Comments Off on Exeter Phoenix Digital supported Short Film nominated for First Light Awards
Exeter Phoenix Digital supported film H.B. has been nominated in the Best Comedy category at the First Light Awards 2013.
Co-ordinated by My Pockets, H.B, was one of six 90-second comedy shorts based around sex education that were made for the ‘Doing it’ First Light funded Project. Young people aged 11-17 from the south-west took part in the project, which worked closely with Compass Pupil Referral Unit and the Switch Community Project. Participants were from hard-to-reach groups such as young offenders, young people excluded from formal education, young people in care, and those from economically disadvantaged or rural areas.
The First Light Awards 2013 will take place at the ODEON, Leicester Square London on Tuesday 19 March 2013 and is set to be a very exciting day for the young people.
H.B will be one of 4 shortlisted films in the comedy category and will be judged by an industry panel. The winning film is to be selected by a group of celebrity judges consisting of, Sir Alan Parker, Hobbit star Martin Freeman, David Heyman, Dawn Porter, and Matt Smith.
Peter Snelling of My Pockets said ‘We are delighted to be nominated. It is a big honour and a great opportunity for the young people experience an award ceremony like this’.
Using handmade puppets, H.B. tells the story of A pencil sharpener who tries to seduce a shy pencil. Will the pencil shape up 2B like the sharpeners much harder boyfriends?
H.B. and other nominated films in each category can be seen on the First Light website.
Comments Off on The Exeter Daily have a go at Experimental Drawing
By Jean Hawkins (The Exeter Daily)
Offered the opportunity by Exeter Phoenix to take part in a new one-day workshop at the lively arts centre and write about it for The Exeter Daily, I agreed with alacrity. I signed up for ‘Experimental Drawing’ thinking it might give my drawing practice the kick-start it needed.
The group of ten who gathered on Monday morning came with widely differing experience and expectations. ‘Experimental’ could sound intimidating, but at least one participant interpreted it as open to those with little technical expertise. This proved to be true as there was no assumed knowledge and no negative criticism from Nicci Wonnacott our tutor.
As we were encouraged by Nicci to start by ‘scribbling’ with charcoal on huge sheets of paper, on equally huge easels, I found it initially liberating, the word scribble alleviating anxiety about mistakes or correctness. For Nicci, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in art. Mistake making is OK and even creative.
Then we were asked to turn our drawings around to face the group (I had retreated to a corner!) And suddenly the comparison with others kicked in … Mine seemed too simple – others had scribbled ‘proper’ designs, even identifiable images, was I ‘right’ or ‘wrong’? Despite years at art school I was still subject to these feelings of uncertainty, as I later discovered others were.
Next, scribbling in chalks with both hands at once, strange, but enjoyable, I experimented by mirroring lines and patterns and crossing hands, developing a rhythm that became almost musical. One student said she ‘hated scribbling as it felt naughty’. As we shared our work this time, each person spoke about their experience and intentions and we began (perhaps) to trust that all our work was valuable. Nicky found delight in each person’s work, commenting, very specifically as a good teacher should, about aspects of the drawings: line, detailed marks, use of tone, quirkiness and meaning. She used these examples to make connections with art history too.
The experimental element became more obvious as we were given long willow sticks and black ink to draw with. This seemed challenging enough, until we saw a still life placed on the table to draw – surely too difficult! Japanese lantern flowers and oranges: beautiful against a white background. A student commented, echoing my own thoughts, that when she saw the still life she thought ‘now I should draw representationally’.
Despite this rather alarming task, some beautiful drawings emerged, some very bold and three-dimensional, others more delicate, but everyone had managed to use this medium, which encouraged the whole body to engage with the drawing. The sharing of work was definitely feeling more positive, though my comparatively timid results still disappointed me, others’ comments and Nicky’s were encouraging and supportive and we began to incorporate some of what we saw into our own work, thanks to Nicci’s facilitation.
This interaction was very much part of the process of the workshop. Nicci told us that for her process is more important than product and interesting discussion followed about the need to communicate to others, or whether it is enough to do it for oneself.
