The Blog for Penryn (UK) -based Kernow Youth Society for the Performing Arts. Our society is open to young people aged 9 upwards from the Falmouth and Penryn area. Our aim is to allow members to explore their interest in the performing arts through drama and film activities. KYSPA has a strong citizenship theme with activities aiming to promote self confidence, teamwork and communication skills.

Wednesday 19 November 2008

Open Film Auditions in Cornwall

Hi All,

Though KYSPA may be taking a break there is still plenty to do if you are missing film and drama activities!

Blue Ocean Pictures is looking for actors for Camburrow, a period drama about a cornish mining family. Not a KYSPA activity as such, KYSPA's members are still welcome to audition though you will need full parental consent and supervision throughout.

Discover more about the film on the Camburrow Website and follow the progress of the film on the Camburrow Blog.

Friday 7 November 2008

CRASAC Film Shoot

Hi folks,

I know it has been a while since KYSPA has been able to meet. Its a bit disappointing that we've not quite managed to come through for Kim after all the hard work you have put in on rehearsing lines, not to mention Kim's hard work setting up the shoot etc.

If you want to remain involved in this project you will NEED TO CONTACT Kim directly by email. The address is: help@crasac.co.uk

Arranging to take part will need to be a matter between you, your parents and CRASAC itself as KYSPA cannot coordinate further activities due to insurance constraints.

THE FUTURE OF KYSPA

Looks very uncertain and the organisation will be put on hold for the time being. I am open to suggestions as to how KYSPA could operate in a viable manner and any services or activities that we could provide so if you have ideas please do get in touch. However I cannot run and sustain an organisation where the membership cannot undertake fundraising performances. We also need a stable venue to meet.

I'm not done yet, but at present the society requires a full rethink and needs to effectively start again from scratch. I don't have the time to undertake that sort of commitment now I'm afraid but KYSPA is a project I will come back to when I can.

Thank you for the great experiences that have marked KYSPA's two years. Rich.

Wednesday 5 November 2008

Canopus 279

I've been keeping myself busy as you can see below!



Positive comments welcome!

CRASAC SHOOT 8th Nov

We will be needing Rhiannon, Carrie and Jen, plus Rachel. The shoot will start in Flushing (exact location to be confirmed) at 11am and should last for about 2 hours.

Please contact me by email or on my mobile asap to confirm you can attend.

Friday 31 October 2008

New Film Blog!

I have started a new blog relating to a film project I am involved with through Blue Ocean Pictures. You will find a feed from the Camburrow Blog embedded in the left-hand margin. This links to the main page.

This Blog is in honour of the fact that I've been allowed to write some of the screenplay for this project - and I intend to keep a blog of the process from our first planning meeting this week until the film is finally given its first "screening" sometime next year.

If anyone fancies getting involved in Camburrow - which is not a KYSPA endorsed or run activity - please follow one of the links to the Camburrow websites OR the main Blue Ocean Pictures site for more information. Links are found in the left hand border.

Film Shoot Update!!!

Due to other commitments, the CRASAC Film Shoot has been postponed for 1 week to Saturday 8th November, 9am in Flushing. Venue to be confirmed.

Have a good Halloween one and all!

Thursday 16 October 2008

CRASAC FILM DAY November 1st

CALLING ALL CRASAC ACTORS!!!

The next and probably final shoot of the Crasac Video will be on November 1st in Flushing from 9am.

We will need Jen, Rhiannon and Carrie plus Rachel. I'll need to check on the boys' parts but their scene may well be filmed that day too or the following week.

I'll be in touch shortly to finalize this and we'll see about meeting up for a script read through prior to the shoot.

I don't have an exact location yet (Flushing is kinda small though so shouldn't be too hard to find lol) but I have heard rumours of a 9am start! Just giving you advance notice.

Monday 18 August 2008

Summer School Day 2

Apologies, the footage is a bit more complicated than anticipated! Editing is underway and films will appear very soon.

Wednesday 13 August 2008

Summer 2008 "Heart" Music Video

In our second video from the first Summer School workshop, we re-work the original video concept slightly, keeping the vampire but simplifying the plot to a straightforward chase around an abandoned school.

