My WICKED slide show

Edinburgh prepares for the Fringe

Fringe 2007 5 - 27 August

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Pictured: Edinburgh gets ready for over a million visitors during August.

Title	Description	Date
This Sketch Show Belongs to Lionel Richie	LIONEL RICHIE SET TO OWN THE 2007 EDINBURGH COMEDY FESTIVAL	7/30/2007
Backpacker	Jody Kamali, the half-Iranian, Bristolian comedy actor; brings the comedic essence of travelling to the stage, in a one-man, character comedy show.	7/29/2007
Best of The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 07	Media releases and images from some of the shows UKTheatre will be reviewing at the Edinburgh Fringe	7/29/2007
DEBORAH FRANCES-WHITE'S "HOW TO GET ALMOST ANYONE TO WANT TO SLEEP WITH YOU"	Afternoon stand-up leaving you ready to pull tonight	7/29/2007
The Witching Hour III	The scariest late night show on the Fringe is back with Perrier nominee Stephen Harvey.	7/14/2007
Grasmere By Kristina Leach	Debuting at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe ‘07, RoaN Productions will be travelling from their home city of New York to present the European Premiere of GRASMERE, showing at C between 1 and 27 August.	7/14/2007
ASHES by Ali Muriel	Four actors, four fires, four darkly comic stories.	7/14/2007
The Maids'	Genet's 'The Maids' is a transgendered exploration of volatility, destruction, eroticism and murder.	7/14/2007
Real Circumstance makes its debut with LIMBO at the Edinburgh Festival!	LIMBO is the tender and compelling story of a young girl’s relationship with an older man. A young Catholic girl gives her confession from the edge of Camlough Lake.	7/14/2007
Dye Young / Stay Pretty	Before Madonna, blonde ambition had a different name: Debbie Harry.	7/7/2007
Paul Chowdhry’s ‘Lost in Confusion’	Edinburgh set to misunderstand confused comedian	7/7/2007
Kitty Flanagan’s Edinburgh ‘Festival of Me’	“Flanagan is one of the most subtle and perceptive of live performers regardless of gender”	7/7/2007
Jim Bowes has a complaint to make	On average, a person is likely to moan to more than twice as many people about a bad experience, than when praising a positive one.	7/7/2007
Dear Future Wife… in Edinburgh?	One man’s desperate search unfolds on stage	7/7/2007
SPREAD	A MOUTHWATERING PLAY FEASTING ON WOMEN'S FIGHT & FROLICS WITH FOOD.	7/7/2007
Doctor Deepak’s Edinburgh Festival Surgeries	A visit to your Doctor will never be the same again!	7/7/2007
BUTCH - A QUEEN’S STUGGLE TO BECOME A KING	Menno wants to ‘butch-up’, he wants to be less Graham Norton and more Vinnie Jones......	7/7/2007

Finding Kevin Spacey

It sounds like the title of a new movie, but in fact it is just my ongoing search for the elusive man to find out if he would be interested in 'K-PAX II: The Return Of Prot'.

I popped down to the Old Vic today to find out more about the 24 hour plays which he launches every year around September. These are for around 50 new and emerging performers who are taken under the wing of the 'Old Vic New Voices Team' and coached and developed. Many go on to bigger and better things.

Did I meet him ? No. The picture is from the publicity poster from the David Mamet play Speed-The-Plow which he is performing in next year but it had you going didnt it ?

Rachel Stevens, (no, not the S Club 7 star, the Old Vic New Voices one), told me more about the 24 hour plays and will be keeping me posted with the entry timetable. There will be regional auditions which will be sponsored by Red Bull and these will be coming your way in October.

Right, its back to calling Mr Spacey's agent John Fogelman tonight to see if Gene Brewer's latest script, coupled with my ideas around the fringe play have captured any initial interest.

Nothing ventured......

An actors best friend

BAFTA held a casting session tonight with four of the UK's top Casting Director's.

It was an interesting event listening to the trials and tribulations and varied experiences of those responsible for everyone selecting A-list actors to one line newcomers in the major films in the cinema today.

One of the UK's top film producers kept them on their toes and brought some honesty and humour to the evening.

I'll update you more on this and the Raindance session with a producer who got Ewan Mcgregor to work for Equity minimum in this weekend's newsletter.

