that have just had a big success with one of their films and also a game/graphic novel/film idea based on an ancient text to someone in the USA. I can't say any more for now but fingers crossed.

Back here in Birmingham I'm very busy writing and producing for one of my low budget feature ideas with my new friends and collaborators Jazz Virk and Stewart Addison. I had met Jazz earlier in the year as he was one of the judging panel on the music video competition my Stickleback Productions team won.

I met Stewart - a long time collaborator with Jazz rather circuitously when I was desperately trying to find a Director of Photography to help me shoot my 1/2 hour wake drama short Trouble At My Door back in late August. That's now hopefully going ahead during the schools 1/2 term in February.

We're now shooting the Finders.Keepers idea over 2 + 2 days from the 13th of December making both a trailer short and a longer B story festival oriented short to help find investors/finance.

Rising Star - Chloe Farnworth

We have some great actors involved such as Chloe Farnworth (Dead Cert), Adam Fray (Hustle),and Joe Egan (Sherlock Holmes I and II) plus some really fab locations so I'm really looking foward to both the shoot and to seeing the finished result.

I helped out on a Bollywood music video shoot with Stewart and Jazz earlier this week and was really impressed by their technical and creative ability so I'm certain that will also do wonders for the Finders.Keepers trailer and short and hopefully the resulting feature which Jazz is down to direct with me writing and co-producing with Stewart.

DIY all the way I say! Onwards and upwards!

TAFN

B x

LSWF10 and Email Bounce Issue

2010-11-01T09:16:00.000Z

I had a great London Screenwriters Festival, made some new friends and contacts and will blog about it here soon with all my thoughts.

If you're trying to contact me via email then please use brendan.j.oneill \AT/ gmail.com as my Stickleback Productions one is bouncing for some reason ;-(.

Bollywood appearance & London Screenwriters Festival 2010 :-)

2010-10-27T13:34:00.000+01:00

Well I entered all the competitions I was going to enter. Didn't win any of the ones announced so far though I did score quite highly in my readers assessment for the London Screenwriters Festival Short Script competition which is reassuring. I'm also getting regular likes and nice comments from the material I have put on Circalit which hosted its own LSWF competition.

I think maybe my "teacher goes berserk and everyone ends up deceased" short script Under Siege may have been a bit too strong for some tastes! Will try and do it myself now free from the constraints of only having 5 characters. Just need to find a secondary school that's willing to let me shoot a blood bath!

The very good news is that I am now going to the London Screenwriters Festival courtesy of Screen West Midlands who are sponsoring 10 West Midlands based writers to attend. The line up looks very comprehensive and fab and its a credit to the team behind it. Apparently all the speakers are giving their time for free to make it happen which is most excellent indeed.

In other competition news I have sent 3 out of the 4 genre entries allowed for The Big Idea competition which deadlines this Friday with just my teens Sci-Fi idea kidZ:The Trident Inheritance still to go. This has to to be whittled down from 5k+ words to just 700 before tomorrow when I head down to London.

November is going to be busy with prepping a trailer short for my feature idea Finders.Keepers. with my fantastic new producer/DoP team and also doing another full treatment for another "hot" project i.e. one with a producer already attached.

The bad news is that due to actor availability becoming something of a kitten herding exercise my 30 minute short Trouble At My Door has been pushed back to the New Year - hopefully February half-term. Congratulations though to precociously talented cast member Kia Pegg who has landed the part of Vicious Vicky in the 3D feature Horrid Henry.

I also need to decide if its worth having a bash at the Terry Pratchett prize for an 80 -150k novel that is set in any time but now and is physics-ly possible i.e. no ray guns etc. That deadlines 31/12 and has a publishing deal attached.

So busy, busy, busy and thats even before I've gone and networked like a mad thing at LSWF 2010. It'll be great to meet some of my Facebook writer friends for the first time.

Finally I had the chance to appear as an extra last weekend in Bollywood film Tezz which is shooting around Birmingham and stars Slumdog Millionaire's Anil Kapoor. Its an Indian version of Speed apparently.

It was really interesting to see a big production shooting on 35mm in operation. There was loads of preparation for lighting and rehearsals but few takes. Think I prefer shooting on HD/DV as you can get as many takes as you want without worrying about the cost of processing etc. It definitely gives you more scope to do a number of takes thus giving more for the editor to play with.

Big ups to Sindy Campbell the Filming Liaison Coordinator from Film Birmingham who was really busy and doing a great job making everything run smoothly for this really big (70 crew!) shoot.

Would like to see more big productions like this coming to Birmingham as its A GREAT PLACE to shoot films.

I'm in a few crowd scenes and am quite close to Anil Kapoor at times so it will be interesting to see if I make it to the big screen.

