Wordless Wednesday
Category: My Medway
Sharing the optimism for Medway UTC
Medway UTC opens in September – a few spaces remain for students entering Years 10 and 12.
With construction well underway, the new University Technical College for Medway is on track to open its doors to Year 10 and 12 students on September 7.
Wordless Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday
Cork Man in the sun.
Film makers can come in all shapes and sizes …
Young Medway film maker Sophie Lasson speaks to me about her latest film, Super Me.
Heroes can come in all shapes and sizes…
Max has dreamed his whole life of becoming a superhero, but did he realise, that at only six years old, he has done more than he could ever imagine; he has saved a man’s life.
With his mother too busy for him and his father non existent, Max is often left to his own devices, playing on the same estate where he was born.
He’s a curious boy, always looking for an adventure. When he sees a stranger on the roof of a building nearby, he goes to investigate. What happens next is life changing for the both of them.
Super Me is a 10 minute drama which challenges the way in which people view their own lives, by looking at it from the refreshing perspective that is Max. It’s written – and will be directed and edited – by Sophie, who is in her final year at Uni. She told me:
“Yeah, this is my final year and my final film whilst at University. During my time there, I developed a real interest in post production, specifically colour grading. In the summer I did a months placement at ‘The Look’ in London which specialises in grading and finishing for TV, film, adverts and trailers and I learn’t so much. I would love to go back to there, or somewhere like it after University and hopefully pursue a career in colour grading for TV and film.
“Super Me was something I’d been thinking about for a while. I wanted to write something which I felt would show the true value of love and friendship, not just between family, but people who can become your family. I guess years of watching Superhero films made me think about who a real superhero would be, and that’s where the story was born!
Did you always want a career in television and/or film making?
“When I was about 13 I took pottery classes after school. The place where I did this was approached by a TV show called ‘Tricky TV’ and were asked if they had any children interested in taking part in their show, as stooges for a segment called ‘wicked windup’. I along with a few of my friends took part. I remember spending the day with the crew and I just thought, wow, this is an awesome job! From then on I had a focus on working in TV although I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do at the time!”
Is there a film making hero who’s inspired you since?
“I guess there are quite a few, but my favourite probably has to be Zach Braff, possibly better known to most as an actor. As a writer/director I think he is great, across both TV and film. His films always seem to have the right balance of comedy and melancholia, which is so hard to do. His most recent film, Wish I Was Here, was partly funded by a Kickstarter campaign, for which I was a backer, and that inspired me to start my own campaign to make my film, which is going to be my graduate project. I’m currently trying to raise some money to help create the film – this is my Indiegogo page!”
An obvious question, but I’m fascinated to know a film maker’s preference – what’s your favourite film?
“That’s a tricky one! There are so many films I love and it always depends on my mood as to which is my favourite at the time. I guess one I always come back to is Fight Club, although Garden State is up there too!”
Where can we keep up to date with your career as it progresses?
“My most recent works usually appear on my website soon after they are made so this will probably be the best source. I’ll be filming Super Me from the 5th March, for four days, although I still need to cast the actors and confirm locations! I’ll hopefully have it all finished by the end April, when there will be a screening. The film itself will probably be shot in Bournemouth, but I am planning to do the screening in Rochester.”
Thanks for taking time out to tell us all about it, Sophie – we look forward to seeing it!
Images: Copyright Sophie Lasson
Super Sacre to tackle London to Paris Bike Ride
Medway artist Christopher Sacre is setting out on one of his biggest challenges yet – cycling to Paris from London in aid of the disability arts lead charity Shape Arts.
Having established himself on the arts scene locally, Chris’ big breakthrough came in October 2010, after discovering a happy marriage between condoms and plaster. ‘See what this man gave birth to after using 2000 condoms in 22 days’ is an extraordinary installation of 2000 of his plaster ‘babies’ which form the basis of his project ‘Adoption’. Find out more on his website.
Super-busy work-wise and having begun work on the In-SITE Artist Commission, Chris already has another commission lined for for 2016. He says: “I plan to tackle the 300 mile London to Paris bike ride this April 2015, raising money for Shape Arts, which has played an important role in my development as an artist since 2000. Please dig deep and help me to raise my £1500 target!”
