Wednesday, October 31, 2007

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - Marked For Death

What a load of rubbish !

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - Abigail's Party

This is fantastic ! Ha ha ! My mum had the same picture of Adam and Eve and that massive swan !

Arcade Fire Last Night






Awesome. Here are a few (shaky) photos. I wished they played for longer. I wished they played Crown Of Love. Never mind. Well worth the wait !

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

I'll Get You Blakey

Save The Cat Spectacular
Blake Snyder's Screenwriting Weekend
Saturday/Sunday 24/25 November
Greetings!

Blake Snyder, author of Save The Cat! - the most innovative screenwriting book in years - comes to Raindance the weekend of Saturday/Sunday 24/25 November.

Read on:

Cat An adventure into storytelling at the movies!

Whether you're a screenwriter, producer, director, executive or movie fan, two-time #1 bestselling author Blake Snyder (Save the Cat! and Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies) will show you - from concept to structure to execution of specific scenes - how the magic of story comes alive. Discover the tried and true techniques storytellers have known for centuries. Blake has mastered the art of writing and selling scripts to Hollywood, and now teaches others.

Learn the tips and tactics that will turn your idea into a screenplay as introduced in Save the Cat!, Blake Snyder's #1 selling book,

First time in Europe!

Saturday/Sunday 24/25 November 9:30 - 6pm
Central London
£250 + VAT (There are special discounts - see below)
Call 0207 287 3833 to register or Book Online Here


Save The Cat
"Blake. What do you mean, Save The Cat?"

"The "Save the Cat!" scene is that moment when the hero does something that makes us like him.

There's a classic "Save the Cat!" in Aladdin, the Disney movie, when Aladdin hands over the pita he just stole to two starving kids in an alley, and one in Sea of Love with Al Pacino, when Al lets a parole violator go because he's with his young son.

It's usually right up front, right when we meet the hero. And it's in all movies that work, or where the screenwriters know what they're doing (it's even in Pulp Fiction).

Get the audience in sync with the plight of the guy or gal onscreen, and you are off to a good start. Fail and perish. And even if a movie "does well," i.e. my pet peeve, Lara Croft, the absence of a good "Save the Cat!" makes me say: Why care?"

- Blake Snyder

PansLabyrinth Day One: Sat 24 Nov 9:30 - 6

Move from concept to structure as Blake demonstrates the techniques used to write scripts that sell and stories that resonate, including:

- The concept of "primal" and why primal stories work best
- Why all stories are about transformation - and how knowing what your story is "about" is vital
- The four elements of every winning logline
- The seven immutable laws of screenplay physics
- The 10 genres that every movie ever made can be categorized by - and why they're important to your script
- Mastering the 15 Beats of every good story - with screening of film scenes as examples
Common Complaint of Film Producers
Most film producers complain about finding quality scripts, not finding money.

Doesn't it make sense to learn how to write a great script?

The Godfather Day Two: Sunday 25 November 9:30 - 6

Continue from structure to the execution of specific scenes as Blake reveals more of his storytelling approach, including:

- Creating the "Perfect Beast" by using The Board to map 40 scenes with conflict and emotional change.
- The tricks of the trade (with filmed examples): Save the Cat!, Pope in the Pool, Kill the Cat, The Eye of the Storm, the "Brando" and more!
- The Three Worlds of a script: Thesis, Anti-Thesis, and Synthesis
- How to get back on track with proven rules for script repair
- How to leap past the studio reader with ideas that demand attention
- Beyond "Arc" - How to make your characters and dialogue "pop"
- Why Blake's method is the "secret weapon" for major Hollywood agencies.
Meet Blake Snyder
Blake Snyder will be at Foyles in London, on Weds November 21 at 6.30pm to introduce his new book: Save The Cat! Goes To The Movies. As well as being available to sign your copy of the book, he will deliver key breakdowns of the 50 most instructional movies of the last 30 years.

Tickets are free; email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve your place.

Free Event
Interview with Blake
Get a feel for the man and his vision.