Anyway onwards and upwards!

TAFN B x

Busy October!

2010-10-11T14:37:00.000+01:00

I'm really busy this month with various competition entries that will also be dual purposed for other things.

Firstly I'm entering the various competitions that are being run to help launch the inaugural London Screenwriters Festival. One already packed and sent was for their short script competition which had to be set in a school/college with 2 adults and 3 students as characters. My entry Under Seige is a rather bleak but powerful drama about a teacher who finally snaps as a result of pupil bullying with tragic consequences.

The other official competition for this is the Inspired by Science award which is worth 5k to the winner. I'm dusting off my Fairyland project for this as its a perfect fit. They're asking for a 750 word treatment with a biomedical science theme so this Bhopal disaster related corporate wrongdoing story gives me perfect scope.

Over on free to join Circalit.com I've also posted an excerpt from Unix O'Mooney my novel about a young alien stranded in Ireland in 1969 which is gettting some good feedback from people. That's for another competition which gets ones novel "fast tracked into the hands of agents and publishers" and wins a professional novel manuscript assessment.

Circalit are also running an LSF related competition where you win a free consultation with a leading London literary agent and a free ticket to the festival so I'm tidying up Scampenstein for entering into that.

I'm also going to send the treatment for Scampenstein in as one of 4 genre entries for The Big Idea competition run by Shine Pictures which deadlines at the end of the month and is worth a whopping 25k development deal to the winner so well worth a shot. You can enter one each of Romantic Comedies, Action Adventures, Sci-Fi or Fantasy or Family Comedies.

The Panther's Lair?

I'm also writing up a treatment for a producer I have done some work with in the past and also sending him the treatment for my geek serial killer/kidnapper nano budget feature idea Panther that I'm looking to self shoot over the winter/spring period. I already have a new team for this and a great location already sorted as the Panther's Lair.

So busy, busy, busy and that's just this month!

Postponed - Aaaaargh

2010-09-02T09:29:00.002+01:00

I had to postpone the Trouble At My Door shoot due to some crewing difficulties which was a shame because the volunteer cast of 18 were rock solid and ready to go.

Fortunately the householder is happy for us to reschedule for mid November and I have now found a Director of Photography who wants to do not just this project but others too.

In other news my Panther project seems to be gaining some momentum so it looks like this is the one that is going to become my first feature.

Script Locked!

2010-08-18T02:53:00.002+01:00

I have just locked the script and am only expecting very minor revisions from now on in. I'll be scheduling and creating a shot list over the coming days ready to start shooting on Saturday week.

We have finished all the casting now and I think its a pretty strong ensemble which includes up and coming actress and model Chloe Farnworth who plays the part of Michelle, local lass Leila Antony who plays for fab local Birmingham band The Gundogs and even a brief appearance by Sky Sports and BBC boxing commentator and ex WBC super middleweight champion Richie Woodhall as a detective.

Leila Antony of The Gundogs

Yesterday evening we visited the nice ladies in the wonderful costume department at the Crescent Theatre to get Leila - who is playing the part of the wayward daughter Annie - fitted with a pregnancy bump. We also sorted out some of the woman police officer uniform that will be needed by lovely Walsall based actress Stacey Alpine. All names to watch!

Thats all for now but more as it happens until I switch over to a volunteer friend who is going to blog, Facebook, podcast, tweet and generally publicise the shoot live and in real time.

Good progress!

2010-08-10T14:32:00.000+01:00

Pre-production on Trouble is going quite well. We're halfway through the auditions process and still have a number of people to see this week. Its been the first time I have done casting properly so something of a learning process in terms of experience and organisation but no major mishaps so far and we'll do it much better next time!

I am also pleased that we have added significantly to the crew. Experienced local photographer and film-maker Chris Keenan is on board as Director of Photography ably assisted by Sarah Jones as 1st Assistant Camera. We have also secured a Best Boy, a script supervisor and are considering a number of runner/production assistant applications.

I'm rewriting this week. Hoping to freeze the script Friday and then we start scheduling, storyboarding and so forth ready for the shoot.

Meetings, meetings, meetings!

2010-08-05T10:06:00.000+01:00

Following a long meeting yesterday afternoon I'm pleased to welcome Seeyam Brijmohun on board as production manager/co-producer.

Seeyam has a strong background in film and theatre plus a background in that most useful of skills fundraising!. I will be handing over most of the production function to him over the next few days which will allow me to concentrate on the creative side like developing the script, casting, storyboarding etc.