Classical Busking on the South Bank

The arches under Southwark Bridge have great acoustics for impromptu buskers. Best of all is a quartet playing Vivaldi. The sound resonates nicely delighting the ears of passersby. This quartet didnt have a name when I asked them, but they did say they were from Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Sunday on the South Bank. Do it !

Olivers Army storms the Tower of London

I had just read about Elvis Costello on the tube home. He is opening up the Tower Music Festival tonight at the Tower of London. He had just arrived the second I was passing and a polite 'hey Elvis' was enough for him to turn and give a mean stare as he headed for the stage for a sound check.

The Tower Music Festival ends on Monday with The Good The Bad and The Queen, Damon Alburn's Supergroup.

Bafta's Annual General Meeting

An interesting evening tonight with the people who run Bafta. Like most AGM's it had its fair share of angst ridden individuals with trivial points of detail which commanded more attention than the good news. Hilary Bevan Jones did a remarkable job of keeping the session in control and focussed. Her ideas for connecting with more people is a breath of fresh air and her final year as Chairperson will see some big changes, primarily using the Internet. I spoke to her afterwards in the bar and volunteered my services to help where I can.

As ever it was a great networking night with BBC execs and famous producers. Sitting behind me was Paul Antony Barber who you may remember was the first West End reviewers for UKTN. He didnt recognise me as I have grown a beard in the last few weeks and I am a slimmer chap from 5 year ago when we last met in person :)

I met a film financer from Glasgow would you believe. A well connected one. He liked K-pax ii.

Next steps is to call John Fogelman in Beverley Hills tonight. He is Kevin Spacey's agent, the William Morris contact in London advised me today. Tomorrow night is the budget planning course at Raindance.

Making It In Hollywood is becoming a way of life, rather than a documentary. There's no business like show business. For sure.

Douglas

Entertainment at its best

Helen Oakleigh invited me to Shakespeare's Globe tonight.

I won't preempt her review, but WOW. In the pub afterwards I noticed the Evening Standard critic gave it 2 stars, which makes a mockery of critics. What do they really know? Do they represent an audience ? No they don't. They seem to have an isolated ill educated view on what constitutes good theatre. I had a look around and saw everyone engrossed, amused, entertained.

Get some Shakespeare in your soul this summer. You will be glad you did.

Douglas

Coffee in London

Afternoon tea with Film London and then early evening coffee with Graham Norton, and his dogs, in my local Starbucks.

Tea time in London

Five minutes ago I took the latest jump into the world of filmmaking. 'Little India', a comedy feature was entered into Film London's Microwave scheme. The building in the picture, which looks as if it should have been demolished decades ago, is home to a wide range of companies including Film London on the 6th floor.

The deadline was today for applications and this week has been very stressful preparing the reams of paper required to justify why Little India should merit an award of 50 thousand big ones.

Not a lot of money for a feature film but given the backing of a great team at sponsors BBC, the award winners stand a better chance than most. I will keep you posted on progress in the coming months.

Look out for more filmmaking news tomorrow. An even bigger project is next up.

It IS all happening.

Douglas

An audience of one

I know. I know. I am a lucky guy.

Making It In Hollywood had a private screening this morning with the founder of London's Raindance festival, Elliot Grove. I arrived early so that he could watch it before the class started. By the time it had ended the whole class had arrived and it was exciting to hear a filmmaking audience enjoy it.

Elliot then said 'It's good. It'll sell' and asked to keep the dvd. I told him it was his personal copy and he asked me to write my mobile number on the back.

It's so true. There's no business like show business.


Douglas

Launching 4TALENT

Channel 4's Chief Exec, Andy Duncan (pictured), announced the launch of their 4talent website. It's a resource and opportunity website to provide much needed support and development of new talent in the UK. Much like we do at UKTN.

Members of the UK Theatre Network will recognise the lovely Claire Sweeney in the picture. You can see more of her on the UKTHEATRE.TV website. We filmed her last year for the launch of the Guys and Dolls tour, so it was nice to see her again looking fabulous.

It was a great night with great champagne, good company and celebrating 25 years of talent on Channel 4.

