Podcasting and Oxford Writers

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. 

August 2024

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.

  1. Pearls has been accepted into two Film Festivals: W XOOL Festival in Paris (5th October) and the Iris LBGTQ+ Film Award in Cardiff (8th October)
  2. The next Action On The Side one-month weekend filmmaking project starts this weekend.
  3. I’m running the first Action On The Side one-month weekend filmmaking project in Sheffield in October — if I get enough sign-ups. (Breaking into a new market is hard).
  4. The KEN Film Project has its website built and we’re kicking off the crowdfunding campaign on IndieGoGo (coming soon page)

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.

  • In June, Pearls screened at the Détours en Cinécourt Festival 2024
  • In July, I ran the AOTS 48-Hour Film Competition. The competition ran 5-7 July, and the submitted films screened on 4th August.
  • In July, I hosted a short film screening as a fundraiser for the Ken short film project. We screened Pearls, Lycanthropy, and Woman In Blue, and raised £115 for Ken.
  • After a period of low employment, I now have a full-time role. (It’s been a tough couple of years).
  • I recently attended five BBC Proms with assorted guests.
  • I’ve started attending dance workshops again.
  • I’m trying to write some scripts for the next AOTS film projects, but fitting that in with all the other stuff is tough.

The mental health is still taking a beating, but I’m surviving. Woo.

Understanding History through Film

Those who know me know that I am obsessed with Film, and I love the app & website Letterboxd.

Letterboxd Logo

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?

Creative Kiwis Community

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 AOTS 48 HR

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

Coming Clean

We have now officially finished the March 2024 Action On The Side one-month filmmaking project: the crime horror thriller Coming Clean

Coming Clean

This is the first time I have run the Action On The Side one-month filmmaking project since March 2020 – right as the first lockdown started.

Each time we run the project, I always try to improve something – in the project, in our filmmaking technique. The improvements I implemented this time were:

  • The legal paperwork was all signed digitally using Adobe Sign, in advance of the project;
  • The legal paperwork now has a GDPR section;
  • I provided the full budget to participants so we could all work together to deliver the project in under budget;
  • Instead of the film only going online, we have a festival strategy and have already submitted to some festivals;
  • We sold tickets to the screening for koha (donation), with funds raised going to the film festival submission fund;
  • We have additional meetings during the post production process to look at sound delivery and process;
  • we have a deliverables document, focusing on how to deliver to SVOD and what graphics are needed;
  • we have used Wix groups instead of Facebook groups;
  • I have a roller banner now;
  • We have the film listed on Letterboxd.

Please enjoy the film

Proposals and Collaborations

A woman's hands on a computer keyboard

It’s Reading Week this week – meaning no lessons. I’ve been focusing on a few different things this week: grading research, my business accounts, promoting the upcoming AOTS project, prep for the project (including writing scripts to pitch), selling things on eBay, and meetings with potential collaborators. I’ve been writing proposals for longer projects. Early days, so no public news yet.

I’ve produced two videos for the AOTS project: one on the legal stuff and one on the pitch process. I’m not anticipating many views: they’re mainly for the people taking part in the project. But they are public for anyone who is interested in what the project is.

Upcoming Events

I’ll post more when I know more.

Writers Groups

A quick note to tout the importance and benefits of writers groups.

Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining a virtual Shut Up and Write session for the first time. These are sessions whereby writers turn up, sit and write together for a set amount of time, and can chat afterwards if they want. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’m more productive if I think people will judge me if they see me slacking off on my screen. This is a way to focus, set aside time for your writing goals, and have some sense of community — because, let’s face it, writing is a lonely task.

The session was run by my friend Candace Little (give her a follow on Instagram). Candace is a writer, a kiwi, a mum based in Australia – she’s a friend and I’ve known her for years!. The session is 11pm on a Sunday for me, so I’m a bit shattered today, but, y’know what? I got some writing done (well, marking student work, but it all counts!)

Here’s where to sign up for Candace’s free virtual writing sessions

On Sunday mornings (9am-11am), I join a free virtual writing group. The group was set up by attendees at the London Screenwriters Festival. Anyone can join. The group is predominantly from the UK, but there are some international writers. We chat about various things, including getting ahead in the industry, networking, and productivity tips, but one can also share work with the group for feedback. As it is on Zoom, there are also breakout rooms – so you can log on, write for a bit, then re-join the chat when ready. There’s a Whatsapp group for communication, and we even met up in person for a Christmas lunch last month!

I’m not sure if/how to promote the group, so if it’s something you’re interested in, message me and I can provide details.

Finally there are the script development workshops that I run with Action On The Side. I gave a fortnightly in-person script development workshop that I run at the Curzon Soho (in the bar or café area), on Wednesday evenings. I also have a virtual script development session once a month.

We used to run the sessions that people turn up with (printed) scripts, we read each others’ scripts, write our feedback using a pro forma I developed, then give each other feedback. Currently there is more of a focus on workshopping structure, dialogue, character, logline — it’s a bespoke workshop, so it depends what people bring to the session.

I’ve also got a Wix group for writers. I’m sharing writing resources and posting reminders of upcoming workshops. Ideally each person who regularly attends the workshops will join the group and join the discussion. A safe space to share loglines and scripts for feedback, and build a sense of community. It’s early days, but I’m working on it.

Here’s where one can request to join.

and

Here’s where to find out about the AOTS Script Development Workshops and where to register

January 2024 update

Most Sunday mornings, I join an online writers group. Today the conversation went to social media. I talked about the importance of building one’s brand, and how producers, publishers, & distributors will want to see that you have an audience who you can promote to. That said, social media is not effective if you are only shouting into the void.