Moving into a more inward mode, Nicci asked us to recollect a place we love, interpreting it as we wished. For some of us the choice was hard to make – lots of thoughts and images rushed through my head – others responded immediately. Gradually we all became involved, being freed up by the previous exercises to explore mark-making and different ways to represent our place. Mine was a river journey through Russia and I lost myself in the drawing process. Our results were stunningly different this time! For some, it was a landscape or a walk, a room, or group of trees; for others thinking about a relationship, or a journey. One incorporated words, as though talking to themselves through drawing.
After lunch we started the final experiment: using an image selected from a magazine stuck onto our paper as a starting point, to elaborate or transform into a drawing using mixed media. I really became absorbed by this, feeling more confident as a landscape emerged. I heard one plea: ‘Nicci I can’t choose – there is too much choice – just tell me where to start!’ Yes, sometimes we want a teacher to limit our choices and tell us what to do, but Nicci wisely resisted, gently encouraging the student to be patient with herself. “I will stop trying to be Hockney or Lowry and be myself!”
Our drawings were in differing degrees satisfying to us, depending on our aspirations, ambition and maybe how we compared ourselves to others. But it was a valuable, well led and intensive day, for me inspiring and I recommend these workshops to others.
Ed’s note: The next Experimental Art workshops take place at Exeter Phoenix on 18th February and 18th March – 10.30am-5pm.
Cost: £28 (£24)
For more information about art workshops at Exeter Phoenix click here.
Comments Off on Edgy, rootsy and folky make their mark at an enlightened enclave
Jackie Butler, Western Morning News.
There’s one forward-thinking Westcountry establishment where you can be guaranteed to find an intriguing selection of musical talent performing – particularly in the roots and acoustic field – and that’s Exeter’s Phoenix.
Every year its imaginative programming introduces audiences to both burgeoning mainstream and established fringe-appeal bands and musicians, and 2013 will be no exception, judging by the dates announced so far.
One man I’m particularly keen to catch in concert is Brit Award-winning producer Ethan Johns (The Vaccines, Kings of Leon and Laura Marling) who is showcasing his own debut solo album on February 6.
He offered a tempting taster of his country blues-fuelled acoustic sound when he popped down to play in-store sets at a couple of Devon record shops late last year, so this full-scale follow-up is most welcome. On March 4 there’s a chance to see young American singer songwriter Willy Mason on his own headline tour in support of his third studio album Carry On. Ben Howard fans might have caught him supporting the Devon troubadour on tour in December.
Welsh female-fronted alternative rock trio The Joy Formidable supported Devon heroes Muse on their latest world tour dates and they have already established a huge following in the USA. They have their second full-length studio album, Wolf’s Law, coming later this month and play the Phoenix on March 5 as part of an extensive headline tour, following more high profile guests slots, including Bloc Party at Earls Court.
Other February and March bookings include Stanton Warriors with the Dub Pistols Sound System, festival favourites The Zen Hussies, Lee Scratch Perry, Neil Innes, Scottish rock newbies Frightened Rabbit, delicate Celtic folkie Heidi Talbot, Aussie sax maestro Mr Woodnote, The Lock In! hip hop folk opera featuring The Demon Barbers, The Selecter, Robyn Hitchcock, Mad Dog McRea, Stornoway, Stiff Little Fingers, Fay Hield and The Hurricane Party, and the Martin Harley Band.
The first date on the calendar is a rootsy Jamaican-style party on January 19 with veteran disc jockey David Rodigan who has been sharing his selections of reggae and dance-hall music live and on radio stations including Radio London and BBC Radio 2 since 1978.
All the above dates are now booking. For tickets and more details call Exeter Phoenix box office on 01392 667080.
See 3 LOL Festival events at Exeter Phoenix and get 20% off!