Douglas

Firing on all cylinders

Do you find that when you are in a creative frame of mind, that ideas connect and present themselves in front of your very eyes ?

This morning I received some emails about film financing and low budget filmmaking which Raindance are holding in the coming weeks. By 9:30, I had booked two courses, paid for them by paypal and submitted MAKING IT IN HOLLYWOOD into Raindance Film Festival !

Tomorrow is the deadline so I had to make a quick decision but it was made easier because I had done all the preparatory work on WITHOUTABOX.com for the Cannes Film Festival. All the press release information, production notes, stills from the film, credits, synopsis and other relevant information were completed last month, so it was one click to submit, and another to pay $42.

Easy when you know how, but if you'd said in February that this year I'd be submitting a film to Cannes and Raindance, I would've looked at you very confused and had no idea where to start looking. The power of the Internet delivers yet again.

I'm off to the launch of 4Talent tonight at Channel 4's offices in Horseferry Road tonight. I'll blog a picture or two tonight if I can.


Douglas

Mister Myspace

James Fabricant, Head Of Content and Marketing at Myspace.com. A very busy chap as you can imagine. See blog below.

Confusion at Channel 4

Ok, I admit. It's a headline to grab your attention and not a dig at the wonderful people at Channel 4. There is a reason I said it though, so read on.

I was delighted to be invited to the Channel 4 events this week and I decided the best one for me, was the 'making it multi media'. Apart from the fact that it fitted nicely with the 'Making It In Hollywood' theme which readers of this blog will be well aware of, the event was hosted by some of the top people in the new media business who I had been contacting for over 18 months via email. Tonight was a great chance to hear what they think and put a face to a name.

Adam Gee on the left. Channel 4 commissioning editor for factual entertainment. Emily Renshaw Smith, formerly of fourdocs but now with CURRENT.TV otherwise known as 'Al Gore's web tv station'.

Next to Emily is James Kirkham who heads up Holler, the creative company behind E4's SKINS marketing and promotion.

Out of picture, but will be on the blog above this, is James Fabricant, Head of Content at Myspace.

An exclusive and influential group of people in the world of new media I am sure you will agree.

The night was a very pleasant introduction to what each of them do and where they are successful. However it soon became clear that while they had cracked it for a few select projects, which used their collective online platforms wisely, there remained significant doubt (read opportunity) over how the commercial prospects of content producers were going to be sustained in this new world order. Enter 'Making It In Hollywood'. I dont have the answers either but I was somewhat reassured by their confusion by conveniently being half way through a journey with the traditional film festival route. While at the same time evolving an online experience through UKTHEATRE and UKFILM networks. Being in the eye of the storm is a nice place to be but that doesn't mean it will be easy. Understanding it and sharing it with you, is enough satisfaction for me, and perhaps at the same time I will stumble across, erm I mean, successfully create, some of the answers to REALLY 'Making It In Hollywood'. The new media way. Answers on a postcard please.

We live in interesting times.

Oh, and the lovely peeps at Channel 4, have invited me to their 4
Talent party tomorrow night. Yay.

Douglas

Cancer Victims' Anthem Of Hope

UKGigs.TV were pleased to produce the Indiana Gregg Home Concert at the North London Ovarian Cancer Support Group. The UK's press have featured the concert on their websites.

You can read more here:-

CANCER VICTIMS' ANTHEM OF HOPE

All the world's a stage

Hope you like the picture. Its from the Globe Theatre on the South Bank. Its a beautiful day in London and the South Bank is very busy with lots to see and do within a short stroll.

This morning I was with Lyn who has been reviewing in Glasgow and moved to London two weeks ago. She is keen to continue reviewing down here. A quick visit to The National Theatre and it looks like the new writing week in July will be Lyn's first project.

There are lots of new reviews this week at www.Uktheatre.net and some opportunities for producers and actors. Look out for an Indiana Gregg video on The Mirror site later this week. I am in the middle of editing as we speak.

My Bebo adventures continue and I am delighted and honoured to have a section on uk theatre in their new look video section. Email me your mpg video and I can include some footage in a 'whats on' feature.

Finally, all the world continues to be a uk theatre network stage. Members are connecting up in New York, Toronto, Hollywood and France. Long may it continue.

Have a great weekend.

Douglas

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