More filming about Diabetes

It looks like diabetes is getting a higher profile these days, or perhaps because I am so close to it, I jut think it is! In the April edition of Balance the front cover shows Tom Craig who is a film lecturer at Derby University. He is making a trilogy of films aiming to raise awareness of diabetes. He has chosen to film in the medium of horror fiction. As a Type 1 diabetic since the age of 4 he knows, like I do, about the condition. Making films from first hand experience makes it so powerful. His first film in the Bitter Sweet trilogy dealt with low blood sugar levels, also known as hypoglycaemia. It is entitled Sugar Drop. It was filmed on the university campus in a lift where the character descends into panic and the audience is left wondering if his hallucinations are real or imagined.  Adam thinks that some people are curious as to why he would use the horror genre, but he has received positive acclaim for this first film from NHS professionals and pharmaceutical companies wanting to screen his film at conferences and seminars. It has also been selected for industry competitions from Bangalore to Toronto.
His second part of the trilogy is in the making, called ‘Argon Green’ and this has been expanded into a 90 minute feature. This film deals with the subject of retinopathy, a condition that damages eyesight.  Adam has had some trouble with his sight but he wants the largely ignorant public, as well as to encourage those with diabetes to look after themselves, to know more about eye care. Although working on a very low budget, Adam has been able to borrow and use £30,000 of prime lenses which will enhance the picture quality. This is because the University of Derby together with Cooke optics of Leicester has invested in the lenses. The film should be out later this year.

Checkout his website here

For more support about any aspect of living with diabetes you can call Diabetes UK Careline
0845 1202960 or  hit the website here

Another opportunity not to be missed!

Things have been busy this week as my contact list has borne fruit! On Thursday 5th April I will be off to Cornwall to the studios of Sawmills. The studio is only accessed by boat and is housed in an old water mill.

My contact, Ruth Taylor, will be meeting me at Par station and taking me for a day in the studio to see how things work. There is a band recording on that day, although I don’t know who! Looking at their website you will be able to see how many famous bands have used the studios since its opening in 1974. I have my notebook and camera at the ready and I am really looking forward to the experience.

I’ll blog more next week.

Checkout their website here

Filming Opportunities

After Easter I have the opportunity to do some filming with Peter Scott. Peter is a musician who runs a project called ‘The Hothouse.’

The hothouse is a family run project and delivers ‘innovative and inspirational music services.’
(quote from website).

Peter has designed and developed a set of beatboards for particular use in schools. They are designed to develop skills in rhythm. They can be used from any age and from beginner to more competent musician level.

Peter has recently set up on his website a ‘beatbank’. This is a resource for teachers which shows how the beatboards can be used in the classroom. Peter wants to add more to his website by filming in a local school. The filming will include footage of reception and year one children (ages 5-6 years) developing rhythm and rhyme games. This resource can then be used by teachers as part of the English curriculum, and in particular phonics which helps the children in their first steps with reading.

More about Peter and his beatboards can be seen on his website. I will be filming the pupils and then editing the footage for use on his website.

Watch this space for more details!

Check out The Hot House here

Process of making my personal project video

Intro
As I was creating a music video I drew a lot of inspiration from listening to my finished track. The music formed ideas, feelings, colours and scenes in my head for me to draw inspiration from.

Story Board
I set out some boxes on A3 paper and drew down what I thought fitted with the music. I find A3 paper or larger more comfortable to use for the expression of ideas. Physiologically it makes it easier to feel free when I use a large work area to capture drawn graphics.
Before I sat down to do the initial storyboards I would doodle. This allows my mind open up creating new avenues of inspirational ideas.

Audience
All types of art are subjective to opinion. I have set out to create something that is suitable for all ages. Because the music is also unusual this could mean it appeals generally to the younger adults (16 – 25).
Initial ideas
Initial ideas were that it would be totally shot at night. The track utilised a lot of echoed instruments and small vocal pieces, giving it a fragmented distant feel. I therefore first thought of night time to support the track elements. Purples, light blues, dark greens and other earthy tones would reflect this prominence of the echoing elements in the track. Empty garages, car parks, warehouses, large expanses of flat land were my initial thoughts. I also had thoughts of comparing city based landscapes with rural ones when the song develops into its different parts. This would have worked as a background idea to support other main storylines or focus points. I decided against this idea as it wasn’t original and didn’t support the vocals in the track. I came up with the name energize from the vocal I used. Much like a pop song the last few words of the chorus would determine the name of the track. I applied this way of thinking to my track so that it was straight forward for the listeners/viewers to remember the music and video.


Cuttings
When I read magazine and newspapers I like to cut out pictures or photographs that interest me. I may cut out various things depending on my interests at the time but generally new colours, patterns and original design ideas I haven’t seen before would be taken for inspiration for new projects. I feel it is very important to keep close to what you think looks good and what interests you at certain times. Looking back over time I’m sure I will notice patterns in my cuttings that can help inform me of my previous thoughts and feelings so I can keep creating new and original ways of thinking in the future.

Documenting Diabetes - Magazine Research (Adam Fine)

During my downtime from work I have been reading quite a lot. Every month I get my Balance magazine which tells me about the latest thoughts on Diabetes. In the February edition there was a little article about independent producer Adam Fine, who is looking for volunteers with diabetes to feature in a documentary about ‘how people deal with diabetes both psychologically and physically during different life stages. The documentary will also look at the impact of recent developments in diabetes care and technology.’

A few years ago I made a film about my experiences with diabetes, filming my consultant, Dr H. Baumer. You can catch my two part film on Youtube.

Living with Diabetes Part 1
Living with Diabetes Part 2

I look at lot younger in my film and my filming technique has improved since then, but the film was used by the diabetic nurse team at Derriford hospital to show teenagers with type 1 diabetes how we sometimes feel with this condition.
I thought that I might e mail Adam to find out a bit more about his project.

I have not yet seen any of the trilogy but am excited to get my hands on them as soon as they are released (and when I have a job to buy them! )

Check out his website here