Read his article: Moment Of Clarity

Raindance offers the following discounts

- students/OAPs/UB40 - 10%
- members of any film organisation - 10%
- members of Raindance - 15%
- call 0207 287 3833 for details of group booking discounts
- call 0207 287 3833 for our 10% out-of-town

Call 0207 287 3833 or
Book Online Here

Good storytellers and screenwriters are in high demand. Learn the skill and craft of screenwriting from Blake Snyder, blend in your own creative mix, and position your self and your scripts for success.
Happy writing,

Will Pearce
Raindance Festivals Limited
Blake SnyderAbout Blake Snyder
Save The Cat
Save The Cat Goes To The Movies

Blake Snyder, who lives in Los Angeles, has sold dozens of scripts, including co-writing Blank Check that became a hit for Disney and Nuclear Family for Steven Spielberg -- both million-dollar sales.

"At times the universe seems divided into two groups: those who want to write a movie script, and those who write books and articles telling how.

Blake Snyder, the experienced author of SAVE THE CAT!, falls into both groups -- he's a produced screenwriter, and he's written a nothing-held-back, insider's point-of-view, fabulously funny book about screenwriting.

Using examples of popular movies, Snyder offers sensible advice about creativity, story development using your brain and index cards, how to make the characters do their jobs, and -- best of all, what screenwriters want to know before they even write their screenplays -- how to market your masterpiece.

Every screenwriting instructor (and I don't play one on TV, I am one) should add SAVE THE CAT! to the students' required reading list, without hesitation. This will be the book they actually read and follow.

Snyder's writing style is smoother than the sprint to the stage to accept the Academy Award for best original screenplay. Buy this book. Take this class.

Elliot Grove

Read his complete bio:


What They Are Saying
"Want to know how to be a successful writer in Hollywood? The answers are here. Blake Snyder has written an insider's book that's informative - and funny, too."

David Hoberman, Producer, Raising Helen, Walking Tall, Bringing Down the House


"An invaluable resource for anyone serious about having a career as a screenwriter or producer in Hollywood."

Andy Cohen, Literary Manager/Producer; President, Grade A Entertainment


"Save the Cat! is like a Berlitz guide to interpreting the secret language of every studio exec and producer in town. Once you learn to think like the people with the checkbook, you're one step closer to success."

Sheila Hanahan Taylor, Vice President, Development at Zide/Perry Entertainment, whose films include American Pie, Cats and Dogs and Final Destination


"This just may be the BEST book you'll ever need, or read, on the subject of how to break into the big screen big time as a writer of tall tales. Snyder is a working, selling writer himself, so that gives the reader a true inside glimpse into what it's like, what it takes, and what to expect on the long road to screenwriting stardom. Many screenwriting how-to tomes are written by guys and gals who have few or no real studio credits, so with this book you can be sure you are getting the info direct from the source of a successful member of the Hollywood elite. This is no doubt the one book that will do more to help you achieve success and get your two-brad-bound puppy through the door than any other I've read so far. And believe me, folks, I've read them all."

Marie Jones, Book Review, www.absolutewrite.com


"You'd have to look far and wide to find a better book to help you achieve your goals. Quite simply one of the most practical guides to writing mainstream spec scripts on the market. "

Screentalk Magazine


"Snyder provides the reader with a humorous guide on how to be a successful writer in Hollywood. Topics discussed in the book include the four elements of every winning logline, why your hero must serve your ideas, and the seven immutable laws of screenplay physics."
Script Magazine

"My bookshelves groan with Screenwriting books. I can't resist them. I just wish I'd read Save The Cat first. I've a background in advertising and I can confidently predict that STC will be an instant classic that sets the standard for years to come. Why? Well, for a start, it successfully achieves that most difficult balance of being simple without being basic. It's also entertaining. Even things like giving odd names to screenwriting techniques - Pope in the Pool anyone? - clarify ideas so much more vividly than using chapters of description. Most of all, STC is instantly USEFUL. I used the techniques in the book to build from the logline up a screenplay I'd been picking at for months. It was as if a giant light bulb had gone off and made everything so much clearer. I wish the book was my little secret but unfortunately the word is already out there - hence the review. Final word? Stop what you're doing. Read this book. Then start again properly."
Francesco Perillo


The Raindance Guarantee

If you decide to attend and find that any Raindance course is overhyped, unsuitable or simply does not meet or exceed your expectations, let a member of Raindance know by noon on the first day for an instant, no-questions-asked refund.

THE FINE PRINT:
If you find a course is not for you, let Raindance staff know by lunch-time on the first day (weekend course) of at the first break on an evening course for a full no-questions-asked refund.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - Diabolique

Watch the original if you have to. Nice amount of girlie flesh in this one.

