New Years Evening with Basement Jaxx , london

NYE with Basement Jaxx

Last year it was Mark Ronson, this year the party is back with Basement Jaxx as the headline act.

Basement Jaxx first came onto the scene with the album Remedy in 1999 to wide acclaim. Their album, Rooty, bought the tracks ‘ Do Your Thing’ ‘Get Me Off’ and perhaps their most well know single to date ‘ Where’s Your Head At,’ establishing them on the world stage. St Martins Lane are thrilled to have them headlining New Year’s Eve this year.

The entire space at St Martins Lane is utilised for this unique event. Asia De Cuba is cleared of its furniture and is set with white leather banquets and a stage on the lower level. The lobby is transformed with a full cocktail bar, funky lighting and state of the art sound. Light Bar is also open serving its extensive cocktails with attentive waitress service.

New Years Evening with Basement Jaxx , london

NYE with Basement Jaxx

Last year it was Mark Ronson, this year the party is back with Basement Jaxx as the headline act.

Basement Jaxx first came onto the scene with the album Remedy in 1999 to wide acclaim. Their album, Rooty, bought the tracks ‘ Do Your Thing’ ‘Get Me Off’ and perhaps their most well know single to date ‘ Where’s Your Head At,’ establishing them on the world stage. St Martins Lane are thrilled to have them headlining New Year’s Eve this year.

The entire space at St Martins Lane is utilised for this unique event. Asia De Cuba is cleared of its furniture and is set with white leather banquets and a stage on the lower level. The lobby is transformed with a full cocktail bar, funky lighting and state of the art sound. Light Bar is also open serving its extensive cocktails with attentive waitress service.

Raindance's Let Loose Your Party Animal

Raindance, along with good buddies the New Producers Alliance and Stellar Network, are holding a Christmas party on 11 December at Richmix in East London.

Raindance's Let Loose Your Party Animal

Raindance, along with good buddies the New Producers Alliance and Stellar Network, are holding a Christmas party on 11 December at Richmix in East London.

Across the Universe special screening

We are holding a special screening of Across the Universe on Thursday 11th October at 6:30pm. We would be delighted if you could attend.

The screening will be held at at Soho Images on Meard Street.

The Beatles' songs may have provided the soundtrack for the lives of those coming of age in the 1960s, but their extensive catalogue acts as the literal soundtrack in this romantic musical from visionary director Julie Taymor. Newcomer Jim Sturgess stars as Jude, a young man working on the docks in Liverpool. Eager to escape, he travels to Princeton where he meets Max (Joe Anderson). But it's his meeting with Max's younger sister Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) that changes him. They quickly fall in love, but their relationship is tested by the chaos of the late 1960s and Max's unwilling tour in Vietnam. Throughout the film, characters burst into classics from The Beatles: students sing 'With a Little Help from My Friends', while Uncle Sam bursts from a recruitment poster with strains of 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)'. U2's Bono makes a cameo as a counterculture leader and croons 'I Am the Walrus', and Eddie Izzard provides a trippy rendition of 'Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite'.
Sturgess puts in a charming and earnest performance as Jude and is certainly capable of carrying the film. Wood capably balances Lucy's naivete and knowledge, easily moving between her love for Jude and her passion for her cause. Though the performances are strong, it's Taymor's gifted direction that makes Across the Universe so fascinating to watch. As in Frida and Broadway's ,The Lion King, she proves herself an artist with creativity few can match. Director of photography Bruno Delbonnel also deserves praise for his contribution to the striking visuals. He has worked with Jean-Pierre Jeunet on Amelie and A Very Long Engagement, and he brings the same sense of romance and whimsy to this unique musical.
Across the Universe special screening

Where
Soho Images
8 - 14 Meard Street, London, W1F 0EQ

When
6:30pm, Thurs 11 Oct, 2007

Being Michael Madsen Premiere with cast in attendance

I just saw "Being Michael Madsen" at its World Premier at the Raindance Film Festival in London - Madsen gives further straight talk on Inglorious Bastards & you heard it here first - "The Philistine" cometh.

After the screening the cast & crew attended & did a short Q&A afterwards. This is Bold & Ballsy independent film making. The film touches on many themes of celebrity culture whilst being engaging enough to keep you entertained (tongue firmly in cheek).

I'm not entirely sure how to define the film itself e.g. film within a film, contemporary Fellini on a shoe string (think La Dolce Vita), reality film, pseudo documentary - its all in there with a heavy dash of satire.

It is a lot of work but the performances from the cast are rock solid. This is a complete departure from Michael Madsen's usual hit or miss fare. It really shows many facets of the man beyond his Quentin Tarantino screen persona. I hope he gets some decent roles soon that do not involve throwing Segal out of windows :-). On the whole an enjoyable coaster ride but you do have to do some work - this is not just eye candy.

If I had to crit: The final scene (not the climax) may be a little weak - in the context of viewing it at the Raindance Film Festival with the cast & crew doing a Q & A afterwards it was awesome. However I suspect for anyone not watching the film with the live accompaniment may not be swept away by the final scene.

