A Bloody Business!

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.

Merry Month of May

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!

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

Howduino!

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

[caption id="attachment_248" align="aligncenter" width="453" caption="Hacked Image of Hackers Hacking at the FizzPop Howduino Hacker Event 23.11.2009"][/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 Goes Up Must Come Down Voting Ends Today!

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

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

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

---

Ambition! Ambition!

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

Thanks Michael.

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

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

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

Paper Angels?

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

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

Production office

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

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

Echoes from the Edge

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

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

TAFN

Brendan

What Goes Up Must Come Down Voting Ends Today!

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

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

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

---

Ambition! Ambition!

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

Thanks Michael.

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

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

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

Paper Angels?

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

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

Production office

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

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

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser - TICKETS AVILABLE NOW

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

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

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

Confirmed Line up -

Paul Murphy

Kings of the Heath

Mary and Martin

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


Event Flyers here.

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

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser - TICKETS AVILABLE NOW

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

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

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

Confirmed Line up -

Paul Murphy

Kings of the Heath

Mary and Martin

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


Event Flyers here.

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

Paper Aeroplane - Micro-Budget Feature Shoot - August 2009

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

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

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

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

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

TAFN

Brendan

Paper Aeroplane - Micro-Budget Feature Shoot - August 2009

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

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

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

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

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

TAFN

Brendan

The Festival Cut

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

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

Some Photos at Last

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

B

Some Photos at Last

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

B

The Result

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

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.

A Big Thank You

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

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 :-)

Talent! Film Dash Update#3

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

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!