Summer Writers’ Rendezvous
21 May 2012 Leave a Comment
The next Writers’ Rendezvous is scheduled for Thursday, 14th June, from 7.30pm and will be held, as usual, at The Two Brewers in Rochester High Street.
Feel free to bring along any writing you’d like to share or just come along and find out what’s happening on the Medway writing scene.
See you there 
A Road of Marvels
03 May 2012 Leave a Comment
Myth and folktales are the subject of a talk by our very own Artistic Director, author, poet and storyteller Philip Kane at Chatham Library on the 24th May.
The talk entitled “A Road of Marvels” will argue for the continuing importance of myth and folktale to our imaginations and to our everyday lives.
Philip, who is the author of The Wildwood King, and a founding member of the London Surrealist Group, will give an engaging talk, interspersed with retellings of several traditional stories.
The talk is on Thursday, 24 May at 7.30pm at Chatham Library.
Places are free, but booking is essential.
Phone 01634 337799 or email chatham.library@medway.gov.uk
Show Us Your (Virgin Media) Shorts
29 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in News, Opportunities
Virgin Media Shorts, the UK’s biggest short film competition is back for a fifth year and they want to see your two minutes and 20 seconds of movie magic! Upload it before 12th July 2012 and you could soon be watching it on the big screen.
This year they’ve have a whopping 13 spaces on the shortlist, with one lucky Grand Prize winner skipping away with £30,000 funding to make your next film with the British Film Institute.
They believe that every raw talent deserves a break, whether you’re a Tarantino in training or giving film making a spin for the first time. A shortlist of 12 films will be selected by their panel of curators and screened in UK cinemas for a year. And for the first time ever, they’re opening up a 13th spot for the entry that’s shared online the most. Every time you watch a film and pass it on in the week after the competition closes – via Facebook, Twitter or even email – you’ll be helping nudge it into the limelight.
So if you’ve got a masterpiece up your sleeve, what are you waiting for? Upload your short today and you could soon be seeing it on the big screen, as it was meant to be watched. They can give you a leg up in the film industry and give millions of people the chance to see your work.
Check out the list of what’s up for grabs this year…
The 13 shortlisted film makers will have their work watched by their panel of movie industry judges – Mat Whitecross, James King, Chris Collins and Cindy Rose (more to be announced). Imagine hearing what British director Mat Whitecross thought of your film!
One lucky winner will receive £30,000 of film funding to make their next film, hand in hand with the BFI
The final 13 shorts will be shown in cinemas nationwide for a year, screening before the main feature
The winner of the People’s Choice Award (voted for by the public) will walk away with £5,000 of film funding and BFI mentoring
One film will take away the new TiVo® Award, introduced last year, voted for by Virgin Media customers through their TiVo® boxes
Even if your film doesn’t make it to the shortlist, they’ll make sure all of this year’s entries get as much exposure as possible via social media (Twitter, Facebook and YouTube) and their TiVo® and iPhone apps – your short could soon be reaching an audience of millions, even if you don’t make it to the final stage.
The 13 shortlisted film makers will attend a glitzy award ceremony at BFI Southbank in November, where they’ll meet the judges and be given the full red carpet treatment.
The winners don’t just get their work seen by millions of movie lovers, they turn industry heads, too. Luke Snellin, who won Virgin Media Shorts 2009 with Mixtape, was nominated for a BAFTA and is now a regular on the film festival scene with his award winning short Disco. Oscar Sharp clinched a BIFA nomination for his 2010 winning film Sign Language and is working on his new film starring Olivia Colman and Sean Dooley. 2011 winner Jason Wingard, director of the futuristic thriller 2:20, is now working on his next film with the BFI.
The best news is that Virgin Media Shorts is open to everyone, whether you’re a seasoned pro with all the latest gear or a new recruit to film land messing about on your Mac. All it takes to stand out is a brilliant idea, executed well. The BFI curators (who choose the shortlist) won’t dismiss your film just because it’s a bit rough around the edges. Good luck!
Rochester Writers’ Retreat, the sequel!
29 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
There will be a second one day Rochester Writers’ Retreat on the 27th May between 10am and 4pm, at the CoFWD coworking space in Rochester.
