Haunting anti-hunting documentary

Last Thursday's screening was the documentary A Minority Pastime which deals with anti-hunting issues. It is a very well made, poignant film which makes me feel extremely queasy every time I screen it. It reveals a world which would be otherwise hidden for a lot of city folks.

It also raises questions about the manipulative powers of film editing; you can create instant shock effect by stringing together series of graphic shots. But is it always necessary to underline an ideological message with a lot of blood spatters?

Bryan Griffiths who took part in the film was present to answer any questions. He spoke about the difficulties in finding screening opportunities for this politically sensitive piece.

I think there should be screening space for outspoken documentaries, there is still something called freedom of speech.


November programme

4/11: no screening

11/11: hybrid:arts
This local arts organisation will be screening the latest and greatest work to come out of Hybrid Arts' community projects and resident artists. Films will range from mash up films of extraordinary cycles created by visitors to the Coventry Transport Museum, to stunning 3D animations. Malcolm Neailey is one of their VFX artists who will present his work.

Want to find out more about hybrid:arts? Click here
Want to find out more about Malcolm's work? Click here

18/11: no screening

25/11: Local film maker Bob Harper will present his video works.


Spring programme for 2011:
3 March - 28 April.
Book your screening slot now!


Previous screeners news

Did you know that Chris Pinches and Huw Bowen's production company Entanglement Production, has been awarded third place in the music video category of the Institute of Videography (IOV) award show at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry?

Their video, The Inside, was one of only five short-listed titles within the category and judges were not only looking for exceptional video production standards, but also originality and creative flair.

Well done guys!

Testosterone-Filled Thursday

Weekly Westerns

Last Thursday Hugh Robinson introduced the Thursday Flickers public to his slightly eccentric world. Hugh and his friends have weekly meetings whereby they watch each others favourite Western movies. His short, The Mild Bunch, is a light hearted docu which takes a closer look at the origins of their soft spot for the Western genre. The included interviews reveal their very personal bonds with these movies, which sometimes go way back to their younger years. It was interesting to see how Westerns - which for me were at first glance superficial, violent films - can evoke so much emotion and passion in mature men.

Stay in touch with previous screeners

Film maker Ray Jacobs invites you to Fragments of Dark, a performance installation created by Arty Party Performance Group as part of the Ghostly Gaslight night at Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge Gorge Museum, 6 - 9pm on Saturday 30 October. For more information please visit http://www.artypartytelford.org/ or telephone 01952 593884.

Ray also invites you to experience the multi media site-specific installation: Coming To Our Senses at the Old Market Hall Digital and Media Centre, The Square, Shrewsbury. Showing from 11 October 2010 - January 2011.

It's a harmonious art intervention with simple yet beautiful images of hands at rest, in conversation or on their own, echoing the day to day actions of people within the cafe. Directed by Ray Jacobs and Jonathan Tritton. The multi layered installation incorporates film of people's hands presented on a screen triptych in a cafe environment, accompanied by sounds of the cafe. Coasters provide a further insight and interaction with the installation.

For further information and opportunities to discuss the work please contact Ray Jacobs, 01743 792052.

Intense voyeuristic viewing

A big thank you to Faye Claridge for showing her video work last Thursday. She introduced the three pieces by saying that they weren't meant to be viewed as 'cinematic' films but as installation videos. For me that wasn't a problem, especially with the fairground videos. I too love to intensely gaze at people. Almost in a voyeuristic way. Observing the little things that give away a lot about people's characters and lives.

During the Q&A questions were asked like 'your photographic work seems to be much more manipulated by you than your video work'. Faye responded by saying that her films are also in a sense artificial; one fixed camera angle, long, slow paced edits. In doing so she tries to freeze a piece of time. She is very much fascinated by social history and I think her films will be of much interest for historians in years to come. Have a look at Faye's work: www.fayeclaridge.com

This Thursday, 21 October, Hugh Robinson will screen his latest short.

View the Museum Movies. Click on these links to Youtube, they will take you straight to Alan's and Bill's films:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIsyMRrmni4 (Bill Sankey's Art Gallery)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojc0KLYu6BI (winner: Alan van Wijgerden's The Boat House)

We are also mentioned on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/coventry/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_9111000/9111268.stm

See you soon on a Thursday night!

Tammy

Wrists: a visit to The Twilight Zone (in a good way)

Last week's screening

John Bradburn's impressive low budget (£2000) feature film Wrists was a feast for your eyes. John introduced it as 'Wrists is a crossover between fine art and film'. Watching this film was for me like visiting The Twilight Zone, but in a good way. The rural setting was extremely photogenic whilst at the same time creating a slight uncanny athmosphere. The minimal use of dialogue only strengthened the storyline. A story which at first glance might look straightforward; girls gets obsessed with boy but it was masterfully worked out. Isn't there a bit of psychopath in all of us?