Prior to that meeting we met with David Moore at Boxxed who has generously donated some time and space for auditions and rehearsals. A shining example of how we all have to stand together to help grow the arts in this city especially in these straitened times. After all "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" which is a Friedrich Nietzsche quote apparently. Bit early to be quoting Nietzsche I know!

Later in the evening we were both on the ground at the location in Moseley where we met our keen, young production design team of Samantha Cliff and Lisa Williams who will be covering the set design and costume briefs respectively. Also on hand was Joseph Harper who will be the man with the boom at the very least though everyone will be expected to multi-task.

"Trouble" progress :-) and other news.

2010-08-01T18:07:00.000+01:00

I'm pretty pleased with the progress on getting cast and crew for Trouble At My Door. Lots of quality applications in both departments. I now have two keen production designers/art directors that are going to help me which will be a big help.

The musical side of things is also sorted. Philip Mountford - my long time composer collaborator friend has kindly agreed to do the score. He will be working with talented Bulgarian actress, singer and composer Zory Burner who has offered to help with songs and vocals.

I will be reviewing all applications midweek and then letting people know by Friday-ish.

In other news I've entered 3 animation ideas for the Tokyo based Marza Story Circus competition including my beloved Scampenstein project.

I've also sent in two entries for Tony Jordans's Red Planet competition. A single entry called Scarlett - a story about a tough black Birmingham detective on the trail of a serial killer/kidnapper and my joint entry with fellow Villa fan Dominic Carver - The Roaring Forties - a series idea about the trials and tribulations in the lives of members of a 40 something Sunday league team.

Fingers crossed!

TAFN

B x

Trouble At My Door shoot 28th/29th/39th August

2010-07-26T15:36:00.000+01:00

I'm planning to shoot Trouble At My Door - a 30 minute family wake drama over the Bank Holiday Weekend at a single location I have secured in Moseley, Birmingham. There will be a cast of about 17 including child actors.

I'm looking for experienced volunteer cast and crew as at present due to funding difficulties its a no budget, un-expensed shoot though I am hoping to feed everybody.

Roles needed

Producer/co-producer

DoP
Sound
Gaffer (I have lights and autopoles)
1st AD / Production Manager

plus if possible

Production Designer
Script Supervisor

and

Editor/Grader/Post production sound

Please let me now if you can help or know of anyone for the above roles plus actors who might be interested in auditioning mid-August.

A draft of the script can be downloaded here.

I'm aiming to get it into the Rotterdam Film Festival which deadlines 1st October for films made after 1st July. Will be shooting in HD and hope to be able to make you look good.

Please get in touch if you're interested in helping out.

Brendan

info@

Stickleback Productions - Winner of 2 Weeks 2 Make It 2010 for TV Dinner Lady.

Poetry

2010-07-21T15:51:00.000+01:00

Poems and links to my downloadable collection The Anvil Earth

Dead Harvey Horror Blog Interview

2010-06-24T17:08:00.000+01:00

I've just been interviewed by a horror blog in America about the Stickleback Productions 2 Weeks 2 Make It win. You can read the piece here

[caption id="attachment_417" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Dead Harvey Horror Blog"][/caption]

2W2 Win!!!

2010-06-16T10:40:00.000+01:00

I am pleased to announce that Stickleback Productions and Wise Blood are the winners of the inaugural Birmingham version of the 2 Weeks 2 Make It music promo competition.

Up against some stiff opposition from other established filmmakers we won the day - at the same time earning some great praise from the 3 competition judges for our efforts.

Well done everybody. Here's the winning video

Wise Blood "TV Dinner Lady" by Stickleback Productions from Brendan O'Neill on Vimeo.

Brendan

Event:Indie Movie Doubleheader: 2 feature films plus Q & A

2010-06-15T14:46:00.000+01:00

Indie Movie Doubleheader: 2 feature films plus Q & A with the West Midlands based filmmakers who made them happen!

featuring

Huw Bowen and Chris Pinches: Triple Hit

Lee Murphy: Money Kills

Saturday 24th July at Friction Arts 79-81, Cheapside, Digbeth, 14.00 - 18.00

More details on Facebook page.

This is a fund raising event for Swings and Roundabouts - a feature being made by Stickleback Productions in August.

£10 per ticket for 2 films, chat with filmmakers, speed networking & buffet. Pay bar.

[caption id="attachment_394" align="aligncenter" width="481" caption="Triple Hit"][/caption]

A Bloody Business!

2010-06-08T19:08:00.000+01:00

I'm going to do a full blog on the Wise Blood TV dinner lady shoot ASAP but for now just to say it went really well, we all worked together to overcome the many obstacles in our path and cast, crew and band should all be proud of the result which is getting some excellent feedback from other filmmakers who've had a sneak peek.

The video itself will be available here straight after the awards ceremony on the 15th June 2010.

