A moving image exhibition project, an art gallery and a South Asian arts organisation make for quite a nice banding together, I think.

Tonight’s event celebrates Chinese New Year and Fake Magazine inform us that highlights will include:

On the Way to the Sea, directed by Tao Gu which was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival and Rotterdam Film Festival in 2011. They’ll also be work by China’s most famous director, Wong Kar-Wai as well as animation by Royal College of Art alumni, Sharon Liu and Setaka Mizuno. They’ll also be plum wine and a live traditional Chinese musical performance in the interval.

Each 90 second film will provide top tips for budding filmmakers looking at areas such as film structure, storyboarding, direction, camera techniques, editing and sound and lighting.

Stephen Spencer runs the Nice Monster studio and, although he’s moved down to London now, he roped in Louis Hudson, Ian Ravenscroft, Marc Silk, The Audio Suite and possibly others from around here.

Only the first one is up so far. To make sure you don’t miss the rest, subscribe to First Light’s YouTube channel.

First up, a trailer for the upcoming performance of the Mozart Requiem by Notorious:

Clare Edwards has blogged some info about this.

Next is the trailer for The Last Projectionist:

I’d heard of The Last Projectionist before but somehow hadn’t twigged what it was about:

The story centres on The Electric in Birmingham, the oldest working cinema in Britian. From its silent beginnings in 1909; to a news and cartoon cinema during WWII; a porn cinema in the 70s & 80s; then saved from demolition and restored to its art deco glory in 2004.

And finally, the trailer for a soon-to-be-released documentary about King Adora:

I met Ben Lewis (who was also involved in The Last Projectionist) from Siwel Productions last week and he emailed me some more info about this one.

I’d wanted to make a documentary for a while and although my close friend was in the band I’d never really explored what that experience was like for him. We got talking and I’d decided that I’d like to produce a film about not only King Adora but what its like being in a band, any band, the music business at that time ( pre social media boom) , and nature of creativity etc

Self funded and calling in favours from friends in the industry the project grew and various characters that had featured in the bands timeline began to show interest. Steve Lamacq gave a great interview as did John Cornfield, the producer of their first album.

We managed to get into the jug of ale pub in Moseley ( now being converted ) as it very much was a part of the band and many other bands history.

The band reformed in 2010 for two shows at the Hare and Hounds and the Garage in Islington. It was great to interview the fans, some from way back and new fans that had found the band via you tube and facebook etc

I was always conscious that I didn’t want to adhere to a narrative in which band get signed, band break up, band reform etc

The film runs parallel narratives that explore the relationships witihin the band, what there up to now and how the “ride” effected them.

I am currently looking for creative projects to get involved with in the Birmingham area, specifically film or media based projects. I have lots of transferable skills through studying film on my course and I am looking for possible work experience (unpaid) in TV, film or any kind of production, as a runner, film grip and/or any position where the skills I have may come in useful.

My biggest focus is finding opportunities, getting out there and getting involved in anything I can, from possible collaborations to arts events, workshops, anything to keep me busy and anything that allows me to be creative and continues the type of work I was doing on my course.

I couldn’t think of anything specific but gave a few starting places. I operate on the assumption that CiB readers know much more than I do, so if anyone can add anything then please do in the comments. My reply:

Hey

I can’t think of any specific opportunities at the moment. It’s a bit of a funny time for that kind of thing at the moment, what with Screen WM (who used to put on events and so on) closing down a few months back and Creative England (the body taking their place) only just getting up and running. In the meantime it might be worth looking at http://www.bsin.co.uk/ and seeing what they’re up to.

Also, have a look at these events, get yourself along and see who you meet:

• http://www.producersforum.org.uk/
• http://www.creativenetworksonline.com/
• http://www.birminghamsmc.com/
• http://www.helloculture.net/ (this is on tomorrow)

Maybe see what courses are happening at http://www.macarts.co.uk/ or http://light-house.co.uk/

Cheers

Chris

Here’s a fantastic picture of the screen itself (I’m available for photography commissions). It’s that big I couldn’t fit it all in. You can’t even see the sides.

a Birmingham (UK) based arts duo working collaboratively and hilariously. Mostly collaboratively.

They’ve got a Tumblr with some vids and slogan-y posters. Of their films, I’d seen The Abridged Antiques Roadshow before but not twigged it was by anyone from around here.

FlixFixer launched at the Custard Factory last night. It’s been on my radar for a while but I’ve not had much chance to check it out. I’ve just had a look and I suspect it might be a genius idea.

It’s really quite simple:

• You pick a cinema (just the Custard Factory for now)
• You pick a date
• You pick a film (you can show what you like if you own the rights or you can pick something from Park Circus‘s list)
• You pay a minimum amount

Tickets for the screening then go on general sale, and if at least 20 random punters come along then you’ll break even. Any more and you could even earn a bit extra for some popcorn.

Most people would be surprised just how easy and affordable it is to hire a cinema. What FlixFixer does is simplify the whole process and, on top of that, it gives you a hand promoting the screening and helping you earn your money back.

It’ll be interesting to see if they can sign up some other venues, making it a kind of Newspaper Club for cinema.

For now though, there’s already a programme of interesting events coming together and people are being encouraged to get involved putting on their own screenings.

One to watch.

A network for practitioners of moving image production.  It is aimed at those who produce video, film and other associated moving image media.

BSIN meets monthly and is intended as a free informal networking opportunity for people to pitch, promote, share ideas, ask questions and mutually benefit from those around the table.

Linked to the established Creative Networks events, this looks like a potentially great scheme to get people collaborating and throwing ideas around. Meetings will take place between 4pm – 6pm on the last Thursday of each month.

To find out more, have a look at the BSIN website

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3 is on the way. For more info head for the DJ Switch website, his Facebook Page and he’s put a couple of mixes on Mixcloud.

Incidentally, Chris Bates is doing a good job of raising money for My Side of School, a documentary about the division between young and old in the small town of Stolac in Bosnia & Herzegovina. There are just a few days left to contribute, so have a look.

Birmingham International Film Festival
Award: £4,950
The Birmingham Black Film Festival promotes the work of local black film makers and is the only event of its kind in the West Midlands.

Flatpack Festival
Award: £14,400
Flatpack Festival aims to make audience engagement with film a creative process by delivering unique social experiences through the use of innovative screening venues in and around Birmingham.