Upcoming: Joseph Gordon-Levitt's HitRECord at The Movies: BFI, London

Taking time out from filming Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises - Joseph Gordon-Levitt is bringing his HITRECORD.ORG project to the London's BFI for one night only.

Grab your cameras and head to BFI Southbank to join Joseph Gordon-Levitt for an interactive evening of original short films, live performance and collaborative RECording. hitRECord is an on-line, open collaborative production company of artists (43,000 and growing!) all under the direction of the company's founder, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. On hitRECord, artists are encouraged to contribute writing, photography, films, animations, music, any creative media in fact, which can then be utilised or remixed by other members in an open creative exchange. Following sell out events at Sundance and SXSW festivals hitRECord come to London for a special one off evening of movie watching and movie making. Are we RECording?

What is hitRECord?

"RegularJOE here. The old media tends to call me Joseph Gordon-Levitt, that being my name and all. Here in the new media, I hit that round red REC button on a regular basis.

HITRECORD.ORG is a project I started almost five years ago now, and in 2010, we evolved into a professional open collaborative production company. We create and develop art and media collaboratively here on our site. Even this introductory video is the remixed result of a great many contributions. So rather than just exhibiting and admiring each other's work as isolated individuals, we gather here to collectively work on projects together. Videos, writing, photography, music, anything -- we call them all RECords.

Now and then, when I think something we've made has come out especially well, I approach the traditional entertainment industry to turn our work into money-making productions; and then we share any profits with the contributing artists.started almost five years ago now, and in 2010, we evolved into a professional open collaborative production company. We create and develop art and media collaboratively here on our site. Even this introductory video is the remixed result of a great many contributions. So rather than just exhibiting and admiring each other's work as isolated individuals, we gather here to collectively work on projects together. Videos, writing, photography, music, anything -- we call them all RECords.

HitRECord at The Movies: BFI, London

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

When:
8:30pm, Sat 2 July, 2011

More info:
Over at the BFI website

Face the Funders - Finance your film in the UK

Non-Multiplex Cinema & Co-Production Factory present a new, open-ended series of panel and networking events.


The aim: to get independent film-makers to be confident, business-minded, informed and ready to meet their goals. Events to be held regularly, at quarterly intervals, to ensure that film-makers become increasingly familiar and at ease with their peers and counterparts in the UK film industry.

Face the Funders - finance your film in the UK
Panellists to include:

Maggie Ellis - Head of Production & Talent Development, Film London
Maggie is responsible for the production and talent development unit of Film London, vertically integrating all of the agency's commissioning of film and training through production. She has responsibility for managing the challenging and innovative micro-budget feature film fund, as well as FLAMIN (Film London Artists' Moving Image Network).

David Marlow - Producer & Consultant (SilverLight Media)
David has over thirty years experience in film & television and has developed, produced and secured finance for a wide range of productions. At panel he will focus on the UK Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) from the producer's point of view and will outline a viable model for funding mid-budget UK feature films under current tax and economic conditions.

Agnieszka Moody - Media Desk UK
Agnieszka is director of the MEDIA Desk UK, responsible for promoting the European funding programme, MEDIA 2007, in the UK as well as giving information and advice about it. She has helped over three hundred British companies secure EU funding for media projects. Her prior experience is in independent film production in the UK and abroad.

Phil Rymer - Media Lawyer & Executive Producer
Phil has over 17 years experience in both independent and studio production. Before establishing Rymer Media Law, he was General Manager and Director of Legal and Business Affairs for Mel Gibson's Icon Entertainment. Prior to this he successfully funded a slate of UK productions for Ruby Films, including The Other Boleyn Girl and Sylvia.

Karl Dye - Film Finance, Coutts Bank
Commercial Banker, Media Team:- film production finance against pre-sale cover (contract discounting) and other collateral; providing working capital against the value of intellectual property rights; understanding and working with available tax schemes; production account management.

Martin Carr - Producer (Formosa Films)
Martin has many years experience as a feature film & TV producer, having worked with some of the UK's best writing and directing talents, such as Geoff Thompson and Danny Boyle. Formosa Films' first feature 'CLUBBED' was funded with a combination of EIS, UK Film Tax Credit and regional finance. Followed this year by the film 'twenty8k', written by Paul Abbott.

Face the Funders - Finance your film in the UK

Where:
Deloitte Auditorium, 1st Floor, 2 New Street Square, London EC4A 3TR

When:
7:00 - 10:00pm, Thurs 9 Sep, 2010- intermission for drinks - networking before & after event

More info:
Over at the Non-Multiplex Cinema website

Chris Jones talks Guerilla Film Making

Chris Jones author of The Guerilla Film Maker's Pocketbook shares his experiences of making micro-budget features and shorts.

The Guerilla Film Makers Handbook series has sold over 100,000 copies around the world and taught thousands of emerging film makers the key skills needed to make their own great movies and launch a career. To celebrate the release of the latest book in the series, The Guerilla Film Maker’s Pocketbook, we are thrilled to welcome author and filmmaker Chris Jones to discuss his work and share his experiences of making micro-budget features and shorts. Chris will also be signing copies of the book in the Filmstore after the talk.