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - Help!

A very charming and strange film ! Great soundtrack, which is obvious.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - Robot Bastard

Came across this short film last night. Ha ha ! It's good !

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - Teen Wolf

Not seen this in years. It's actually very good. Avoid number Too though.

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - Monster House

One of my films of 2006. A future classic. Nice Rear Window riffs. This must scare the kids.

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - Basic

Good. Bit confusing near the end, but I was a bit tired.

Winter and Williams Band at Oxjam.






Pics from a video of The Winter and Williams Band performing live for Oxjam at Chapter last week. The video will be ready fairly soon.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Cut and paste gossip

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

DV Grabs From The Miggs Music Video Day Two
















That's a wrap. Time to edit now. Hopefully start any day this week and finish by the weekend.
Enjoy these pics from day two. Good stuff don't you think ?

Saturday, October 20, 2007

popbitch

*******************************************************
Do you want to see your brand, product, band, film,
TV show, record etc advertised here in Popbitch before
Xmas? Email hello@popbitch.com to find out if and how.
*******************************************************

"I'm straight and I'm very sports-oriented"
- Brendan Cole.
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POPBITCH _ _ _
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|_| |_| 19.10.07 ISSUE 371
Free every week: to subscribe/unsubscribe
go to http://www.popbitch.com

* The Moore the merrier
* BBC canapé wars v ITV fixing
* Charts: Sugababes are still number one
-----------------------------------------------------


>> Lucky Lawrence <<
Thumbs up for England

A past conquest of England rugby star
Lawrence Dallaglio says that he had
a favourite sexual party trick. He could
withdraw at the point of climax and then
ejaculate only after shoving his finger up
his own arse. Such ingenuity demands our
support on Saturday night. It's just a shame
that England footballers won't pull their
fingers out and try and emulate the success
and team spirit of their compatriots with
the odd shaped balls.


FYI: Which member of the squad does a male nurse
from Moorfields hospital claim to have met in WKD
bar, before retiring to the Charing Cross Hotel
for a bit of nude scrum practice?



-----------------------------------------------------
Popbitch's favourite mayor: Frank Botter, of
Heligoland, a German island in the North Sea.
-----------------------------------------------------


>> Shhh! <<
Posh's bodyguard might hear you

Victoria Beckham is the centre of media
concern that she looks exhausted. She's been
flying around the world doing important things,
like being photographed in different places. On a
recent flight she sat in business class, while
her bodyguard accompanied her a few rows back
in economy. One of the trolley dollies stopped
to chat to her. She happily listened to him
for a while, but when it got too much for her
Victoria, without another word, just raised up
one hand. The bodyguard came walking down the
aisle and quietly told the flight attendant,
"Victoria doesn't want to talk any more."
Poor thing.


-----------------------------------------------------
Foxy Brown's lawyer, currently defending her from
assault charges, is called Alan Stuntman.
-----------------------------------------------------


>> Thriller from Manila <<
What definitely didn't happen to Maddie

One of the least likely explanations for the
disappearance of Madeline McCann was that she
had been kidnapped by the People's Liberation
Army of Manila. Yet that is what the group
claimed to Portuguese police, for the publicity.

It didn't quite have the effect they were
expecting. Just a visit from local police
and arrests for making false claims. Expect to
see them wearing orange jumpsuits and dancing
to Thriller sometime soon.

FYI: We're told the next Filipino inmates dance
video will be released on Youtube around 25th October.


-----------------------------------------------------
Gruesome twosome: Rula Lenska and
Prince Michael of Kent.
-----------------------------------------------------


>> Big Questions <<
What major labels are asking this week

Which London music executive has departed
on a hasty holiday to Thailand, after
his bosses discovered what he'd been doing
on the internet during his work hours?
The label lothario had been placing adverts
on raunchy singles sites but was caught
when one of his senior colleagues saw the ad
and blew his top at HR at the salary the guy
was earning. After HR confirmed that the
Everton fan had been lying about his net worth
he even lost his online dates, who were only
interested in shagging high-earners.