A love-struck vampire lures his victim and her friend to the school where a game of hide and seek quickly becomes a race to escape! We considered a few different endings but went for the tragic one, though look out for a slight twist in the final few seconds (watch the victim closely)

This proved trickier to edit as we were a bit short of footage Timing the "bite" correctly was a bit of a nightmare but we got there in the end! I'm pleased with the final edit - the plot ties well with the lyrics and the footage manages to tell the story very well.

A big thank you to everyone involved either side of the camera. Hope you enjoy the result of your work!

Monday 11 August 2008

Summer 2008 "Rent" Music Video

The theme for Summer 2008 is music videos and the first to come out of editing is "Rent" from a 2 film shoot on August 11th at Falmouth School.

Our version stays very true to the original music video by the Pet Shop Boys in 1987 which featured a chauffeur and a wealthy socialite. We adapted that to a busy, influential businesswoman and her Personal Assistant.

As in the original music video the woman appears virtually oblivious to the main male character, her PA, despite the fact that they are in each other's company for most of the day. In the way intended, the combination of images and the song's lyrics leave us wondering whether the man IS in fact content to be just an employee (for her to "pay his rent") or whether watching constantly from the sidelines is quite hard for him.

Almost all shots were filmed by the course participants themselves to create a "montage" of images that take us through a busy day, closing with the businesswoman breezing off leaving her PA to catch the bus home alone. All course members participated as actors in this video and it was filmed quite quickly as the first shoot over-ran a bit.

I'm really happy with how it turned out and I hope you are too.



Monday 28 July 2008

CRASAC Filming Day Monday 28th July

Hi all, Just would like to thank you all for your hard work - we got a massive ammount of footage on tape today. I know most of you still have your main scenes to shoot but even being an extra behind the main actors etc as in the canteen scene is very important to the look of a film and it never hurts to watch professional film makers setting up shots etc.






Tuesday 22 July 2008

NO KYSPA Tuesday 22nd July

Still no resolution on the room (at least not one we can afford!).

BUT we will be shooting on the 28th july. Info to follow.

Tuesday 15 July 2008

Room Crisis - No KYSPA Tonight

Sorry folks, have been so far unable to secure a room for us to use - though I am working on it! There will be no KYSPA this evening (Tuesday 15th July) but I'll hopefully have sorted it by next week.

Meantime, feel free to look at the youtube films in the margin (hopefully the follywood links are working now) as well as the case study gothic "horror" music vid below.

Please hold... normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

Saturday 12 July 2008

A Music Video Case Study - Horror/Comedy

I know many of you quite like a bit of gothic horror! When I was about the age you folks are now (back in the Stone Age this was) I went on an exchange trip to Germany. Whilst I was there the Pet Shop Boys were in the charts and I saw this Video for the first time on German TV!

Made a big impact on me and was largely responsible for the Lady and the Vamp project at Follywood Studios. This video is low tech (the bat) but very effective nontheless.

What you will notice is there is humour here - The Vamp is slightly pathetic and comical. Yet the reaction of the woman brings in the darker side of the story - not just because she rejects her husband in favour of "quasi" but cos she's doomed the minute she does - and you know it.

This vid is more then a little bit surreal - which adds to the hint of horror (its about as scary as an episode of Charlie and Lola but it is just faintly troubling!) The imposed "bride" image as the woman walks towards her new "husband" indicates the vamp has won and the desperate playing of the violin players (closing their eyes before the bite) creates a horror style without the horror.

As a final point, I like the two reactions by the scorned husband, first sad, then finally bitter.

Pet shop boys vids tend to be well shot but also pretty intellectual. Nothing appears without a reason. They had a bit of fun with this one but still created a story with a couple of layers to it.

So... you've read about it now enjoy! Feel free to post your comments on this blog about what you thought of it - I'd be interested! Rich.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=12tyZRFkzFI

Wednesday 25 June 2008

A good session!

Just a quick post to thank you for a great session last night. It's been a while since we've had a session where we've got so much done and that is v encouraging.