Chris Jones talks Guerilla Film Making

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

When:
6:00pm, Tues 2 Sep, 2010

More info:
Over at the BFI website

Directing with Corneliu Porumboui at the LFS

Screening of 12:08 East of Bucharest, followed by Q&A with Corneliu Porumboui Winner of the Cannes Camera d'Or (for best first film)


12:08 East of Bucharest
It's the 22nd of December. Sixteen years have passed since the revolution, and in a small town Christmas is about to come. Piscoci, an old retired man is preparing for another Christmas alone. Manescu, the history teacher, tries to keep up with his debts. Jderescu, the owner of a local television post, seems not to be so interested in the upcoming holidays. For him, the time to face history has come. Along with Manescu and Piscoci, he is trying to answer for himself a question which for 16 years has not had an answer: "Was it or wasn't it a revolution in their town?" Written by Alex from IMDB

Directing with Corneliu Porumboui at the LFS
Corneliu's current film: Police, Adjective is screening on the 2nd July at Curzon Mayfair as part of the Romanian Film Festival 2-4 July.

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

When:
6:00pm, Thurs 1 Jul, 2010

Actor/Filmmaker Collaboration with Mike Leigh and Imelda Staunton at the LFS

Screening of Vera Drake, followed by case study with Director Mike Leigh and Actor Imelda Staunton.

Vera Drake has won numerous awards, including the Golden Lion at Venice and an Academy Award nomination for Mike Leigh, with Imelda Staunton garnering numerous Best Actress prizes, including BAFTA, Venice and European Film Awards and also Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

Vera Drake
Vera Drake is a selfless woman who is completely devoted to, and loved by, her working class family. She spends her days doting on them and caring for her sick neighbor and elderly mother. However, she also secretly visits women and helps them induce miscarriages for unwanted pregnancies. While the practice itself was illegal in 1950s England, Vera sees herself as simply helping women in need, and always does so with a smile and kind words of encouragement. When the authorities finally find her out, Vera's world and family life rapidly unravel. Written by Sujit R. Varma from IMDB

Actor/Filmmaker Collaboration with Mike Leigh and Imelda Staunton at the LFS

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

When:
7:00pm, Fri 18 June, 2010

Stellar Network Social Night

Next Wednesday 16th June the Stellar Network will be taking over The Book Club, the coolest bar in Old Street.

Stellar Network is a not-for-profit membership organisation for creative professionals working within London’s theatre, film, TV and digital media industries. Created for emerging and mid-level professionals, Stellar brings together talent to strengthen and invigorate the creative industries by sharing resources, contacts and knowledge.

Join them for a glass of Pimms (or two!) and meet some Happy Shiny People like yourselves.

Any questions, concerns or general comments email Hannah on uk@stellarnetwork.com



Stellar Network Social Night

Where:
The Book Club, 100 Leonard Street,

When:
7:00pm, Weds 16 June,2010

No booking necessary- just turn up!

Monsters & Gareth Edwards the one man film revolution

Gareth Edwards is a bit of a hero of mine. I first heard of him when I did fxphd's AFX301 - A Guerrilla Filmmakers Guide to After Effects . Which actually turned out to be Gareth Edwards going through the work flow and shot by shot breakdown of how he made a TV film called "Heroes and Villains - Attila the Hun". For some context - Attila the Hun is basically a pared down TV version of Oliver Stone's Alexander or Wolfgang Petersen's Troy or Ridley Scot's Gladiator or you get the picture with the exception that in essence one guy put it together on his laptop. If you are at all interested in digital film making I recommend this course. After seeing Gareth Edwards in action you understand that the tag being applied to him of a "revolutionary filmmaker" is not hyperbole.

Too be honest I was astounded and couldn't understand why I had not heard of him before. A quick IMDB search showed that he had worked as a visual wiz on a couple of TV shows. But his adeptness at creating an Epic spectacle single handedly marked him as a super talent.

A little while later I heard that a Gareth Edwards had won the 2008 SCI-FI-LONDON's 48 hour film making challenge Factory Farmed.

Here is Edwards talking to the SCI-FI-LONDON team about making Factory Farmed.

Subsequently I had heard the same rumblings about Gareth Edwards's Monsters that you have heard. Here is SCI-FI-LONDON festival Founder & Director Louis Savy introducing the opening film of the 2010 SCI-FI-LONDON Festival Splice and the 48hr film challenge winner Abducted by the Shoot The Runner team. He starts off by talking about previous winner Gareth Edwards and what he has gone on to.

Which bring us to the clip below released yesterday by Best Buy about Edwards talking about making Monsters and some great insight into low budget film making.

Monsters
A hip, compelling road movie/romance ... with massive octopi from space.