Standout performances by Virginia Madsen, Jason Alan Smith, Doug Tompos, Davis Mikaels & Kathy Searle. Harry Dean Stanton is hilarious.

I had the opportunity to ask the director Michael Mongillo what was next? To paraphrase he said he was keen on doing some action films and that his graphic novel "The Philistine" would be interesting to see on the screen. Now I had not heard of The Philistine previously but after a little net rummage discovered that The The Philistine is a highly rated graphic novel. With similar elements to Batman & The Punisher. After seeing Being Michael Madsen I can't wait to see Mongillo translate a clever caped crusader film to screen.

Naturally I asked Madsen about Inglorious Bastards, (which is listed on IMDB as having production kicked off in 2008). He played in coyly saying something to the effect that it's all in Quentin Tarantino's head/hands at this stage. He also mentioned that Tarantino was meant to be at the Premiere but was in Manila for a Death Proof screening.

Seriously cant you see Madsen in greens with one of those GI helmets (tilted to the side), holding a rifle in one hand and about to throw a pineapple grenade with the other - from behind a bunker while protecting his company?

Premiere of Being Michael Madsen with cast in attendance

I just saw "Being Michael Madsen" at its World Premier at the Raindance Film Festival in London - Madsen gives further straight talk on Inglorious Bastards & you heard it here first - "The Philistine" cometh.

After the screening the cast & crew attended & did a short Q&A afterwards. This is Bold & Ballsy independent film making. The film touches on many themes of celebrity culture whilst being engaging enough to keep you entertained (tongue firmly in cheek).

I'm not entirely sure how to define the film itself e.g. film within a film, contemporary Fellini on a shoe string (think La Dolce Vita), reality film, pseudo documentary - its all in there with a heavy dash of satire.

It is a lot of work but the performances from the cast are rock solid. This is a complete departure from Michael Madsen's usual hit or miss fare. It really shows many facets of the man beyond his Quentin Tarantino screen persona. I hope he gets some decent roles soon that do not involve throwing Segal out of windows :-). On the whole an enjoyable coaster ride but you do have to do some work - this is not just eye candy.

If I had to crit: The final scene (not the climax) may be a little weak - in the context of viewing it at the Raindance Film Festival with the cast & crew doing a Q & A afterwards it was awesome. However I suspect for anyone not watching the film with the live accompaniment may not be swept away by the final scene.

Standout performances by Virginia Madsen, Jason Alan Smith, Doug Tompos, Davis Mikaels & Kathy Searle. Harry Dean Stanton is hilarious.

I had the opportunity to ask the director Michael Mongillo what was next? To paraphrase he said he was keen on doing some action films and that his graphic novel "The Philistine" would be interesting to see on the screen. Now I had not heard of The Philistine previously but after a little net rummage discovered that The The Philistine is a highly rated graphic novel. With similar elements to Batman & The Punisher. After seeing Being Michael Madsen I can't wait to see Mongillo translate a clever caped crusader film to screen.

Naturally I asked Madsen about Inglorious Bastards, (which is listed on IMDB as having production kicked off in 2008). He played in coyly saying something to the effect that it's all in Quentin Tarantino's head/hands at this stage. He also mentioned that Tarantino was meant to be at the Premiere but was in Manila for a Death Proof screening.

Seriously cant you see Madsen in greens with one of those GI helmets (tilted to the side), holding a rifle in one hand and about to throw a pineapple grenade with the other - from behind a bunker while protecting his company?

Raindance Director's Foundation Certificate - The Grammar Of Directing

Directors use a variety of shots and lenses to compose their scenes and create a vocabulary of cinematic techniques and processes. Directors must learn the do's and don'ts of film grammar.

• Camera placement and technique
• Framing and composition
• Storyboarding as a directing tool
• Written assignment

Raindance Director's Foundation Certificate - The Grammar Of Directing

Where
Diorama Arts Centre
Camden, London, England NW1

When
6:30pm, Thurs 11 October, 2007

More info at Raindance

Withnail & I... 20 Years On Screening

To mark the 20th anniversary of one of British cinema's best-loved films, we are delighted to present a special screening followed by an on-stage reunion of the cast. The adventures of two ‘resting' actors are detailed in this gloriously funny tale. The protagonists take solace from unemployment with a country retreat and a cocktail of booze, pills and fags. The screening will be followed by a unique event: Richard E Grant, Paul McGann and writer-director Bruce Robinson will be joined by broadcaster Sue MacGregor. Their discussion will be recorded and broadcast at a later date as part of The Reunion series on Radio 4.

Murray Close Exhibition
Internationally renowned photographer Murray Close is exhibiting at BFI Southbank a selection of black-and-white stills taken during the filming of Withnail and I to coincide with the 20th anniversary celebrations.

Withnail & I... 20 Years On Screening

Where
BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road, London, England SE1 8XT

When
6:30pm, Mon 8 October 8, 2007

Swimming With Sharks Preview

What Buddy wants, Buddy gets.

From getting him coffee to getting him laid, it’s up to new assistant and aspiring screenwriter Guy to satisfy every whim of the incendiary Buddy Ackerman, powerful movie producer and the boss from hell.