With regard to the CRASAC dvd, we have a film date of July 28th. I need confirmation ASAP that you can attend wherever the shoot might be (it'll be local, just don't have a precise location yet) on the 28th.

Please phone or comment to let me know. Thanks, Rich

Sunday 15 June 2008

Film Call for Actors!

Blue Ocean Pictures will over the next few months be filming a Sci-Fi film for the film festival circuit called "CANOPUS 279" Yours truly is playing a Geological Officer on his first deep space mission.

I have no script details as yet - its being finalised - but I have been asked to sound you folks out about taking parts as the "aliens" on the planet we're surveying. Please comment or let me know if you're up for it. Cool special effects and a smoke machine are among the attractions - not to mention me in a "space suit" - something you will only see once in your lifetimes!

We will be continuing meets at the Church Hall for a while. All of our equipment has now been taken out of the Youth Space for safe storage following the loss of our IMAC. We will have to think quite carefully about where we want to base ourselves in the future.

Monday 9 June 2008

Theft from the Youth Space

I regret to announce that our IMAC PC was stolen from the youth space sometime between this week and our last session. Fortunately our cameras were with me for recharging and so that was all that was taken as far as I can tell.

Obviously, the MAC held quite a collection of images and film from our work going back nearly a year now. You will have been using each other's first names and so there is a very slight risk of this information falling into the wrong hands.

PLEASE be extra aware of anyone approaching you who claims to have seen you or know about you through KYSPA. If ANY images show up in youtube, myspace, facebook or beebo that you think come from our PC, please notify me immediately.

NO personal details AT ALL were stored on the Mac so from a data protection point of view this is a relatively minor problem but please do be alert.

The theft has been reported to the police and our insurance company.

Thursday 15 May 2008

If you think you have the solution...

... to trafffic noise and air pollution! Why not join KYSPA and show Penryn how its done? Who's up for putting on The Motormalgamation for the Penryn Town Fair in August? Answers by email or as a comment please! Hopefully you've not forgotten your lines! Rich.

Wednesday 23 April 2008

A youtube film

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lWvu8XYgNoc This link was passed on to me. Fantastic short film. Enjoy!

Tuesday 22 April 2008

Which is best, Falmouth or Penryn???

This eternal connundrum can be settled by VOTING either for Falmouth or Penryn! Click on the "up" arrow at the bottom of the page you choose.

Falmouth: http://www.towndeeds.co.uk/falmouth-cornwall.php
Penryn : http://www.towndeeds.co.uk/penryn-cornwall.php

Ok folks, over to you! Just copy & paste the url into your window to access the pages.

Rich.

Monday 21 April 2008

Filming event soon

Sorry it has been a while. We expect to hear details fairly soon of when the CRASAC DVD filming will take place. As soon as I have the finalised scripts and roles I will be in touch to arrange some rehearsal sessions.

Am currently giving some thought to some future activities but this will depend on whether I need to move away from the area to a new job or not! (awaiting interview at present).

Looking to start up an open weekly roleplay session quite soon, just got to check availability of the space with Vincent. If you think you could make it in Middle Earth (without getting knobbled by orcsesses and nassty hobbitsses) keep an eye out for future posts! Alternatively, perhaps you fancy exploring an entirely original fantasy world that is stumbling towards all-out war (assuming you can't heroically prevent it!)?

Tuesday 18 March 2008

Tuesday 18th March

Haven't had any script updates from CRASAC yet, so no KYSPA tonight.

Tuesday 11 March 2008

Tuesday 11th March

To clarify, I'd like the three CRASAC actors tonight please! Please bring your scripts. Thanx rich.

Tuesday 4 March 2008

Tuesday 4th March

For those with attention span issues, a quick reminder that there is NO KYSPA tonight!

Wednesday 27 February 2008

Reminder - NO KYSPA

Tuesday 4th March will NOT be a KYSPA night due to a charity event in Falmouth. CRASAC Peeps, please learn your lines! Ta.