[caption id="attachment_381" align="alignnone" width="565" caption="Wise Blood "TV Dinner Lady" shoot. Day 2.Stickleback Productions"][/caption]

More soon.

2weeks2makeit in Brum

2010-05-25T13:56:00.000+01:00

I'm mad busy producing my first music video as part of the 2weeks2makeit competition sponsored by Screen West Midlands. Following an excellent series of speakers on Friday afternoon in a workshop session at Fazeley Studios - 12 local bands were paired off with 12 local film crews and given 2 weeks to make a great promo.

I was quite anxious about what sort of band the Stickleback Productions team would get paired with but am delighted to have been paired with Wise Blood who are a great band and a nice, helpful bunch of guys.

I'm now busy arranging cast, locations and resources for a shoot on Friday and Saturday for their track TV Dinner Lady which is a very dark and gory urban tale!

I'm also delighted to be doing my first promo with the help of Director of Photography James Stoneley who made Seconds Out the last film I wrote and produced look so good.

I think we have a great track, a great crew and with the help of some great actors and helpful local businesses such as Bar Bluu will end up turning out a great video.

Watch this space!

Merry Month of May

2010-04-28T16:11:00.000+01:00

Seems to be a lot happening in the month of May. Hopefully the good weather we've been having will continue.

April was quite busy with a number of courses and events. The Producers Forum event featuring writer and now producer Tony Jordan (Eastenders, Life on Mars, Hustle) was excellent. Tony is a very funny switched on guy and a pleasure to listen to.

Other highlights for me were the two Script sponsored workshops I attended. The first one was on Sci-Fi and Fantasy and was given by producer Claire Ingam as part of a series of workshops on various genres.

The second was another great workshop by Professor Paul Wells called Devizing Animated Narratives which has given me some impetus to go back to my Scampenstein idea.

I think I'm going to finish the script for that and then find a collaborator to create a graphic novel of the story which can also be shipped to other platforms like Iphone and Android. Thinking 360°!

Hopefully take up of the graphic novel and platform based content will help popularize the story and find me a producer.

I'm still working on my play for the Royal Court Theatre's Critical Mass scheme but will also be jumping onto some other things with deadlines.

Screen West Midlands revised Investment Fund is open again so I will be resubmitting Finders.Keepers. based on the feedback received from last time. I will also be submitting a couple of other feature ideas as new projects.

The UKFC have cut funding to the regional agencies so competition is going to be even fiercer usual. That said there is nothing to stop people getting some actors and a crew together and just going for it themselves. No interference that way too though obviously you still have to consider due process for script development etc!

I'm fortunate to be able to get an opinion from my own talented script editor but for those writers who don't then I highly recommend that you get opinion/feedback from a professional such as Hayley McKenzie at Script Angel.

Still waiting on feedback from a producer who is looking at my teen Sci-Fi idea kidZ.

Finally I'm planning to take part in the 2weeks2makeit pop promo competition where film makers are paired with up and coming bands to create a promo. I've fancies doing a promo for ages so hopefully this is my chance to shine.

More as it happens.

B x

Haiti Benefit Result!

2010-04-13T02:25:00.000+01:00

The final take from my Haiti benefit short film event was £198 which I am very pleased about.

£180 on the night

£13 change after paying for venue and wholesale price of booze consumed!

£5 pounds from the lovely Suzanne

DEC Haiti Appeal Receipt here.

B x

The Lurgi!

2010-03-31T14:41:00.000+01:00

[caption id="attachment_339" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="UNCLE HANS-PETER PARTY at FLATPACK 24.03.10"][/caption]

Into my second week of horrible phasey 'flu that just comes and goes and seems particularly virulent at present. Its really impacting on making much progress with the play I'm supposed to have ready for 20th April for the Royal Court's Critical Mass scheme.

I had a very busy week last week as I attended the Engine Room Pitch documentary workshop on Tuesday and Wednesday which was excellent followed by 3 nights Front of House volunteering for the Flatpack Festival. Tuesday was also the last taught bit of the Royal Court's Critical Mass playwriting scheme I have been doing since January

The Doc workshop was given by Christine Burnett, Charlie Phillips and the wonderfully named Floury Crum from the Sheffield International Documentary Festival. It was really informative and useful and has encouraged me to think about making my own documentary.

Flatpack was its usual eclectic brilliance and I made some new friends. The highlight for me was the Uncle Hans Peter party event which is one of the strangest arts experiences I have ever had!

Finally last night there was an excellent debate on the future of television drama in the region which I feel will hopefully lead to some cages being rattled at the BBC and other places.