Multi-talented Gareth Edwards wrote, shot, directed and created the visual effects for this beautifully made amalgam of monster movie and wrong-side-of-the-tracks love story – think District 9 meets It Happened One Night. Contact with alien life has gone horribly wrong, and large parts of South America are dangerously infested. It falls to rough-edged young photojournalist Andrew to track down and save the rich-kid daughter of his boss, and get her out alive...

Having looked at the Edinburgh's International Festival line up. I'm a little jealous that I won't be up there this year.

Monsters & Gareth Edwards the one man film revolution

Monsters

Director:
Gareth Edwards

Starring:
Whitney Able, Scoot McNairy

2010, UK, 90 mins

Where:
Filmhouse 1
88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9BZ

When:
10:15pm, Fri 18 June, 2010
6:00pm, Sat 19 June, 2010

More info:
Over at the Edinburgh's International Festival website

Kodak Video Contest

Brief: The Real Kodak moment happens when you share.

Create a 30 -60 seconds video for Kodak to show how "The Real Kodak moment happens when you share" to be used across multiple mediums, including broadcast, online and in-store execution to win an all expenses paid VIP trip to the MOFILM awards in Cannes, France on June 22nd with guest Jon Landau, Producer of Avatar and Titanic. Other prizes include KODAK Digital Cameras, Pocket Video Cameras, Digital Frames and Motion Picture Film!

As the soul & science of imaging, only Kodak creates emotional technology that makes it easier to make, manage, and moves images and information to enhance and strengthen human relationships. We believe that the world will be a better place when we all fully commit to strengthening relationships.

The moments we capture can stir powerful emotions. But if we don’t share them, they lose their power. That’s why we believe that the real Kodak moment happens when a picture is shared. The real Kodak moment is the laugh, the goosebump, the smile, the tear; the moment that renders you breathless or even speechless.

No other company empowers people with the easiest, most intuitive, most
creative ways to make these moments happen.

Kodak Video Contest

Deadline:
Tues 8 Jun, 2010

More info:Over at the Mo Film website

Producing with Iain Smith at the LFS

Screening of Children of Men followed by Q&A with producer and LFS alumnus Iain Smith (The Fountain, Cold Mountain, The Fifth Element, The Killing Fields) Starring Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Julianne Moore, Danny Huston (an LFS alumnus)

Children of Men
Set in 2027, when no child has been born for 18 years and science is at loss to explain the reason, African and East European societies collapse and their dwindling populations migrate to England and other wealthy nations. In a climate of nationalistic violence, a London peace activist turned bureaucrat Theo Faron, joins forces with his revolutionary ex-wife Julian in order to save mankind by protecting a woman who has mysteriously became pregnant. Written by Ryan Devlin from IMDB

Producing with Iain Smith at the LFS

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

When:
5:30pm, Mon 24 May, 2010

How to Build a Camera Jib for Under £140 ($200) - Film Riot

Film Riot brings you the best DIY filmmaking tips to help you do movie, video and film special effects on the cheap. It's not just how-to though. Delivered by real film makers, the show is interesting, entertaining, and wrapped in a hilarious easy to swallow coating.

How to Build a Camera Jib for Under £140 ($200) - Film Riot

Film Riot is a how-to trip through filmmaking from the hyper-active mind of Ryan Connolly. From how to make great effects to following Triune Films through production, Film Riot explores the art of filmmaking in a way you've never seen.

How to Build a Camera Jib for Under £140 ($200) - Film Riot

More info:Over at the Film Riot website

SCI-FI-LONDON 9 - Day 4: Life in 2050 Film Treatment Workshop

SFL: Lab or Sci-Fi-London: Lab Programme is a series of workshops, discussions, stand up comedy, debates, talks and the chance to interact with Sci-Fi filmmakers and writers.


Life in 2050 Film Plotting and Science coherence workshop
"This workshop has a mission and needs your help! At SFL we want to see more low-budget, British, science fiction films made: films that look into the near future and challenge some of the decisions humanity is making today. Will there really be clones mining the surface of the Moon for Helium 3? Will the sea levels have risen so high that there are only a few survivors living in giant Arks?

Sci-Fi London 9 : 2050 Film Treatment Workshop
Originally uploaded by Craig Grobler

Using the fantastic Hunterian Museum as inspiration and with the professional skills of a screenwriter and an author to assist you, try your hand at devising a plausible sci-fi movie idea, set in 2050. You could steer clear of bug-eyed aliens and focus on something closer to home. Whether it is Fantastic Journey, Coma or Moon in feel, make it feel real. By the end of the day, we want you to have worked out your basic drama and plot."

In the build up the Lab it had a real Sundance feel to it; it was about developing a treatment for a film, attendees were all interested in filmmaking or at least developing a story for a film, there was going to be guidance from people in the know and there was the promise of cylinder firing coffee. All in all, definitely my kind of thing and I was lucky enough to get a place for the Life in 2050 Film Treatment Workshop as places were snapped up really quickly.

