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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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.

A youtube film

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

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!)?

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.

Resumption of Meetings Tues 9th Oct

Hi all, thanks for your patience! KYSPA will be back in business this tuesday. we have the DvD from CRASAC and we will need to work on some ideas and scripts, either adapting the existing material or adding scenarios you think should be included. we will then be visited again next week to share our ideas with CRASAC.

As well as being quite poorly, this has been a difficult time for me. I hope, however, to get back into the swing of things now as there is a great deal for us to do! See you 'orrible lot on Tues!

Successful meeting!

The meeting between CRASAC and KYSPA's members and parents was very positive. For those of you who weren't there, this is a main summary of the points discussed and the decisions taken.

1. The content of the educational video will focus on the issue of grooming and keeping safe. Many shots will not reveal the identity of the actors at all, but all footage will be sensitively handled and there is no content which will be uncomfortable for our young people to act.

2. The script will be developed in partnership with the actors. Parents will have the opportunity to look at the script before shooting and raise any concerns.

3. Parents are welcome to attend shoots if they wish.

4. Parents will preview the finished film before general release. The views and wishes of parents and actors are paramount and permission can be withdrawn even at a late stage if either are uncomfortable with the films content. However, we hope that through discussion and involvement throughout the project this will be avoided.

5. Parents and actors need to be aware, though, that this film will be a high profile, national resource. images will be distributed around the UK to schools and youth organisations.

6. Given the subject matter, it was agreed that KYSPA's name will not appear in the credits - to avoid any chance of actors being widely recognised in terms of where they live.

7. The DVD is being produced in a format which means it cannot be copied. This ensures that copies will go to authorised organisations only.

8. There was support for this project, subject to these safeguards, from parents and our members.

CRASAC are happy to discuss this project and any concerns at any time. They can be contacted on: help@crasac.co.uk or on : Kim Lyall Cornwall Rape And Sexual Abuse Centre 01872 262100

Tues 11th Sept

MEETING FOR PARENTS
Tuesday 11th September 6.30pm

As you will be aware, KYSPA obtained a significant grant from the Cornwall Community Foundation this year. Another organisation which benefited from this charity was the Cornwall Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre. They received money to make an educational DVD for use in schools and education projects around the county on issues relating to young people, sexual abuse and rape.

This DVD will be produced by a professional media company who have won a tendering process to be awarded the contract. The DVD WILL NOT feature any kind of graphic scenes of abuse taking place. However, it will be fairly hard-hitting and aims to make young people aware of situations in which they may find themselves at increased risk – and thereby avoid those situations.

KYSPA’s members have the option of taking small acting parts in this DVD along with older actors from another Falmouth theatre company (Tir Na, I think).

Obviously, this is a very sensitive subject matter and so two members of CRASAC will be coming to our evening session on Tuesday 11th September to discuss the project, meet our young actors and their parents. They will outline the scenarios that actors are needed for and can answer any questions from parents our members and KYSPA’s own Trustees who will no doubt want to learn more about this project.

This project may not be suitable for all our members. Parents may feel uncomfortable with it, and this is also quite understandable. Our members themselves have expressed a desire to tackle important issues, and this is about as important as it gets. I do foresee some key advantages to our participation.

Our members will, themselves, gain a great deal of knowledge about how to keep themselves safe from partaking in this project.

Actors will be working in a semi-professional capacity with professional film makers.

Participating in this project may make a real difference to a key aspect of youth education in Cornwall.

I would urge parents to keep an open mind and to attend the Tuesday 11th meeting where we will all learn more about what is involved. CRASAC is a professional organisation working with vulnerable people. This project will be handled in an appropriate and sensitive way. KYSPA’s leaders will attend shoots with our actors, if the project goes ahead, for supervision.

Success for KYSPA at BBC Auditions!

KYSPA was approached by BBC Scotland to find some 5 & 6 year olds to audition for the popular Cbeebies show "Nina and the Neurons". Obviously, KYSPA's normal membership is a bit older than that, so some quick phone calls were required to locate some younger actors!

In the event, five youngsters auditioned and two from Falmouth were successful. The programme on waves was filmed earlier this week. This is not the first occasion that KYSPA has been asked to find young actors for extra parts in films and we will be looking at how we can develop this service over the next year.

The opportunity to get involved in working on professional products is really exciting and we hope there will be more such opportunities for our members soon.

KYSPAs Extended Schools Workshops

DAY TWO

The second day of the summer film making workshop saw four groups move on to make a longer piece of film. The subject matter varied again, but a certain ammount of death & murder will no doubt be involved! (I let the groups choose what they film - nothing to do with me!).

Although Hannah was ill, and sadly unable to join us (hope you're feeling better now) Flo & Ruby both continued to help their respective groups with filming and advice - as well as lending their acting skills to support the plot!

Overall, this was a successful workshop which has left me with HOURS of editing to do (fun,fun,fun!) but once it's done we will be arranging to show the entire collection at a mini premiere where DVDs will be available.

The photos collected over the course of the two days will hopefully be enough evidence to secure at least two Youth Activity Leaders Awards for my hard-working helpers! Thanks to all of you for your hard work.

.

Filming in progress making use of the great weather we had to film outdoors.

Ruby setts up the camera for an internal shot of a mystical spy base occupied by a strange long-haired cooking guru!

We also managed to get some editing done on our new Imac!