Film Dash Result :-(

2010-03-18T13:10:00.000Z

We came joint 3rd out of 24 entries which was disappointing but I'm probably not as disappointed as Robert Williams and his team who made a great film and didn't even place!

This is the winning entry.

This came second

and we were joint 3rd with the Junction Zero team who made a nice film.

This is what the judges said about Seconds Out.

Kate Leys said this: "Ambitious, and a great central idea, but with an ambitious story you do need a really strong ending. Stories are all about their endings, and this one just wasn't very clear. Very good central performance."

Catherine Bray said this: "For my third choice I would pick Seconds Out for setting out to tell a straightforward little narrative in a limited time and having done a bit of script work."

C'est la vie.

Positives to draw from the experience were working with actors Elexi Walker and Elli Middleton who I and a lot of other people thought were great. Real champion boxer Bertrand and sparring partner Hatim who were real sports and without whose help and first time acting we couldn't have made the film plus the ever reliable Steve Rylands who has the dubious distinction of being in very film I've ever made. Thanks to all the other folk who helped in some way too.

Last but not least it was nice to work with collaborator John Hill-Daniel again and also for the first time with DoP James Stoneley and Russell Hill whose technical skills and equipment bought so much to the overall quality of the film - all underpinned by Matthew Cotterill's great score.

In other news my Haiti Fundraiser on Saturday went very well from an entertainment point of view but could have done with more customers though the door! The Flickr stream is here and a big thanks to all the film makers who let me show their films, Sandra and Lee at Friction for the venue and my small army of volunteers - Martina, Dominika, Joe, Ifti and Andy without whose help I couldn't have made it happen.

A busy past two weeks. Just have to write my play for the Royal Court theatre scheme now and I'm done for a bit!!!

TAFN

Brendan

"Seconds Out" Film Dash 2010

2010-03-09T16:17:00.000Z

The latest film by Stickleback Productions is Seconds Out made for Film Dash 2010. I produced and wrote it but it was John Hill-Daniel's turn in the Director's chair ably assisted by James Stoneley (DoP) and Russell Smith (Sound).

Thanks to all the cast and other helpers but especially to Jon Pegg for helping us get the boxing sequences.

Fingers crossed for the moment of truth at the Electric on Thursday@7pm when the winner will be announced.

I'll also be showing the film and hopefully some other Film Dash films at my shorts night to raise money for Haiti on Saturday. There is a really strong line up plus Ken Loach has kindly donated an autographed copy of his classic film Kes as top prize in the raffle!

Fill your indie boots and then dance the night away 8 - late!!!!

Film Dash 2010

2010-03-01T15:51:00.000Z

The frantic sleep depriving madness that is Film Dash is upon us again after a brief hiatus in 2009.

I have the nuts and bolts of a crew and some actors already but would be happy to hear from more actors and also people who know of good locations where we can shoot this Saturday 6th March i.e. Your Dad's office, your cousins launderette, the nice woman who owns a shop/store, hospital ward. Anything that adds visually to the story possibilities I could have in mind when I start responding to the 7pm Friday Film Dash brief.

So PLEASE if you know of anywhere then get in touch. I always give people a credit if they help the film and we'll try to squeeze them into the film as an extra or passer by if possible.

Thanks if you can help

TAFN

B

info AT sticklebackproductions.co.uk

Eat My Shorts: Haiti Fundraiser Saturday 13th March

2010-02-12T18:09:00.000Z

I've formed a West Midlands Film Makers for Haiti Facebook group and put together a fund raising event for the 13th March.

The event will take place at Friction Arts - The Edge venue on Saturday 13th March from 8pm.

The plan is to have two hours of all sorts of shorts followed by a disco. The space and technical set-up and support has been kindly donated by Sandra Hall and Lee Griffiths of Friction Arts.

The Edge. 79 – 81 Cheapside, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QH. Map

£5 on door. £4 concessions. All proceeds to DEC Haiti appeal.

Cheap bar at venue. Each guest is also encouraged to bring Cake and/or Nibbles preferably Home-Made to share with fellow attendees.

If you want your short film, animation, pop promo, art film, feature trailer or excerpt to be shown then please get in touch.

Acoustic performers and comedians who want to do a turn are welcome too!

Highlights so far include

Momster - an excellent animated short by award winning director/animator Steven Spencer

A series of pop promos by the band Jackdaw with Crowbar

plus others to be confirmed.

info AT sticklebackproductions.co.uk / 0798 565 9997.

TAFN

Brendan

If you enlist then you must soldier!

2010-01-31T20:55:00.000Z

Well I didn't get any further with my Screen West Midlands bid for Finders. Keepers. but have been encouraged to re-apply in the next round based on feedback.