Here is a quote from John's blog

(wristsfilm.blogspot.com):

Screening Feedback
Two excellent screenings so far. A good response at both of the screenings which lead to some interesting debates on the themes of Wrists. I know the film is a little 'difficult' but it does seem to pay off. My nerves are worth it.

Stay in touch with previous screeners

Remember the local band Jackdaw with Crowbar? It combines visual music with thrash film. Jackdaw will be performing again coming Monday. Together with the Dutch band The Ex they will present an extraordinary evening of live music in Leamington's Cultural Quarter.

So put in your diary: Monday 18th October, North Hall Spencer Yard (CV31 3SY, behind church opposite Assembly), 8pm, £6.50

See http://www.qujunktions.com/, http://www.theex.nl/, http://www.jackdawwithcrowbar.com/ for tasters.

You should also check out this link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=102605249777203 to James Page's latest project; a short film called Self Help.

Coming up

Film maker Malcolm Neailey who is a VFX artist will soon be appearing on the Thursday Flickers programme. Visit his website http://www.mneailey.co.uk/ and have a sneak preview.

Alan wins the Museum Movies Best Film Award 2010!

On Thursday 23 September Chairman of Warwick District Council, Councillor Bertie MacKay, revealed which film proved to be most popular with the visitors. Coventry based film maker Alan van Wijgerden was presented the Museum Movies Best Film Award for his entry The Boat House.

This film is an exploration of his favourite painting in our collection, The Boat Builder’s Shop by Bernard Ninnes. Alan said:
‘It was great to win the prize. A lot of work goes into these shorts and it was nice to receive some recognition. It was also a good way to get my get my film screened. I am going to spend the prize money on buying film, a slide viewer and some photo printer paper.’

Alan received the Museum Movies Award worth £150 from Councillor MacKay. The Art Gallery & Museum would like to acknowledge the support received from the Leamington based film and photography shop London Camera Exchange, which contributed part of the winner’s prize.


Thursday Flickers is back again

This Thursday 7 October the film programme will start with a screening by film maker John Bradburn. See you then!

Autumn programme: dates for your diary!

Hi,

After a long summer break Thursday Flickers is back with lots of West Midlands based film talent. If you want to see some local produce before the 7th October, make sure you pop into Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum.

Alan Van Wijgerden and Bill Sankey have entered two great shorts for the Museum Movies competition. Alan's The Boat House (10 min) is an exploration of his favourite painting in our collection, The Boat Builder's Shop by Bernard Ninnes. Bill's Art Gallery (9 min) comprises entirely of digital photographs taken at the Art Gallery & Museum. The video focuses on the interplay of light, texture, surface, reflection, atmosphere and space with the works on display.

You can vote for your favourite one and the winning movie will be awarded the Best Film Award 2010 and £150 prize money by Warwick District Council's Chairman, Councillor Bertie MacKay, on Thursday 23 September, 6.30pm. This competition is sponsored by London Camera exchange.


7 October

Birmingham film maker John Bradburn will present his feature Wrists (2010), 88 min. After the screening you can ask him questions about independent production and distribution processes.

Click on this link if you want to see more of his portfolio.

Wrists synopsis: Julie is staying in an isolated cottage. She becomes obsessed with Clark the man who rides a motorbike by her house. Slowly she becomes drawn into his dark and dangerous world. A film of dream like intensity that never settles in to a definable experience mixing reality, fantasy, fear and imaginings. This screening will start at 6pm.

Click on this link if you want to follow John's Wrists blog.


14 October

Artist Faye Claridge's statement 'I wanted to be a taxidermist, instead I'm an artist' sounds intriguing and this film night is an unique opportunity to hear her talk about her moving images.

Her work explores relational subjectivity and self-awareness through the awareness of ‘the other’. With an inability to focus on the ever-shifting present, she believes that we instead try to explore our identities in relation to (the distance of) others, in relation to a (performed) role and in relation to the (imagined) past.

Faye will show a compilation of her video works. Have a look at her website.


21 October

Hugh Robinson, who has previously screened Mid-Table Mediocrity at Thursday Flickers, returns with locally shot The Mild Bunch (22 min). This documentary is about men and westerns.


28 October

Bryan Griffiths will present his independent feature film A Minority Pastime - Rage Against Cruelty which deals with foxhunting issues. Visit this link for a preview or click here for more background information. The screening will start at 6pm.

Warning: this documentary is not for the faint hearted; there are some upsetting scenes involving animal cruelty.

