What's Up?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What's Up?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Short Sold!

Well hopefully :-)

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

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

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

Short Sold!

Well hopefully :-)

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

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

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

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 #1

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

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

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

Onwards and upwards!

Paper Aeroplane Fundraiser #1

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

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

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

Onwards and upwards!

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