Good UK FILM advice

Good evening

One of the best places in Cannes is the UK Film Centre. Its a good place to meet others, get advice and listen to a panel of expert filmmakers on a wide variety of topics. Its right on the beach and has several internet screens to catch up on emails.

Wish I was there :)

Indiana Gregg first home concert was a success. Lots of press and The Herald photographer took a snap, so look out for that later this week. Glasgow based actress Vivienne Taylor had a great time interviewing and presenting with Mark Scott and Neil Hartop's cameras at the ready.

More tomorrow night in London.

Douglas

The Cannes Jungle Of Ladders

Good evening.

This is the scene in front of the red carpet on the hottest but closest seats in the house. Everyone is so good natured. When a major star arrives thousands of fans wait patiently to see their favourite performer. Its actually a lot of fun for everyone from teenagers to grandparents all cheering someone and looking to get that phone cam picture of their favourite performer. Many chain ladders in a prime position before the festival has opened and leave it there all week.


Back in London.

Wish I was there. :)

Douglas

Cinema On The Beach

Bon soir

When was the last time you watched a movie. . . on the beach ?

The screen folds down at night as the sun starts to set, and everyone chilling out on the beach is treated to some classic films. I noticed Laurence Olivier in Hamlet which I think is one of the centenary edition dvds I have to review when I get back.

I might have mentioned before that I met the editor of Screen International at the Ennio Morricone event in Hollywood this year. I noticed his name in the daily Cannes magazines and decided to call him and left a voicemail. Today I received a call from their UK representative and she wanted more details of Making It In Hollywood and what filming I was able to get in Cannes. We are meeting up next week in London.

So Cannes for me, now stands for Contacts, Appointments, News, Networking, Entertainment and Success.

There is a rumour about Jude Law and Jessica Simpson having a brief encounter at one of the premieres. Who knows where that one might lead but as I have them both on film it will certainly get a mention on the Cannes leg of Making It In Hollywood.

I watched Michael Moore's Sicko. Go see it is the bottom line. I also saw one of the funniest short films in Cannes. More on both of these tomorrow.

The theatre review team have been busy this week I see, and Cameron Lowe is running another ticket competition in glasgow. See www.uktheatre.net for details.

As ever, missing you and wish you were here :)

Douglas

Leonardo arrives at 11th hour

Bon jour

It took a two hour wait in the sun, and much jostling with photographers and camera crews around the world, but eventually Leonardo Dicaprio arrived to promote his latest venture called 11th Hour. Its a documentary about the status of our planet and many stars are backing the concept.

Shortly after, I bumped into UKTN member Alice De Sousa who is Artistic Director at Greenwich Theatre. She works in film as well as theatre and has a few projects on the go.

This morning I interviewed writer Sal Brown and she provided some great advice for getting the most out of Cannes.

Last day here for me but I will continue to bring you news and pics when I get back to London.

Wish you were here. Au revoir.

Douglas

Meeting A Major Movie Star

Bon jour

Ca va aujourdui ?

My high school French is slowly coming back and getting beyond the 'two beers please', but only just.

A chef on one of the yachts told us that Liz Hurley and James Blunt were in adjacent yachts to the one she was on. So we took a wander down and ended up being part of the press call for Jessica Simpson. Her new movie is called Major Movie Star. We waited two hours before she arrived but the footage was worth it.

Don Allen, a UK director was our interview today. His film Three Minute Moments is on the UK FILM COUNCIL sales list and he has been so busy that I had to stop his head from spinning first.
Having fun. Wish you were here.

Douglas

Red Balloons flying in Cannes

French films have a character of their own and The Flight Of The Red Balloon starring Juliet Binoche doesnt disappoint. I am not a fan of subtitles but I found this one easier as the dialogue is often interrupted with some visuals of a red balloon. Flying. Its strange how it works and at times you are wondering why the Director has indulged the audience in such basic imagery.

The script feels improvised as the trivial conversations feel like everyday banter made up on the spot, and often there are natural pauses and stumbling over words. I think it is more likely down to some excellent acting from the cast and the natural style of the filming.

On other fronts, I bumped into Sal Brown again. The last time was at Los Angeles check in on the way home. She gave me some good advice about Cannes. This time it was at a UK Film Council event for short film makers.

Anita Lewton sat next to me at a screening. She heads up the training at New Producers Alliance. So networking is going well and becoming the most valuable thing that Cannes has to offer.

Lots to share with you when I get back.

Wish you were here.

Douglas

My Cannes Nights

Bon Soir

Its a hard life in the film business. All that sun and watching the stars walk the red carpet. Stephen Frears, Jude Law and Jake Gyllenhaal as well as Toni Collette and Nora Jones are now part of the 'Making It In Hollywood' story after a a long wait and sore arms holding the camera with tripod above the crowds. Such a hard life.

More interviews of independent film makers planned for the weekend next to some of the so-called yachts. I'd call them ships!