Exeter’s comedy festival, Laugh Out Loud kicks off this month and headlining the event are some hilarious award-winning comedians who have recently been raising chuckles on such TV shows as 8 Out of Ten Cats, Have I Got News for You and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
Tony Law – nominated for the most prestigious prize in live comedy, the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2012 – brings some gloriously absurd, loud and ridiculous comedy to Exeter Phoenix on 31 January following sell out gigs all over the country. The acridly funny Katherine Ryan can be seen this Friday night on Channel 4’s mash up night in the 8 Out of Ten Cats Does Deal or No Deal special and live at Exeter Phoenix on 30 January.
Also playing at Exeter Phoenix are Chortle Comedy Award nominees Peacock & Gamble; local funny women O’Shea & O’Gaukroger; Rich Peppiatt, an ex red-top reporter who, having appeared twice before the Leveson Inquiry, delivers a merciless dissection of the news paper trade; and Jigsaw, who have received huge critical acclaim for their fast and slick sketches.
More comedy events will take place at other venues throughout the city. Check lolfestival.co.uk for full listings, or see below for events at Exeter Phoenix.
If you book 3 or more of these events (either online, on the phone or in person), you’ll get a massive 20% off!
Peacock & Gamble
Don’t Even Want to be on Telly Anyway
Sun 20 Jan, 8pm, £10
Katherine Ryan
Nature’s Candy
Wed 30 Jan, 8pm, £12 (£10)
Tony Law
Maximum Nonsense
Thu 31 Jan, 8pm, £12 (£10)
O’Shea & O’Gaukroger
What Will We Do When We Grow Up?
Sat 2 Feb, 8pm, Voodoo Lounge, £8
Rich Peppiatt
One Rogue Reporter
Sun 3 Feb, 8pm, £10 (£8)
Other Laugh Out Loud events take place at Exeter Northcott Theatre, Bikeshed Theatre, Corn Exchange, Exeter Barnfield, City Gate Hotel. See lolfestival.co.uk for full listings.
3D printing is everywhere. Watching television just this week I saw Will-i-am’s new music video with Britney Spears, which includes a section of the 3D printing in action, building a human face before the viewers’ eyes. With the media picking up on this exciting new method it is clear 3D printing is bursting onto the scene and is becoming ever more popular.
What’s more Exeter is a centre for developing this 3D printing. Exeter Phoenix’s annual Digital Art Commission has partnered up with University of Exeter’s Centre for Additive layer Manufacturing (CALM) to bring Neoreplicants, giving thirty South West based artists the opportunity to explore these new technologies to enhance their art practice and production.
The official name for this method of 3D printing is Additive Layer Manufacturing. It is a method that combines the digital and physical and, at the simplest level, involves fabricating objects from computer screen to reality. Starting with a design on the computer, thin layers of plastic powder (the ‘magic dust’) is formed into two dimensional plates which gradually builds and layers up to form the 3D shapes.
Sarah Flint, commercial manager of CALM, said the brilliance of Additive Layer Manufacturing “makes things that are impossible to make in other ways” and it this versatility which makes the method so effective. From artist’s creative works to business models, medical implants and aeroplane manufacturing the method can cater to everyone’s needs. It is also a faster method of production, which uses less material and reduces carbon footprint.
A popular story in the news is the 3D designed violin (see the video here >>). Specialist violinmakers say the sound quality does not have the same depth of tone or quality and that plastic violins will not replace the generations of craft and expertise. Even so, these ambitious projects show the potential of this new design form. Some have gone as far to say this is the next industrial revolution in production – the idea of small communities having one 3D printing machine to produce their own goods, which could replace factories.
The Neoreplicants exhibition at Exeter Phoenix hosts an array of artist’s 3D work, some experimental sketches and some finished artworks in their own right. There are beautiful reflections on nature, fashion accessories, jewellery, businesses models and more intricate objects.
Some of the artists said they developed a completely new approach to their practices through this project. One artist, Maia Conran, has been selected to take the concept further by developing a solo exhibition in 2013. In her work for the NeoReplicants Exhibition, she aimed to blur the lines between the virtual and the physical by creating a cinema space within the gallery and she will expand on this for her new exhibition.
