NCM EDIT / MUSIC

Ok, it's been a long while since i blogged, but i have been away on Holiday's both literal (see the pics below) and metaphorical. Now is the time to get back on the case. Had a great meeting just before i left with Tom Miles - talented composer who has worked with me before on projects - Tom and i have been cooking up some interesting ideas for the film - more to follow i am sure, but they do involve a possible live performance of a new composition, which would be cool with the film projected at the same time

check out Tom Miles: http://www.tommiles.co.uk/

and some pics from the holiday in Egypt and Jordan - beautiful countries both..

2008: An Ape Odyssey

well, it's been a while, (holidays have come and gone, and i have been working on another film - a really interesting dance film - more of that another time). the most important news is that our Straight 8mm film: 2009; An Ape Odyssey has finally got it's (deserved ;-) screening as part of the Rushes Soho Shorts Film Festival.

it's great to know that it will be showing at 9.15pm at the Curzon Mayfair on Wednesday 29th July. 

2009 An Ape Odyssey - Super 8mm film..

well the wait is over and we have been selected for the 'best of' Straight 8 screenings as part of the Rushes Soho Shorts Film Festival in London in July. What a relief! dates to follow. 

NCM - ARCHIVE IMAGES

more great news. the London Metropolitan Archives have agreed to provide 11 more archive images of the market - including a couple of the then Prince of Wales - future Edward VIII visiting the Caledonian meat market. And there is a fabulous arial photograph of the market in full swing circa 1930's. 

NCM - Editing sound

started laying down audio tracks to get a sense of the questions and answers. As i have said before this will not be a straight vox pops type documentary, but it is a good way of getting a sense of a possible structure to begin with. 

a long way to go yet. 

2009; An Ape Odyssey Super 8mm film

Well, not the best of news - we did not get selected for Cannes 2009. Dissapointed, really thought we were in with a chance, but in the end the organisers of Straight 8 thought otherwise and selected only 8 films from 154. Can't say too much about the selection process that will not sound like sour grapes, suffice to say i think it could have been more open and transparent. Next up is the announcement of the screenings in the Rushes Soho Shorts festival in July.

NCM - Editing

Editing has started in earnest on BAM (or NCM as i am now going to refer to it - just how many abbreviations can one project stand?.. NCM = New Caledonian Market). have decided to take my mate Nick's advice and split up the commentary into separate audio tracks concentrating on the questions and answers over the past 3 years in order to structure the narrative. i hope.. (3 years.. bloody 'ell - about time i finished the damn thing)..

2009 An Ape Odyssey - Super 8mm film..

well we should hear very soon as to the results of the Straight 8 competition: 

Straight 8 News: 

if we don't get selected for Cannes (always a long shot really, with only the top 13 or so selected), then we should get selected for the screenings as part of the Rushes film festival. i for one will be very dissapointed if we don't make that particular cut - given the effort, the talent that went into the making of the film, and the overwhelmingly positive responses from all who have seen the DV version. fingers crossed..

... some video from the 1960's of Bermondsey Antiques Market. Check out the colour, this is super 8 and it's why we love it. 

NCM - sponsorship

latest news: we have managed to secure a small amount of money to complete the editing of the film which means we can afford to pay people (composer / sound designer) and pay for duplications and printing for the DVD, which is fantastic. 

thank you Geraud Groupe - who manage the Bermondsey Antiques Market on behalf of Southwark Council. www.geraud.co.uk/index.html

a previous film... RM159

The kind of film that i hope Market will be. RM159 was made for the Routemaster film challenge in 2005. 

the wonder of Markets.. courtesy of Sid James..

A short made by the Rank Organisation in the 1950's narrated by the late great Sidney James, extolling the virtues of Markets both old and new. 

watch out for Sid's trademark laugh...

NCM - ARCHIVE FILM -

good news - looks like we have secured at least 3 minutes of archive film footage of the market in Islington, which is magical. i do love looking at this old footage. with the inclusion of this, it will really make a huge difference to the film and really make it come alive. 

New Caledonian Market (NCM)

A few small positives over the past few weeks. We have discovered more archive film material which we hope to include - held by various commercial and public agencies, they would add a tremendous amount to the final film. We have also come across more fantastic historial stills from the early part of the 20th Century (including a great arial view of the market showing just why it was the biggest outdoor market in the country).  we have also made contact with the Geraud Groupe who manage and adminster the market, who may, (a big if granted) be able to support the film..  as ever watch this space.

Straight 8 film: 2009. An Ape Odyssey

We finished the sound mix (wonderful work by Will Cohen) midweek and uploaded the film. Now we have to wait and see, with the first results of selection I think coming in a few weeks time. We have done all we can. Now it is up to the judges and whoever smiles on us. We have I think created something special. As soon as we can, we will post some further images, and possibly outtakes here. 

Straight 8 film: 2009. An Ape Odyssey

...so... a couple of weekends ago, we all trooped down the Bretts Quarry in Kent near Dungeness and shot our musical epic. 2 principal cast, 7 dancers and 10 crew. It was quite an undertaking, but we pulled it off. the weather was amazing as you can see by the image.

2009: An Ape Odyssey is a one-take, one shot, musical sequel to 2001 - the story of a lovelorn astronaut, an evil alien, an oppressed group of mining apes, and the cheesiest lyrics since 'The Producers'. Coming to a Straight (ish!!) 8 screening near you this summer... 

other filmy stuff..

well it has been a busy couple of months but decided to put the BAM project on hold as i collaborated on a new super 8mm short. Me and my co-director / producer Nick have just wrapped on a musical sequel to 2001 called.. 2009 An Ape Odyssey. more soon

archive material

great news - Museum of London have agreed for the use of images from their Archive bank to include within the film, which is a great boost. Some beautiful images of the Market circa 1930's but also including a rare picture of a Missionary in 1905 talking to a Cattleman.

some possibly positive news from talking to the Museum of London, who may release some beautiful images from the Caledonian Market circa 1930's. waiting to see what is possible to include in the film, but will really make it come alive. Also obtaining a book from the 30's about Markets in London to add to the background work and maybe provide more material for a voiceover narration... 

BAM - history

almost finished the writing up of the history of the market, running from beginnings in 1855 right up to 2008. it is a rich, fascinating story, very much a London story of renewal and transformation. will apend some more info on the other sources i hope to include in the film as voiceover, including diary and book extracts. 

MARKET FILM

well all my tapes have now been digitised, all 25 tapes worth, so a milestone has been reached at last. onwards and upwards, also just seen some lovely 1960's super 8 footage of the market which is great, would love to include it so here's hoping.