Monday 25 February 2008

Tuesday 26th Feb

Same peeps as last week for much the same activities. We'll start by filming some extra shots for CRASAC DvD involving everyone. Then the Chavs & Emos can get back to their war but should try filming some of these scenes to figure out how the film will actually work.

Friday 22 February 2008

Another Cloudland Film!

They kept it quiet, but Cloudland have put another film onto youtube. A bit more cheerful than Misty's End this one! Nice work by the whole cloudland team.

http://www.youtube.com/user/cloudlandpro

Thursday 21 February 2008

Beware the all-seeing eye!

For those of you who haven't concerned yourself with how I occupy my time when not stressing about KYSPA, I feel I should point out that I work for an internet company. Among my many and varied duties I do website marketing.

Naturally, I apply my knowledge from time to time to boost KYSPA's blog in the google rankings and I generally keep an eye on all matters KYSPA related on the internet.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I discover KYSPA popping up all over the place! Let's just say that discussions using certain well-known social networking sites have been picked up in my google searches! My eye is all-seeing.

SO... in response to the odd post that has come to my attention. I am not ALWAYS ill! I've just been unlucky recently. Normal service has been restored. I do, though, totally apologise for any occasion when members attended a KYSPA session that had been cancelled. I'm very, very sorry.

But if you used your membership money for a McD's on the way home I'm sure that helped to compensate for the inconvenience.

Generally, KYSPA does not run in school holls if too many people plan to be away. On the other hand, if I think we can have a productive session, I'm always happy to turn up. I don't worry too much who attends in holidays. I have to say though, being "unable to move" does seem a bit unlikely as excuses for not attending go! Still, that's the price for working with "creative" divas I suppose. It would have been a catastrophy, no doubt, if you had tried to move.

So.. to those out there who might be tempted to pass comment or judgement... just remember I am omnipresent, if not omni (or even semi) cogniscent!

Wednesday 20 February 2008

A Productive Session

Well done for last night. A few wobbles, but we got quite a bit done, which is encouraging! The "Chavs & Emos" film needs some work, but once you got down to it I could see the makings of a great film. Thanks also to those who rehearsed the CRASAC script. I think that will be a project we can really be proud of.

Thursday 14 February 2008

Looking to the future....

After what can only be described as a "rather unproductive" rehearsal on Tuesday, KYSPA's future will require some serious thought. It appears the format and activities on offer cannot deliver the charitable goals of the Society and a full re-think is now required.

To help with this, please leave comments on the type of projects you feel would be worth us exploring in the future. Bear in mind, however, that KYSPA is probably moving towards school holiday and occasional weekend projects and away from regular weekly meetings.

We will be seeing our CRASAC commitments through, but this will be exclusively with members who have demonstrated a mature commitment to our society over the past months - which is, unfortunately a very select few indeed. Please do not attend on Tuesday unless you have received a phone call.

Tuesday 12 February 2008

Tuesday 12th Feb

Meeting is on tonight. Vallery, Tyndall, Carrington, Kapok Kid, Brooks, Marshall, Nicholls & Riley

See you there!

Friday 8 February 2008

Sunday Rehearsal

In addition to Brooks, Nicholls & Kapok Kid, Could I have Vallery & Tyndall if you're around please? 3.00pm - 4.30pm. If you can't make it, please call - it's a long walk from Mawnan Smith! ta muchly.

Tuesday 5 February 2008

URGENT REQUEST!!!

I received info on a dance event in London on the 8th March. Based on a 1 day & 1 night stay, the cost of this would be £79.00 per person.

This would include

train fare
accommodation & breakfast (aboard HMS Belfast!)
A Hip-Hop class
A Musical Theatre Class
A Cheerleading Class
And the chance to watch some live performances on stage.

Target number for this to be a viable trip is 8 to 10 members.
We need a MUM to volunteer to come along (expenses paid) otherwise we can't go.

Tickets to the classes are selling fast PLUS I'd need to book the accommodation very soon so please contact me ASAP if you think this is something you'd like to do.

The accommodation would be aboard a ship that served on the Arctic Convoy run and would provide an excellent pre-HMS Ulysses experience!

