Archive for May, 2006
Po-faced Liverpulians The Zutons could possibly be on their way to the People’s Republic after Powderham Castle announced it is working on a three-day festival, taking place from June 23.
But why so vague? Well, apparently organisers keep asking the band if they’re gonna play and can’t get a definite confirmation.
“They will, they won’t, they’re saying they will, but we know they won’t. It’s a nightmare,” sighed an entirely fictional spokesman yesterday.
To get the full story (sans our really bad ‘joke’) see www.lostweekend.org.
Dey do doh, don’t dey doh. Etc.
Posted by Thin White Duke
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May 23rd, 2006
The t-shirts are in. Check out the page, tell your friends. Remember Christmas is coming… oh, I give up.
Posted by Cptn
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May 22nd, 2006
Exactly, why be vilified as an average sportsperson when you could be lauded as an average director?
Bitter, I should think so. The combination of dodgy metatarsals and an inability to work in a team scuppered any chance I had. But you don’t have to be so glum.
Openreel, those Plymouth film people, are giving all you film-makers out there the chance to get your film shown in the city centre during Wimbledon fortnight on a big screen for the BBC. Their latest open meet was tonight (whoops), but you have until Friday to get your film in.
See them at the Last Friday event (this Friday) at the B-Bar at the Barbican in Plymouth.
Posted by Cptn
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May 22nd, 2006
Why is it that Devon County Council has the highest library fees in South Devon? A week’s DVD rental of a top title costs £2.50 in Torbay and Plymouth, but £3 in Devon CC. A typical children’s DVD costs £2 in Plymouth and Torbay and £2.50 in Devon County Council’s libraries. CD rentals and the story’s the same: 90p a week in Plymouth, 80p in Torbay and £1 in Devon CC. Spotting a pattern?
It might not seem like a huge difference, but at a time when Devon County Council is talking about library closures, it makes you wonder how they can justify such high prices. How can you attract people into your libraries to hire a DVD for £3 when they can rent from a far wider range of titles for less money (most online clubs charge £10 to £15 a month for unlimited DVD rental, and even Blockbuster only charges slightly more than the library). And then you hear the justification for libraries being shut down: people aren’t using the (overpriced) services.
It seems that we’re allowed to Have Our Say about Devon County Council’s libraries from May 22. The consultation lasts until the end of July and the outcome will be reported to the County Council’s Executive Committee in the autumn.
Posted by Edgy
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May 22nd, 2006
Argh-hmm (clears throat). Plans to create a cultural centre at Exeter Central Library for the whole of the south west are to be applauded. But the whole of the south west is largely a rural society, so this move seems to ignore the deeper needs of the community.
That’s no surprise if you consider the library consultation process is largely based on non-verbal communication.
The county councillor in charge of ignoring public opinion, sorry, the “library improvements”, Cllr Sheila Hobden, is rather digging a hole for herself.
She told Devon Talk (the county’s own publication): ‘There is a clear desire among respondents to the Our Devon survey for improvments to the Devon Library Service, with 48 per cent supporting improvements and only seven per cent not wanting an improved service. Change must come.’
Like duhh!
Since when has improvements meant closing libraries? You know the ones, they are open for two hours a day, and then wonder why the numbers have dropped.
But then why worry about the rural community? The ‘joined up thinking’ is more to do with housing than addressing the needs of the people.
‘This is not about budget cuts,’ said Sheila. So, is it just about bloody mindedness, lack of imagination, or ploughing more funds into Exeter to support its bid for to become a unitary council?
Posted by Cptn
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May 21st, 2006
Boo-hoo. It seems the “Jamie Oliver effect”, parents becoming aware of the poor dietary provision of school dinners, has had a knock-on effect for Turky Twizzler producer Solarest, in the shape of falling profits.
Even when all the furore was going on about this last year, no-one seemed to mention the complete failure of schools to provide adequate meals. They shrugged away the idea of healthy food with the cost restrictions they faced. And pointed to the abject failure of government at any level to take its responsibility seriously.
Healthy body, healthy minds, anyone?
The lessons taught and money spent on healthy living in the face of rising obesity levels were completely ignored when faced with the reality of making things cheaply. The only thing that was healthy was the profit margin for the companies happily supplying unhealthy food.
Thankfully though, we live in Devon, where healthy food is in abundance. And just over a year ago, innovative Riverford Organics started working in conjunction with a local primary school to provide proper food. Now, how is that getting on?