Didn't get any of my 3 ideas shortlisted for the ifeatures scheme either but the odds were pretty high. At least I know now and can concentrate on other things.

The one good thing I'm doing at the moment is taking part in the Critical Mass playwriting scheme run by the Royal Court theatre. Its a regional scheme with groups based at the Belgrade theatre in Coventry and at the Drum here in Birmingham.

We have a really good tutor and its a great group with some really interesting and funny people so I'm very pleased about that. The course included going to see plays here and there so there's a social dimension too. The tough bit is coming up with a 1st draft of a play by week 8 of the course so that's going to be an ask but as my Pa is very fond of saying "if you enlist then you must soldier".

I'm going to rewrite Skunk in February and also do a treatment/1st draft of my Panther feature idea with a view to making it later in the year - nano budget of course which is in line with my Pragma 2010 Manifesto.

I was a bit surprised that more people haven't taken an interest in the Pragma idea. I suspect that the requirement to use open source software has freaked those people who feel they have to have expensive software and equipment in order to feel like they're really filmmakers!

Well the idea behind Pragma is that you dont so I'm just going to have to prove them wrong. I'm happy to say that I have an editor/co-producer volunteer so I'm hoping to shoot some scenes at Easter and slowly chip away at it over the year.

Still trying to get hold of a decent retro but pro camcorder to shoot on but have been offered a PD170 during the Easter and summer holidays so its very likely I'll be shooting at those times.

Thats all for now. Roll on Spring!

I'm a winner!

2009-12-11T18:40:00.000Z

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

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

That's all for now :-)

B x

Latest News

2009-12-09T15:38:00.000Z

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TAFN B x

Howduino!

2009-11-26T01:07:00.000Z

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

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

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

TAFN

B

What's Up?

2009-11-15T18:55:00.001Z

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What's Up?

2009-11-15T18:55:00.000Z

Hell Hall

2009-10-22T12:46:00.001+01:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TAFN

B x

Hell Hall

2009-10-22T12:46:00.000+01:00

Good News!

2009-09-27T17:46:00.001+01:00

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

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

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

More as it happens!

Good News!

2009-09-27T17:46:00.000+01:00

No news is good news?

2009-09-07T15:44:00.001+01:00

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

As usual its a bit like watching paint dry.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No news is good news?

2009-09-07T15:44:00.000+01:00

Skunk Shoot Postponed!

2009-08-26T13:07:00.001+01:00

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

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

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

Thats all for now.

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

Skunk Shoot Postponed!

2009-08-26T13:07:00.000+01:00

Skunk - Another Short Film

2009-08-13T15:16:00.001+01:00

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

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

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

So whats it about?

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

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

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

Cant wait for the 29th.

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

Skunk - Another Short Film

2009-08-13T15:16:00.000+01:00

Short Sold!

2009-07-31T13:55:00.001+01:00

Well hopefully :-)

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

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

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

Short Sold!

2009-07-31T13:55:00.000+01:00

Paper Aeroplane Crash!

2009-07-12T23:23:00.001+01:00

Not really - its only a postponement!

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

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

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

TAFN

Brendan

Paper Aeroplane Crash!

2009-07-12T23:23:00.000+01:00

Filmaka Result :-(

2009-06-23T22:26:00.001+01:00

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

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

Please feel free to spread the word.

Besos

B xx

Filmaka Result :-(

2009-06-23T22:26:00.000+01:00

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

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

Please feel free to spread the word.

Besos

B xx

Still waiting!

2009-06-01T11:38:00.001+01:00

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

Still waiting!

2009-06-01T11:38:00.000+01:00

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

What Goes Up Must Come Down Voting Ends Today!

2009-05-19T22:25:00.001+01:00

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

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

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

---

Ambition! Ambition!

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

Thanks Michael.

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

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

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

Paper Angels?

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

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

Production office

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

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

Echoes from the Edge

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

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

TAFN

Brendan

What Goes Up Must Come Down Voting Ends Today!

2009-05-19T22:25:00.000+01:00

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser #1

2009-05-11T19:55:00.001+01:00

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

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

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

Onwards and upwards!

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser #1

2009-05-11T19:55:00.000+01:00

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser - TICKETS AVILABLE NOW

2009-04-18T15:33:00.001+01:00

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

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

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

Confirmed Line up -

Paul Murphy

Kings of the Heath

Mary and Martin

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

Event Flyers here.

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

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser - TICKETS AVILABLE NOW

2009-04-18T15:33:00.000+01:00

What Goes Up...

2009-04-14T10:16:00.001+01:00

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

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

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

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

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

Thats all for now folks!

What Goes Up...