A compilation of quotes:

“I’m absolutely stunned by the film. I knew it would be hard to watch but I still was not prepared for the impact and my first attempt ended after a minute or two, through floods of tears.The sickening reality hits you straight away, no warning. Just as it did for those of us who have had first hand experience. I think that people who have never really had to address the truth will find the film disturbing in the extreme. They cannot fail to be moved. I think you’ve struck exactly the right note." Norma Crumpton Contributor

(David Cameron) “would have been humbled by this film, and then be on the same wavelength as those who oppose foxhunting.” He has had a big opportunity missed if only he had come along today. His “U” turn decision on foxhunting would make headlines, it would be on all the front pages, and show the chap is a humane human.” Colin Dexter, author of Inspector Morse, at private screening at Witney.




Hope to see you all on a Thursday night!

Tammy

Museum Movies, Opportunities and a whole lot more.......

Although Thursday Flickers is on its Summer Holidays, it does not mean that movies aren't going to be an important part of the Art Gallery in the next few months.

Film makers from the West Midlands have been invited to create a short film inspired by Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum's collections, the Royal Pump Rooms building or Leamington Spa. These short films will be shown on the Art Gallery and Museum's mezzanine level film screen in the local history gallery through summer.

It is expected that thousands of visitors will see the films and vote for their favourite. The movie with the most votes will win the Best Film Award and £150 prize money. The Leamington based film and photography shop London Camera Exchange has contributed to the award money.

From July 22 onwards the public can vote for their favourite Museum Movies so if you are interested come and have a look. It's a great opportunity to see new talent! And you are all invited to the Award Ceremony on the 23rd of September.

Talking of Opportunities, Summer Shorts is offering free media experience through the summer. They are offering the chance for to work alongside a professional production company on a short film getting you 'behind the scenes' experience of the whole production process. The five days will involve 3 full days of training and two days filming a short documentry which will then be screened at a special event in October.

To apply you should be:

- aged 19+ and unemployed or unwaged
- interested in media production
- able to give up five days of your time between August and September 2010

For more information or to request an application form contacr Fran on 0845 116 2111 or e-mail fran@metaldogmedia.co.uk

Summer Shorts is a metal dog media ltd production



Looking Forward and Back.....

For those of you who are interested in the type of things that are shown at Thursday Flickers here are two examples, one of which is Maria Rankin who has previously shown her work. If you are interested in hearing about her work please look at her official website and blog, www.mariarankin.com.

The second is a popular artist, Faye Claridge, who has recently shown work in an exhibition called 'Behind the Mask' which runs from the 16th July - 12th September at the New Art Gallery Walsall, the shows also includes artists such as Halim Al-Karim, Glenn Brown, Nae Bunthita Indhawong, Hew Locke, Eleanor Moreton, Boo Ritson, Cindy Sherman, Gillian Wearing and Zhang Xiaogangas . She will be showing work in the new programme of Thursday Flickers.

If you are interested in the new timetable for Thursday Flickers in the autumn then we can offer you a preliminary one,

7th October - John Bradburn
14th October - Faye Claridge
21st October - Hugh Robinson
28th October - Bryan Griffiths

Hope to see you all there!!!!

Thursday Flickers is on a summer break!

Are you a:



Film maker, Video Artist, Animator, Motion-Graphic Designer, VJ, Fine Artist or Performance Artist?

We would like to screen
your work!

Thursday Flickers restarts 7 October. Keep an eye on this blog for the latest news on upcoming local films and film makers.
For more information contact Tammy Woodrow on 01926 742709 or email, tammy.woodrow@warwickdc.gov.uk

See you in October!

James is back with more next Thursday!

On Thursday June 10 James Page will return with more of his impressive portfolio

James has written a few words about himself and the films he will be showing.

I'm a Midlands born filmmaker. I won a Royal Television Society Award in 2005 for editing a feature called Dead Trees, and a feature I edited, "Wasters", won Best British Film at the Heart of England Film Festival in 2009, and is screening at international festivals as we speak. I'm currently writing a feature based on an International award winning play, which I'm looking to raise funds to make.

The Screening is of "Self Help" a short film I've written and directed, and 5 short films and music videos I've edited, all of which were completed in the last month. All 6 pieces are screening at festivals over the next year.

Self Help - Directed by James Page - Comedy/Drama

A middle aged misfit visits his idol, a brash American motivational speaker, in the hope of breaking free of his lonely life, and finding the courage to talk to the girl he watches from afar.

Small Gifts - Directed by Brady Hood. - Drama

A young boy overcoming his grief at the loss of his mother, and there with the help of an old woman who Was nominated for Best Short Film at the East End Film Festival.

Bubbz - Citizens of The City - Directed by Joe Oppenheimer - Music Video

Music Video for Hip Hop Artist Bubbz, described by NME as "the UK’s answer to Kanye West"

The Traveller - Directed by Darren Sharland - Drama

A young man arrives in Britain and befriends a seemingly happy young couple, and his presence makes them ask questions they didn't think needed answering.