For more info, see the "Move It" website. Type "dance london olympia" into google. Remember I'm a bit limited with my phone communication at present, but I can be called on 01326 250219

No KYSPA tonight. Very Sorry but....

Post-op my only instructions were not to catch a cold. For one week. I managed less than a day before catching one & it has caused my recovery to be "postponed".

What with the dizziness, double vision etc I feel that perhaps KYSPA would not be a good plan tonight! Apart from anything else, seeing TWO of everyone would be just plain scary!

We will resume the scheduled rehearsalas on Sunday as per the letter.

Apologies again, Rich.

PS, Thanks to the two die-hards for a good rehearsal on Sunday!

Friday 25 January 2008

New Phone Number!

Please note the new phone number! Full service (eg. 1571) may take a while to come on, but I can receive calls now. A big thanks to the BT people who spent a day in the muddy field sorting out my line!

01326 250219

Well Done Folks!

Those of you who put together the bid for our lighting rig can give yourselves a pat on the back.

Our buid was successful! Hopefully we will have lights in time for Ulysses. Also we can think about using lights inside for filming - creating film sets and lighting effects. Pretty exciting stuff really!

Tuesday 15 January 2008

Tuesday 15th January

Full Cast again please this eve. Can EVERYONE bring whatever scripts they can lay their hands on. Many thanks.

Meeting at the Youth Space this eve.

Cheers, Rich.

Saturday 12 January 2008

Sunday Rehearsal 13th January

FULL CAST from 3pm - 5pm at St Gluvias Church Hall.

BRING YOUR SCRIPTS PLEASE!!!!

Lets get this show ready! Much work still to do.

Tuesday 8 January 2008

Advance Notice!

Emboldened by the evident wealth of acting ability at my disposal, I am tempted to re-visit HMS Ulysses in April or thereabouts.

A challenging play which I didn't quite pull off last time though the acting was fine. I intend to re-work the script, develop a more kinetic style and rehearse more thoroughly this time around.

HMS Ulysses has a core of 10 characters in its present form with 8 additional slightly smaller parts. Multiple roles are possible, combining smaller roles together.

Prior preparation will be critical if you'd like a main part in this play. First, take some time to read the book! Available on Amazon or bookshops, prob even Ebay.

HMS Ulysses by Alistair MacLean

A good additional option, before reading the book, is to watch "The Cruel Sea" a PG rated black and white war film that contains elements directly relevant to the parts you'd be playing. You can borrow this DVD from me (so long as I get it back). This will help make sense of some of the "technical" aspects of the book (ASDIC for example).

Monday 7 January 2008

Tuesday 8th January - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone, hope you have recovered from all that Christmas food!

With the holiday over, we need to get serious about Panto Rehearsals! More on that later, however.

TUESDAY 8TH JANUARY's SESSION WILL RUN FROM 6pm - 8.30pm.
Please come wearing your KYSPA T Shirts for that added level of professionalism. Thanks.

That's half an hour EARLY, folks!!! (Remember to wrap up warm!)

This will NOT be a panto rehearsal but the first pre-production meeting for the CRASAC DVD. Present will be representatives from CRASAC, the film company and Tir Na. Parents may attend if they wish. Just a few of our members will be needed at this session so if you don't hear from me, you do not need to attend at this stage - learn your lines instead!

For anyone new, read about this project in the September archive on the 11th and 16th September. Let me know if you would like to be involved.

All participants need to regard this as a professional acting project - because that is exactly what it is albeit unpaid. The film is for national release into schools and youth organisations. For anyone interested in acting or TV/Film as a career, this is a unique opportunity and important first step.

I expect you to approach this project as young adults and professional actors. I'm expecting a lot of you, but I know you can, and will, deliver. Please arrive at the building quietly and in the right frame of mind to get down to some serious work, rehearsing and discussion. Our reputation rests quite heavily on the success of this project and you will be making a first impression upon a growing local film company we may wish to work with again.

SNOW WHITE rehearsals will be scheduled for Sunday pm at the end of the week. From here on, we will rehearse at least twice a week, possibly 3 times. We need to be ready by the end of the month. Just a "heads up".