I’m editing a short project rn, and, on the external hard drive, I’ve seen some of my archival photos that I hadn’t seen in ages. So this reminds me of the power of social media to document our own experiences for our own future reference.

Hence, a bullet-pointed list for now, of what is happening in my life this month…

  • Pearls (pka Me Too) screened in Liverpool on Saturday 20th January 2024, at the NEW YEAR, YOU’RE YOU Trans and Non-Binary Film Night.
  • For KEN short film, we’re prepping a script readthrough next month and will be starting a crowdfunding campaign in around March. On our Facebook page, I’m sharing short documentaries on disordered eating and muscle dysmorphia in men (it’s a social awareness film, so this is part of our strategy). We’re also still weighing up whether the film will be shot and set in Northern Ireland or London.
  • A Winter Barbecue played in the London Lift-Off Festival in December 2023. I added the films in the Local Filmmakers Shorts I could to a Letterboxd List.
  • On Sunday 21st January, I directed a showreel scene called Desk Jockey, which I’m now editing. If this film goes well, we’ll be making more showreel scenes.
  • I’m in talks with a Writer / Exec Producer to produce and potentially direct a 9-page period piece short in Sheffield. It would be shot around August, to be finished in November and screened in December.
  • I have been focusing on grading student work and prepping lessons. I’ve been sick with the lurgy for the past week + , which has made it difficult to meet the deadlines I set myself.
  • I’ve had a change in financial situation over the past few months, so I’m selling things and applying for more paid work.
  • With my teaching work, I have access to LinkedIn Learning, which I’m finally taking advantage of. Speaking of learning, I’m over 800 days with my DuoLingo learning (in case you’re interested, I’m keeping up the French, whilst learning Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, and keeping up Music and Maths).
  • In my goal to write a feature film this month, I’m still trying to get into the regular habit of writing. I’ve picked up a short film that’s been in my mind for a few years, at which I am tinkering. I also wrote a draft first chapter of a longer-form project.
  • I gave myself a second resolution for 2024 to get my films I’m pretty sure I’ve seen but I’m not sure list on Letterboxd down by 100 films. [13 films down so far]. I’ve also been trying to watch films in my Watchlist to keep it below 700 this year.
  • My accounts are due at the end of February, so that needs to take priority soon.
  • The plan is to run the Action On The Side one-month filmmaking project in London in March, but time is marching on and I haven’t been doing enough marketing and promotion. Plus I haven’t confirmed the location to run the preproduction weekend. I have a worry it (again) isn’t going to happen then.
  • I’m working with a colleague to run the AOTS one-month filmmaking project in Sheffield in May.
  • Adding to the concern that I’m not promoting enough, with AOTS, I’m running weekly script development workshops this year on Wednesday evenings – both online and in-person. Registrations are here, as is a calendar where one can see the dates of upcoming events.

If this post inspires you, let it inspire you to share your own monthly update for your own documentation.

2023: A Reflection

It’s the last day of 2023, and it’s time to reflect on the year that was.

My 2023 Resolution was to keep my Letterboxd Watchlist below 700 films. It raised up to nearly 750 this year. I’m hours away from the new year, and should be able to get it down to 699 (which is proving tough, because I strained my eyes by using screens too much lately).

My 2024 Resolution is to write a feature film script (at least one).

At the end of 2022, I was told my employment at Vice would end at the end of January. Last year’s Xmas and New Years were tough, because I was applying for work.

Over the year, I had two periods of unemployment. I even experienced being on the Jobseekers Allowance. I returned to Teaching, which was in part enjoyable and confidence-giving. I’ve worked for important industry organisations, developing a better understanding of the screen industries. It’s been a tough year. I’m currently working part-time at the Beeb, teaching media at a University as an HPL, and using the rest of my time to work on film projects.

I’ve been working on two major film projects this year. On Hortensia Road (aka Tinsel Town) is a Christmas feature; we’re developing the script and raising finances. Ken is a dramatic short about muscle dysmorphia and disordered eating in men; we’ll be running a crowdfunding campaign and aiming to shoot in 2024.

Pearls, the film we shot in 2022, has screened in one film festival so far. A Winter Barbecue, the last Action On The Side short film we made, is currently playing in the London Lift-Off Festival, in the Local Filmmakers Shorts. (I’ve been listing the other films in the festival on Letterboxd here).

For Action On The Side, we ran our short screenplay award; I ran Cinema SoundEX for the first time in the UK – which created 6 short films; and I ran The Ealing 48 | 48-hour film competition, in which 11 teams took part — something I have been wanting to do for years!

Other things I did in 2023:

  • In April I visited Liverpool, Belfast, and Dublin, seeing family and friends;
  • I was on the jury for multiple film festivals: International Film Festival The Hague; The London Sci-Fi 48-hour film competition; and Tels Quels LGBTQ+ Competition Court Métrages.
  • I was a guest lecturer at Rose Bruford.
  • I visited Sheffield for the first time, and helped manage the Sheffield Global Cinema Festival as the Assistant Location Manager (I’m pretty sure that was my title), and I ran a filmmaking workshop.
  • I continued to run regular script development workshops, and I took part in a weekly online scriptwriting group.

In 2024, I look forward to more filmmaking, scriptwriting, teaching, business, and improving my physical and mental health.

Wishing you all the best
for 2024