Sparks - Directed by Richard Higson - Comedy/Drama

A young girl, her son and a misfit handyman discover a novel way of not paying the bills.

Phil's Room - Directed by Jesus Mateos - Drama

Phil spends his time obsessively completing college courses and dreaming of the world he has not seen. He plans to leave the country with a girl in the cafe, to start a new life.

June Programme

Dates to put in your diary!

3/6: Simon Lewty

Artist Simon Lewty, whose work is included in Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum's collection, features in a documentary which focuses on his work processes. Simon will be present to answer any questions. Have a look at his piece that is currently hanging in the Art Gallery: http://www.search.lsagmcollections.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?txtKeywords=lewty&lstContext=&lstResourceType=&lstExhibitionType=&chkPurchaseVisible=&txtDateFrom=&txtDateTo=&originator=/engine/search/default_hndlr.asp&page=&records=&direction=&pointer=17465&text=0&resource=27970. The new Mead Gallery exhibition at Warwick University is also showing one of Simon's works.

10/6: James Page

Birmingham film maker James Page returns with new work after a succesful screening of his feature film Wasters earlier this year. Read the review I wrote for this blog in February for an idea of his work. You can also have a look at his website: http://www.james-page.co.uk/

17/6: ANIMATE!

Screenings of animations created by young people and adults during our ANIMATE! workshops lead by artist Sumit Sarkar. Sumit's exhibition ANANTA at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum is still open until 20 June. A must see if you're interested in state-of-the-art digital animations. Try this link for images of Sumit's works and in depth information on his exhibition: http://www.ananta8.com/

24/6: Production company Rotten Park Road

They are an award-winning Midlands (Leek) based production company dedicated to engaging theatre, innovative filmmaking and the development of emerging artists. Lynne Payne, Creative Producer, and colleagues will be present for Q&A. Check out their website: http://www.rottenparkroad.com/

Thursday Flickers screening by Saranjit Birdi, 27 May 2010

May programme

Dates to put in your diary!

6/5: BAFTA award winning film maker Michael Clifford

Michael is a two times BAFTA award winning film maker. 'Brown Paper Bag' won best short film 2004 and 'Hiding Place' won a children's BAFTA in the same year. Since 1994 Michael has directed documentaries, drama and gallery installations for Channel 4, BBC, Channel 5, UK Film Council, The Arts Council and Screen WM. Two of Michael's documentaries are RTS award winners - 'Danger UXO' 1998 and 'The Man Who Wouldn't Paint Hitler' 2002. Michael has his own company – Grand Union Productions Ltd, which has a slate of feature films in development. Have a look at http://www.michaelbaigclifford.co.uk/ for some clips of his films.

13/5: performance artist Dr Jane Bacon

Jane is based at the Performance Studies Department of the University of Northampton where she works as Divisional Leader and Reader.

20/5: (performance) artist and film maker Dr Mo White
Mo about her practice:
”I am an artist working in the moving image, photographic media, print and drawing. My interests are in visualising gender, diasporic identity, and queer identities within a context of critical art practices. For some time my work has placed my own body at its centre, in what has become a series of 'performances for the camera'. Whilst the subject matter of the work changes, the object that is embodied in the work remains the same; the artist-self. This way of working that I have been developing throughout my practice raises questions about how this artist-self can be and is conceptualised.

What she can speak of and how she can speak it - and if she can speak at all, in the public space.
This is clearly not the same self as the one that practices everyday life; or the one that writes this - it is a self which is narrated in the work. Recent concerns have been with addressing themes of dislocation, desire and memory reflecting on the experience of Irish migration. In my current work started on an AA2A residency at University of Wolverhampton in 2008 I began to address the theme of movement and stillness, and again visualise the body engaged in an action; a performance for the camera. I also write and have recently been awarded a doctorate for research examining film theories which emerged in the 1970's and their effect on artists working in the moving image from 1970s to the present.”
Mo’s work and cv are included on the axis website: http://www.axisweb.org/

27/5: (dance & performance) artist and film maker Saranjit Birdi

One of the many projects this multi-disciplined artist took part in was the SUR-FACE exhibition at The Works Gallery in Birmingham. There he explored social dynamics of territory and freedom through the surface of a life-size, action-painting installation combined with dance, movement and mark making as an art form. Saranjit is based in Birmingham, West Midlands. Have a look at his cv and website http://www.saranjitbirdi.com/ to get a sense of his diversity.