2009-04-14T10:16:00.000+01:00

What Goes Up Must Come Down

2009-04-07T16:41:00.001+01:00

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

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

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

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

More later..

What Goes Up Must Come Down

2009-04-07T16:41:00.000+01:00

Paper Aeroplane - Micro-Budget Feature Shoot - August 2009

2009-03-28T09:55:00.001Z

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

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

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

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

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

TAFN

Brendan

Paper Aeroplane - Micro-Budget Feature Shoot - August 2009

2009-03-28T09:55:00.000Z

Local Shorts Showing!

2009-02-10T15:44:00.001Z

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

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

Local Shorts Showing!

2009-02-10T15:44:00.000Z

The Festival Cut

2008-12-10T15:23:00.001Z

Many thanks to John Hill-Daniel who has now re-edited the 54 minutes of footage shot on the day to create a festival cut that I can submit to various websites and competitions.

Some bits have been dropped and other bits i.e. Tamsin giving us her rendition of "I will always love you" have been added! Its amazing what you can do in the edit room when you have the luxury of time - something the original editor for the Film Dash cut - Joe Geraghty and I - didn't have on our mammoth 16 hour against-the-clock edit on the Film Dash weekend.

I'll let you know if we have any success in festivals etc.

I'm writing this having just done an interview at Channel 4 for one of my scripts that has been shortlisted for the formations scheme so I'll be on tenterhooks for a few days waiting to hear. I'll let you know.

In the meantime have a look at the new edit and have a great Christmas.

Black Widow - The Festival Cut

The Festival Cut

2008-12-10T15:23:00.000Z

Black Widow - The Festival Cut

Some Photos at Last

2008-11-20T13:43:00.001Z

Here is a semi-decent photo of cast and crew from the Black Widow shoot that I finally managed to extract from Kriss Dosanjh's mobile using the magic of bluetooth.

The longer film cut is still being edited. Will then be soundtracked and entered into various competitions and festivals.

Looking to make another short soon as well whether I get Digishorts funding or not. Won't be against the clock this time so should be a good opportunity to do something really good and festival worthy.

TAFN

Some Photos at Last

2008-11-20T13:43:00.000Z

Here is a semi-decent photo of cast and crew from the Black Widow shoot that I finally managed to extract from Kriss Dosanjh's mobile using the magic of bluetooth.

The longer film cut is still being edited. Will then be soundtracked and entered into various competitions and festivals.

TAFN

Film Dash Cut with Music

2008-11-14T12:35:00.001Z

I'm very happy to be able to let you know that the Fim Dash cut with the soundtrack by Phil Mountfiled is now available here. I'm also still working on getting a new edit done for a longer festival cut of the film This will also be soundtracked by Phil.

Film Dash Cut with Music

2008-11-14T12:35:00.000Z

The Result

2008-10-27T17:56:00.001Z

Well we didn't win but we did get an honourable mention. I'm now keen to get the longer festival cut finished and soundtrack added so we can get it out there. I'll also be working on my Digishorts application which is what all this was about in the first place i.e. getting a directorial credit.

The Result

2008-10-27T17:56:00.000Z

Black Widow:The Film Dash Cut

2008-10-21T13:04:00.001+01:00

The version of the film that was handed in as our entry for Film Dash can be viewed here now.

Unfortunately there wasn't time to include the composers soundtrack kindly provided by Phil Mountford due to a delay in receiving the 2nd Unit footage from Madrid. That said I'm pleased enough with the result.

I will post both the Film Dash cut with soundtrack and also a longer and in my opinion better Festival cut as soon as possible.

Here is a rather fuzzy still of cast and crew at the start of the day's filming. I'm hoping to replace that with a better one from the Odeon on Sunday which can include our editor Joe Geraghty.

Black Widow:The Film Dash Cut

2008-10-21T13:04:00.000+01:00

Here is a rather fuzzy still of cast and crew at the start of the day's filming. I'm hoping to replace that with a better one from the Odeon on Sunday which can include our editor Joe Geraghty.

A Big Thank You

2008-10-20T19:35:00.001+01:00

Hi Folks,

I would like to say a big thank you for volunteering your time and talent to work on Black Widow as part of Film Dash. We did get a 5 minute film in in time so we are in the competition.

Unfortunately due to the days delay in shooting in Spain and its impact on the editing schedule we were unable to add the music soundtrack in time which was a real shame.

The good news however is that there should also be a longer and in my opinion much better 7-8 minute short with soundtrack which I hope to enter into festivals etc. This will showcase all your acting and technical talents elsewhere.

Special thanks to Joe Geraghty for the marathon edit, Phil Mountford for the score, Stuart Mills for doing the camera, lights and sound on the day and Carlos Agullo Coloma for setting up the shoot in Madrid.