The gist of the Treatment Workshop was that it was to be the opportunity to gleam insight from the people who understood the Science as well as the Fiction in Science Fiction and then have that insight shaped into a plausible sci-fi movie idea, circa 2050.


The workshop was hosted by science fiction writers Philip Palmer and Tony Ballantyne representing the Fiction and Environmental Scientist Jonathan Cowie and Microbiologist Dr. Simon Park to cover the Science part.

The format for the day long workshop was to loosely follow the framework below:

• Introduction to the Film Plotting and Science coherence workshop and the panel by Robert Grant (Literary Editor for SCI-FI-LONDON). He also set the scene by laying down the foundation theme for the day “extrapolation”.

• A quick run through of the day from Philip Palmer
• A short talk from Tony Ballantyne about the difference between idea and story
• Think about/discuss someone you know. Use that persons personality/traits as the basis for a character.
• Discussion of character driven plots.

• An interesting stimulus talk from environmental Scientist Jonathan Cowie about the importance of accurate Science in Science Fiction and what we can expect from life around the middle of this century. Forthcoming surprises include; a certainty that technology will advance, increases in population a shortage of resources including; energy, water & food culminating in John Beddington’s “The Perfect Storm”. But all is not lost because we can change. Cowie also pointed out that possibly Artificial Sentience may be a more important breakthrough than Artificial Intelligence.

It was about that point for the first time the relevance of SCI-FI-LONDON 9’s theme of Life in 2050 dawned on me. It wasn’t some random year from the future - it could well be the crossroads of survival of the earth.

• Brainstorm ideas and develop them into scenarios. One of the throw out ideas from this session was, well I think Tony Ballantyne described it perfectly on his blog.
  

“…but we began to discuss possible stories. Philip Palmer was rather taken by the looming phosphorus shortage and we spent a happy time discussing recycling skeletons. As Philip kept pointing out, the key to a script is great visuals, so we imagined skeletons on buses, Gothic churchyard scenes and piles and piles of bones…”

Turns out earth needs phosphorus for fertilisation and “has no synthetic alternative, is being mined, used and wasted as never before.” The typical cycle of phosphorus helping plants grow, then running off into the seas to be returned by volcanoes has been interrupted by man, hence catastrophe when we run out of phosphorus.

Naturally I spun off to the future world of “BONES” where although man had ruined the world in a war he has come to terms with most of the problems facing the biodiversity (apart from the phosphorus shortage), split humanity into two societies, 30% in their walled off utopia supported by the other 70% in a wasteland “harvesting” human bones to ensure Utopia’s ongoing survival. The majority of the both unaware of the other societies existence.

Some of the colourful citizens of wasteland include:

- Harvesting colonies where non sentient and genetically modified life forms where grown so that there large bone growth could be harvested for their phosphorus content

- Bone Raiders marauding raiders that service the black marker by digging up, procuring or de-boning both humans and animals. Years without protection in the wastelands have caused the elements/irradiated bacteria to mutate the Raiders - Hell I don’t know what the changes are; increased resilience, immunity to something or other, sight in the dark, increased speed/strength, webbed arms, an addiction to calcium, etc. But what ever it is I’m sure it will be important later in the plot.

The fragile balance between earth and the two societies is ticking along but complications arise (thanks Dov) as Utopia has stockpiled sufficient phosphorus to fuel there needs for the foreseeable future and will no longer need the harvesting colonies.

Into this world comes "BONES" a freak of nature. Remember the genetically modified life forms? Well one of them via a plot device (only to be revealed later on in the story) has developed sentience and whilst hooked up to the life support/gene infusion pod becomes self aware and although it only has the mental capacity of a young child it’s developing and learning from its environment. BONES’s increased growth & modification means that it has a big deformed body composed mainly of super bone making him stronger and almost unbreakable. Yea I’m still going through a film tough guys really aren't just regular guys that need to find there inner hero, they are film tough guys for a reason period. Just realised that BONES always has a stogie hanging from his lip because his body doesn't generate some sort of chemical that’s needed so he gets it from sucking in the fumes from dead leaves or something or other.

Anyway BONES has been adopted by one of the female harvesters who wants to mother him. BONES has also got the attention of one of the senior Bone Raiders who sees the potential in him as a living weapon. A tug of war over BONES develops between the female harvester and the Bone Raider.

Our story picks up as the clock is ticking down in the final chaotic days before one of the harvesting colonies is to shut. Will BONES become a Killing machine for the Raiders? Will he develop empathy under his surrogate mother? Will he wander the wastelands like an avenging Samurai clearing it of the Bone Raiders? Will he save the Harvesting Colony by taking down the Utopian society? Will he save humanity by merging Utopia and the Wasteland? Will we find the answers to these questions before the sequel BONE2: FRACTURED UTOPIA (the original title BON2 DRY has been snapped up by a Lance Henriksen/Luke Goss film)

Anyway that was off the top of my head and also unfortunately signalled the end of my day as I was off exploring the wastelands with the Child warrior saviour.