Solo exhibitions
· 2005 EXPANSIONS- multimedia exhibition, RBSA Gallery (Royal Birmingham Society of Artists), St. Pauls Square, Birmingham
· 2004 FOLLOW - multimedia exhibition, RBSA Gallery (Royal Birmingham Society of Artists), St. Pauls Square, Birmingham
Live/Performance
· 2004 'Follow' - short dance film synthesis of Music, Dance and Architecture, Screened on BBC Big Screen, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham City Centre
· 2003 'Surge'- live performance and multimedia projections, Collide Commission - venue Living Room Bar, Birmingham
Public commissions
· 2005 'Under The Sun' - 'Gateway' Sculpture for city main vehicular route to city, Birmingham City Council Commission, Handsworth, Birmingham
· 2002 'Urban Tapestry'- Crowd control Barriers Commission, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City Centre Multicultural festivals
· 2002 'Seams of Time' - Sculpture Trail for Highley Village, Bridgnorth District Council and Highley Initiative Trust, Highley Village, Nr Bridgnorth, Shropshire

Other film and multimedia events at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

Museum Movies competition

Create a short film inspired by the Art Gallery & Museum’s collections, the Royal Pump Rooms building or Leamington Spa. The five most inspiring entries we receive will be shown on our mezzanine level film screen in the local history gallery throughout the summer. Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite film and the winner will receive the Best Film Award and £150 prize money.

It is free to enter and the competition is open to all ages and abilities. Films should be submitted in DVD format with a completed submission form by Wednesday 14 July 2010. There is no minimum length but the films cannot be longer than 10 minutes. Please contact Tammy Woodrow on 01926 742700 or email tammy.woodrow@warwickdc.gov.uk for a submission form or any other queries.

A futuristic vision of the Hindu Gods

Our new exhibition, Ananta: Digital Art by Sumit Sarkar, continues until 20 June. This touring exhibition from Lanternhouse International uses state of the art digital technology to bring together the artist’s deep personal knowledge of Hindu theology, reinterpreting it for the modern age. Come and see fascinating sculptures and animations inspired by sources as diverse as ancient Hindu imagery, Manga cartoons and transforming robots.

Animation workshop for adults
Saturday 12 June, 10.30am – 4.30pm
If you enjoy watching digital animations and always wonder how it’s done don’t miss this workshop. Sumit Sarkar, creator of the Ananta exhibition will demonstrate the processes involved in digital animation and will help you to create your own animated character. £10 per person. Advance booking is essential as places are limited. Please call 01926 742700 to book.

Hope to see you on a Thursday Flickers night!
Tammy

Museum Movies Film Competition at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

Are you interested in making a short film for
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum?

Call for film makers, animators and artists from the West Midlands

Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum is starting an exciting new film project titled Museum Movies. We are inviting local film makers to submit short films inspired by Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum’s collections of fine and decorative art, social history, ethnography, archaeology, ceramics and glass. Have a browse through our online collections for ideas! (www.lsagmcollections.org.uk) Other subjects could include the history of the Royal Pump Rooms building, Leamington Spa’s historic gardens, Leamington Spa’s social history or life in 21st century Leamington Spa.

We will select the five most inspiring films and present them on our mezzanine film screen in the local history gallery. 96,000 people visit Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum every year and on a daily basis the screen is viewed by many local people and tourists. Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite film and the film with the most votes will win the Best Film Award and £150 prize money. The award ceremony will be held on Thursday 23 September 2010 at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum.

It is free to enter and the competition is open to all ages and abilities. Films should be submitted in DVD format with a completed submission form by Wednesday 14 July 2010. There is no minimum length but the film should not be longer than 10 minutes. If your film is shortlisted we will contact you on Thursday 15 July. The shortlisted films will be screened from Thursday 22 July onwards.

Please contact Tammy Woodrow on 01926 742700 or email tammy.woodrow@warwickdc.gov.uk for a submission form or any other queries.

Thursday Flickers in April

Seen on 18/3: Luke Colley

Keep an eye on this emerging talent! The first time I was aware of this young film maker was through reading this article a while ago.

After doing some detective work on the web I tracked this Warwickshire College student down and invited him to show his work during a Thursday Flickers night. That thrilling horror movie was part of the many films and video clips Luke treated us to on the 18th. His work is dark, enigmatic and atmospheric. He often uses Leamington Spa as a backdrop and astonishlingly, it looks urban and cool. Luke's editing qualities and unusual camera eye will make sure that we will hear and see much more of him in the future!


