The Makery is a place where people can come and learn how to be more resourceful.It is a place where things are thought of in terms of their potential; re-using what would otherwise be thrown away; getting people to look at objects in a different manner. And re-using things in such a way that the finished item is just as great as something you’d buy in the shops. Forget that – even better, because it’s been made by hand.
The Makery hold a huge range of workshops including printmaking, bookbinding, sewing, lingerie, felt making, knitting, embroidery and jewellery.
To find out more and to see the workshop calendar visit
It dawned on my fairly recently what a long hard struggle it is being an independent artist, possible more so being an independent filmmaker. I thought, if only I REALLY knew what it was like in the world of filmmaking would I have done things differently? I’m not sure. In these articles I will document how things are in the indie film world. I plan to shoot a feature next summer. Will it happen? HOW will it happen? Well, dear reader, with any luck you shall be privy to the process, the ups and downs, the ins and out, the triumph and despair of such ventures.
I first decided I wanted to become a filmmaker when I was at college. For a while before that I knew that I didn’t quite think in the same way as my peers. I think I wanted to be a pop star but not playing an instrument, being able to write a song or even hold a tune put paid to that. Then I saw a few films that left a mark on me. I saw how film was going to become my form of expression. It was more than that though. It wasn’t just about telling a story, it was about creating a FEELING. Even now, I’m not interested in art that just tells stories or in art for art’s sake. I need to discover a FEELING. I think that’s it, my overriding desire as a filmmaker is to create a feeling in films. That’s the only way I can explain it, at least for now.
My first thoughts were ‘how will I make it in this industry?’ A mistaken thought. There is no film ‘industry’. Hasn’t been for a long time. Not in the UK anyway. Eventually I realised that there are creative people who work on films and filmmakers who create films from the bottom to the top. I realised, after a brief flirtation in the erm, ‘industry’ that it was the latter camp I fell into. So from now on it was a case of working full time to pay the bills but filmmaking was always my REAL career.
And that’s when the dawn hit me. I was an outsider. My role was to pull various fragments together from inside my head and from the real word to make things happen. Years of hard work, years of working as an outsider to, well, pretty much everything. The long slog. This is a potted history, I will reveal more about these films, and the process of making them, over time. First up, I made a few short films with varying degrees of success. No funding, just using what was available to me. Even back then it became fairly clear to me that public funding was a tricky issue. I don’t have anything against public funding at all. It is fairly obvious that it’s a deeply flawed system though. Still, that’s a discussion for another day.
After a while it dawned on me that I needed to make a feature film. Public funding simply wouldn’t be forthcoming for what I wanted to do so I set off to the Arctic to make a documentary about life up there. How does that work? Well, I volunteered for a charity and that effectively paid for my film. The in-kind budget was around 10,000UKP. Naturally, as is the way being an indie, I did the project for free. Which was fair enough, of course, nobody asked me to do it. It was my own project. The film took some time to edit but ‘East 3 – Exploring a Frozen Frontier’ premiered in New York in 2007, went onto play in Chicago, toured the UK and then screened on UK television. I was even interviewed about it on BBC Newsroom South East.
A few more short films followed (by now I was getting better at promoting them and they were all broadcast on UK TV). The method and philosophy remained the same, shoot with what I had to hand, create a feeling. This year I realised I had gone as far as I could with my old short films and so packaged them up into a compilation DVD ‘Caged Fire – The Short Films of Mr Young’ It felt right to say goodbye to these films as I now need to focus on a new set of objectives. Yes, more short films but a feature film too.
Now, we come too making the second feature. This time, a narrative film. The question is, ‘how does one get from where I am now to making a feature length story?’ Will it even work out? I have no idea. Not yet. I guess this diary will reveal all.
So, would I have done things differently? I doubt it. It’s very hard but also very rewarding when you follow your own path. Right now the only genuine path for the independent filmmaker is the one you make yourself. It’s a wild path with only whispers in the wind to help. With any luck though I might see some paths that have been cleared already and I certainly hope, with the wise and not so wise words in this diary, I may just clear a path or two for you.