Blinded by the promise of a fast track up the Hollywood ladder, Guy is about to find out that movie making is not for the faint hearted. If he’s going to rise to the top, then he'll need to play by Buddy's rules. And Buddy plays dirty.

In this no holds barred telling of the 1994 cult film, award winning Hollywood actor Christian Slater returns to the London stage to get under the skin of the charismatic and sharp talking shark Buddy Ackerman in the world premiere of this fast moving and bitingly funny new thriller.

Written by Michael Lesslie (from a film by George Huang)
Directed by Wilson Milam

Swimming With Sharks Preview
Where
Vaudeville Theatre
404 Strand, London, England WC2R ONH

When
7:30pm, Fri 5 Oct, 2007

More info at http://www.vaudeville-theatre.co.uk

Alexander Mackendrick on Film-making with Paul Cronin

Paul Cronin, editor of the book: On Filmmaking: an Introduction to the Craft of the Director by Alexander Mackendrick presents a workshop based on Mackendrick’s influential teachings, featuring previously unseen footage of his lectures.

This two day workshop is an excellent opportunity for any filmmaker who wishes to learn more about film-making from one of the masters of the medium. Alexander Mackendrick’s practical approach serves as one of the best introductions to the craft of film-making available to filmmakers today. The workshop is structured around the illustrated lecture MACKENDRICK ON FILM which features never-before-seen footage of Mackendrick teaching and talking about his approach to film-making, and interviews with some of his former students and colleagues who discuss his ideas in detail.

Alexander Mackendrick on Film-making with Paul Cronin

Where
The London Film School
24 Shelton Street, London, England WC2H 9UB

When
22 Sat Sep- Sun 23 Sep, 2007

More info at London Film School

Zombie Walk

TODAY IS BORING is calling, marshaling and hosting a ‘Zombie Walk’: a flash mob convergence of hundreds of zombie-dressed participants trudging through the streets of London, ending up at the Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen for bad zombie movie backdrops and zombie themed DJ sets.

The participation of a film crew, various photographers and professional make-up artists promises to make this one walk of the damned no one will forget! Please note that ultimately, everyone is responsible for their own nouveau zombie aesthetique, although the services of various make-up artists *may* be available for some people, its a good idea to secure your own zombie look in advance of your arrival. If you or someone you know would like to join the ranks of the army of the living dead, please send us an email to be included in our mailing list for updated details as the date approaches!


Zombie Walk
Where
St Paul's Churchyard
London, England EC4M 8AD

When
1:00pm, Sat 22 Sep, 2007

More info at Your life is a film

Exclusive preview screening of Stardust

You are invited to an exclusive preview screening of Stardust.


In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm.

RSVP essential

Exclusive preview screening of Stardust

Where
Odeon Kensington
263 High Street,Kensington,London,W8 6NA

When
10:30am, Sun 7 Oct,2007

Design in Denial

"Once upon a time, designers were celebrated as people who dreamt of transforming the world. Today, it seems as if they are regularly blamed for that transformation: for increasing consumerism or for wasteful obsolescence. Once visionaries; today's designers seems much more cautious.

Even with more access to tools, techniques and materials, designers are happy to restrict their palette for the sake of ethical, social or environmental considerations. Design is seldom discussed in its own terms. Many designers increasingly defend design by doing stuff-other-than-design. In fact, they are more likely to stress design's moral contribution to myriad issues including responsible consumption, social inclusion and sustainable living.

A panel of four designers will question this, asking if it is legitimate, if designers are simply capturing the cultural 'zeitgeist' or if design is in denial?"

In association with the Future Cities Project

Confirmed speakers:
Clive Grinyer, director of design, Orange France Telecom
Austin Williams, director, Future Cities Project; author/illustrator, Architectural Shortcuts: Essential Guides for Building Designers
Patrick Cox, executive creative director, Wolff Olins; designer, London 2012 logo
Tom Dunmore, editor-in-chief, Stuff and www.stuff.tv
Jonathan Barnbrook, typographer/designer and founder of Virus Foundry

Chair: Martyn Perks, design consultant, cScape; member, Future Cities Project

Design in Denial

Where
Design Museum
Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD

When
7:15pm, Mon 1 October 1, 2007

More info at Battle of Ideas

Friendship in the Digital Age

Social networking sites are multiplying at an unprecedented rate, and being taken up by an increasingly wide spectrum of society. But who needs 100, or 1,000, friends? What is the boundary between friendship and networking? Should we treat this desire for community as a positive sign that Western society is not based on selfish individualism? Or are 'friends' simply another 21st-century status symbol?

Speakers:
Mark Vernon, author, The Philosophy of Friendship; Carole Stone, managing director, YouGovStone; MT Rainey, founder of online social network www.horsesmouth.co.uk; Derek Draper, psychotherapist and former adviser to Peter Mandelson, and Kate Hamilton, MD of Gravity Planning and Research, and member of the Friendship Project. Chair: Professor Ray Pahl, co-author of Rethinking Friendship.

Friendship in the Digital Age

Where
ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts)
The Mall, London, England

When
7:00pm, Thurs 27 September, 2007

More info at ICA