• Flesh out a scenario(s) for your character, drawing on the panel for advice and guidance

• Lunch
• Tour of The Hunterian Museum - Also feeding the stimulus gland was our location as the workshop was held in the awe/fear inducing Hunterian Museum part of The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The Hunterian Museum has to be seen to be believed it’s like an Encyclopaedia Incredibilica of animal and human specimens. It’s a little gruesome and the only reason you haven’t seen pics of the displays pasted all over the Internet is because there are strict rules governing public exposure to human tissue.
  

Click the image below to let Joshua McGovern, a Year 10 student from Twyford Church of England High School, London explain a little more about the Hunterian Museum – From the Hunterian Museum website

• Read out some scenarios and discuss them with the panel
• Talk about techniques to flesh out your plot using the elements “developed” earlier

• Stimulus talk from Microbiologist Dr. Simon Park about Microbes: Tales of the unexpected - turns out Bacteria are smart, communicate, hunt in packs, are very active, travel light and outnumber us. I guess the only point not addressed is why they haven’t conquered the Earth yet?

• Brainstorm ideas and develop them into scenarios add them to the “plot”.
• Flesh out a scenario(s) for your character, drawing on the panel for advice and guidance
• Discuss ideas developed so far and how they may progress
• Handover notes to be posted online at SFL
• Closing & Feedback

It’s worth noting that although authors Tony Ballantyne and Philip Palmer did not have speaking “slots” they interjected, answered questions and led lively debate on many most points.

Both Ballantyne and Philip Palmer supplied interesting notes that could be used for reference. Ballantyne’s notes where about extrapolating ideas. His notes are copyrighted so I can’t recreate them here but they covered; Orange alien landscapes that turn out to be the insides of a “The Jar of Tang” and other cop outs see here: http://www.critters.org/turkeycity.html), “Great Science Fiction Inventions” about inventions that drive plots and a list of points to consider when “How Does an Idea become a Story”.

If you’re interested I’m sure Tony Ballantyne can be harassed into allowing access to his 1 page reference sheet on his blog over here http://tonyballantyne.wordpress.com

Philip Palmer’s notes were more focussed on the practicalities of “Film Treatments and Script Formats ” and he also put forward a recommended reading list for budding film writers. Again I’m sure Palmer can be convinced to allow access to his two sheeter on his blog over here: http://www.philippalmer.net/

In theory by the end of the day we should have worked out a basic drama and plot. However and as I explained earlier I was sidelined by a severe B Grade Sci-Fi flick that needed immediate casting with undiscovered talent and further development. Add to this the over- stimulation caused by the specimens in the Hunterian Museum and the great talks from both Jonathan Cowie & Dr. Simon Park covering science fact that was more incredible than most sci-fi we see on screen today. Spinning us off into a myriad of different directions & possible themes whilst making it blinding obvious that nature truly is more fantastic than anything we can imagine.

All in all I had a terrific day, great stimulating talks from genuinely interesting people, interacting creatively with like minds as well as walked away with some useful insight that I hope to forward. I hope that this workshop serves as test case for SCI-FI-LONDON doing more of this kind of stuff particularly Labs with writers and filmmakers shaping ideas.

SCI-FI-LONDON 9 - Day 4: Life in 2050 Film Treatment Workshop

More info at SCI-FI-LONDON

Sci-Fi-London: What I needed to know before going - Sci-Fi-London 9

With the 48 Hour Film making Challenge submissions being judged and only 2 weeks to go until one of the UK’s premiere film & Sci-Fi events: SCI-FI-LONDON kicks off. I’m going to be bringing you news and information about SCI-FI-LONDON in the run up, as well as excitingly from the festival as it happens! I have already reserved some seats and earmarked others for closer investigation.

SCI-FI-LONDON festival ident
Uploaded by SFLTV. - Full seasons and entire episodes online.

However that’s the future this post is about stuff that I wanted to know before I visited the SCI-FI-LONDON festival for the first time.

What’s it all about?
SCI-FI-LONDON was started by Sci-Fi fan Louis Savy back in 2001. Borne out of an argument, in which the opposing side believed that Sci-Fi is too niche. To counter this Savy decided to start an event that showed good films (that happened to be Science Fiction) and talks about SCI-FI-LONDON as a Sci-Fi festival for non Sci-Fi fans.

Fast Forward to 2010 and now in its 9th year SCI-FI-LONDON is one of the UK’s premiere film events and is seen as the opening of London Film Season which ends with the London Film Festival in October. On my first visit it became apparent that SCI-FI-LONDON is more than just a film festival it's a platform that actively promotes thinking and engaging with real issues within the Sci-Fi realm as well as the real world. It also gives Sci-Fi aficionados the chance to interact with renowned Sci-Fi thinkers and Futurists! What does this all mean you may ask?

Well like Science Fiction, a single encompassing answer would do the festival a disservice so read on and hopefully it will become clearer.


When is it?
SCI-FI-LONDON is an annual event that typically stretches over a week at the end of April to make the most of the Bank holiday. This year the Festival runs from Weds 28 April till Mon 3 May. There are a couple of satellite events that take place at other times of the year including Oktoberfest a mini festival that takes place in October.