You can buy both ’East 3 – Exploring a Frozen Frontier’ and ‘Caged Fire – The Short Films of Mr Young’ here:
This week I found myself a little busy with coursework, however I decided I would see what I could find in the garden. I was actually surprised at how pretty some of the things -that I take for granted- in the garden are.
Gardening, It’s Not For Me
I started out looking -with distracting hay fever- for little insects and quirks. This is what I found.
Green Bug
As soon as I stepped out of the door I noticed this little insect on the bush next to the window. I took this picture from about three or four different angles but decided to stick with this one as it is almost at eye level (from creatures perspective, as I’m not 2ft tall). I like this photograph because even though this insect is the same colour as the leaf the contrast -pumped in post- really makes it stand out. I also like the way it is a captured moment in this creature’s life.
Little Figure
Although this photograph isn’t artsy or particularly impressive in any way, I do like it. This is because it is actually cutely hidden in the garden, also it is fairly cute. In post-production I pumped the clarity and popped the blacks to add a bit of ‘pow’ to what was a terribly bland photograph.
Pretty Hidden Flower
I decided that I would look around the back of the bushes and in obscure places. I then found this flower and was amazed that the dog hadn’t yet chewed on it. I was tempted to make this black and white but then because it was sunny in the garden – I was sat on the bench editing- I thought it just had to be vibrant. As I gain experience with a DSLR I continue to be amazed at what my little 18-55mm -f/3.5- kit lens can actually do. I guess I am still amazed by depth of field.
To see the full resolution images and my other photographs check out my Flickr.
I am currently looking for people willing to allow me photograph them candid. This would entail them doing what they do -ie. Working in a workshop/studio/kitchen- and have me photographing them doing it. If you would be willing to do this or model for portraits get in touch with me at georgelangridge95@gmail.com or on twitter @georgelangridge .
Twitter/Instagram: @georgelangridge
Area: UK Britain East of England East Midlands London North East North West Yorkshire Scotland South East South West Wales West Midlands
Hoodwink is a unique commissioning project initiated by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Arts Development Unit that extends contemporary art practice beyond gallery spaces and public art arenas and places it slap bang in the middle of the hustle and bustle of daily life, such as in supermarkets, pubs and shopping centres, harnessing the potential for large-scale engagement with existing users.
Hoodwink is calling for proposals from artists working in the UK to make a site-specific response to an independent music venue, The Forum in Tunbridge Wells. The commission, worth £7000, represents an exciting opportunity for the artist involved to work in new ways and reach new audiences by showing in a non-traditional space and to make new connections with Kent physically and theoretically.
They have organised 2 open sessions to view the venue, talk to staff and Hoodwink project managers on 2nd July and 3rd July.
Ben Cameron is an illustrator and artist based in Kent who often works from the same coworking space as myself. I find his work really inspiring and I thought you might like to know more about him.
So Ben, most creatives say they have always been creative, has there been a time you didn’t feel that way?
Strang Paul was actually developed about 3 years ago, when I was working in retail, because it was such a stifling environment, tedious and boring. So to combat this I decided to start doodling and sketching small cartoons in my lunch breaks. From there my drawings grew in ambition and size.
Did you study any creative subjects or are you self taught?
In school, I studied expressive arts and then onto Media studies at college. Some people may think that I missed out on not formerly studying art, but then isn’t creativity about expressing yourself? I did take part in a lot of creative workshops when I was younger but I lost interest as I became older.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
The answer is ANYONE. Without sounding clichéd I honestly believe that everyone has something to share creatively. With this in mind I decided to start an open project calledDoodleshare. This is open ongoing project for anyone to take part in. I am always looking for new projects and people to share interesting ideas with.
Who inspires you both locally and universally?
Lots of people, it is hard to list individuals – but if you look at who I follow onTwitteryou will get an idea. But professional artist wise I would sayMoose Allain– he has a good balance between word play and beautiful drawings, whilst using interesting techniques for both – this all ties in beautifully with hisTwitter feed.
