More updates will come next week as we finalise more elements.

We, humans, try to surround ourselves with people; spreading the passing like salt around the table; advertising our deaths to the masses in family notice sections and obituaries. Families, who maybe haven’t seen each other for years all migrate to the place of death, offer anecdotes of the afformentioned’s life around a room full of people, looking forward to a free sandwich and a pork pie. We’ve all done it. We’ve all eaten at a dead person’s expense. We have attended to mourn the passing of an individual, but when boiled down, a person’s life; the culmination of 70 odd years planning, from birth, to school, to job to retirement, to death is a half-eaten egg sandwich and a pork pie. Fuck.

The film centers around Gary, a twenty-something, unemployed guy who has a passion for Violin making. Set against the backdrop of his feud with his alcoholic father, the film sees him strive for acceptance in his chosen path.

The film is due to be released into festivals this summer, so when I know of any showings I will update on here. This should be an exciting project, with talented people on board. We will be shooting it on RED, in and around East Manchester.

I will update with pictures and progress over the coming weeks and months.

Image via Wikipedia

As per tradition, although this one is a little late, I’m writing my New Year’s post. I hope everybody had a good 31st December and brought the New Year in with special friends and good times.

2010 saw the end of University and beginning of my plunge into making films for real. I secured funding for a short, met some wonderful people and worked on my first feature film, 2011 sees a continuation of this work, with two short films in February and another feature soon after.

Exciting things are on the horizon for me, as I attempt to start my film company and make it profitable, as well as exploring the world of Grip and the Camera and Electrical Department. Thanks to everybody involved in my 2010, and here to a good 2011!!

Image via Wikipedia

I am sitting, laptop atop my lap, unable to sleep at an ungodly hour; The Simpson’s plays in the corner of my desktop and I sit thinking about the world and what it encompasses for me. At present I am in limbo between Liverpool and Manchester, trudging from place to place every Wednesday evening; work experience at First Take in Liverpool on thursdays. It is a strange life at the moment, as I’m so busy but not getting anything back; I work a 40 hour week with no wages. It’s either silly or unfortunate.

The light is very minimal these days, and it brings with it a grim sense of monotony, the light is nice and the slap of cold air when you step out the house is refreshing, but watching Come Dine With Me at night is unusual. Depending on where I am by Christmas, I shan’t be able to afford presents for anybody, which is a damn shame. I wanted this Christmas to be a goodun’, but I fear my offerings this year will be slim, extremely slim. Next Christmas I shall be able to afford better gifts I hope.

Christmas has come early this year, we are barely half way through November and all the adverts are already on TV, except the obligatory Coca-cola Advert, which is usually the symbol of Christmas for me. The Manchester Christmas Market is already being assembled and the grim sense of obligation hangs in the air. Unfortunately, I will not be visiting the Market until after the 15th December.

ƒ-Hole is slowly coming together. Budgets are being prepared and contract being signed. I fear it may not happen because of lack of match funding, which is such a fucking shame. I’ll have to pull something out of the bag. There’s a huge sense of uncertainty over it now, which I don’t want to be there. I want it to be confirmed and move forward easily and be an amazing film. I want it to succeed. It will succeed.

The 3rd episode of the Simpsons is in full flow, and I must get some sleep. Two meetings tomorrow, which is ok. They are like 1 mile apart and 5 minutes in between though so I may not make it to the second. Fuck.

http://www.indiegogo.com/F-Hole?a=46628&i=shlk

Give generously.

Dan wrote and directed a short film called The Mess Hall of an Online Warrior which has had  fair bit of success both here and abroad and gathered a fair bit of press on its way. I have a feeling it’ll be an awesome experience to work on this project and we should be onto a winner for next year’s festival circuit if we play our cards right.

But yes, I applied for a job at Apple Retail in Manchester and didn’t get it. I’m very annoyed with it to be honest. They were looking for a certain ‘type’ of person not knowledge of Apple’s products. Without blowing my own trumpet, I know a lot about Apple and a lot about their products and how to solve problems, that job should have been mine. I have converted many people to Apple, based on a lot of factors yet because I don’t fit the type, I didn’t get it. Shameful. But I love Apple and all that they do and I’ll stay a loyal customer.

Image by Phil Gyford via Flickr

I have just finished watching the final episode in the TV series based on the film This is England. First and foremost I really enjoyed catching up with characters that I fell in love with in 2007. It was refreshing to see where these characters where 3 years after the film had finished. Woody, Shaun, Lol, Milky and some new faces all coming to life on my television screen.

I first witnessed the magic of Shane Meadows one sunny day at FACT liverpool. It opened my eyes to social realism and gave a sense of hopefulness to develop myself as a film-maker. Although social realism is now slightly overdone in the British film industry today, Shane Meadows was one of the pioneers. My development as a film maker began with This is England and has progressed. I spoke to some film-makers today and gave birth to a new genre of social surrealism, slightly odd but watch this space for more development.

From the first episode down to the last, I have enjoyed every moment on screen, with the exception of various sexual violence and drug use (scenes no-one could possibly enjoy). The range of emotions I have been through during the duration of this series explains exactly why this series can resonate with anybody familiar with these characters or familiar with any human being. As soon as it comes out I will be buying it and watching it again and again. Bring on a 2nd series, but let’s not over do it.

Four parties have been asked by the government to consider taking on the responsibilities of the recently axed UK Film Council, the BBC understands.

The BBC was one body asked to consider taking a lead role in distributing lottery money to film projects.

Channel 4, the British Film Institute and the Film London agency are also believed to have been approached.

Culture minister Ed Vaizey met with key industry figures this week to discuss future public funding of UK film.

Mr Vaizey said the meeting was one of many that would take place before a final decision on future government support is later this autumn.

“I want a robust and co-ordinated strategy to promote the UK as the best place to invest in film-making and to provide real support and advice to film-makers and investors alike,” he said.

“I want to make sure that public funds generate value for a wider audience and are focused where they can really make a difference.”

According to the BBC’s arts editor Will Gompertz, the industry itself believes the Arts Council should have a role in film funding.

“Industry insiders say the simplest mechanism would be for the Arts Council to act as the go-between as they’re already a lottery distributor.”

Founded in 2000, the UK Film Council had an annual budget of £15m to invest in British films.

Earlier this week its chief executive John Woodward announced he will be leaving the organisation in November.

BBC © 2010″