What happens?
Every year a central theme is chosen as focus for the festival. This year the festival looks at LIFE IN 2050.

From the SCI-FI-LONDON website:

“Okay, so it is 2010, but wouldn’t it be fun to get a glimpse of how life might feel in 2050? Recently we have focused on the achievements of 40 years ago: the moon landing, the start of Arpanet (the origin of the Internet) and the humble computer mouse, and even the launch of the Jumbo Jet. The way we live has certainly altered – we travel and communicate faster than ever; we touchscreen our way around information and carry 1000s of songs in our pockets.

But what next? In 2050 what will we be nostalgic about? How will our daily lives be different? Work, travel, socialising... will anyone still smoke?

For this edition of the festival, we put LIFE IN 2050 under the spotlight. We have put together a series of themed LAB sessions in which to investigate the future of science, society and culture over the next 40 years.”

The Festival itself consists of Film screenings and participatory events such as workshops, exhibitions or debates. This year the programme which is available in full here consists of:

Films
The film shown typically eschews big American style blockbusters (although they do surface occasionally) and focuses on good films that integrally have Sci-Fi at their core. Some of the screenings may have introductions or QA sessions after. Check individual listings.

Some of the films shown will be having their UK Premiere or preview screenings well in advance of their release date. The opening night and closing night screenings are special and tickets for Splice & Cargo will go quickly so get your orders in asap.


Other screenings include; special once off screenings, classic screenings, free screenings (you need to book before the screening). Some will be little known works from masters of the genre, this year SFL looks at Polish Cinema.

Some of the films will be shown In situ with others of its genus as part of an all-nighter marathon including; Starcraft II All-nighter, Comedy All-nighter, Japan Alive All-nighter and Manga All-nighter

There are also 2 short film sessions taking place. These sessions are about 2 hours in length and made of a variety of short films. As well as Documentary screenings.

Events
Most of the events are interactive and participation is encouraged. Some of the events are Gala opportunities to celebrate, some are invitation only events, others are debates, some hands on workshops and others the opportunity to interact with like minded individuals.


Where does SCI-FI-LONDON take place?
Nearly all of SCI-FI-LONDON 09 will take place in the centre of London at the space age Apollo Cinema Piccadilly Circus (19 Lower Regent Street, London, SW1Y 4LR). But some events will take place at other venues, do check individual listings before booking.

What do I need to come along to an event or a couple of events?
Two things: book or reserve your ticket and then turn up for the event.

For film screenings there are 4 price bands. Check the SCI-FI-LONDON site to ensure that prices are still current.

1. Screenings after 6.00pm - £12.00 (concs £8.50)
2. Screenings Before 6.00pm - £8.00 (concs £6.50)
3. All-nighters - £30.00 (no concs)
4. Special screenings – Free

Events

1. All SCI-FI-LONDON LAB events - £4.00 (concs £3.00)
2. Special events - Free

What if I want to attend a number of screenings or events?
There are details of multi ticket offers and discounts on the SCI-FI-LONDON website.

Information, booking details and details of special offers can be found over at the SCI-FI-LONDON website

What do I do if I'm going to 2 events a couple of hours apart, or have some time to kill before an event?
The Apollo Cinema Piccadilly Circus is comfortable and for the duration of SCI-FI-LONDON - a hub of activity there is; a bar, refreshment area, comfortable seating, possibly a DJ (some of the time), as well as demo Game consoles to try your hand at some of the latest and greatest games. Or you could explore nearby London you will after all be in the heart of one of the greatest cities in the world.

What’s the general atmosphere of the festival? Do you have to dress up?
Laid back with lots of friendly new faces about. Think of it as a whole lot of people interested in aspects of the same thing converging in one place. Wear what ever you feel comfortable in (including Cosplay) although nakedness will probably be frowned upon. If you are going to be exploring London wear comfortable shoes. It’s probably worth noting that goody/SWAG bags are handed out randomly at screenings and events to add to the cheer. See laid back with lots of friendly new faces about. Often groups will hang around the bar area after screenings or head off to a nearby pub to discuss the days happenings.

What about travel, accommodation, etc.
SCI-FI-LONDON covers this on their website so head over here for more information.

I think that covers the basics for now but head over to the SCI-FI-LONDON website as there is a wealth of information, the full SCI-FI-LONDON 09 Programme, forums, more videos than you can shake a stick out, Podcasts and merchandise.

What I needed to know about Sci-Fi-London before going.

Where
Apollo Apollo Piccadilly Circus
19 Regent Street, London, SW1Y 4LR

When
Weds 28 April - Mon 3 May, 2010

More info at SCI-FI-LONDON or get tickets at 0871 220 6000 or directly through the Apollo Cinemas Website

Exclusive: On the set of Aliens photography

Despite being warned by well meaning associates James Cameron was determined to create a follow up to Ridley Scott's masterpiece Alien.