Make sure you visit the exhibition at the Phoenix to see what this new, revolutionary practice can produce.
We hope that our new site will give you all the information you need and offer you a much easier way to find out what’s going on and when. We also have a new ticketing system which allows you to manage your bookings and choose your seats. Check it out and do get in touch with any feedback. We will continue to try and improve and would love to hear from you: kelly.johnson@exeterphoenix.org.uk
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Smith and Milton, the company we worked with on creating this new site. Their intuition, creativity and general jolliness has been most appreciated.
This Christmas season we’ll be open as usual* right up until the 23rd Dec for festive drinks and activities, but for Christmas week itself there will be a few changes to our opening times.
Christmas Opening Times:
*Mon 13 Dec: Daytime open, building closed from 5pm
Fri 24 Dec: Open from 10-6pm
Sat 25 Dec: Closed
Sun 26 Dec: Closed
Mon 27 Dec: Closed
Tue 28 Dec: Bar & box office open from 1-6pm
Wed 29 Dec: Open from 1-4pm
Thu 30 Dec: Open from 1-4pm
Fri 31 Dec: Opens from 8pm – 2am for NYE event only.
The perfect present this Christmas! We’ve got a whole host of new one-day creative workshops from as little as £28 (£24 concession), and with our new gift vouchers, you can give the experience to a friend this Christmas. Workshops include:
Comments Off on Mary Epworth playing with Gravenhurst this Saturday.
Mary Epworth won this week’s Rebel Playlist on 6 Music! Mary got 50% of the votes, beating Lianne La Havas and Bat For Lashes. Listen out for ‘Black Doe’ being played on 6 Music every day this week on Steve Lamacq’s show.
Exeter Phoenix Digital is launching three new Short Film Commission schemes for 2013.
We are looking for proposals to shoot short, digital format films of 5-12 minutes duration. Films must be based on an original script or treatment but can be of any genre and are to be filmed by September 2013.
Now in its 11th year, Two Short Nights Film Festival kicks off on the 29 Nov at 7.30pm with the International Open Screening, featuring a hand-picked selection of incredible short films from around the world including films from Iran, Italy, Germany and Argentina.
The highlight of Two Short Nights is the Premiere screening, in which six Devon based filmmakers will be presenting their short films to an audience of hundreds. 2012’s filmmakers include award winning, Jerri Hart and his film The Oliver Complex, about a man who suffers from a disease which causes him to see life as one long musical; and Nicola Tetlow whose film Watch me Dance is about a talented young ballerina and her blind mother who will never be able to see her perform.
Other events at Two Short Nights 2012 include the 48 Hour Film Challenge screening, featuring a selection of films made in the space of just two days. The teams were given a strict assignment to follow throughout the challenge; this included a theme, a prop and some text.
Each film screened at the festival will be eligible for a festival award, this year presented by some very exciting special film guests.
To coincide with our sensationally smelly show for children age 5 and over, The Emperor’s Perfume, we are offering whiffy workshops for kids and their parents. In the show, the audience has a very important task – to help the Parfumier mix special ingredients and find the best scent in all the land.
In a workshop either before or after the show, children are invited to play with different smalls and create bathbombs with special ingredients from Lush!
Over the next few months we’ve got more music than you can shake a stick at and some excellent festivals to look forward to: Laugh Out Loud kicks off in January, giving you the chance to see hilarious stand up from some familiar faces; Animated Exeter which invites you to experience all kinds of animation through film screenings and workshops; and Vibraphonic is back for its 9th year with a host of musicians celebrating urban music of black origin.
Maia’s cooking is influenced by her time in Jerusalem, where she lived until 1998.
‘I have learned my best dishes and some secrets from great family kitchens whilst growing up and helping out. From a great dumpling soup on a rainy Friday, classic traditional hummus and my special falafels, I make a large range of traditional and eastern Mediterranean dishes.’
Maia’s homemade pastries and cakes are being snapped up as soon as they leave the oven! Try these tasty treats from our new menu and do let us know what you think: phoenixcafebar@exeterphoenix.org.uk
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