ICO Screening Artists' Moving Image workshop 26/3

I can recommended ICO workshops to anybody who is involved with film programming. They are informative, very well structured, very suitable for networking and the lunch provided was out of this world! ICO stands for Independent Cinema Office, it was established in July 2003 and is the national organisation for the development and support of independent film exhibition in the UK. I joined that particular workshop to gain some more in depth information (and inspiration) on programming artists' moving images, this is another term for video artists or art house film makers. George Clark, curator, writer and artist, gave some enlighting presentations on subjects like A brief history of artists' moving image: exhibition and practice, Finding your audience, Effective marketing and From idea to exhibition. Guest speakers were Yasmeen Baig-Clifford (VIVID), Ian Francis (Programme Director Flatpack Film Festival), Matt Lloyd (film programmer Edinburgh International Film Festival). The speakers talked about their experiences in programming and gave some valuable hints and tips. After the workshop I joined the Flatpack Festival for the screening that was curated by George Clark 'Build them in mind'. A screening which I would love to have curated! For more information about the George Clark screening go to http://www.flatpackfestival.org/event/build-them-in-mind or visit http://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/ to see what other workshops are on offer.

Seen on 1/4: Scrubberjack and Kissing the Hag

There is nothing wrong with women film makers, so why aren't there more of them? These two locally produced shorts were moving portraits of women made by women. Would these movies have looked the same if they were made by men? An interesting question about gender differences. Scrubberjack was a refreshingly honest, unpretentious documentation about a poet Jackie, who I would call a street fighter and survivor. You can sense that she hasn't had an easy life but she has worked through her issues through the medium of poetry. It was clever of the makers not to go too much into her problems, this would have caused a sense of sentimentality. This was also the case for Kissing the Hag. You never find out why exactly she is in the rehabilitation centre, this added an extra dimension to the feeling of mystery and fantasy. I can't wait to see more of this all female group of Coventry film makers. Good stuff girls!

Opportunities

• Call for young film makers from the West Midlands to show their work at Glastonbury Festival 2010: budding film makers from the West Midlands are to get the chance to showcase their work at the Glastonbury Festival 23 - 27 June. The Village Screen Project, part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, is looking for a mix of inspiring, funny, original and challenging films from young film makers, aged 12 to 24, to show on the big screens at the Festival. The team in the West Midlands are also inviting adult film makers the opportunity to submit short films for After Dark which will show the seamier, sinister and darker side of life and animations or ambient films including time delay, abstract work or art films of up to ten minutes long to be shown at the Festival. For more information please contact Moira Rawlings, Editorial Content Producer, West Midlands Culture programme for London 2012, moira.rawlings@artscouncil.org.uk or 07872412806


• The 'Roots to Shoots Short Film Competition' is a collaboration between the Royal Spa Centre, Warwickshire College and Roots to Shoots and launches on Friday 9th April for aspiring film makers in the West Midlands. More details along with submission forms and regulations will be available for download at http://www.royal-spa-centre.co.uk/. Deadline for entries is Thursday 27th May.


• A local poet and writer named Soner Britton has written a mythological short story called Grass Feet and she is looking for film makers who would be interested in visualising it. Let me know if you want to have a look at it.

Don't forget this Thursday!

Dance artist and film maker Ray Jacobs will screen his work this Thursday 15/4. His artist statement:

The perfomer, the community, the story and the moving image

We all have stories, both real and imaginary that shape our sense of self and place within our community. I will be sharing my time and films made with Arty Party an extraordinary learning disabled group of performers based in Telford. We will look at how stories emerge, are unearthed and developed into visual storymaking. I will also share snippets of work by other film makers that have helped shape my own and arty party's work. Please come along, enjoy witnessing the work share some of your thoughts about it.

Keep up to date with digital technology at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

Ananta: Digital Art by Sumit Sarkar opens on Thursday 22 April. This touring exhibition from Lanternhouse International uses state of the art digital technology to present a futurist vision of the Hindu Gods. There will be a chance to meet the artist who will give a live demonstration of some of the digital techniques he uses on Thursday 22 April, 6 - 7pm. Entry is £3 per person and is free for students. Advance booking is essential as places are limited, please call 01926 742700 or visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms

Hope to see you soon on a Thursday Flickers night!

Tammy

Spring Flickers

Seen on 4/3 at Thursday Flickers: the return of the Jackdaw

During the evening there was a Skype link with band member Adam who followed the screening from, what looked like, remote Essex. You can’t get anymore high tech than that! It was interesting to see the reactions of the audience who didn’t mind being watched by Adam. There was quite an amount of virtual interaction and that fitted in perfectly with the ambience which the performances of Jackdaw create. This mix of film technology, music and politically engaged lyrics makes you feel like being in an experimental 3 dimensional video clip created in a post punk era. There are hints of the psychedelic wall projections from the 60s and the 70s, but you can’t really compare those to the visuals of this band. Their video art and music art are symbiotic; you couldn’t have one without the other. I’m looking forward to experiencing the ‘real thing’ at Koko’s next Monday.

http://www.jackdawwithcrowbar.com/

Seen on 11/3 at Thursday Flickers: Project Bandstand – rediscovering Leamington Spa

Some would call this project romantic and idealistic but it all made sense when Ollie and his fellow students explained their motivations for this mission. The passionate debate that followed after the screening focused on subjects like community issues and bureaucracy but also on editing aspects. A clip from their film is added so you can decide yourself whether they succeeded in their brave attempt to bring the people of Leamington together, despite the youths trying to set fire to the string, the presence of ex-convicts complete with blood stains and the disappearance of one of the handbags of the students.