He started working on ideas for his sequel as early as 1983 whilst he was kicking off production on Terminator. Cameron faced many obstacles but was eventually promised that if Terminator was successful he would have a crack at it.

In 1986 and for a budget $18 million Aliens was filmed at Pinewood Studios, production lasted ten months. Some scenes of the Alien nest were shot in a decommissioned power plant in Acton, London. This was used as the Axis Chemical Plant in Batman.

In the audio clip below James Cameron talks to Francine Stock at BAFTA about his desire to make Aliens. The clip starts just after he has spoken about friends warning him that making a sequel to Ridley Scott's Alien would be a no win scenario. As there would always be comparisons between the two and Alien is considered a Sci-Fi masterpiece.

James Cameron talks about his Life in Pictures by The Establishing Shot

Mr Stephen Begg set dressing the The Weyland Yutani Atmosphere Processor (A.P.) from Aliens.

Mr Stephen Begg set dressing the The Weyland Yutani Atmosphere Processor from Aliens, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Aliens Cloud Shoot for Drop Ship Sequence
Early test using Mark Roberts Motion Contriol rig and periscope lens with either a supafrost or a pro mist filter taped to front.

Aliens Cloud Shoot for Drop Ship Sequence, originally uploaded by Stefan the Cameraman.

Aliens Cloud Shoot for Drop Ship Sequence, originally uploaded by Stefan the Cameraman.

Aliens Cloud test., originally uploaded by Stefan the Cameraman.

Background plate about to be filmed for drop ship re-entry sequence. Clouds made of Fibrefill.

Aliens Cloud Shoot, originally uploaded by Stefan the Cameraman.

Marines Drop Ship
For the design of the Aliens Drop Ship, Concept artists were asked to incorporate subliminal acknowledgments to the Vietnam War, which included designing the Aliens Drop Ship as a combination of a F-4 Phantom II and AH-1 Cobra.

Drop Ship miniature for re-entry sequence in front of Motion Control Rig. I think this is a smaller model for wider shots, there was a larger one which had opening wings etc. We are looking up, it is hanging upside down so that the wires are on the blind side of the lens. Apparently Derek Meddings sometimes used to shoot upside down in the Gerry Anderson days because the audience wouldn't be looking for the wires underneath. (Obviously Derek himself wasn't actually upside down)

Aliens Drop Ship, originally uploaded by Stefan the Cameraman.

From http://www.alienexperience.com Syd Mead talking about the Aliens Drop Ship design,

“On to the drop ship. I did a very complete design job for the DROP SHIP design; longitudinal section fitting the assault tractor into the hold, the articulation of the armament pods and the landing posture; tracks at the rear and skids at the front. I liked it and I guess Cameroon liked it too, but my design was a casualty of the movie’s fast paced production. The drop ship was first built as a camera angle prop in the drop bay set, and then a model was made to link visually with the partial drop ship set piece. The assault tractor became a dressed 747 plane tow truck, ‘de-leaded’ and covered with appliqués.

The whole production went to Pinewood soon after I’d submitted my designs for the SULACO, and the other transport items. The rest of the props and vehicles, etc. were all done there. I had no further involvement. ”

Aliens Drop Ship, originally uploaded by Stefan the Cameraman.

More stills of the smaller drop ship miniature being filmed at Peerless Camera Co. in Covent Garden. The backlit Blue Screen behind was originally built for John Dykstra and Space Vampires.

Aliens Drop Ship, originally uploaded by Stefan the Cameraman.

Exclusive: On the set of Aliens photography

How to Write for Screen: Film & TV Masterclass

Do you want to write for film or television? How do you go about learning the best way to tell your stories in script format? What books (and scripts) should you read? Do you need to do a degree in scriptwriting or can you do short courses? Who should you submit to and what should you submit? Are film and television writers different from novelists?

This Masterclass will answer all these questions and more. So if you want to write for film or television, don't miss this event with a distinguished panel from film, TV and books.

The London Book Fair, in association with the Daily Mail and FOYLES, is delighted to announce two Masterclass seminars for aspiring authors and scriptwriters this year.

Bestselling author and acclaimed TV writer David Nicholls (COLD FEET, STARTER FOR TEN), Dr Craig Batty (author and Senior Lecturer in Screenwriting, Bournemouth University), Paul Ashton (Producer at BBC writersroom) join Chair Julian Friedmann (Blake Friedman, Literary, TV & Film Agent) for the HOW TO WRITE FOR SCREEN: FILM & TV MASTERCLASS.

The London Book Fair Masterclass sessions have established themselves as must-attend events for the public and are designed to place a focus on creative writing and provide invaluable tips for aspiring authors on how to get their work published.

