We are running a short crowdfunding campaign through greenlit, to raise funds for GARAGE
The funds we raise will go towards film festival submissions and distribution
Please support this project – donate, signal boost, or even just check it out.
My life has been frantic for the past few months – and updating this blog is lower on my list of priorities than quicker pages (like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn).
A few other updates
Suffice to say, it has been busy.
Big news!
You might have seen that the next short film we’re making with Busy Kiwi Productions is GARAGE
This is a short film I wrote last year. It’s a two-hander, that takes place in a parked car in a garage. It’s about suicide
We are shooting Garage on Tuesday 30th September and Wednesday 1st October in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire.
so far…
Writer/ Producer / Executive Producer: Patricia Hetherington
Director / Executive Producer: Dympna Jardine
Co-Producer: James L Perkins
We want to hear from crew based local to Worcestershire. Please contact busykiwifilm@gmail.com with your details
The next big project that I am running is the next Action On The Side 48-hour film competition. This one is run in conjunction with the Aravali International Film Festival in New Delhi.
This is the third 48-hour film competition I’ve run with Action On The Side. This has been a passion project of mine for years, and it’s something I hope can grow and become an annual fixture.
There’s definitely more I can say about the competition, but considering it starts today, I’ll need to post more at a future date.
The KEN Project is onto its next stage.
In 2024, we ran a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. The initial 30-day campaign extended to the full duration of 60-days. It’s been many years since I’ve run a crowdfunding campaign, and there are definitely things I would have liked to have done. It’s tough asking people to pledge money when there is a cost of living crisis and our industry has been struggling.
But we did manage to raise £5k. £2.5k was pledged by three private investors, £115 from a short film screening we ran, and the rest from the crowdfunding campaign.
Now that we have the budget confirmed, we are further developing the script to make sure it can be filmed for that amount. We want to make the best film possible, and it will be tight and will require negotiation and creativity.
The next big step is to confirm some recognisable cast for the project. We are blessed to have Donna McKernan on our team, who is known in the Northern Irish acting scene. She is contacting potential cast to draw interest.
At the same time, we are currently scouting potential locations where we can film. 75% of the team are based in London, whereas 25% are based in Northern Ireland, so we are scouting potential locations in either area. It’s all dependent on key cast and where we can get access to.
Once we have locations and key cast, then it’s setting the shoot date and hiring crew. We have developed a list of crew to approach when we have more details. I have joined some Facebook groups for Irish / Northern Irish filmmakers to start to meet people. But crew are dependent on the other things falling into place.
The project’s goal is to raise awareness about muscle dysmorphia, disordered eating, and the mental health issues men face. We are doing that with the narrative short film, a documentary short, and a website. The website (ken-shortfilm.com) has resources to support those suffering and those who want to help those suffering. Please visit the site.
On Thursday 7th November, I travelled to Oxford to speak to the Oxford Writer’s Group about Podcasting. It was in the beautiful Mansfield House.
I was bringing my experience as a narrative content producer; my background in sound (recording, writing music, sound design); my knowledge from teaching (creative writing, media, and podcasting / radio plays); and my current industry role in public broadcast.
I spoke to the attendees about identifying their target audience (market segmentation, four quadrants), understanding the market, loglines and synopses.
The other speakers – Gaby Sambuccetti and Judith Bunting spoke of their experience in podcasting and public broadcast radio.
When working with the groups, I asked each attendee about their favourite podcasts. That led us to talks about elevator pitches and comparables (comps). We discussed episode durations (14’, 28’, 42’, 57’) and distribution avenues.
Thank you to the Oxford Writers Group for having me.
The Oxford Writers’ House – a student-led initiative working between students at the University and authors living in the city of Oxford – has put together an educational and entertaining podcast (here is the link). The project is a labour of love, and it is free to listen to on their website.
There is too much to update and I don’t have time to turn these all into individual posts — although I know I should. But more important matters are afoot.
There’s probably more but that’s all my brain can handle right now.
Other recent updates (because I haven’t had the time to update here.
The mental health is still taking a beating, but I’m surviving. Woo.
Those who know me know that I am obsessed with Film, and I love the app & website Letterboxd.
I use Letterboxd as a teaching tool. I have a series of Lists to help students understand Genre and National Cinema. Now I have a new series: History on Film.
I built these lists to help me to understand the different periods of history, particularly in England.
The Dark Ages / Middle Ages / Mediaeval Periods required additional research.
I used the Notes function to include additional research, so I could identify when each of the stories were (roughly) set. So they should be in order from earliest to latest.
I hope you find value in this resource.
What’s the next thing I should build lists on?
I’ve created a Facebook Group for Kiwis that are based in the UK and who work in the creative industries.
This came from: 1) some of my Kiwi friends have moved to London from Welly, and we arranged a brunch with other Kiwi creatives, and 2) a Career Development training that I did at work, talking about building your brand, and, to a lesser extent, 3) meeting more Kiwis through my work, and 4) seeing Kiwis post in film groups saying they’re based in or moving to the UK, and introducing myself as a Kiwi.
I know about building a brand – I teach building yourself as a brand – but the workshop facilitator raised creating a community oneself. I do that, I have Action On The Side. But the training was around the same time of thinking about how to bring Creative Kiwis in London together (and it’s open to the rest of the UK).
Here’s the link to the group. If this sounds like you, do join. It’s all about networking and supporting each other.
The Action On The Side 48-hour film competition is back!
Last year, we ran the Ealing 48 (November 3-5, 2023). 11 teams competed, with over 100 people credited. Most of the teams were from London, with one based in Japan.
This year we’re running the competition from 8pm (UK Time) Friday 5th to 8pm Sunday 7th July 2024
Make a film in just 48 hours – Friday 5th to Sunday 7th July
Teams will have just 48 hours to write, shoot, edit, and submit a 5-7 minute short film. That isn’t the only challenge, of course — the film must be in an allocated genre, and must include the three random elements: a prop, a line of dialogue, and a shot or filmmaking technique. (Last year the genres were: Shakespearean, Superhero, War, Dystopian, Supernatural horror, Espionage / Spy Thriller; the prop was a photo frame; the line of dialogue was “the most important thing to remember is…”; the shot / filmmaking technique was a freeze frame).
This year’s competition is less than two weeks away!
Get your team together – or, if you don’t have a team and are based in London (so can attend the Kick-Off Event), individual filmmakers can register to join a team on the day.
The Kick-Off
The Kick-Off takes place 7pm-8pm Friday 5th July at House of Transformation in Haggerston. The Kick-Off is where we give tips for the competition, allocate the genres, and announce the three random elements.
The Kick-Off Event will be livestreamed and the submission is online, so teams can take part from anywhere in the world!
The Screening & Awards Event
Last year Screening and Awards were held at ActOne Cinema on 26th November 2023.
This year we return to ActOne Cinema in Acton for the Screening and Awards, on Sunday 4th August.
The Awards
The best films will screen at the cinema and will be up for awards, including BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST PERFORMANCE, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST EDITING, BEST SOUNDTRACK, and … BEST FILM
Films are up for laurels, trophies, mentorship, and the cinema screening.
So what now…?
There are more details on on the Action On The Side website and that is where to register (as a team or as an individual).
I’m promoting this by myself, so any help to #signalboost and get the word out is greatly appreciated.
I’m looking forward to running the competition again and seeing the films that are made.
#aots48hr
Busy Times 