Put in your diary: April programme

1/4

Scrubberjack - The movie (by Sarah Zujans, Jen Preece and Cate Brennan) a documentary following the development of local poet Jackie Smallridge, from her first gig to the launch of her groundbreaking debut collection. Jackie from Coventry, made poetry just by writing down her life and after being encouraged to perform live, she had her first book published by Heaventree Press. Parental warning: some of Smallridge’s poems contain language that may be unsuitable for children.

Kissing the Hag: a drama/fantasy by Catherine Brennan set in a rehabilitation centre about one woman’s struggle with alcoholism and how it has affected her life.

Film makers Jen Preece and Catherine Brennan will be present to answer any questions.

8/4

Local artist Maria Rankin will present her video works. She is fascinated by photography and experimental lens based technology. Photography and film are continually part of her creative process. Through the landscape around us, the everyday and the mundane she likes to capture the unusual in her images.

15/4
Screening by dance artist and film maker Ray Jacobs. He creates work that brings people a little more in touch with their senses and the sensual world that surrounds them.

Coming to Our Senses – by Ray Jacobs and Jonathan Tritton

22/4

CAW (Community Arts Workshop) and The Belgrade Theatre have worked together on The Mysteries - In Our Own Words. They have created a series of shorts which celebrate the stories from the Bible and the Qur'an. These inspiring films have been directed by Chris Bradley.

29/4
Bob Harper, a local film maker who has been making films for around 30 years, will present his work.


In the pipeline for May
6/5: BAFTA winning director Michael Clifford
13/5: performance artist Dr Jane Bacon
20/5: artist and film maker Dr Mo White
27/5: artist and film maker Saranjit Birdi

In the pipeline for June
3/6: Documentary featuring artist Simon Lewty
10/6: film maker James Page
17/6: ANIMATE!
24/6: production company Rotten Park Road

Keep an eye on Leamington Spa
Art Gallery & Museum during the Peace Festival!


Special screenings at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum by

Thursday Flickers and Roots to Shoots

Saturday 19 June, 12noon – 4pm

Sunday 20 June, 12noon -4pm

Free, just drop in

For more information visit

www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms

http://www.rootstoshoots.org/

http://www.calltheshots.org.uk/

Project Bandstand clip

Wasters review
Screened: 25th February 2010

After hearing the opening line” My little soldier is dead” I knew we were going to be in for an interesting night. Editor James Page had introduced the film to me as “don’t worry, there is just a bit of swearing in it”: the understatement of the year! Indeed, there were swearing and sexual references that even made me blush, but they were not used as loose cannons but as frame work for a touching narrative.
The story line is the coming of age of a group of young adults who are trying to give meaning to their seemingly superficial lives. The Thursday Flickers audience enjoyed the cinematic experience and wasn’t hindered by any generation gaps. It could have ended up as a claustrophobic and restraining situation, having the film set in just the interior of one Birmingham pub during one night. However, this is circumnavigated by snappy editing, classy acting and a very appropriate musical score. The fragile song during the climax of the film still gives me goose bumps.
I don’t think I could compare Wasters to anything I’ve seen before. This is a good thing, it was a unique and refreshing experience and I’m looking forward to seeing more from the likes of Luke Rufo and James Page.
During the Q&A session the crew made the public aware of the difficulties which Midlands based up and coming film makers face. The independent feature film Wasters was created without any significant budget, a fact you could easily forget because the lightning, framing and camera movement were of high quality, as professional as you can get. They also spoke about the intensive but enjoyable shooting process and that you can get people to do anything you want as long as you give them a free lunch!

Thursday Flickers is back!

Screening by Coventry film maker Brian Harley
26 November 2009

Thursday Flickers visitor numbers rocketed through the roof for Brian Harley’s screening. After introducing himself, Brian started off by presenting a Call The Shots show reel. Call The Shots are a Coventry based filmmaking group, which sets out to network and encourage productive, effective and creative relationships. This was followed by his short Egg (2008). In this spoof Brian takes an angle on Alfred Hitchcock’s fear of eggs (ovophobia) and his thriller Psycho, and suggests how such a phobia might have been portrayed by Hitchcock himself. You’re just glad you’re not playing the role of that poor egg. Before Brian showed us The Moustache (2008), we were treated to an Egg- behind-the-scenes trailer.