Locally – my Mum – while I was growing up she was incredibly creative. She drew cartoon murals on my bedroom walls and helped me with my school projects, such as creating little books and pieces of work. She encouraged me to focus on attention to detail on things like colours, layout and text. As well as being incredibly supportive and encouraging, she also suggested that I take part in extra curricular projects during summer holidays.
Do you have a “creating” playlist?
It is constantly changing, sometimes it’s my music collection on shuffle, other times it will be a TV series playing in the background. My music taste is very wide, every day is different.
What would you like to achieve in the future?
I want to keep my work interesting for myself and others,supporting myself as I do so.
Can you recommend a creative website you love?
Twitter! It ties everyone in so well, it is the best news service in the world. The amount people I have met through Twitter and been inspired by is ever growing. I can get fantastic feedback about my work and give feedback to others. 5 years ago there is no way I would be able to share my work in the same way.
You can find more work by Ben Cameron onStrangePaul.com and you can contact Ben for commissions on bencameron@me.com
By Natasha Steer
Attribution-NoDerivs (CC BY-ND) Ben Cameron
Area: UK Britain East of England East Midlands London North East North West Yorkshire Scotland South East South West Wales West Midlands
Leamington Studio Artists (LSA) present a rich and exciting showcase of over 100 works by 68 local and regional artists.
This year,Gallery150will be hosting the ‘2012 LSA Summer Show’, ‘Not the Usual Suspects’ in the Livery Street gallery, in Leamington, Warwickshire.
This coveted annual exhibition will feature the work ofLSAmembers and non-members from Leamington and across the Midlands.
With a steady rise in members in recent years, the show has become increasingly more popular and covers a broad range of mediums, including painting, drawing, photography and sculpture by talented emerging and established artists alike. And, this year, there will be over 100 works by a good 68 artists, some of whom will be exhibiting with the fifteen-year old organisation for the first time. Visitors to the show will also be able to get a preview of works by a number of artists participating in the up-comingWarwickshireOpen Studios (30th June to the 15th July).
This year the audience will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite artist. The winning artist will be awarded a cash prize of 500 pounds and a special feature inArtspace, the LSA arts journal, which has been in print since 1998. All of the voters’ names will also be entered into a prize draw and the winner will receive a Giclée print of ‘Not the Usual Subjects’.
Not the Usual Suspects will run from 26th June until 15th July 2012; the private view, will be held at Gallery150, on Tuesday, June 26th from 7 pm.
Yes, I know. I’m a filmmaker. It’d be strange if I DIDN’T want a film festival in Medway. But the fact is, Medway needs a film festival and what’s more there are some very pertinent reasons why:
1/ Strategy – One of Medway council’s priorities is to harness the creative industries to bring cash and other nice things into the area. What better way to do that than to set-up a festival that draws punters in and gets them drinking and eating in local venues? Good for creativity, good for the local economy.
2/ Skills sharing – It’s not just about money either. It’s about building confidence, skills, pride and hearing voices. Local people from all walks of life can get involved, from the volunteers who help set it up to the local talent who can display their hard work. Alongside this, local and not so local filmmakers can share skills with a variety of local communities in order to develop voices, to develop the Medway story, if you will.
3/ Special times, special measures – As I have been arguing in these articles, Medway is in a special place artistically right now. This needs to be capitalised on. Film festivals mean creative guests, means more networking, means more creativity. It’s a win, win situation.
4/ Prestige – Most self-respecting places the size of Medway have film festivals. And I believe we are more creative than most. Many of these festivals start off small, some even remain small. But the point is, knowing your town will be hosting a selection of the best moving pictures from around the world AND running them side by side with local work that’s equally as effecting can only be a good thing.
5/ Promoting and watching film – I don’t mean the standard Odeon fare. That’s easy to see. Just go to the Odeon or pop the tele on if that’s your bag. I mean the more leftfield stuff, the challenging films that build from the film festivals to become important pieces of cinema. Surely we want to be part of that? Surely we want access to films not available at the cinema chains?
6/ Education – What better way to convince the next generation, or even this generation of film fans, that there is more to life than chain cinema films? Independent features, international documentaries, short films, music videos…you can almost taste the excitement can’t you?
