Meet Jack. as in Jack-in-the-box, the method of transport in which he arrived. He’s the prosthetic head standing in for CLARK, a character in our film-within-a-film, Hiker Meat, part of the ROUGH CUT experimental feature film I’m producing with artist Jamie Shovlin.
Jack-in-the-box
Less Important Portraits
I’ve received my augmented portrait from artist Jeremy Bailey as part of his Important Portraits: Less Important Portraits series, and I’m blown away! My living room has been transformed by purple grass, levitating cats and a noble steed awaits me upon a rocky outcrop as geometric shapes detach themselves from the precipice. It will be appearing in exhibition at Devotion Gallery in New York, opening Fri 14 June 2013.
Ready, steady, grab
Never has a shopping experience been so stressful. Along with our wardrobe, hair and make-up supervisor Di Lucille Campbell, I’d negotiated a one-hour ‘supermarket sweep’ inside the extensive Costume Store of The Library Theatre Company; a long-estabished Manchester based performance company (founded 1952) and recent merger under the mega-arts umbrella of the Greater Manchester Arts Centre.
Liquid sun
The sun emerged all too briefly but blazed brightly over the weekend… it looks in this snap like some of it dripped out of the sky and on to the pavement. At least, that’s what I’d like to think.
A Sight for Gouged Eyes
Although I didn’t go down to the woods today, I did do so a few weeks back and have been swamped with the resulting planning, preparation and necessary administration (e.g. ‘nature of risk: death or extreme injury’) since then. It was all in aid of sourcing key locations in the Lake District for Jamie’s Shovlin’s experimental feature film, ROUGH CUT, and with the help of our location manager Tor Townley, we were spoilt for choice.
Let’s Move Somewhere Else
Let’s Move Somewhere Else is the first single by French/Mancunian band Rubberbear, consisting of Tom Chapman (New Order) and Steve Trafford (ex-The Fall), and for their debut EP they are joined by producer / programmer Phil Birchenall. I was fortunate to be part of the roll-call of local faces to form a moving portrait of human emotion by friends Jan and Emily, who form the creative partnership TAPE. It also stars the well respected and highly talented actress Maxine Peake (Channel 4′s Shameless and Red Riding, BBC’s Silk). The brief we were given – before being left alone with the camera – was to think of a place, imaginary or otherwise, where we would rather be. So I was pleased to have made the final cut, but surprised to appear at the very start! That’s me, in the back alley behind my house. Thanks Jan and Emily, and thanks to Rubberbear for the opportunity to appear alongside such a great track!
The track, ‘Let’s Move Somewhere Else’ was released along with the EP on the 1st of April and is available on iTunes.
Sketch-O-Matic at Hebden Bridge Arts Festival 2013
I can now announce that Sketch-O-Matic will be appearing at the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival from Sat 22 – Sun 30 June, featuring a new rosta of community artists and perhaps some familiar faces (or silhouettes, depending on how close you peer to the mirrored screen). Previous artist-participants are welcome to get in touch if they feel inspired to make a trip out to the countryside, and as anyone who has been before will know, it’s a wonderful, picturesque little town by the river, with the festival celebrating its 20th year. The booth will be sited inside the newly renovated and expanded Town Hall, which forms the hub of activity. You know the score – form an orderly queue and empty your pockets of cash!
trixxie carr: Owner of a Lonely Heart (The Right to RULE) from Bren O'Callaghan on Vimeo.
Owner of a Lonely Heart
More footage from videographer Tim Brunsden, not originally intended as a single camera edit, but too good to end up in the digital waste bin. I think this is my favourite part of The Right to RULE… I mean, I loved *all* of it, but excepting the unicorn finale, this number had me grinning from ear to ear. The lambs hearts were actually still part-frozen, having only been procured from the Arndale market hour earlier (no pigs hearts within scrambling distance!), and contrary to our expectations, the wonderful ruff from Volkov Commanders was entirely salvageable! Also featuring Stef and Laura of the Ultra Violets, and of course, Honey Mahogany, currently starring in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5. I love it when a plan comes together. Wait, which member of the A-Team does that make me? Probably Howlin’ Mad Murdock.