*****************************************************
Watch Brass Eye, Black Books, Shameless and loads of
classic Channel 4 shows for free on 4oD until Nov 18.
http://snipr.com/channel4od
*****************************************************


>> Oh Triangle! <<
James Blunt revisited

It turns out that James Blunt may be the
best thing ever. He appeared on Sesame
Street, and sang a version of You're
Beautiful, about a cute, furry triangle.
It's impossible to watch without feeling all
warm inside.

"This shape was brilliant
This shape was pure
I saw three angles, of that I am sure..."

Watch/Listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Z6tDSb6c8


-----------------------------------------------------
Adam and Eve will be nude in a production of The
Nativity, at St Paul's. The church rector, said
complainants would be "directly referred to the Bible".
-----------------------------------------------------


>> Canapé wars <<
BBC hits stars where it hurts

BBC Budget cuts were in full effect this week
at the launch party for Stephen Poliakoff's
new drama, Capturing Mary. The only drinks
on offer were red and white wine, described
as "tasting cheap" by a party-goer, while
instead of the usual canapés there were
platters from M&S. For stars of TV's golden
era it was too much. Michael Aspel was seen
taking one look at the limp ham rolls before
walking out the door.


FYI: Minutes into Mark Thompson's speech before
he made any mention of job cuts? 23.


-----------------------------------------------------
rick_gassko writes: "Saw Jeff Brazier with his and
Jade Goody's son at the BBC yesterday. My God, the kid
is absolutely stunning. It's a funny old world."
-----------------------------------------------------


>> A golden era of fixing <<
ITV still the best at some things

scooper writes
"The early series of Ant & Dec's Saturday
Night Takeaway featured a strand called
Jim Didn't Fix It For Me. People who had
written unsuccessfully to Jimmy Saville
in their youth could finally have see
their dreams come true. During one episode
Ant & Dec 'surprised' a member of the
audience who'd apparently written to Jim
asking to meet the Wurzels. The band came
on, and the audience member was filmed
capering around on stage with the West
Country rockers, ecstatic at finally
meeting his childhood heroes!

"But what viewers didn't know is that the
audience member was already pals with the
Wurzels. In fact, he'd just written and
produced their Christmas single."


-----------------------------------------------------
Lily Allen's car was spotted in a pay and display
bay with three parking tickets.
-----------------------------------------------------


>> Moore the merrier <<
007 shocks the provinces

Roger Moore has just turned 80. Our favourite
ever story about him came from a handyman in
Deal, Kent. One day, many years ago, the
handyman was booked to do a DIY job at a
beautiful house in the conservation area of
the town. While doing some work on the ground
floor, he heard some noises coming from
upstairs. He'd been expecting the house to be
empty so decided to investigate. He climbed the
stairs, walked to the bedroom and pushed
open the door.

Three naked bodies were entwined on the bed.
Staring open-mouthed at the fruity ménage-
a-trois in front of him, the handyman got
a further shock when 007 popped his head
up from the bed, and announced cheerfully
in that inimitable drawl, "Don't worry
old chap. Just experimenting!"

The appalled handyman walked out of the
bedroom, down the stairs and straight out
the front door.


-----------------------------------------------------
Colleen McLoughlin was at The Troubadours showcase
at Shoreditch House, supporting her cousin who is
in the band. She was "very friendly to all".
-----------------------------------------------------


>> RIP: Tose Proeski <<
The Balkans has a Diana moment

We were very sad to read this week of the
death of Tose Proeski, Macedonia's biggest
pop star, who we were lucky enough to hang out
with at Eurovision 2004, in Athens. The Balkans'
seem to be having a Princess Diana moment:
the whole area stopped dead at news of the
26 year-old star's car crash. Two days of
national mourning, parliament in Skopje
cancelled, TV and radio playing Proeski's
songs back-to-back and tens of thousands of
people placing flowers at a makeshift shrine in
the capital. Proeski was given a full state
funeral complete with gun salute, headed by
prime minister Nikola Gruevski, "he left too
young, as a legend", and the head of
Macedonia' Orthodox church, Archbishop
Stefan, "Macedonia and the Balkans lost an
angel". It's hard to imagine it would be the
same here if it was Shayne Ward.


