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.
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.
Semper Station 3 – Energy
The next event for the writers’ group takes place on 19 January 2010 and the theme will be ‘Energy’. Click the link for details of how to get involved – deadline for entries is 10 Jan
Gloaming News
Good news for the film produced by swish and backed by Screen WM and the UK Film Council which “has been selected for the prestigeous London Short Film Festival where the film will receive its World Premiere on Sunday January 10, 2010″
MusicLeader Start-Up session: Only 6 places left!
“Are you a musician who would like to work as a music leader? Just setting out on your music leading career? Not sure where to start? Then ‘Start-Up!’ is for you!”
My Gig History « Midnightpunk’s Blog
An increasingly epic post. “Oddly I’ve kept a list of every gig I’ve ever been to starting out way back in 1985 when I was a 4th year at school. I thought this would be a good opportunity to share. I aim to update this frequently, enjoy…”
Critical Mass West Midlands
“Critical Mass is a free 11-week ‘Introduction to Playwriting’ course for black and minority ethnic writers aged 18+. Workshops will run from January – April 2010, one evening per week (7-9.30pm) at both The Drum Arts Centre in Birmingham and The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry”. Nothing to do with cycling then
Clusta | The Almanac Zoo
“The Zoo has an array of new characters to meet. Remember to keep watch as some of our furry friends appear a little shy at first. The Zoo is open morning, noon and night, so be sure to revisit when it gets dark”
Museums at Night | Culture24
Bit early on this, but nevermind – “Night owls can look forward to a weekend of ghostly goings on as museums unlock their doors for the annual after-hours celebrations. Museums at Night 2010 will run from Friday 14th May to Sunday 16th May”
4am Project at the Bodies Revealed Exhibition | Karen Strunks Photographer
I’m a bit late on this, but Karen’s organising another 4am Project – this one will be this weekend and the focus of the Birmingham activity will be at the Bodies Revealed exhibition. As I type this there are just 22 free tickets left
Digbeth is Good » The funeral of The Site
I had an invite to this but couldn’t make it (and, in a fortunate sense now that I think of it, lacked the mourning attire). Nice little write-up by Nicky and there’s still time to go see this before it closes on 13 Dec
The Endless Descent « More Canals than Venice
“The Endless Descent brings together artists from Birmingham, Bristol and London to exhibit in the distinctive 1930’s Modernist stairwell, lobby, lift and entrance area of Rea Studios”. Ah, this launched last night – I walked past and wondered what was going on
100 years of The Electric Cinema – Birmingham: It’s Not Shit
From the other night – “A cosy evening at The Electric with a ‘This Is Your Life’ of Britain’s oldest working picture house in the company of owner Tom Lawes to celebrate its 100th birthday” Happy birthday Electric Cinema!
Middlemash
“This blog, in conjunction with the Mashed Library wiki & Mashed Library Ning, will be used to provide information on the 3rd mashed library event, Middlemash at Birmingham City University on Monday 30th November”. Missed this, but there’s plenty to go rooting through
Smash Bro’z In San Francisco! Part1 :) « Dancegeek’s Blog
“we are proud to announce that we have just returned back from the prestigious San Francisco HipHop Dancefest event in San Francisco and successful in repping the UNITED KINGDOM and BIRMINGHAM with honours!!!!”
Screen WM’s Festival of Film gives you the chance to enjoy free screenings of sensational films that have been inspired by, produced or filmed in the West Midlands
It runs from 16-29 November at venues around the region. Here’s the main list of films, and here’s what’s playing when and where in Birmingham:
Tormented – 16 Nov, AMC Broadway Plaza
Almost Adult – 20 Nov, The Drum
Faintheart – 21 Nov, AMC Broadway Plaza
The Children – 23 Nov, Electric Cinema
Road to Guantanemo – 25 Nov, Electric Cinema
Confetti – 28 Nov, AMC Broadway Plaza
Nativity – 29 Nov, AMC Broadway Plaza
The other films showing around the region are Special People, Clubbed, The Mandrake Root, 1 Day and Straightheads.
“This seminar will explore what culture and sport mean to individuals, communities and cities and how they can be harnessed to support regeneration outcomes”. Worth a look, especially as it’s free – “In response to the current economic climate the RegenWM Board has decided that RegenWM’s seminar series will be free of charge until the end of March 2010″. Good on them
Propperganda
Propperganda is Kev who writes about fashion, music, design, cycling and so on
Its been a while « Tea & cake
Tea & Cake is a blog apparently written by a little tortoise. This tortoise went to Wagamamas and then the Electric Cinema, of which she says “i expected vintage popcorn boxes , maybe red curtains that opened or an oldish projector, even maybe a little vendor that serves things or tells you to ssshhhhh!!”