Some people have already indicated that they would like to come to the Odeon on Sunday for the announcement of the winner. I have reserved 12 tickets so there should be enough - if you want any extras please let me know so I can secure these.

I will also try to sort out a premier of the Festival cut on licensed premises – perhaps the White Swan. I hope to give you all a DVD copy of both the Film Dash and Festival cuts at this point.

Meet 7pm Sunday in foyer of Odeon New Street for Into the Light: Michael Balcon event and announcement of winner. There will be loads of industry people there so worth coming along with business cards etc! Please note they are only showing the winner so it might not be us!

Please RSVP for a ticket if you haven’t already done so.

Best

Brendan

Writer/Producer/Director :-)

A Big Thank You

2008-10-20T19:35:00.000+01:00

Hi Folks,

I would like to say a big thank you for volunteering your time and talent to work on Black Widow as part of Film Dash. We did get a 5 minute film in in time so we are in the competition.

Unfortunately due to the days delay in shooting in Spain and its impact on the editing schedule we were unable to add the music soundtrack in time which was a real shame.

Please RSVP for a ticket if you haven’t already done so.

Best

Brendan

Writer/Producer/Director :-)

Talent! Film Dash Update#3

2008-10-12T15:50:00.001+01:00

Things are going really well on the talent front. I now have four trained actors plus a couple of amateurs. I also have permission to shoot at several locations. I think I have an editor (tbc) too which was the last piece in the crew jigsaw puzzle. I also think I have a lone 2nd unit camera person based at a unique top secret location that will add real value to the finished product.

Storywise I have a story - but it all still depends on what theme, piece of dialogue and prop that they throw at us on Friday evening. I think I'll have to be fairly creative!

As things stand I will be writing, producing and directing it myself which comes in handy for entering the London short films competition which deadlines the following week. Fingers crossed!

Talent! Film Dash Update#3

2008-10-12T15:50:00.000+01:00

Film Dash Update #2 - Watch films or make them?

2008-10-11T10:22:00.001+01:00

Well there is good news and bad news! The editor and producer that I was hoping to use aren't available but we do have a camera, radio mikes etc courtesy of my ever reliable cousin Johnny (and Aunt who is going to drop them over to me!).

I can probably manage the producer role but I'm really stuck without an experienced editor. Hopefully I can find someone by next week. I know its an ask because its peoples quality time but i was hoping there might be some posterity value to answering the question - well what did you do that Sunday? Watch films or make them?

Film Dash Update #2 - Watch films or make them?

2008-10-11T10:22:00.000+01:00

Film Dash Update #1

2008-10-10T13:51:00.001+01:00

Things are going quite well. Stuart Mills is an experienced camera man / Director of Photography who is keen to take part as is composer Phil Mountford. I also have two male actor volunteers who are on standby. Still waiting to hear back from a producer and editor who sound reasonably keen. Could still do with a specialist Sound person with own equipment and possibly loan of a camera.

I have had notices put up at the Birmingham School of Acting so hopefully get some more actors especially some female ones who would be willing to take part.

TAFN!

Film Dash Update #1

2008-10-10T13:51:00.000+01:00

Film Dash

2008-10-07T19:16:00.001+01:00

I'm currently putting a team together to take part in Birmingham's Film Dash 2009 - 48 hour film making competition which is part of the Hello Digital festival. Will blog about it here. Already have the ever reliable Phil Mountford on board to do the soundtrack and am waiting to hear from others.

Plan is as follows.

Script, plan and start shooting Friday or early Saturday.

Continue Shooting Saturday and into Sunday if neccessary.

Do edit and sound/soundtrack on Sunday. Deliver by 7pm.

Reckon we're looking at a maximum of 10 minutes tops.

Will keep you posted.

Film Dash

2008-10-07T19:16:00.000+01:00

Script, plan and start shooting Friday or early Saturday.

Continue Shooting Saturday and into Sunday if neccessary.

Do edit and sound/soundtrack on Sunday. Deliver by 7pm.

Reckon we're looking at a maximum of 10 minutes tops.

Will keep you posted.

WordCamp '08

2008-07-19T19:45:00.001+01:00

Welcome if you are visiting this site having either met me at the International Screenwriters Festival or WordCamp '08.

This site is under development but its where I'm going to be developing Stickleback Productions as both a production company for my film and T.V ideas and also as a consultancy for social media, blogging, video and so on.

My main blog as a writer is here. My main feature project Scampenstein is here. For the time being its probably best to read whats on the Facebook Friends of Scampenstein page as the main site is being redesigned and future proofed.

Thats all for now!

WordCamp '08

2008-07-19T19:45:00.000+01:00