How to Write for Screen: Film & TV Masterclass

Where
Conference Centre Rooms 1 & 2, Earls Court 1
Warwick Road, London, SW5 9TA

When
2.30pm - 5pm, Saturday 17 April, 2010

For more information & tickets head over to: The London Book Fair

JAMES BOND mania at Fan Fest 2010

Fan Fest and the London Film Museum have teamed up to bring us Fan Fest - The Ultimate Spy And Sci-fi Event. Although this is not an official Bond event but looking at the programme it promises to be the biggest and best Bond related event this year, as well as a must visit for film fans.

Fan Festival is proud to present their first collectors convention and signing event at the London Film Museum in County Hall.

Fan Fest events include:
- An exhibition Of Original Props And Costumes
- Spy School For Jr. Spies
- Collectibles
- Real Spy Experiences
- Speed Boat Rides On The Thames
- Biggest Signing Of Bond And Sci Fi Actors & Actresses
- QA Sessions with the stars
- An exclusive lifetime achievement award ceremony hosted by Cinema Retro Magazine for Sir Christopher Lee (Separate tickets for this are available)

The weekend of the 24th and 25th April 2010 will be packed with opportunities to meet some of your favourite actors and actresses from the movie industry. Stars of the British film industry will be on hand for signings among the collector’s tables and exhibition pieces on display.

Exhibition pieces on display will include:
Little Nellie – The autogyro from You Only Live Twice.

If you didn't see my previous Bond 23 catchup post, this is an excerpt regarding Nellie.

"Whilst chatting to the London Film Museum team (@ldnfilmmuseum) it was mentioned that Little Nellie (James Bond's Gyroscope from You Only Live Twice) had arrived for Fan Fest and was in the building. No need to mention that my anticipation level for Fan Fest shot up. With the lineup they are programming Fan Fest may be the best film event this year."

Picture taken at the Imperial War Museum as part of the For Your Eyes Only Exhibition

From Iron Man – Tony Stack’s prototype suit he uses to escape the desert as worn by Robert Downey Jr.
To celebrate the launch of Clash of the Titans we shall have original props and costumes on display.

Guests attending will include:

James Bond himself
James Bond - George Lazenby (On Her Majesty's Secret Service)

Bond Villains
Jaws - Richard Kiel (Mean Machine, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker)
Mr. White - Jesper Christensen (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace)
Necros - Andreas Wisniewski (The Living Daylights)
Eric Kriegler - John Wyman (For Your Eyes Only)
The Meyer Twins (Octopussy)
Mr. Ling - Burt Kwouk (Pink Panther Series, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice )

Bond Allies
Shane Rimmer (The Spy Who Loved Me, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds are Forever, Thunderbirds)
Christopher Muncke (The Spy Who Loved Me, Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope)
Sadruddin - Albert Moses (Octopussy, Man Who Would Be King, The Awakening)
Stanley Morgan (Dr No)
John Moreno (For Your Eyes Only, Sweeney)
Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy)
Santos - Alkis Kritikos (For Your Eyes Only)

Bond Girls
Octopussy - Maud Adams - (The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy)
Carole Ashby (Octopussy, A View to A Kill)
Martine Beswick (From Russia with Love, Thunderball, 1,000,000 years BC, Hammer films)
Pussy Galore - Honor Blackman (The Avengers, Goldfinger)
Miss Moneypenny - Caroline Bliss
Naomi - Caroline Munro (Hammer, Bond, The Abominable Dr. Phibes)
Marayam d'Abo (The Living Daylights, Leon the Pigfarmer, Dr. Zhivago, TV)
Edward De Souza (Hammer, Bond)
Jill Masterson - Shirley Eaton (Goldfinger, Carry On)
Mary Goodnight - Britt Ekland (Wicker Man, Get Carter, The Man with the Golden Gun)
Caron Gardner (Goldfinger, The Saint)
Sylvia Trench - Eunice Gayson (Dr. No, From Russia With Love)
Kate Gayson (Goldeneye)
Jenny Hanley (Magpie, Bond, Hammer)
Helene Hunt (Octopussy)
Madeline Smith (Countess Dracula, Live and Let Die)
Dolly - Blanche Ravalec (Moonraker)
The Golden Girl - Margaret Nolan (Goldfinger, Carry On)
Deborah Moore (Goldeneye, Die Another Day )
Tilly Masterson - Tania Mallet (Goldfinger)
Valerie Leon (Carry On Films, Hammer Films, The Spy Who Loved Me, The Italian Job, Never Say Never Again, Revenge of the Pink Panther, The Hai Karate Girl )
Bettine LeBeau (Dr No)

And makers of the magic
World famous armourer - Terry English (Clash of the Titans 2010 Excalibur, Aliens, Sword of the Valiant)
Double Oscar Winning Special Effects Wizard - Brian Johnson (Alien)
Special Effects legend - Bob Keen (Hellraiser, Highlander, Empire Strikes Back)

James BOND mania at Fan Fest 2010
Where
The London Film Museum
County Hall, Riverside Building next to London Eye
South Bank, London SE1

When
10:00am to 6:00pm, Sat 24th & Sun 25th April, 2010 (Last entry at 5pm)

More info and tickets available at FAN FEST or at The London Film Museum