Back home the news is getting exciting. The national press have picked up on the Ukgigs home concerts which will be filmed next week. The Managing Director of the Mirror has even offered his home for a night in June.

My Blueberry Nights was excellent. Simple story of relationships with some classy filming and great acting especially from Nora Jones in her debut performance. Great to watch.

See you soon. Wish you were here.

Douglas

60th Cannes Film Festival

Welcome, bien venue, welkom.

Weather beautiful. Registered. Booked some screening times for the weekend. Took a pic of the red carpet. Found hotel. Blogged this :)

Nora Jones, Jude Law and Rachel Weisz are first on the red carpet with My Blueberry Nights.

Got my first audience member. A New Orleans publicist. Another 8 and I can fill the special screening booths. Only once for the entire festival. The screenings are all on interactive screens around the festival as well. I noticed 'Making It In Hollywood' in the catalogue so I didn't miss that deadline in April thankfully.

Have a nice day. Will blog again tomorrow.

Douglas in Cannes
www.ukfilm.tv

Making It In Hollywood - The Red Carpet Walk

Making It In Hollywood (Trailer)

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Making It In Hollywood - Poster/Flyer

Cannes Short Film Corner 2007

Making It In Hollywood
There's no business like show business


Featuring
Clint Eastwood, Ennio Morricone, Kate Winslet, Ellen Degeneres
Contributors
Joshua Finkel, Teresa Earle, Rodney Saulsberry,
Chris Dickerson, Jim Neville, Sara Lappin, Jo Price.
Music
James Tinney
Directors
Douglas McFarlane, Chris Dickerson

Written, Edited and Produced by
Douglas McFarlane

A look inside the business of Hollywood and what it takes to be a success in the heart of one of the toughest and most competitive industries in the world. Filmed over one weekend in Hollywood, during the Oscars, the journey taken by Scots actor Douglas McFarlane to find out hints and tips to making a start, takes some interesting and unplanned turns, as the magic of Hollywood film-making takes over.

For further details and to keep in touch with the films progress, send a blank email to subscribe@ukfilm.tv

Free Ennio Morricone CD

The Sunday Times are giving away a FREE CD tomorrow featuring the music of Ennio Morricone's greatest movie scores.

Regular readers of this blog will know that both Clint and Ennio are featured in 'Making It In Hollywood'. Their first meeting in 40 years was totally unexpected and I was lucky enough to be at the event when Clint walked in the room. The excitement of that night is part of the story of the weekend in Hollywood that I captured on high definition.

Visitors to Cannes will be the first to see my 15 minutes of short film fame :)

Ed Stoppard exits stage left

Contrary to Bob Geldof's 80s hit, I DO like Mondays. They have become a regular theatre night for me.

The second in the Brief Encounters series at the Tristan Bates Theatre with Prunella Scales was informative and educational as well as being an insight into the acting talent that went into the infamous Fawlty Towers episodes.

Then in my normal random fashion, I passed by some of the top West End productions like a kid in DisneyWorld looking for the next rollercoaster.

I decided to see if i could catch my friend Adam Millard who is understudying at The Glass Menagerie.

Tonight however Ed Stoppard did not break a leg and Adam had to be content with a mention in the programme and a drink with me afterwards.

I took this picture of Ed with Mark Umbers while waiting at the stage door, minutes after they had exited stage left from playing opposite Jessica Lange.

It was a great play with a very talented cast. I would recommend you catch it before it ends its run in May.

And. . .let me know if you are lucky enough to see Adam.

UK Theatre Network - Weekly Newsletter

What's On | West End Tickets | UK Reviews | US Reviews | UKTheatre TV USTheater TV | UKFilm TV | Contact Editor

---

From the Editor:

I may say this every week, but I really do thank you for continuing to visit www.uktheatre.net and I much appreciate your feedback which helps me to understand what you like the most. If you haven't sent me an email for a while, why not do one today.

There are some exciting developments in the pipeline, but until they are kicked off, I'm holding back on saying anything. One of the ideas I've been building up for years and each time I get close, someone gets cold feet. Such is life. You really need tenacity in this business and belief in your ideas. In the meantime, it's important to enjoy the journey and have a laugh. I'm still laughing at the fun I had at the Oscars. I haven't been able to show you the footage, as the various potential partners I'm dealing with want the material to be exclusive and as they are very busy people, it's taking longer than I had hoped.

One thing that I can say, is that if you have a CD or DVD of your theatre production or short film, and would like it included in an online review, then please get in touch by replying to this email.

Have a good weekend.