More: Tose at Eurovision, in happier times:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yytjYh-v4PE


-----------------------------------------------------
James Nesbitt at the NZ v France match, aisle 431,
row M, seat 11, wearing a pale blue beret, supporting
France, telling the women around him he was an actor.
-----------------------------------------------------



>> Lovely Lene Lovich <<
The 80s spirit returns to Islington

Overyourhead writes:
"I was at Thomas Dolby's gig this week at
Islington Academy. Lene 'Lucky Number' Lovich
came on stage at the end to do a duet. After
the initial applause had died away my mate Ben
shouted out from the gallery, "Are you still
mad?" The place fell about, as did she.
Eventually Lene replied, 'Yes. I am'."


*****************************************************
Have they taken things too far this time?
http://tinyurl.com/3a2wx2
*****************************************************


>> Things that make you go hmmm <<
Huge cat, Oompah Bon Jovi, Ann Coulter

Best named restaurant chain in San Francisco?
http://www.squatandgobble.com/

Justin from The Darkness has some new music:
http://www.myspace.com/magnetwatch

Check out the size of this cat:
http://www.diesel.pp.net.ua/news/2007-02-15-104

Man sets his camera timer to two seconds, and runs:
http://runningfromcamera.blogspot.com/

Celebrate the Munich Oktoberfest with the
rather wonderful Trom-bone Jovi:
http://www.oompahbrass.com/sounds/Living_on_a_Prayer.mp3

Ann Coulter's website was hacked, and her home
page replaced by an open letter explaining her
whole career had been a practical joke:
http://tinyurl.com/39qblb

Extended Sale and Aussie Sledging Tees:
http://www.teefly.com


* We have learned that contrary to our past hints
that Jeremy Kyle has been behaving a bit more like
a guest on his own show than a married, upstanding
pillar of the community, now that the papers have
done their sniffing around, it turns out there is
no truth in the rumour. Sorry Jeremy we got
that one wrong.


>> Chart Predictions <<
New entries/High climbers Sun 21st Oct

The England rugby World Cup squad love Kenny
Rogers and so do we. He has a restaurant chain
called Kenny Rogers Roasters, set up the Kenny
Rogers Cerebral Palsy Centre and has written
two childrens' books.

++ Number One
SUGABABES About You Now

++ Top Ten
ELVIS PRESLEY Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
THE KILLERS Tranquilize

++ Top Twenty
TIMBALAND FT. ONE REPUBLIC Apologise
WOMBATS Let's Dance To Joy Division

++ Top Forty
KENNY ROGERS The Gambler
ORSON Ain't No Party
RIHANNA Hate That I Love You


>> End Bit <<
Stuff about Popbitch

* Email stories, gossip:
hello@popbitch.com

* Subscribe or unsubscribe here:
http://www.popbitch.com

* Popbitch is published by Popdog Ltd.

* Web hosting by: http://del.co.uk

* Mail by aysabtu


*****************************************************
Thanks to: AM, SW, dollymixture, LA, WB, LT, LB, HL
onthehushhush, HP, badhorsey, jacques_as_in_hattie,
deep_stoat, JR, SL, K, NS,


Thanks: to everyone who told us that Roger Moore is
no longer the voice of the Forbidden City audio guide

Thanks to: everyone who emailed to suggest we hadn't
meant to write a story about Fernando Massa. You
were right. We're a bit over-excited about the end
of the F1 season. It should of course have read
Felipe Alonso. (Only kidding...)

*****************************************************

Old Jokes Home:
Just been to my first Islamist birthday party.
The musical chairs was a bit slow but boy,
pass the parcel was quick.

Still Bored?
Snowball the cockatoo loves Backstreet Boys.
And loves to dance:
http://birdloversonly.blogspot.com/2007/09/may-i-have-this-dance.html

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - Honeymoon In Vegas

I like Mr. Cage a lot. Because of films like these. more please.

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - The Truman Show

Good film. I swear I've reviewed this already. Never mind. Good film.

The Cricket Bat ...

... for the Miggs vid. It's all been shot by the way. more pics will be up later.

I Am A Very Lucky Boy

A while back I were sent the first few episodes of Season 1 of the glorious 30 Rock, now I the whole season arrived in the post the other day ! Thank you "Dr. Robert" my secret USA mate.

Monday, October 15, 2007

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW -Mr. Brooks

Good serial killer thriller. A little slow in places. Could have shaved 30 minutes off the running time.

IN DEPTH FILM REVIEW - S.W.A.T.

S.W.A.T. a good film. Nice character development. Surprised me a bit.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

DV Grabs From The Miggs Music Video Day One















The title says it all.