This event will be running on a ‘magic hat’ basis like the first one. This means that you pay what you think the day was worth when you leave.
The location has space for up to 20 people to work on anything they wish, be it stories, poems, articles or any other project you wish to spend time on. The venue will supply desks and power supplies and there is free wifi internet if needed. You just need to bring a laptop, or pen and paper if you prefer.
There are two types of ticket available, a silent space or a social space and you can indicate your preference when booking.
Tea and coffee is available on an honesty basis from the kitchen and there are plenty of places to get lunch nearby.
For further details and to book your place, see here: http://rochesterwritersretreat.eventbrite.co.uk
New Playwrights’ Circle Course
20 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in News, Opportunities
Local scriptwriter Paul Doust will be holding another 10 week playwriting course at the Eastgate Centre, Rochester.
The course starts on Thursday May 3rd, 7pm – 9pm and you can book with the Medway Adult and Community Learning Service on 01634 338400. The cost is £77.
Paul has previously written for the BBC’s Eastenders and runs numerous drama and writing courses. This course offers the chance to work on individual projects, perform in front of peers and have your work critiqued.
The Garden Poetry Party – Launch event of the Rochester Literature Festival
14 Apr 2012 2 Comments
We are pleased to announce the launch event for the Rochester Literature Festival.
The Garden Poetry Party will take place on Sunday 22nd July, at Eastgate House Gardens, between 12noon and 4pm.
Performers confirmed for the festival are:
Bill Lewis
Philip Kane
The James Worse Public Address Method
Abigail Zeiring-Delmado
Didi Bergman
Your comperes for the afternoon will be CO Jones and Mat Wills.
Should the weather be against us, the event will be held inside Eastgate House itself.
Among the entertainment will be at least one open mic session and a children’s creative corner, with more activities available for anyone to engage in. We’re very excited by the plans afoot and we do hope you’ll be able to join us. Artists, makers, craftspeople and book sellers are welcome to pitch a stall in the gardens at just £5. If you’re interested, please contact us via email: rochesterlitfest@gmail.com
Should the weather be against us, the event will be held inside Eastgate House itself. An Medway Archive exhibition entitled ‘Metal Men of Medway’ is taking place at the same time, which looks at the stories of the art and memorials of Medway’s streets. There will also be refreshments available to buy inside, courtesy of Dot Cafe.
The Eastgate House Gardens are a wonderful space for any event, as proven by the Mad Hatters Tea Party last year, when Lewis Carroll’s characters inhabited the grounds for a day. We’re looking forward to bringing the house and gardens alive again with this inaugural Rochester Literature Festival event.
Doodlebugs and Rockets: Public Lecture by Bob Ogley
12 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Events
At the University Centre Folkestone, on Monday 30th April at 6pm.
Born in Sevenoaks, Bob Ogley is a former editor of The Sevenoaks Chronicle, and was a journalist for more than 30 years before he left his newspaper to concentrate on writing books and giving talks. He is a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Kent.
His life changed with the publication of his first book, In The Wake of the Hurricane, which sold more than 250,000 copies and remained in the top ten bestseller list for eight months. He has travelled extensively in pursuit of information and photographs and is in great demand from organisations across the south-east to tell his unique story.
Many of Bob’s 22 books have been county bestsellers, including Biggin on The Bump, the story of RAF Biggin Hill; Kent at War and The Kent Weather Book. His books and talks have raised more than £108,000 for local charities throughout the county.
During the Battle of Britain the pilots used Hawkinge as a forward base. The V1 flying bombs (doodlebugs) were launched from ramps in Pas de Calais and thousands passed over East Kent (or were shot down) on their way to London. Those indiscriminate, short-lived but lethal weapons brought terror to Kent in 1944-5. It is a story, not only of devastation and drama, but of courage, resourcefulness, luck and even humour.
The Public Lecture is FREE to attend but advance booking is essential. Please contact jane.seaman@canterbury.ac.uk or ring 01303 760600.