Douglas McFarlane

Editor@UKTheatre.Net

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It's infectious

enthusiasm for

the theatre

can only

be commended*

* The Times commenting on UK Theatre Network

UKTHEATRE REVIEWS

Title	Description	Date
Relative Values	It's all about class at the Greenwich Playhouse. Tuesday - Saturday @ 7.45 Sunday @ 4 Box Office: 020 8858 9256 Tickets; £11 (9)	3/16/2007
Platonov	The Maly Theare of St Petersburg at the Barbican	3/14/2007
Death of a Salesman at Bolton Octagon	Bolton fields a team of reliable players with a proven track record in Miller's classic tragedy	3/14/2007
The Agent	If you can't live, write; if you can't write, be a publisher; if you can't be a publisher, be a literary agent; if you can't be a literary agent, God help you - Colin Haycraft	3/12/2007
Whiter Than Snow	Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh 7-10th March- £12(£7) 0131 228 1404 www.traverse.co.uk Then Touring; www.graeae.org www.birmingham-rep.co.uk	3/12/2007

UKFILM REVIEWS

Title	Description	Date
Meet the Robinsons	Disney's latest CGI animation is a sci-fi story that will only appeal to children. It is being shown in 3D in selected cinemas.	3/16/2007
Fast Food Nation	The best-selling exposé on the US fast food industry is fictionalised by director Richard Linklater to make it easier to digest.	3/16/2007
300	The latest digital backlot adaptation of a Frank Miller comic is about to hit the big screens	3/12/2007
The Good German	Soderbergh and Clooney make a post war noir thriller.	3/9/2007
Becoming Jane	Did Jane Austen really fall in love and nearly marry?	3/7/2007

EVENTS DIARY

3/27/2007	Play	'Bard at the Bridewell'
3/30/2007	Comedy	Sausage Night III: The Revenge of the Sausage

3/31/2007

Play

Foolish People's Dark Nights of the Soul

4/3/2007

Play

The Inhabitants of the Moon are Noses/Diary of a Madman

Put an event in YOUR event diary and tell others as well.

RECENT ARTICLES

Title	Description	Date
He Said, She Said: Battle of the Genders in Theatre	Where there’s love, there’s also conflict. Besides blossoming romance there is nothing else that theatre fans love to watch more than the opposite sexes engaging in a fierce duel of wits, will and verbiage	3/17/2007 5:58:00 AM
Little India	UKTN member Kevin Rowntree is appearing in Little India.	3/17/2007 5:54:00 AM
We Will Rock You!	The Hertfordshire-based performing arts group is one of the first to gain the licence to perform the show outside of the West End.	3/17/2007 5:29:00 AM
“An Everyday Occurrence”	Dave Heath’s new chamber opera is the proverbial fizzing bomb being bowled, into the midst of the arts world.	3/17/2007 5:22:00 AM
Byre Theatre - April Listings	Details of St Andrew's infamous Byre Theatre	3/17/2007 5:20:00 AM
Avenue Q	Hysterical NEW Weekday Prices for "The Funniest Show In Town" (Sky News)	3/17/2007 5:18:00 AM
THE ELEPHANT MAN	John Merrick’s three foot wide head of solid bone caused by a still unknown genetic defect made him a wealthy freak-show celebrity of his time, not perhaps unlike a latter day silicon enhanced footballer’s wife or botoxed Hollywood celebrity.	3/17/2007 5:14:00 AM

Are you getting your theatre fix ?

Its non-stop this weekend. From a great performance at the London Fashion College on Friday, a tour around Shakespeare's Globe theatre on Saturday afternoon. Little Shop Of Horrors on Saturday night. An interview with a cast member of The Glass Menagerie on Sunday. Tonight was a question and answer session with Julie Walters and I have just came out of that and noticed that Spamalot has not started yet and had a few tickets left.

After Hollywood, its been great getting back into theatre in London. Are you getting your theatre fix ?

I will write up more this week. :)

Making It In Hollywood (excerpts)

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It's a wrap !

It's a wrap ! Indeed. I have had a fantastic time this weekend and I hope you enjoyed reading some of the blogs.

You have been reading about the making of a documentary film called "Making It In Hollywood" which had a backdrop of the Oscars. It not about the Oscars, it's about people creating, performing, directing, writing, presenting in Hollywood with lots of great information for new and aspiring performers as well as those well experienced in the business. Show business that is. Everything about it is appealing, as I said when I started the journey, and it certainly proved that point this weekend. It also reminded me that it is a BUSINESS and there are clearly ways to win in a business which are not always obvious to everyone.

I personally found it was educational and informative to myself in "making" the documentary with some interesting challenges that come with producing, directing, filming, presenting, editing and blogging. Not least of which is the mindset that is needed to be thinking about the entire process, all the time. "Exhausting" sums it up nicely.

The end result is also a snapshot on life and culture around Hollywood in 2007 which will continue to be a fascinating place to visit and I will certainly be back for the 80th Academy Awards in 2008 with an even bigger project (watch this space).

In the meantime, many thanks for being part of the blog. I will get back to the UK and settle in, recover from my lack of sleep and get back a sense of normality. In the meantime, here's some official pictures from the very supportive people of The Academy press department.

UKFilm.TV - Kate Winslett, Celine Dion, Ellen Degeneres

Live Blogcast from the Oscars Red Carpet

Live Blogcast from the Oscars Red Carpet

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