Very late notice, but if you’re at a loose end tonight then you could do a lot worse than head over to the Electric Cinema for the Birmingham launch of stand-up/video comedy phenomenon Popcorn Comedy:
featuring the rap/stand up stylings of Doc Brown and the wonderful Holly Walsh live on stage, as well as a selection of the newest and funniest videos from the web in glorious high resolution
4Talent Central Film Weekender
As part of the Hello Digital festival the local 4Talent folk have put together some film events at the Electric Cinema. On Friday there are 5 films from the annual Horrorfest competition. Saturday sees Pixar’s Michal Makarewicz introducing WALL-E (in high def). Sunday returns to horror with 28 Days Later, followed by a debate on the future of digital film
Punch – News – MOBO 2008 nomination for Punch!!!
Ammo from Punch was nominated for a BeMOBO award which honours an individual or organisation making a difference in the community. He was pipped to the post by Ricky McCalla in the end but a round of applause is due nonetheless
Animation Forum WM – Eight Eyed Sea Bass in Profile
Interesting interview with Paul and Dom from Eight Eyed Sea Bass. Covering topics like the London/regions divide, funding/support for animators and current/future projects. Having seen it, I can also confirm that they have a “bloody nice studio”
No, nothing to do with the Digbeth music venue, Sanctuary Newspapers claim to be “the UK’s leading student newspaper network”. Monthly editions are produced by students in 12 different cities with the content tailored to their areas. A new Birmingham edition has just been launched with a website that looks thusly:
I’ve not found an actual, physical copy yet but I thought the content on the website was a bit hit and miss – head for music and film but give news (woefully sub-Onion) a miss.
What struck me is that, although it’s written by people in Birmingham there’s precious little about Birmingham. Aside from a couple of questions put to The Electric‘s Thomas Lawes and an interview with the promoter of student night ‘Naked Lunch‘ there’s not much to differentiate the paper from something that could be produced nationally.
The Electric Cinema recently completed the final stage of its refurbishment with the opening of a 78 seat second screen which features a High Definition projector. So far film screenings have leant towards the populist with Bladerunner (which I went down to see), The Wizard of Oz and, this coming weekend, The Great Escape. Check the Electric Cinema’s programme page for details.
There’s a a new 96 channel recording studio and dubbing theatre in there too, to be used for sound mixing for film and TV.
I’m a fan of the Electric so it’s good to see them able to offer a little more. If they can recoup the cost (which was apparently in the region of £100,000) without having to chase an overly commercial audience too hard then it’ll be a good asset. Fused went and took a look recently and they have a photo and everything.
However, controversy comes in the form of an article in the Birmingham Post this morning. Apparently there’s a £60,000 HD projector sat gathering dust at the (closed for refurb) Midlands Arts Centre. The equipment having been provided by the Digital Screen Network (of which the Mac is a member) which is funded by the National Lottery through the UK Film Council.
There are ‘ongoing discussions’ about what’s to happen with the projector but apparently it’s most likely to go to an arts venue like the Mac elsewhere in the country (and already within the Network).
It seems the Electric wasn’t in a position to join when the Network was first set up so the owner, Tom Lawes, has had to invest/risk a six-figure sum to bring the UK’s oldest working cinema up to spec while watching a valuable public resource lie idle.
Which must be especially galling when you see the list of cinemas the Digital Screen Network are providing projectors to – there are two in Cineworld Birmingham Broad Street, two at Vue Birmingham Star City and one in Cineworld Wolverhampton. In fact nationally the big chains (Cineworld, Odeon and Vue) seem to be doing quite well out of the deal.
New Screen at the Electric « Fused Magazine
“The UK’s oldest working cinema is due to open its second screen on the 4th July after six months of careful restoration, costing over £100,000″.
Deadline for the first Art Market « LTD Edition
If you’re an artist selling limited editions, one-offs or artists multiples under £300 then Fused would like to hear from you – they have four art markets taking place in July.
Urban Digital 2008 Awards Night
Urban Digital is a media training programme run from Handsworth Library. They’ve been going for two years, delivering media training to the community. Jon Hickman reports back from their showcase.