Exploring Great Expectations
12 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Events
February 7th 2012 marked the bicentenary of Charles Dickens’ birth; at the University Centre Folkestone this May, there will be a seminar and discussion on one of Dickens’ best loved novels, Great Expectations, which was recently adapted into a three part series on BBC One.
Exploring Great Expectations Thursday 3rd May 2012 6pm FREE ENTRY
Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations is a novel grown from Kentish soil at whose core is a satisfyingly simple yet richly resonant parable of a young boy’s entrance into the world. Distilled into it are years of deep reflection on what it means to grow up and what the world into which Dickens himself had come was like. All of this makes it the perfect book in which to examine its author’s continuing claims on our attention in 2012, the year that sees the bicentenary of his birth. Dr Peter Merchant, Principal Lecturer in English at Canterbury Christ Church University, will offer a résumé of the novel and a discussion in which all readers of Great Expectations—past or current—are welcome to join.
To book a place, please email lucy.dearden@canterbury.ac.uk
University Centre Folkestone offers degrees and Foundation degrees in subjects including Performing and Visual Arts, Dance Education, Creative Writing, Arts Management and Early Years education.
LUX/ICA Biennial Of Moving Pictures Writers Residency
03 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Events, News, Opportunities
You’ll have to be quick on this one – deadline for applications is April 7th but I’ve only just seen it!
LUX/ICA Biennial of Moving Images seeks to appoint three energetic and gifted upcoming writers to participate in a 5-day writing residency as part of its forthcoming LUX/ICA Biennial of Moving Images at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London 23–27 May 2012.
The three writers will be in residence in the ICA’s Reading Room for the duration of the event, and work with journal editor Isla Leaver-Yap throughout the biennial to develop commentary, analysis and up-to-the minute reportage on unfolding events. Writers will produce reviews, profiles, Q&A’s with participating filmmakers, and live updates. As a dynamic documenting/online project, the journal will create a rich, interactive experience for online audiences—an effective legacy document of the event.
LUX/ICA seeks to broaden and hone the experience of writers interested in developing their writing skills within the fast-paced, diverse context of the Biennial environment. Prior publishing experience, both in print and online, is preferred but not required. Each writer will be given an honorarium of £500, receive full accreditation to the Biennial, and work directly with experienced editor Isla Leaver-Yap.
Applicants will:
- have a fluent command of English (written and spoken).
- have knowledge of artists working with the moving image and will have preferably have completed an arts-related graduate or postgraduate course in the past five years.
- have a flair and confidence for producing interviews, reviews and profiles, and produce shorter copy suitable for online social network streams. All copy submitted to the editor will be timely, accurate and grammatically correct.
- be prepared to work flexible hours throughout the period of the festival.
- attend and contribute to regular editorial meetings both on Skype and in the London office.
- will have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Twitter, Facebook. Experience of Photoshop, CSS, WordPress, Audacity, Ustream desirable.
- communicate well in a small team, be calm under pressure, resourceful and efficient.
Applicants should submit a CV and a cover letter stating their interest in the position (no longer 500 words). Two recent pieces of writing should also be submitted: the first, a short review of a recent contemporary art exhibition or event, no more than 500 words; the second, a text no more than 1,000 words in the form of a feature, interview, profile or criticism. Addresses of social media streams and blogs belonging to applicants should also be included in the CV.
All applications should be submitted as a PDF (no other document formats will be accepted) to journal@biennialofmovingimages.org.uk Deadline for applications: 7 April 2012
Medway Open Studios and Arts Festival
30 Mar 2012 2 Comments
There’s a new festival for Medway in the summer, in which writers and poets are more than welcome to take part.
Applications are now open for the Medway Open Studios & Arts Festival, to celebrate all creative communities and artists who live and work locally, and to promote a positive opinion of Medway as a creative hub. 2012 is its first year and organisers hope it will become an established annual festival.
The closing date is 20th April and there are some meet and greet sessions beforehand, if you wish to find out more about the festival and how it will work. These will be held at the Deaf Cat Cafe in Rochester High Street on the next three weekends:
Saturday 31st March (tomorrow) Saturday 7th April and Sunday 15th April, between 10am – 12noon.
The festival itself will take place between the 7th and 13th July. For guidelines and application details, find out more here.