7/ It’s already started – Yeah, I couldn’t resist. I’ve already set up the webpagewww.medwayvisions.tumblr.comin the hope that the creative people of Medway come on board and that the audience will be willing to come and watch. My film company The Moon The Eye will run the show but I can’t do it on my own. Heck, I wouldn’t even want to try. It needs people, organisations on board to lend a hand in whatever way they know how. Yes, it NEEDS you. It’s here, but it will only work if we ALL get involved.
Sometimes we hit a wall, a creative block. But there are things that can help this common part of a creatives life, something that is certain to help is the website “The Wall Breakers”. Set up by two guys from Brooklyn – James Scully and Matt Weckel – the site features inspirational artists and their work as well as various creative news and inspiring features that might just get your creative juices flowing again.
Last night (20/06/12) at Uckfield Community College, East Sussex, students from year 12 to year 13 (6th form) displayed all their hard work throughout the last year in the art and photography department. The creativity of the students was clearly displayed across three class rooms that had been transformed to create the exhibitions.
Work shown ranged from finger paintings; photo shoots; all the way to projections. This will be the students worked that will be sent out to exam boards to give them a final grade. Nearly everything shown should take pride of place in a London art exhibition.
The inspiration of the pieces were given by themes, such as ‘mood’ and ‘changing beauty’ of which the pieces of photos were created. However this wasn’t all created in a classroom. Some work was taken in the school’s photography studio, of which I myself have been in to be a model and it’s a very enjoyable experience as the students I worked with were professional with everything they did.
The art was shown all over the classroom walls on canvas and taking up entire walls. From pictures of cats to waterfalls and portraits the talent shown was remarkable, making the evening a success. All they needed was the examiners to visit and see people’s reaction to the work to give out amazing marks they deserve.
Each piece of work came with a project book explaining the process of completing the project. Although some were hard to read as the pages were completely full, they represented the creative minds overflowing.
The school should hold more evenings like this and advisable to other school’s in order to display the student’s work of which they should be proud of!
You can watch a video of the event here, featuring a vast amount of the work:
With stars in their eyes, students from Uckfield and Beacon, in East Sussex, met at Uckfield Picture House for an award ceremony of their film studies and media studies project finished exam pieces.
This award ceremony has taken place every year for the past six years with an afternoon of watching the student’s work, whether it be music videos or trailers, and then giving out awards in categories for hard work successfully achieved.
Every college should celebrate the students work in such style like this event!
Speeches from students were short and sweet, but overall the evening was enjoyable as always.
Explaining the event (and an award I received):
This also mentions a new YouTube mini series coming soon!
Below is a picture of the winners with their smiles and prizes.
Emerging from the recent UCA Final Shows, Fashionable Structures exhibition is a fusion of selected Architecture and Fashion work, which have been brought together to highlight where they coincide, as mediums and ideas.
Fashionable Structures includes work ranging from garments to digital design, drawings, models, video and photography.
The Swale Arts Forum are happy to be organising this years GREEN EVENT in association with the Friends of Oare Gunpowder works, Swale Borough Councils Park Dept and Groundworks Medway .
Artists booked in:
BIG Fish The Gunpowder Works x5 Los Salvadores Swale Sings Tel Tyler Ken Rowles Mark Thatcher Sheppey and Sittingbourne Writers Sioux Peto – Litter Angels Dean Tweedy ECO SHED Polka Dot Arts Val Tyler Colin Barnard Nick Stewart Daniel Nash Andrew Parker DaniArt photography Marvellous Murals- facepainting
Writers Revolution is a feature film screenplay competition that provides the opportunity for talented writers to advance in their career.
The winner of Writers Revolution will receive a four day trip to LA, where they will meet with top producers and agents with $3000 spending money, a year’s representation with top US management company Zero Gravity Management, three mentoring sessions with the Gersh Agency and Untitled Management in Los Angeles and an 18 month screenplay option with Intandem Films and Writers Avenue Films.
There will be a further four runner-up prizes of three months representation with Zero Gravity Management and a 12 month screenplay option with Intandem Films and Writer’s Avenue Films.