The Moustache is a comedy that observes the ridiculousness of male vanity and self-perception and how we cope with the opinions and prejudices of others. There were hints of the genius of Woody Allen to be found in the dialogue; a clever piece of discourse. After this he presented another making-of clip, and some drawings from the story board. It was very interesting to see ideas being realized into actual shots.

The evening concluded with the premiere of Scarborough Warning. It was a slightly more experimental piece, which included no dialogue at all. The film centres on a widower reminiscing over his partner. It explores the romance and the tragedy of love and loss and how we memorialise those dearest to us. I felt very moved by it. Brian inserted some director’s trademarks like references to Edward Hopper and lots of cups of tea. All in all Brian’s Thursday Flickers screening was a very successful and inspiring event and I can’t wait to see his new projects. (Photos by Andy Borg)
http://www.shortnightfilms.com/

2010: We’re back!

After a short winter break we’re back on track with an amazing programme. Last Thursday 11th February Motionhouse presented their spectacular dance films. They are a dance company, but not in the classical sense, this group creates remarkable dance theatre, fusing images and action. The projections and the sets combined with acrobatic dancers take your breath away. Many thanks to Mezze and Louise for being present to answer the questions from the public. The Scattered production is still touring throughout England. Don’t miss out!
http://www.motionhouse.co.uk/



More February screenings

18/2: film director Chris Bradley will join us and talk about The Mysteries – In Our Own Words. CAW (Community Arts Workshop) and The Belgrade Theatre have worked together on this exciting project. In this venture the Belgrade Theatre’s Community & Education Company continued its long association with Coventry’s medieval Mystery plays, celebrating stories from the Bible and the Qur’an in an exciting collection of short dramas, readings, live art, film and dance. The Belgrade welcomed around 200 local participants who shared what these fantastic stories mean to them in today’s world.

Belgrade Associate Director, Justine Themen, said “In deciding to take on the Mysteries this summer, we wanted to restore something of their original relationship with their community. The plays were originally performed to make Bible stories accessible to ordinary people, many of whom were unable to read. So there was humour in them, and references to contemporary events and issues as well as retellings of the stories themselves. Furthermore, they weren’t performed by professional actors, but by ordinary people. So we wanted to restore that heritage by giving young people the opportunity to make their own retelling of the stories. Many people are unaware of the shared heritage of Judaism, Christianity and Islam – that many Bible stories are also found in the Qur’an, for example – and we thought this would be a good way to emphasise common ground, whilst exploring differences.”
http://www.belgrade.co.uk/
http://www.communityartsworkshop.org/

25/2: Wasters (feature length film, start time 6pm!)
Wasters is written and directed by Luke Rufo and is the winner of the “Heart of England Film Festival - Best Film Award”. Wasters is a funny and gritty film following six twenty-something’s on a Wednesday night in a Birmingham pub. Their relationships change as they gradually realize they didn't know each other as well as they thought. Slapstick humour, romantic and real, Wasters is screening at multiple festivals around the world. The director, the DP and the editor (James Page) will be present to answer any questions.
http://www.james-page.co.uk/


In the pipeline for March

4/3: Jackdaw with Crowbar is a Leamington band that combines their live performances with film projections. Tonight they will present these projections. Check YouTube for a preview.

See more of Jackdaw with Crowbar:

--> 22/3, 8pm: live performance at Koko’s bar, Warwick Street, Leamington Spa
-->13/3: screening at Eat My Shorts (West Midlands Film Makers Haiti Fundraiser) at Friction Arts/The Edge, 79-81 Cheapside, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QH
--> 27/3: live performance at the Saturday night party of the Flatpack Film Festival Birmingham, supporting a screening of Bruce Bickford's latest film Cas'l. At Vivid, 140 Heath Mill Lane, Birmingham, B9 4AR. Starts at 9pm.

11/3: Project Bandstand – rediscovering Leamington Spa: Warwick University Theatre Studies students want to reclaim the iconic bandstand for the people of Leamington Spa and transform it into a positive symbol again. They will show their installation film footage. Have a look at http://www.projectbandstand.com/

18/3: Luke Colley, Warwickshire College student, has already created an impressive collection of videos, which he will present to you. Have a look at YouTube for a preview.

25/3: ANIMATE! Screenings of animations created by young people during our ANIMATE! workshops lead by artist Gemma Amos. You can see more of her work at www.abrightgem.com/home

Screening opportunities
If you would like to show your work at one of our Thursday Flickers screenings, please contact Tammy Woodrow, tammy.woodrow@warwickdc.gov.uk

Stills from previous screened films

Alan van Wijgerden

Julian Fawkes

Emily Jones

The McLeod Brothers