Posted by Cptn
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May 20th, 2006
Stone the crows, or shoot the gulls. Anthony Steen MP (up for reselection) is still bleating on about policing. Bobbies on the beat, his argument goes, cut down crime, like grafitti, or burning stuff in toilets.
A uniformed presence on the street, say the police, does indeed make people feel safer – but Bobbies (that’s police men and women to those of us who don’t hanker back to the hanging days of the ‘50s) are now rarely on the beat, which is why they are employing more community wardens. And these wardens, with their limited scope, won’t be taken off the streets for murder inquiries or, should the gulls decide to attack, terrorist activity.
So what are we left with? More cries for a police state, more cries for more policemen, more hand-wringing and more head-shaking that yoof crime can’t be contended with without the strong arm of the law, less CCTV, lower council tax and the end to rationing!
We at the People’s Republic abhor crime, not because it affects our property prices, or makes us scared to leave our second home unattended (yes the South Hams is third on the list of highest second home ownership – that must be where all the civic pride comes from) but because of the impact crime has on normal everyday, common or garden people like you and me, and the fear it generates in a community, which leads to alienation . . . do I really need to go on?
Well done community leaders.
Do you ever get the feeling you’re living in one of those Westerns where the sheep need to be driven off the land for the cattle farmers? We’re the sheep. They’ve already started by shooting the gulls, for goodness sake.
Posted by Cptn
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May 19th, 2006
The swanky Cannes Film Festival kicked off this week and you’ll be chuffed to hear there are plenty of film types over here flying the flag for the People’s Republic.
South West Screen - the film, television and digital media agency for the South West of England - is apparently involved in two key events.
They’ll be launching the Screenwriters’ Festival this Sunday (which is due to take place at Cheltenham Film Studios in June) and also co-hosting an international event on Monday, aiming to attract more investment in the regions.
Many South West filmmakers are also attending the festival to generate interest in their projects, including the estimable likes of Martin Kiszko and Joe Tunmer.
Representing the PRSD is Stuart Brennan, producer at Devon-based Burn Hand Film Productions Ltd.
He told South West Screen: ‘Cannes is the centre of the film world, and a huge opportunity for networking and promoting any projects.
‘This year we’ll be heading out to promote our new horror division British Phoenix Films and their first feature film The Lost.
‘We’ll also be promoting our upcoming feature Risen, about the life and times of Welsh World Champion boxer Howard Winstone.
‘We’re hoping we’ll sell The Lost to a number of countries for DVD release and also get people talking about Risen.’
All of which, we think you’ll agree, sounds Very Cool Indeed. And hey, howzabout seeing you all here next year?
Check out South West Screen for more details.
Posted by Thin White Duke
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May 18th, 2006
Putting aside the obvious object lesson in how power corrupts, what does the nuclear proliferation commitment the prime minister has signed us all up for mean - other than the increase in volatile waste material we can’t control, and avoiding any meaningful change in power consumption, and further marginalising the proto-industry of renewable energy?
Your answers please on a brick which we will bury in lead for more than a couple of lifetimes and hope it does nothing to affect the world - why would it?
At least Elliott Morely in the Guardian - who has always had a reputation as being quite sound (despite what I feel was a bit of a fish fudge) - came out against the PM’s decision. But then he was sacked just last week.
Posted by Cptn
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May 18th, 2006
Do you have an idea for an short film? Of course you do. We all do. Wotchoo want? A chufty badge? Go tell it to the wishing tree, buddy. Buzz off.
And relax. Yes, that’s our expert impression of what fledgling filmmakers usually hear from arty types in the People’s Republic.
The reason we’re coming over all Marlon Brando though, is because a rather interesting email came skidding through our mailbox this very morning.
South West Screen and the UK Film Council are insisting they care about your ambitions and want to suck your brains dry for this year’s Digital Shorts thingy.
‘Digital shorts?’, we hear you snort. ‘But I only ever wear trousers’.
Oh, do behave. You’re missing the point for comic effect, you rascals.
Digital Shorts has nothing to do with cropped trews and everything to do with innovative film ideas from those based in the South West.
And the good news is the best brainwaves will go into production, with budgets of up to £8,000.
Pretty fab, huh? Yes.
So hurry up and get applying, at www.swscreen.co.uk, and be a contender (instead of a bum, which is what you are).
Posted by Thin White Duke
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May 17th, 2006
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