The competition is open to entrants from all over the world, as long as their entry is submitted in English. All screenplays will be considered by Intandem Films and Writer’s Avenue Films, with a selection of the top 50 then entering the final stages where a short list of five screenplays will be considered by the judges.
Entry Fees
Early entry fee: £35 (from 7th June to 15th June)
Regular entry fee: £45 (from 16th June to 16th September)
Late entry fee: £55 (from 17th September to 30th September)
Have you always wanted to take up a creative craft but never known where to start? Then come along and embrace the homemade trend that is sweeping the nation at the fantastic Prima Homemade – The Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Show at Glow, Bluewater from the 6-9 September. The organisers of the UK’s most popular craft show have teamed up with Prima to give visitors a truly memorable day out with over 200 exhibitors offering the very latest products, ideas and innovations in the world of creative craft.
The show will feature a brand new display of stunning Masquerade Ball costumes that will showcase the glitz and glamour of the silver screen. With gowns originally worn by some of Hollywood’s finest leading ladies including Drew Barrymore, Uma Thurman, Sienna Miller, Minnie Driver and Catherine Zeta Jones, each costume depicts the exquisite detail and craftsmanship that has gone into its design. The display will include Drew Barrymore’s stunning shimmery fairy winged outfit from the Cinderella tale ‘Ever After’, Sienna Miller’s corseted dress from the romantic film ‘Casanova’ set in 18th century Venice and many more beautiful examples of extravagant big screen fashion throughout the ages.
Pop along to the brand new Prima Live area where you will be able to meet the Prima Craft Team and pick up top tips and advice from the experts. There will be a host of exciting features to discover including fantastic Live Demonstrations from interiors expert Selina Lake. Selina will be demonstrating her ‘Homespun Styling’ throughout the show and sharing her interiors trend predictions for the season ahead including her irresistible Cath Kidston-inspired creations. If you want your home to reflect your personality, style and passion for crafting and be full of homemade pieces and one off treasures, this is the demonstration for you!
Do you have a passion for fashion? Then don’t miss the fabulous Dressmaking Workshops hosted by expert Janet Palmer. Janet will be offering people the skills and knowledge to embrace make do and mend, showing you how to spruce up and stylise your wardrobe using only a needle and thread! As well as this, Catherine Woram’sKids Workshops will offer a chance for children to get involved in crafting and get hands-on to create their very own masterpieces to take home!
Brand new to the show, The Market Place will showcase some of the finest handmade jewellery, crafts and gifts from talented designers and makers from across the UK. Browse through the gorgeous selection of finished crafts and discover unique and charming pieces that any friend or family member would love!
COMPETITION NOW CLOSED
All winners have been notified.
FACT FILE
Prima Homemade – The Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Show
Glow, Bluewater, Kent
6 – 9 September 2012
Open 10.00 – 16.30 (Saturday 09.30 – 17.00)
Tickets:
Adults £8.00 on door (£6.00 advanced price when ordered by 5pm Mon 3rd September)
Seniors £7.00 at door (£5.00 advanced price when ordered by 5pm Mon 3rd September)
Children under 16 free if accompanied by an adult (otherwise £3)
Buy tickets on-line atwww.ichf.co.uk or Phone Ticket Hotline: 01425 277988
*COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Closing date is 12th August 2012
One entry per person.
There are 5 pairs of tickets on offer, a total of 10 tickets.
Employees (and immediate family members) of any company involved in the Competition or, if relevant, any advertising agency connected with the competition are not eligible to enter the Competition.
In the event that any entrant is disqualified from the Competition, in our sole discretion we may decide whether a replacement contestant should be selected. In this event, any further entrant will be selected on the same criteria as the original entrant and will be subject to these Terms.
You must not sell the tickets. If you are unable to attend the tickets may be passed on to another creative or returned to Creatabot so another winner can be selected.
Competition entries must be made in the manner and by the closing date specified on the Competition Notice. Failure to do so will disqualify the entry.
We reserve the right to disqualify any entrant if we have reasonable grounds to believe the entrant has significantly breached any of these terms and conditions.