Happy Tunesday: Delta of the Damned
Bands from across Medway, Kent and beyond are coming together to show that Medway is not a UKIP breeding ground.
Friday will see the beginning of a four day music festival supporting diversity, as the local branch of Rock Against UKIP brings together over 40 bands of mixed genre. The event is designed to raise awareness and prevent voter apathy, following the Rochester by election in November, when Tory defector Mark Reckless claimed the seat for Nigel Farage’s party.
Co-organisers Abi Zeiring and Aiden Hehir hope the festival will clear the misconception that Medway largely supports UKIP, and galvanize action for the forthcoming general election.
The event will take place in Poco Loco and the line up is as follows:
Friday, January 23rd from 7.30pm (not in running order):
Black Light Brigade; Bear vs Manero; Broken Banjo; Frau Pouch; KILL RPNZL; Punching Swans; The Shagmonroes; UpCDownC
Saturday, January 24th from 6pm:
3D; Allfather; Crybaby Special; DIYOA; Dusty Awe; Luna Lacuna; Mean n my Lady; Sleep Society; Sleight; Spinner; Tiny Ghost; Tim Holehouse; Unknown Report
Sunday, January 25th from 2pm
Anaelle Berlier; Deanos Hose; Dul Fin Wah!; Eleusia; Funky Mothers; Manic and the Madkats; The Objectors; Wolfe Sunday; more TBC
Friday, January 30th from 7pm:
Apothocary; Armour King; Black Plastic; Brittunculi; Eight Days from Sunday; Haeusser and the Errorists; Inverted Scrotum; Skat Injector; Vargr I Veum
Please note, musicians are a rowdy and liberal lot by and large, and the venue is a public house – the events taking place there in no way compromises their neutrality.
To contact the organisers, visit their Facebook event page.
Love dance? Join the Medway Dance Network
Hosted by Rebecca at The Right Step Dance Company and Heather from Sun Pier House, the Medway Dance Network is a brand new and exciting opportunity for Medway’s dance professionals and other interested parties.
MDN will include monthly networking meetings as well as dance classes run by the dance teachers involved with the network (see poster below). The first meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 27th, from 9.30am – 11am in the Tea Room at Sun Pier House.
The initial session will identify dance needs within Medway and find those who would like to get more involved with MDN in the future. It will also be an opportunity to find out about current dance happenings, and to network with fellow dance fans, tutors and dancers, so do take along leaflets and business cards to share. If you have any ideas or items you would like to contribute, please let Heather or Rebecca know.
Draw inspiration from Croquis dancers
Traditionally, Croquis is quick sketches drawn by artists watching a model who occasionally changes position. However, the Croqis being introduced to Medway is a collaboration between Rebecca Ashton of The Right Step Dance Company and Richard Squarecube of Squarecube Artisans, who’ve taken it a step further by incorporating dancers.
The artists are inspired in many different ways and are encouraged to explore the concept using their own techniques. Mostly, they’ll sketch with pencil or charcoal, but already one enterprising soul has used an iPad and others using different forms such as sculpting or modelling are also welcome.
Taster sessions will be held in November, with the official launch in January 2015. It’s an intriguing add to the creative pot of Medway events, so why not go along and try it out?
Sunday 16th November, 2-3.30pm ‘An Introduction to Croquis Events’
Sunday 23rd November, 2-3.30pm ‘Explore Croquis Your Own way’
Sunday 30th November, 2-3.30pm ‘What Can We Do With This?’
All held at Sun Pier House Gallery and Tea Room, Medway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HF
Just £15/session or £10/session if you bring your own materials.
Book one of the limited places now, by email to: info@therightstepdc.co.uk
An invitation only promo session was held, for which there is an archive with images and feedback – the blog about it can be found here:
http://www.therightstepdc.co.uk/2014/09/17/croquis-event-promo/
The artists also gave verbal feedback and that’s on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/croquisevents
There’s more information online…
Website: http://www.therightstepdc.co.uk/organisations/croquis-events/
Twitter: @Croquis_Events
Jaye Nolan 