Henrietta Franklin is a fashion label run by Sharon Richards from her shop and studio in Gillingham, Kent. Designing and making made to measure garments for women and children, Sharon is one of the few fashion designers that still see’s through each stage of her garments being made – from her initial sketch through to the finished garment. Sharon talked to Creatabot to tell our readers how she got into fashion and remains independent as a designer…
I progressed into fashion naturally, I believe because I was an only child for the first 8 years of my life as well as the fact I was also an only child among my parents’s piers. Let me explain: on birthdays and at Christmas I received many presents, one year when I was about 8 I had accumulated 7 dolls and they all needed clothes! My mother dabbled in making curtains and the odd dress for me, which is where I got started, by using the off cuts. I began by making dolls clothes and my hunger for clothes making and design progressed from there. At John Burn’s primary school, Battersea, we had needle work lessons, which stretched my imagination. At secondary school, Garret Green, Tooting, I took needle work and art as subjects, which I enjoyed. I remember my art teacher Sue Skelton, she was very inspirational. She opened my mind to many options in art and design.
I went onto to study at the London College of Fashion, I remember the interview day. I remember what I wore, of course I do, I designed and made it! To this day I believe that was the biggest and most important event of my life to date. I got in! I studied there for 4 years, it was a wonderful time. I was one of the lucky ones: I was offered a job at my end of year fashion show: for an outer wear company.
“To succeed you would need to stand out and have contacts in large established fashion houses or be prepared to globetrot to places like China and India”.
From my experience I would say that my formal fashion education was paramount in facilitating my path in fashion. Unfortunately the fashion industry is an ever decreasing circle in this country. The combination of the intervention of computers and ever shrinking world make it feel almost like a pointless venture for new students leaving universities. To succeed you would need to stand out and have contacts in large established fashion houses or be prepared to globetrot to places like China and India.
The fashion industry “Rag Trade” that I worked in was primarily run by 3 ethnic groups. The largest of which was from a Jewish background mainly based in the West End of London, North London: Greek/Turkish Cyprian backgrounds, and the smallest group was in East London from Pakistani and Bengali backgrounds. I personally did not fit into any of these backgrounds so could only go so far. I started out as a designer/pattern/cutter at a Jewish company and ended up in design/sales at a Greek Cyprian company actually based in Cyprus. I felt that was the top of my career within the “Rag Trade”.
I soon reached a point though when I realised I wanted to be independent in my career, so the next natural progression was working for myself. This is when Henrietta Franklin came out of the shadows.
When I think about who inspires me today, I have to say Natasha Steerlocally, she is an eclectic little maverick, she helps people to stand up for themselves, something she has done for herself successfully. She exudes confidence subtly. She is a bright light in the community that can only get brighter. Universally I have to back into history. Samuel “Sam” Sharpe – a Jamaican slave who played an instrumental part in the beginning of the journey that ended slavery. He is a part of why I am free and here today.
What about the future? I can answer that kind of question easily – to have a successful international business. Truly, in today’s economic climate my goal is to keep my business going.
Henrietta Franklin specialises in day wear, evening wear, wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses and mother of the bride outfits. Sharon has also created the label “Tropical Fruit” which is her new range of hand made children’s wear made from natural fabrics wherever possible.
All you need to add a handmade touch to the big day. From the bride herself to guests looking for the ideal gift, there’s something for everyone… and, what’s more, IT’S FREE!
The infamous fizzy drink brand advert has hit our screens, and gift packs fill the high-street selves. This can mean only one thing. Christmas is coming, and the tedious task of shopping for family and friends must begin. But are you feeling the financial strain this year? Why not save money on wrapping paper and make your own.
Usually found busily sewing away in the Deaf Cat cafe in Rochester, Zara Carpenter is an inspiring craftswoman who leads the way for many creatives. Maybe by learning some more about her we can draw even more inspiration…
Sian Bostwick is a jewellery designer in Rochester, Kent with incredible skill and talent. Her work, inspired by fairytales and fantasies, truly please the eye and each piece is beautifully crafted in its design. To find out more about her skill and in the aim of inspiring others I asked Sian some questions about herself and her craft.
Creatabot 